Spiny weapontail | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania |
Family: | Hoplocercidae |
Genus: |
Hoplocercus Fitzinger, 1843 |
Species: | H. spinosus
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Binomial name | |
Hoplocercus spinosus Fitzinger, 1843
[1]
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The spiny weapontail (Hoplocercus spinosus) is a species of lizard belonging to the monotypic genus Hoplocercus [1] in the family Hoplocercidae. The species is found in the Cerrado and adjacent Cerrado– Amazon mosaics in Brazil and Bolivia. [1]
H. spinosus is quite distantly related to the other members of Hoplocercidae, as it is believed to have diverged from these about 35 million years ago. [1]
The spiny weapontail has a total length (including tail) of about 12–15 cm (4.5–6 in). [2] As suggested by its name, it has a short, highly spiny tail (it is superficially similar to Uromastyx, Cachryx and the smaller species in Ctenosaura). [1]
When disturbed, H. spinosus retreats to its burrow with its tail orientated towards the entrance. [1] It is nocturnal. [1]
H. spinosus preys upon arthropods. [1]