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Ctenosaura quinquecarinata

Species of lizard From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ctenosaura quinquecarinata
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Ctenosaura quinquecarinata, commonly known as the Oaxacan spinytail iguana or the five-keeled spiny-tailed iguana is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae native to Central America.

Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
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Geographic range

It is found in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.[1] Other sources list it also from Mexico and El Salvador.[4]

Habitat

Its natural habitat is tropical dry forests.[1]

Conservation status

It is threatened in its native range by habitat loss.[1]

Taxonomy and etymology

Ctenosaura quinquecarinata was first described by zoologist John Edward Gray in 1842 as Cyclura quinquecarinata; 32 years later it was redesignated by Marie Firmin Bocourt as Ctenosaura quinquecarinata. The generic name, Ctenosaura, is derived from two Greek words: ctenos (Κτενός), meaning "comb" (referring to the comblike spines on the lizard's back and tail), and saura (σαύρα), meaning "lizard".[5][citation needed] Its specific name quinquecarinata is a combination of two Latin words: quinque meaning "five" and carinata meaning "keeled" and refers to the five rows of scales on the animal's tail.

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Description

The tail on this species is heavily armored with five rings of spines forming longitudinal ridges. Males of the species grow to a length of 35 centimeters (14 in) whereas females attain 18.5 centimeters (7.3 in). Like most Ctenosaura the iguanas are born a bright green color fading to brown as the animal ages. The females tend to turn a uniform drab brown in color, and males develop tones of black, blue and yellow on their bodies and heads over the brown background.

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Threats

Total population size is not known, but it is estimated that there may be fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.[1] It is threatened by habitat loss through deforestation, overcollection through an unregulated exploitation for the pet trade,[1] and it is even hunted by humans as a food item.

References

Further reading

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