Experiencing Life - Sauropsida

36-IV
SAUROPSIDA
Squamata

Six-Lined Race Runner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata) at Konza Prairie.

Chapter Outline

Sources

NCBI Tree | Paleo Tree

Links to external sites will appear in pop-up windows.

Squamata is an order containing most lizards and all snakes (in the NCBI database). All but the infraorder Serpentes, the snakes, will be explored on this page. In the Paleobiology Database, the snakes are not a subgroup of Squamata but in a group called Pythonomorpha.

Sauropsida
- Lepidosauria
  - Sphenodontia - Tuataras (36-III)
  - Squamata - Lizards and Snakes
    - Dibamidae (bottom of this page)
    - Xenodermidae (bottom of this page)
    - Bifurcata
      - Gekkota - Geckos
      - Unidentata
        
        Scinciformata - Skinks, Spinytail Lizards, Plated Lizards
        Episquamata
        
        Laterata
        Toxicofera
        
        Anguimorpha
        Iguania
        Serpentes (36-V)
    - >>> Paleo Tree - Mosasaurs, etc.
- Archelosauria
  - Testudinata
    - Testudines - Turtles (36-VI)
  - Archosauria
    - Crocodylia - Crocodiles (36-VII)
    - Dinosauria - Dinosaurs
      - Ornithischia
      - Saurischia
        
        (various dinosaurs)
        Aves - Birds (Chapter 37)

GEKKOTA

The infraorder Gekkota contains the geckos. As of 2024, 31 species of Gekkota have been observed in iNaturalist in the US and 1,439 throughout the world.

FAMILY EUBLEPHARIDAE
- Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) - most native iNat observations in the US for Gekkota - 9 (Sonoran Desert)
FAMILY GEKKONIDAE
- Halmahera Gecko (Gehyra marginata) - OKC Zoo
- Carrot-Tail Viper Gecko (Hemidactylus imbricatus) - 6 (SCZ)
- Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) - most iNat observations in the US for Gekkota. Introduced.
- Cheke’s Day Gecko (Phelsuma abbotti chekei) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Madagascar Day Gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis) - 6 (SCZ)
- Standing's Day Gecko (Phelsuma standingi) - NOAH IUCN Map - 6 (SCZ), 8 (ABQ Biopark)
- Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus henkeli) - OKC Zoo
FAMILY PHYLLODACTYLIDAE
FAMILY SPHAERODACTYLIDAE
- Reef Gecko (Sphaerodactylus notatus) - Florida Keys
SUPERFAMILY PYGOPOIDEA
- FAMILY CARPHODACTYLIDAE
  - Rough Knob-Tailed Gecko (Nephrurus amyae) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Banded Knob-Tailed Gecko (Nephrurus wheeleri) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- FAMILY DIPLODACTYLIDAE
- FAMILY PYGOPODIDAE

Resources:

SCINCIFORMATA

The infraorder Scincomorpha contains the scincomorph lizards. As of 2024, 32 species of Scinciformata have been observed in iNaturalist in the US and 1,181 throughout the world.

FAMILY SCINCIDAE - SKINKS
- Solomon Island Skink (Corucia zebrata) - 6 (Omaha Zoo), OKC Zoo
- Cunningham’s Skink (Egernia cunninghami) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Eastern Pilbara Spiny-Tailed Skink (Egernia epsisolus) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Australian Tree Skink (Egernia striolata) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Berber Skink (Eumeces schneideri) - 6 (SCZ)
- Five-Lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) - Douglas County, KS
- Great Plains Skink (Plestiodon obsoletus) - NOAH IUCN Map - Greenwood County, Kansas
- Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
FAMILY XANTUSIIDAE
- Desert Night Lizard (Xantusia vigilis) - IUCN Map - Dinosaur NM, Sonoran Desert Museum
SUPERFAMILY CORDYLOIDEA
- FAMILY CORDYLIDAE - SPINYTAIL LIZARDS
  - Girdled Lizards (Cordylus) - San Diego Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo
- FAMILY GERRHOSAURIDAE - PLATED LIZARDS
  - Giant Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Karsten’s Plated Lizard (Zonosaurus karsteni) - 6 (SCZ)
  - Ornate Plated Lizard (Zonosaurus ornatus) - 6 (SCZ)

Resources:
Great Plains Skink (Eumeces obsoletus). Herps of Texas. Texas Memorial Museum. http://www.herpsoftexas.org/content/great-plains-skink.

