Chalarodon steinkampi

Chalarodon steinkampi is a species of Malagasy terrestrial iguanian lizards. It was recognised as a new species in 2015,[1] which is probably microendemic to a small area in south eastern Madagascar.

Chalarodon steinkampi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Opluridae
Genus: Chalarodon
Species:
C. steinkampi
Binomial name
Chalarodon steinkampi
Miralles, Glaw, Ratsoavina & Vences, 2015

Habitat

The species inhabits areas very similar to its sister species, Chalarodon madagascariensis: semi-arid to arid regions with sandy soil that are mostly open.

Distribution

This species is currently only known from two locations: a locality 30 km north of Amboasary, and Esomony.[1]

Morphology

Calarodon steinkampi is a cryptic species. It is easiest distinguished from C. madagascariensis by its unkeeled gular and ventral scales, which are keeled in the latter species.[1] Other subtle differences include the mental scale being in contact with four postmentals (rather than 5–8), slightly shorter limbs, and fewer spines in its dorsal crest.[1]

Nutrition

The Madagascar sand lizards are insectivores. In addition to insects, sometimes plants are ingested, particularly in the form of leaves and roots.

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References
  1. Miralles, Aurelien; Glaw, Frank; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana; Vences, Miguel (2015). "A likely microendemic new species of terrestrial iguana, genus Chalarodon, from Madagascar". Zootaxa. 3946 (2): 201–20. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3946.2.3. PMID 25947685.


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