Oplurus quadrimaculatus, the Duméril's Madagascar Swift or Madagascar spotted spiny-tailed iguana, is a terrestrial malagasy iguana belonging to the family Opluridae.
| Oplurus quadrimaculatus | |
|---|---|
_Isalo.jpg)
| |
| near Isalo National Park | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Opluridae |
| Genus: | Oplurus |
| Species: | O. maculatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oplurus maculatus Duméril & Bibron, 1851
| |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editOplurus quadrimaculatus can reach a length of 25–39 centimetres (9.8–15.4 in). This iguana is greyish, with a spotted back and tail and legs covered with enlarged, spinous scales. It spends hours basking in sunlight. It is mainly insectivorous. Mating lasts just a few seconds and the eggs are laid in sheltered areas.
Distribution
editThis species is endemic to Madagascar. It can be found from the central areas up to the south of the country, at an elevation up to 2,050 metres (6,730 ft) above sea level.
Habitat
editMadagascar spotted spiny-tailed iguana lives on loamy slopes, clay expanses and large rocks in various environment, from the arid regions in dry spiny forests to northern wetlands and humid areas close to the rainforest and in shrubland.
Gallery
edit-
Isalo -
specimens from Anja Community Reserve (left), and near Isalo National Park (right)
_head_composite.jpg)
References
edit- Duméril & Duméril, 1851 : Catalogue méthodique de la collection des reptiles du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Gide et Baudry/Roret, Paris, p. 1-224
External links
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