Campeche spiny-tailed iguana | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania |
Family: | Iguanidae |
Genus: | Cachryx |
Species: | C. alfredschmidti
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Binomial name | |
Cachryx alfredschmidti | |
Synonyms [3] | |
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The Campeche spiny-tailed iguana (Cachryx alfredschmidti) [1] is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. The species is native to southeastern Mexico and adjacent Guatemala. [3]
The specific name, alfredschmidti, is in honor of German herpetoculturist Alfred Schmidt. [3] [4]
Adult males of C. alfredschmidti reach at least 170 mm (6.7 in) and females 152 mm (6.0 in) in snout-to-vent length (SVL). [2] Tail length varies from 74% [5] to 85% SVL. [2]
C. alfredschmidti was thought to be endemic to southern Campeche in Mexico. [1] [2] However, in 2003, this species was also recorded by a scientific expedition to the Mirador-Río Azul National Park in the Petén Department in Northern Guatemala. This was the first record in Guatemala's herpetofauna for this species. [5]
The natural habitat of C. alfredschmidti is tropical moist lowland forest [1] and seasonally flooded scrub forest. [5]
C. alfredschmidti is arboreal. [1] It can find safety in hollow branches and tree trunks, blocking the entrance with its spiny tail. [2] [5]
Fecal samples suggests that the diet of C. alfredschmidti consists of leaves, though it probably will eat arthropods too. [2]
C. alfredschmidti is oviparous. [3]
C. alfredschmidti is potentially threatened by habitat loss and degradation. [1] The Guatemalan population was found in the Mirador-Río Azul National Park. [5]