Chalarodon steinkampi

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

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.

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

1 2 3 4 Miralles, Aurelien; Glaw, Frank; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana; Vences, Miguel (2015). "A likely microendemic new species of terrestrial iguana, genus Chalarodon, from Madagascar". Zootaxa. 3946 (2). doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3946.2.3.

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[Miralles2015-1] 1 2 3 4 Miralles, Aurelien; Glaw, Frank; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana; Vences, Miguel (2015). "A likely microendemic new species of terrestrial iguana, genus Chalarodon, from Madagascar". Zootaxa. 3946 (2). doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3946.2.3.