LATERATA

The parvorder Amphisbaenia contains the legless lizards. Of course snakes are legless as well but there are differences between snakes and these so-called worm-lizards. Recently (as of 2013), the superfamily Teiioidea was moved into the group.

As of 2024, 30 species of Laterata have been observed in iNaturalist in the US and 696 throughout the world.

LACERTIBAENIA
- FAMILY LACERTIDAE - WALL LIZARDS
- PARVORDER AMPHISBAENIA
  - FAMILY AMPHISBAENIDAE - WORM LIZARDS
  - FAMILY BIPEDIDAE - TWO-LEGGED WORM LIZARDS
    - Ajolote Lizard (Bipes biporus)
  - FAMILY BLANIDAE - MEDITERRANEAN WORM LIZARDS
  - FAMILY CADEIDAE - CUBAN KEEL-HEADED WORM LIZARDS
  - FAMILY RHINEURIDAE - NORTH AMERICAN WORM LIZARDS
    - Florida Worm Lizard (Rhineura floridana) - Central Florida
  - FAMILY TROGONOPHIDAE - SHORTHEAD WORM LIZARDS
    - Checkerboard Worm Lizards (Trogonophis)
SUPERFAMILY TEIIOIDEA
- FAMILY GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE - SPECTACLED LIZARDS
- FAMILY TEIIDAE - WHIPTAILS AND TEGUS
  - Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - New Mexico Whiptail (Aspidoscelis neomexicana) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Six-Lined Race Runner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus) - NOAH - 6 (Konza)
  - Sonoran Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis sonorae) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Western Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris) - 4 (Dinosaur NM), Sonoran Desert
  - Desert Grassland Whiptail (Aspidoscelis uniparens) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Black & White Tegu (Salvator merianae) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)

Resources:

Amphisbaenia
Florida worm lizard (Rhineura floridana) - the only amphisbanian native to the U.S.

ANGUIMORPHA

The parvorder Anguimorpha contains the anguimorph lizards. As of 2024, 19 species of Anguimorpha have been observed in iNaturalist in the US and 162 throughout the world.

PALEOANGUIMORPHA
- FAMILY SHINISAURIDAE - CROCODILE LIZARDS
  - Chinese Crocodile Lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) - 6 (Omaha Zoo, SCZ)
- SUPERFAMILY VARANOIDEA
  - FAMILY LANTHANOTIDAE - EARLESS MONITORS
  - FAMILY VARANIDAE - MONITOR LIZARDS
    - Black Tree Monitor (Varanus beccarii) - OKC Zoo
    - Perentie (Varanus giganteus) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
    - Kimberley Rock Monitor (Varanus glauerti) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
    - Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) - 6 (KC and Denver Zoos), 9 (ABQ Biopark), OKC and Tulsa Zoos
    - Quince Monitor (Varanus melinus) - 6 (Omaha Zoo), 9 (ABQ Biopark)
    - Mertens' Water Monitor (Varanus mertensi) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
    - Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
NEOANGUIMORPHA
- FAMILY HELODERMATIDAE - BEADED LIZARDS
  - Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) - 9 (Sonoran Desert, ABQ Biopark), 6 (Omaha Zoo and SCZ)
- FAMILY XENOSAURIDAE - KNOB-SCALED LIZARDS
  - Rock Lizards (Xenosaurus spp.) - San Antonio Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo
- ANGUIOIDEA
  - FAMILY ANGUIDAE - GLASS AND ALLIGATOR LIZARDS
    - Terrestrial Arboreal Alligator Lizard (Abronia graminea) - OKC Zoo
    - Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) - most iNat observations in the US for Anguimorpha - 7 (Mission Trails)
    - Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) - 2 (Everglades)
    - Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) - 6 (Konza, Wilson Lake)
    - Sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus) - NOAH - 6 (SCZ)
  - FAMILY ANNIELLIDAE - LEGLESS LIZARDS
    - San Diegan Legless Lizard (Anniella stebbinsi) - 7 (Mission Trails)
>>> Paleo Tree - Mosasaurs, etc.

