Leiocephalus carinatus
{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Cuban curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus labrossytus).JPG
| image_caption = L. c. labrossytus, Playa Larga, Cuba
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Leiocephalus
| species = carinatus
| authority = Gray, 1827
| synonyms =
}}
Leiocephalus carinatus, commonly known as the northern curly-tailed lizard or saw-scaled curlytail, is a species of lizard in the family Leiocephalidae (curly-tailed lizard).{{NRDB species|genus=Leiocephalus |species=carinatus |access-date=23 August 2015}}
Geographic range
It is native to the Bahama Islands, the Cayman Islands and Cuba. It was introduced intentionally in Palm Beach, Florida, in the 1940s in an attempt to control sugar cane pests,{{cite web | title = Nonnatives - Northern Curlytail Lizard | work = Florida's Nonnative Species | publisher = Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | date = | url = http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/reptiles/northern-curleytail-lizard/ | accessdate = 2011-11-15}} and is now also present in a few other parts of the state.{{cite book | author1=Conant, R. | author2=J.T. Collins | year=1998 | title=A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America | pages=[https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetorept00cona_0/page/244 244-245] | edition=3 | isbn=978-0395904527 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetorept00cona_0/page/244 }} Another introduced population inhabits Swan Islands, Honduras.
Description
Adults may attain a snout to vent length (SVL) of {{convert|10.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}, or a total length, including the tail, of {{convert|26|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The dorsal scales are keeled and pointed. L. carinatus resembles lizards of the genus Sceloporus, but with the tail usually curled upward, especially when the lizard is in a horizontal position on rocks or on the ground.Smith, H.M., and E.D. Brodie, Jr. 1982. Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. {{ISBN|0-307-13666-3}}. (Leiocephalus carinatus, pp. 132-133.)
Behavior
An active, robust lizard, it is mostly terrestrial and will retreat into a burrow or cavity when frightened. It prefers sunny areas with loose rubble and rock. In the Cayman Islands a large captured specimen was observed to consistently burrow completely under the sand in a holding tank, even though a rock retreat was provided. The lizard also "played dead" when handled and remained completely motionless for a short while after being put down.
Leiocephalus carinatus utilizes tail curling as an antipredator measure when being chased. This behavior is predominantly seen when the predator is distant, as it is an attempt to intimidate would-be pursuers; when the predator is close however, the lizard instead seeks immediate refuge.Cooper, W. E. (2001), Multiple Roles of Tail Display by the Curly‐Tailed Lizard Leiocephalus carinatus: Pursuit Deterrent and Deflective Roles of a Social Signal. Ethology, 107: 1137-1149. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0310.2001.00754.x
Subspecies
13 subspecies are recognized, including the nominate race:
- L. c. carinatus Gray, 1827
- L. c. aquarius Schwartz & Ogren, 1956
- L. c. armouri Barbour & Shreve, 1935
- L. c. cayensis Schwartz, 1959
- L. c. coryi K.P. Schmidt, 1936
- L. c. granti Rabb, 1957
- L. c. hodsdoni K.P. Schmidt, 1936
- L. c. labrossytus Schwartz, 1959, South Central Cuba, Playa Larga
- L. c. microcyon Schwartz, 1959
- L. c. mogotensis Schwartz, 1959
- L. c. virescens Stejneger, 1901
- L. c. zayasi Schwartz, 1959Schwartz, A., and R. Thomas. 1975. A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Special Publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Leiocephalus carinatus, pp. 127-129.)
References
{{Reflist|2}}
Further reading
- Gray, J.E. 1827. A Description of a new Genus and some new species of Saurian Reptiles; with a Revision of the Species of Chameleons. Philosoph. Mag. Ann. Chem. Math. Astron. Nat. Hist. Gen. Sci. 2 (9): 297–214. (Leiocephalus carinatus, p. 208.)
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2714054}}
Category:Reptiles described in 1827
Category:Reptiles of the Bahamas