Calotes maria

Calotes maria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Iguania
Family:Agamidae
Genus:Calotes
Species: C. maria
Binomial name
Calotes maria
Gray, 1845[1]

Calotes maria, called commonly the Khasi Hills forest lizard, is a species of agamid lizard. The species is found in India (Khasi Hills in Assam & Mizoram),[2] and may also be found areas of Bangladesh, adjacent to Assam and Mizoram states of India.

Etymology

The specific name, maria, may be in honor of English conchologist Maria Emma Gray, the wife of John Edward Gray, the describer of this species.[3]

Morphology

Physical Structure: Two parallel rows of compressed scales on the head just above tympanum. Has extra flap of skin on the side of the abdomen.

Color Pattern: Body color yellowish green with blue patterns on the sides. Iris is orange-yellow with black pupil. Tail white and having brown patterns on it.

Length: Maximum: ?, Common: 11 cm. (Snout to vent 6 cm.).

Maximum published weight: ? g.

Distribution

India (Khasi Hills in Assam & Mizoram) and Possibly in Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill-tracts & Sylhet Division).

Vernacular names

Bengali: খাসি রক্তচোষা, খাসিয়া গিরিগিটি (Khasia girigiti) (proposed) ।

English: Khasi Hills forest lizard and Khasi Hills bloodsucker.

Hindi, Assamese & Mizo: ?

Habitat

Terrestrial and arboreal; diurnal; found in many types of forested land, tree trunks, branches and green leaves. Prefers hilly regions and dense forest.

Diet

Feeds on crickets, grasshoppers, moths and other insects.

Reproduction

Oviparous; more or less like Calotes versicolor. About 10-20 eggs laid by female and buried in moist soil. Incubation period about 6–7 weeks.[4]

Uses

No known practical uses. Plays rôle in ecosystem by eating various types of insects and otherwise.

Threat to humans

Non-venomous and completely harmless to humans.

IUCN threat status

Not Evaluated (NE).

References

  1. ↑ Gray JE. 1845. Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the British Museum. London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Edward Newman, printer). xxvii + 289 pp. (Calotes maria, new species, p. 243).
  2. ↑ Calotes maria at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 22 July 2014.
  3. ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M. 2011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Calotes maria, p. 168).
  4. ↑ http://faunaofindia.nic.in/PDFVolumes/hpg/007/index.pdf

Further reading

  • Boulenger GA. 1885. Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. ... Agamidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I-XXXII. (Calotes maria, pp. 322–323).
  • Boulenger GA. 1890. The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xviii + 541 pp. (Calotes maria, pp. 136–137).
  • Günther ACLG. 1864. The Reptiles of British India. London: The Ray Society. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xxvii + 452 pp. + Plates I-XXVI. (Calotes maria, pp. 144–145).
  • Smith MA. 1935. The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. II.—Sauria. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 440 pp. + Plate I + 2 maps. (Calotes maria, pp. 193–194).


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