| Teiidae | ||||||||||||
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Tupinambis teguixin
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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Ameiva Aspidoscelis Callopistes Cnemidophorus Crocodilurus Dicrodon Dracaena Kentropyx Teius Tupinambis |
Teiidae is a family of lizards, generally known as whiptails, that includes the parthenogenic genera Cnemidophorus and Aspidoscelis and the non-parthenogenic Tegus.
Morphology
Teiids can be distinguished from other lizards by the following characteristics: they have large rectangular scales that form distinct transverse rows ventrally and generally small granular scales dorsally, they have head scales that are separate from the skull bones, and the teiid teeth are solid at the base and "glued" to the jaw bones.
[edit] Sources
- Pianka, E. R. and L. J. Vitt. 2003 Lizards: Windows to the evolution of diversity. University of California Press. Berkeley.
