Английская Википедия:Basiliscus (lizard)
Шаблон:Short description Шаблон:About Шаблон:More citations needed Шаблон:Automatic taxobox
Basiliscus is a genus of large corytophanid lizards, commonly known as basilisks, which are endemic to southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. The genus contains four species, which are commonly known as the Jesus Christ lizard, or simply the Jesus lizard, due to their ability to run across water for significant distances before sinking due to the large surface area of their feet.
Taxonomy and etymology
Both the generic name, Basiliscus, and the common name, "basilisk", derive from the Greek basilískos (βασιλίσκος) meaning "little king". The specific epithet, vittatus, which is Latin for "striped", was given in Carl Linnæus' 10th edition of Systema Naturæ.[1]
Physiology
Basilisks on average measure Шаблон:Convert in total length (including tail). Their growth is perpetual, fast when they are young and nonlinear for mature basilisks. Their skin is shed in pieces.Шаблон:Citation needed
Running on water
Basilisks sometimes run bipedally. Basilisks have the ability to "run" on water, and because of this, they have been dubbed the "Jesus Christ lizard" in reference to the biblical passage of Matthew 14:22–34.[2] On water, basilisks can run at a velocity of Шаблон:Convert per second for approximately Шаблон:Convert before sinking on all fours and swimming.Шаблон:Citation needed Flaps between their toes help support basilisks, creating a larger surface and pockets of air, giving them the buoyancy needed to run across water.Шаблон:Citation needed They can also sustain themselves on all fours while "water-walking" to increase the distance travelled above the surface by about Шаблон:Convert.Шаблон:Citation needed
A similar behavior, running bipedally across water, is known from the sailfin lizards and a few species of anole lizards.[3][4]
Other defense mechanisms
Basilisks can burrow into sand to hide from predators; a ring of muscles around both nostrils prevents sand from entering the nose.Шаблон:Citation needed
Habitat and geographic range
Basilisks are abundant in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Ecuador and Venezuela.Шаблон:Citation needed
Invasive species
The species Basiliscus vittatus (brown basilisk) has been introduced to Florida.[5] It has adapted to the colder winters by burrowing into leaf litter for warmth.Шаблон:Citation needed Current reports sight the brown basilisk as far north as Fort Pierce, on the state's East Coast, where small groups have crept up the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River.Шаблон:Citation needed Mainly it has been seen in Boca Raton and other cities in Palm Beach County.Шаблон:Citation needed as seen in this photo taken in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Classification
Genus Basiliscus[6]
Extant species
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Файл:Common basilisk - Flickr - GregTheBusker (2).jpg | Basiliscus basiliscus Шаблон:Small | common basilisk | from southwestern Nicaragua to northwestern Colombia on the Pacific side, and from central Panama to northwestern Venezuela |
| Файл:Basiliscus basiliscus.jpg | Basiliscus galeritus Шаблон:Small | western basilisk, red-headed basilisk | western Colombia and western Ecuador |
| Файл:Green Basilisk, Alajuela, Costa Rica.jpg | Basiliscus plumifrons Шаблон:Small[7] | plumed basilisk, green basilisk, double crested basilisk | eastern Honduras, through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, to western Panama |
| Файл:Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus) (6775707063).jpg | Basiliscus vittatus Шаблон:Small | brown basilisk, striped basilisk | Mexico, Central America and adjacent northwestern Colombia |
References
External links
- Jesus Lizard Robot An attempt at building a robotic version of the Jesus Lizard
- How "Jesus Lizards" Walk on Water
- Jesus Lizards Walk on Water Video
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II. Iguanidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I–XXIV. (Genus Basiliscus, pp. 106–107).
- Laurenti JN (1768). Specimen medicum, exhibens synopsin reptilium emendatam cum experimentis circa venena et antidota reptilium austriacorum. Vienna: Joan. Thom. Nob. de Trattnern. 214 pp. + Plates I–V. (Basiliscus, new genus, p. 50). (in Latin).
Шаблон:Taxonbar Шаблон:Authority control
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ How "Jesus Lizards" Walk on WaterШаблон:Dead linkШаблон:Cbignore. News.nationalgeographic.com. Retrieved on 2010-08-19.
- ↑ Leal, Knox & Losos (2002). Lack of divergence in aquatic Anolis lizards. Evolution 56(4): 785–791. Шаблон:Doi
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite journal
- ↑ Powell R, Conant R, Collins JT (2016). Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. xiv + 494 pp., 47 plates, 207 figures. Шаблон:ISBN. (Basiliscus vittatus, p. 276 + Plate 24).
- ↑ "Basiliscus ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ↑ "Basiliscus plumifrons ". The Reptile Database.
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