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.
References
- 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.