Lab 7: Reptiles of the World (Jeff Walker and Alex Valigosky)

Reptiles of the World


ORDER TESTUDINES 

Carrettochelys insculpta

Family Carettochelyidae

Carettochelys insculpta (Fly River Pignosed Turtle) [Australia and New Guinea] This species is very similar morphologically to family Trionychidae in terms of limbs adapted for swimming.  

Family Chelidae

Chelodina mccordi (McCords snake necked turtle) [Roti Island, Indonesia] This turtle is found on only one island. Recent discoveries have lead researchers to believe that there may be two distinct species actually residing on the island. 

Chelodina mccordi

Emydura subglobosa (Red bellied sidenecked turtle) [Australia, Papua New Guinea] These guys can grow up to ten inches in length, and they rarely leave the water.

Emydura subglobosa

Phrynops hilarii (spot bellied side necked turtle)  [South America, Brazil] A defensive behavior of this species is a retreat to the water, where it will dive and cover itself with mud to hide.

Phrynops hilarii

Family Geomydidae

Batagur affinis  (southern river terrapin) [Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia] This turtle's carapace can grow up to two feet in length. Use of its eggs as a food source for local people is causing decrease in numbers. 

Batagur affinis

Geochlemys hamiltonii

Geoclemys hamiltonii (Spotted Pond Turtle) [ Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal, Bangladesh] This turtle inhabits the Indus and Ganges River drainages. 

Pyxus arachnoides

Family Testudinidae

Pyxus arachnoides (spider tortoise) [Madagascar only]. This is a critically endangered tortoise species found only on the island of Madagascar. 

Podocnemis unifilis

Family Podocnemidae

Podocnemis unifilis (Spotted Amazon River Turtle) [South America] This pleurodiran lives along the banks of the Amazon River in South America.






ORDER SQUAMATA (Sauria/Lacertilia)

Chamaeleo pardalis

Family Chamaeleonidae


Chamaeleo pardalis (Panther Chameleon) [Madagascar] Like all other chameleons, this reptiles has xygodactyl hands and feet, a long, sticky tongue, and independently mobile, stereoscopic eyes. The panther chameleon is also a color changer capable of taking on vibrant rainbow colors.

Uroplatus henkel

Family Gekkonidae


Uroplatus henkeli (madagascar leaf tailed gecko) [Madagascar] This gekkonid is a prime example of the lamella we have been talking about in class. In the picture, the gecko is clinging to the glass using them. Otherwise, they cling to tree limbs where lamellae, combined with intricate camouflage, act in evading predators.

Brachylophus fasciatus

Family Iguanidae

Brachylophus fasciatus (fiji island banded iguana) [Fiji Islands] The occurrence of this species here is rare and the only representative of iguanids away from the new world. It may have also been introduced by humans to Tonga, where it also resides.




Family Varanidae


Varanus prasinus (Green Tree monitor) [New Guinea] This is an arboreal lizard preying on insects, small eggs, lizards, and frogs.

Varanus prasinus

ORDER SQUAMATA (Serpentes/Ophidia)


Family Colubridae 

Philodryas borani

Philodryas borani (Baron's Racer) [Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay] This snake can be green or brown, rear-fanged, with a mild venom. 

Spolotes pullouts

Spilotes pullouts (Tiger Rat Snake) [Central and Northern South America] This is an arboreal snake that traps lizards and birds. 

Python reticulatus

Family Pythonidae


Python reticulatus (reticulated python) [India, Indochina] This is listed as one of the longest snakes in the world. This species is a constrictor.

Morelia viridis (Green Tree Python) [New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia] This arboreal species is known for its extremely vibrant green coloration. Juveniles, however, are polymorphic. 

Morelia viridis (LEFT), Corralus caninus (RIGHT)

Family Boidae

Corallus caninus (Emerald Tree Boa) [South America] This is a non-venomous booed that has bright green skin with some white stripes. Juveniles may display orange or red.

Boa constrictor

Boa constrictor [South and Central America, Madagascar, and Reunion Island] These non-venomous snakes can grow up to 14 feet in length. 


ORDER CROCODILIA

Osteolaemus tetraspis

Family Crocodylidae


Osteolaemus tetraspis (dwarf crocodile) [Africa] As its name implies, this is the smallest extant crocodile species in the world.

Family Gavialidae


Gavialis gangeticus (gharial) [Indian Subcontinent] These gharials' snouts allow them to most effectively capture fish, their main prey item as adults, due to its small, narrow size that allows it to snap through the water more quickly.

Gavialis gangeticus