Abronia (lizard)

Abronia
Abronia graminea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Anguidae
Genus: Abronia
Gray, 1838[1]
Synonyms
  • Mesaspis

Abronia is a genus of lizards in the family Anguidae that is native to Mexico and Central America. The majority of the species are restricted to southern Mexico and Guatemala, but members of the genus occur as far south as Panama.[2] They inhabit forests and woodlands, mostly in highlands, and some species are often associated with bromeliads. They are typically arboreal, but there are also terrestrial Abronia species.[3] Many species are considered threatened due to habitat loss, killing by locals who mistakenly believe they are venomous, or collection for the captive reptile trade (they are listed on CITES, which restricts international trade).[3] They feed on small animal prey, such as insects, and the females give birth to live young (rather than lay eggs).[4]

These medium-sized to fairly large lizards (maximum length generally up to about 35 cm [14 in]) possess intriguing physical traits such as long prehensile tails that can be regrown if lost, keeled body scales, and a helmet-like structure on the top of the head, which in some species, for example A. lythrochila, has spikes towards the rear.[5][6] Their colors also vary significantly depending on species, including green, bluish-green, brown, yellowish, whitish, gray and black, and some have contrasting mottled or banded patterns.[5]

  1. ^ "Abronia". ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference RDB was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b García-Vázquez, U.M.; Clause, A.G.; Gutiérrez-Rodríguez, J.; Cazares-Hernández, E.; Ángel de la Torre-Loranca, M. (2022). "A New Species of Abronia (Squamata: Anguidae) from the Sierra de Zongolica of Veracruz, Mexico". Ichthyology & Herpetology. 110 (1): 33–49. doi:10.1643/h2021051.
  4. ^ Cruz-Elizalde, R.; Villamar-Duque, T.E.; Ramírez-Bautista, A. (2021). "Sexual dimorphism in size and shape in the viviparous lizard Abronia taeniata (Squamata: Anguidae) in central Mexico". Acta Zoologica. 102 (2): 220–226. doi:10.1111/azo.12329.
  5. ^ a b "Identification guide for dragons (Arboreal alligator lizards, Abronia spp.) regulated by CITES" (PDF). CITES. 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Status of conservation, use, management of and trade in the species of the genus Abronia" (PDF). CITES. Retrieved 8 June 2023.