Mulga dragon

The mulga dragon (Caimanops amphiboluroides) is a species of agamid lizard found in Western Australia. It is the sole member of the genus Caimanops; its name is derived from the crocodile-like shape of the jaw. The species is up to 250 mm long, the length from snout to vent is 95 mm, with a long, slender tail that ends abruptly. The patterning over the legs and body is grey and brownish streaks. This provides an excellent camouflage on mulga trees, its usual habitat, it is also found beneath mulga leaf litter. Caimanops amphiboluroides generally remains motionless and unobserved, this allows it to operate as an ambush predator and elude animals that would prey on it.[2]

Mulga dragon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Caimanops
Cogger, 1983
Species:
C. amphiboluroides
Binomial name
Caimanops amphiboluroides
(Lucas & Frost, 1902)[1]
Synonyms

Diporiphora amphiboluroides

It resembles another Western Australian species, the western bearded dragon (Pogona minor).

The species was first assigned to the genus Diporiphora, but later separated as to a monotypic genus. This arrangement was challenged by some workers as not supported by great distinctions in the morphology of the species, a view that supported by molecular evidence, but conserved by some authorities.[3]

References
  1. Lucas, A. H. S. & Frost, C. 1902. Descriptions of some new lizards from Western Australia. Proc. R. Soc. Vict. 15: 76-79
  2. Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush; Brad Maryan; David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. pp. 145, 146. ISBN 9781920694746.
  3. "Diporiphora amphiboluroides Lucas & Frost, 1902". Australian Faunal Directory.


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