Vietnamese crocodile lizard
Revision as of 07:06, 23 March 2022 by Banyantimes (talk | contribs)
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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.