Iguana

Iguana

Taxobox
name = "Iguana"


image_width = 250px
image_caption = Green Iguana "Iguana iguana"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Iguania
familia = Iguanidae
genus = "Iguana"
genus_authority = Laurenti, 1768
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*Lesser Antillean Iguana, "I. delicatissima"
*Green Iguana, "I. iguana"

Iguana is a genus of lizard native to tropical areas of Central and South America and the Caribbean first described by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book "Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena" in 1768. The genus "Iguana" includes two species: the green iguana (a popular pet) and the lesser Antillean iguana.

The word "Iguana" is derived from a Spanish form of the original Taino name for the species "Iwana".citation | last = Coles | first = William | title = Green Iguana | work = U.S.V.I. Animal Fact Sheet #08 | publisher = Department of Planning and Natural Resources US Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife | url = http://www.vifishandwildlife.com/Education/FactSheet/PDF_Docs/08GreenIguana.pdf | date = 2002 ]

Physical characteristics

The two species of lizard within the genus "Iguana" possess a dewlap, a row of spines running down their back to their tail, and a third eye on their head. This eye is known as the parietal eye, which looks just like a pale scale on the top of their head. Behind their neck are small scales which resemble spikes, known as tuberculate scales. They also have a large round scale on their cheek known as a subtympanic shield.

ight

Iguanas have excellent vision and are able to see shapes, shadows, color and movement at long distances. Iguanas use their eyes to navigate through crowded forests, as well as for finding food. They also use visual signals to communicate with members of the same species.

They respond to visual stimulus of colors such as orange and yellow as food substances.

Hearing

An iguana's ear is known as the tympanum. It is the iguana's ear drum, and is located right above the subtympanic shield and behind the eye. This is a very thin and delicate part of the iguana, and crucial to their hearing.

Gallery

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Iguana — Iguane …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Iguana — I*gua na, n. [Sp. iguana, from the native name in Haiti. Cf. {Guana}.] (Zo[ o]l.) Any species of the genus {Iguana}, a genus of large American lizards of the family {Iguanid[ae]}. They are arboreal in their habits, usually green in color, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • iguană — IGUÁNĂ, iguane, s.f. (La pl.) Gen de şopârle mari din America de Sud, în regiunile tropicale şi subtropicale, viu colorate, cu o creastă dinţată pe spate, vânate pentru carnea şi pentru ouăle lor (Iguana); (şi la sg.) animal care face parte din… …   Dicționar Român

  • iguana — iguàna ž DEFINICIJA zool. veliki gušter američkih tropskih zemalja (Iguana iguana); legvan ETIMOLOGIJA šp. iguana ← egz. (aravački) iwana …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • iguàna — ž zool. veliki gušter američkih tropskih zemalja (Iguana iguana); legvan ✧ {{001f}}šp. ← egz …   Veliki rječnik hrvatskoga jezika

  • iguana — s.f. [lat. scient. Iguana, dallo sp. iguana ], invar. (zool.) [nome di varie specie di rettili squamati sauri iguanidi] ▶◀ ‖ (fam.) lucertolone, ragano, ramarro …   Enciclopedia Italiana

  • iguana — (n.) 1550s, from Spanish, from Arawakan (W.Indies) iguana, iwana, the local name for the lizard. Foure footed beastes ... named Iuannas, muche lyke vnto Crocodiles, of eyght foote length, of moste pleasaunte taste. [Richard Eden, Decades of the… …   Etymology dictionary

  • iguana — iguanà dkt. Màno sesuõ namuosè augi̇̀na iguãną …   Bendrinės lietuvių kalbos žodyno antraštynas

  • iguana — [i gwä′nə, ēgwä′nə] n. [Sp < native SAm (Arawak) iuana] any of a large family (Iguanidae) of mostly American tree, ground, or marine lizards; esp., any of a genus (Iguana) of harmless, large, tropical American lizards that feed on insects or… …   English World dictionary

  • Iguana — Iguana, Amphibie, so v.w. Leguan …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Iguāna — Iguāna, der Leguan …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”