Knuckles pygmy lizard
The Knuckles pygmy lizard, scientifically known as Cophotis dumbara, is a critically endangered agamid species found exclusively in the Knuckles Mountain Range of Sri Lanka. This small lizard is characterized by its rhomboid-shaped head, prominent supraorbital ridges, and distinct coloration patterns that differ between males and females.
Key Facts
- ›Endemic to the Knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka.
- ›Classified as critically endangered due to habitat loss and logging.
- ›Adults reach a snout-to-vent length of up to 60.0 mm.
- ›Males display a pale greenish-yellow upper lip and a reddish-orange throat.
- ›Females have a buff-colored throat with brown streaks.
- ›Both sexes have tails with distinctive cross-band patterns.
Dumbara Agama
Sri Lanka
- Adults Reach Up To 60.0 mm Snout-To-Vent Length .
- Head Is Rhomboid Shaped Dorsally.
- Possesses Supraorbital Ridges With Rows of Large, Carinate Scales.
- Nasal Scale Is Pentagonal.
- Supraciliary Scales Are Carinate and Elongated.
- Tympanum Is Subdermal.
- Chest Scales Are Triangular.
- Males: Pale Greenish Yellow On Upper Lip, Lower Lip Dark Greenish Black, Light Greenish-Yellow Band From Snout To Axilla, Blackish Loreal and Temporal Regions With Light Greenish Yellow Scales, Black Pupil, Blackish Iris With Golden Pigments, Black Dorsal Crest With Pale Green Patches, Reddish Orange Middle Throat, Tail With Seven Greenish Yellow and Seven Black Cross-Bands.
- Females: Buff Colored Throat With Longitudinal Brown Streaks, Upper and Lower Lips Light Brown With Black Patches, Tail With Seven Greenish Buff and Eight Brown Cross-Bands.
Habitat Loss, Logging
About Knuckles pygmy lizard
The Knuckles pygmy lizard, scientifically designated as Cophotis dumbara, is a species of agamid lizard found exclusively within the Knuckles Mountain Range of Sri Lanka. This small reptile is distinguished by its limited geographic range and its classification as critically endangered, facing significant threats from habitat loss and logging activities.
Physical Characteristics
Adult specimens of the Knuckles pygmy lizard reach a snout-to-vent length of up to 60.0 mm. The species exhibits a rhomboid-shaped head when viewed from above, featuring prominent supraorbital ridges lined with large, carinate scales. The nasal scale is pentagonal, and the supraciliary scales are also carinate and elongated. The tympanum is subdermal, and the chest scales are triangular.
There are notable differences in coloration between males and females. Males typically display a pale greenish-yellow on their upper lip, contrasting with a dark greenish-black lower lip. A distinctive light greenish-yellow band extends from the snout tip to the axilla. The loreal and temporal regions are blackish, interspersed with light greenish-yellow scales. Their pupils are black, and the iris is blackish with golden pigments. The dorsal crest is black, often featuring pale green patches, and the middle of the throat is a striking reddish-orange. The tail is marked by seven greenish-yellow and seven black cross-bands.
Females, on the other hand, have a buff-colored throat adorned with longitudinal brown streaks. Their upper and lower lips are light brown with black patches. The tail of the female lizard consists of seven greenish-buff and eight brown cross-bands, presenting a different pattern from the males.
Conservation Status and Threats
The Knuckles pygmy lizard is listed as critically endangered. The primary drivers of its declining population are the loss and degradation of its natural habitat, exacerbated by logging operations within the Knuckles Mountain Range. These factors severely limit the available space and resources for the species to survive and reproduce.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name of the Knuckles pygmy lizard?
The scientific name of the Knuckles pygmy lizard is Cophotis dumbara. This binomial nomenclature helps classify it within the broader scientific community.
Where is the Knuckles pygmy lizard found?
The Knuckles pygmy lizard is exclusively found in the Knuckles Mountain Range of Sri Lanka. Its distribution is limited to this specific geographic region.
What are the main threats to this lizard species?
The primary threats to the Knuckles pygmy lizard are habitat loss and logging. These activities directly impact its environment and reduce suitable living spaces.
How large do Knuckles pygmy lizards get?
Adult Knuckles pygmy lizards typically reach a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of up to 60.0 mm. This measurement refers to the length from the tip of the snout to the vent.
What are the differences in appearance between male and female Knuckles pygmy lizards?
Males often have a pale greenish-yellow upper lip and a reddish-orange throat, while females possess a buff-colored throat with longitudinal brown streaks. Their tail banding also differs.
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