Difference between revisions of "Vietnamese crocodile lizard"
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The Vietnamese crocodile lizard was first described from Vietnam in 2003, and was reclassified as a subspecies of ''Shinisaurus crocodilurus'' in 2016, in light of several ecological, genetic, and morphological distinctions relative to the Chinese subpopulations. The Vietnamese subspecies preferred granitic mountains with warmer winters and overall milder temperatures. They tended to perch on higher branches above streams which were wider, more active, and not completely covered by vegetation. The diet was primarily terrestrial invertebrates, rather than aquatic vertebrates. In general, the head was slightly longer and more pointed, with smaller eyes and a shallower cheek region.[23][9] | |||
Variation within the Chinese subspecies is poorly-understood. Genetic studies of captive individuals indicate that Shinisaurus crocodilurus is split into four clades, three of which originated in China and one of which corresponds to the Vietnamese subspecies.[24] However, wild individuals and local breeding programs in China appear show low genetic diversity between subpopulations. | |||
Revision as of 06:45, 24 February 2022
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Vietnamese crocodile lizard | |
| Order | Squamata |
|---|---|
| Family | Shinisauridae |
| Genus | Shinisaurus |
| Scientific name (Species) |
Shinisaurus crocodilurus vietnamensis Schingen et al., 2016 |
The Vietnamese crocodile lizard was first described from Vietnam in 2003, and was reclassified as a subspecies of Shinisaurus crocodilurus in 2016, in light of several ecological, genetic, and morphological distinctions relative to the Chinese subpopulations. The Vietnamese subspecies preferred granitic mountains with warmer winters and overall milder temperatures. They tended to perch on higher branches above streams which were wider, more active, and not completely covered by vegetation. The diet was primarily terrestrial invertebrates, rather than aquatic vertebrates. In general, the head was slightly longer and more pointed, with smaller eyes and a shallower cheek region.[23][9]
Variation within the Chinese subspecies is poorly-understood. Genetic studies of captive individuals indicate that Shinisaurus crocodilurus is split into four clades, three of which originated in China and one of which corresponds to the Vietnamese subspecies.[24] However, wild individuals and local breeding programs in China appear show low genetic diversity between subpopulations.