Family AGAMIDAE

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Introduction

A family of moderate to large, primarily diurnal lizards ranging from Africa through southern Europe, Asia, and the Indo-Australian Archipelago to New Guinea and Australia. Of the 36 genera and around 350 species currently recognised, some 73 species in 14 genera occur in Australia. The current generic arrangement is conservative and many genera are clearly polyphyletic.

Diagnosis

Characterised in Australia by: well-developed pentadactyl limbs; eyes with movable eyelids; pupil more or less circular; external ear opening either obvious or hidden; body scales juxtaposed; tongue broad, flat and fleshy, slightly notched in front; scales on top of head small and irregular.

General References

Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Sydney : A.H. & A.W. Reed 608 pp.

Shoo, L.P., Rose, R., Doughty, P., Austin, J.J. & Melville, J. 2008. Diversification patterns of pebble-mimic dragons are consistent with historical disruption of important habitat corridors in arid Australia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 48: 528-542

Wermuth, H. 1967. Liste der rezenten Amphibien und Reptilien; Agamidae. Das Tierreich 86: 1-127

Worrell, E. 1970. Reptiles of Australia. Sydney : Angus & Robertson xv 169 pp.

History of changes