Resources:

IGUANIA

The suborder of Iguanian Lizards. As of 2024, 76 species of Iguania have been observed in iNaturalist in the US and 1,191 throughout the world.

FAMILY DACTYLOIDAE
- Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) - 2 (Everglades)
- Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) - 9 (ABQ Biopark), Prairie Park Nature Center
FAMILY IGUANIDAE
- Plumed Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Fijian Banded Iguana (Brachylophus bulabula) - OKC Zoo
- Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) - NOAH - 6 (Konza, Omaha Zoo)
- Sonoran Spiney Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura hemilopha) - 6 (SCZ)
- Spiny-Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei) - 6 (SCZ)
- Rhinoceros Iguana (Cyclura cornuta) - 6 (SCZ)
- Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi) - NOAH - 6 (SCZ), 9 (ABQ Biopark), Tulsa Zoo
- Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) - Sonoran Desert
- Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) - released pets in Florida
- Cuvier's Madagascar Swift (Oplurus cuvieri) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) - most native iNat observations in the US for Iguanidae - 7 (Joshua Tree, Mojave), 6 (SCZ and Omaha Zoos)
FAMILY PHRYNOSOMATIDAE
- Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma spp.) - Sonoran Desert
- Giant Mexican Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma aslo) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) - Kanopolis Lake, KS
- Blue Spiny-Tailed Lizard (Sceloporus cyanogenys) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
- Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) - most iNat observations in the US for Iguania - 7 (Mission Trails, Joshua Tree, Mojave)
- Plateau Fence Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) - NOAH - 4 (Dinosaur NM, Comanche NG)
- Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) - Sonoran Desert
ACRODONTA
- FAMILY AGAMIDAE
  - Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) - 6 (Omaha Zoo), OKC Zoo
  - Philippine Sailfin Lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus) - Tulsa Zoo
  - Boyd’s Forest Dragon (Lophosaurus boydii) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Egyptian Spiny-Tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptius) - NOAH - 6 (SCZ)
- FAMILY CHAMAELEONIDAE
  - Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) - NOAH - 6 (SCZ)
  - Oustalet’s Chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)
  - Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) - 6 (Omaha Zoo)

Resources:

Iguanas

DIBAMIDAE

The family Dibamidae includes the Dibamid Lizards, which are legless. As of 2024, 0 species of Dibamidae have been observed in iNaturalist in the US and 10 throughout the world.

Mexican Blind Lizard (Anelytropsis papillosus) - Mexico

Resources:

Dibamidae - blind lizards. University College London. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/obl4he/vertebratediversity/dibamidae.html.
Intercontinental dispersal by a microendemic burrowing reptile (Dibamidae). Ted M. Townsend,* Dean H. Leavitt, and Tod W. Reeder. The Royal Society. 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136834/.
A New Species of Dibamus (Squamata: Dibamidae) from West Malaysia. Raul E. Diaz, Ming Tzi Leong, L. Lee Grismer, and Norsham S. Yaakob. 2004. http://lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/biology/Grismer_s_Publications__1_/Dibamus.pdf.
WIK

XENODERMIDAE

Not to be confused with the true snake family Xenodermatidae, the family Xenodermidae includes the Borneo Red Snake (Paraxenodermus borneensis). As of 2024, Paraxenodermus borneensis has been observed five times in iNaturalist, all in Borneo. It sure looks like a snake, much more so than other legless lizards and amphibians, but it isn't quite. It's a subtle distinction based on the layout of the scales on the head. Some sources include the family with the snakes (next page) but NCBI does not.

Borneo Red Snake (Paraxenodermus borneensis)

Resources:

Paraxenodermus borneensis - Phylogenetic Relationships of Xenodermid Snakes (Serpentes: Xenodermidae), with the Description of A New Genus. Deepak. 2021. https://novataxa.blogspot.com/2021/12/paraxenodermus.html.

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