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Fig 5

Fig 6
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Family : AGAMIDAE
Species : Aphaniotis fusca
Size (snout to vent) : 7.3 cm
Size (total length) : up to 23 cm (?)
Aphaniotis fusca
(Earless Agamid) inhabits shaded areas of lowland primary forest, mature
secondary forest, hill forest and swamp forest.
It is diurnal and arboreal in habits, and is typically seen on low vegetation or
clinging to tree trunks. If disturbed, this lizard may leap a few feet from one
tree to another. At night they typically rest on narrow branches or vines.
This species has been observed feeding on a variety of invertebrates
including ants, termites, caterpillars, beetles, millipedes and forest
cockroaches.
Its appearance can best be described as 'spindly', with a
narrow body, long slender legs and a long tail. Iris colour is variable, but
a blue iris appears to only occur in males, which also have blue oral mucosa
(lining of the mouth). The vertebral crest, above the neck area, is not
spiny and is low in profile. The external ear drum, or tympanum, is hidden
beneath small scales (hence the 'earless' name).
Some populations are plain greenish-brownish in colour, but in others there
may be pale markings around the shoulders, or pale markings along the
vertebral line.
When seen in silhouette, this lizard may at first glance be mistaken for a gliding
lizard (Draco sp.). There may be competition in some habitats between
Aphaniotis fusca and
Draco melanopogon (Black-bearded Gliding Lizard), especially for
ants and other climbing insects; this may explain why Aphaniotis fusca occurs low to the forest
floor, away from gliding lizards.
Aphaniotis fusca occurs in undisturbed forests in southern Thailand, Peninsular
Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo and adjacent island groups.
Fig 1 : Adult
example in lowland, mature, secondary forest near freshwater swamp forest;
this is interpreted as a male based on colour of the iris. Seen in
Singapore.
Figs 2 and 3 : Adult example with mottled brown and orange markings around
the shoulders and golden iris; this is interpreted as a male based on the
blue colour of the oral mucosa (Fig 3). Seen at Gunung
Kledang, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 4 : Adult male with blue iris in lowland primary forest at Taman Negara, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
Figs 5 and 6 : Adult with brown iris in mature secondary forest in
Singapore.
References :
Grismer, L. L. (2011). Lizards of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and their
Adjacent Archipelagos. Their Description, Distribution, and Natural History.
Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main. 728 pp.
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