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Family : AGAMIDAE
Species : Malayodracon robinsonii
Size (snout to vent) : males up to 15.8 cm, females up to 13.2 cm
Size (total length) : up to ~45 cm
Malayodracon
robinsonii (Robinson's Forest Dragon, Robinson's Anglehead Lizard) is an
upland and montane species, endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. Confirmed
locations include Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands and Gunung Tahan, all
within the state of Pahang (Grismer, 2011).
This is a diurnal and fully arboreal lizard typically encountered on low
vegetation or low on the trunks of large trees. At night it is known to rest
on tree ferns and saplings up to 9 metres from the ground.
The species was formerly included under the genus Gonocephalus, but a
unique genus, namely Malayodracon, was erected by Denzer at al (2015)
who particularly highlighted cranial and genetic differences in their
publication. Clearly the elongated shape of this lizard's skull appears
different to the typically shorter skulls of most Gonocephalus
lizards.
Its body
is elongate, and somewhat laterally compressed, and its tail more than twice
it snout-vent length.
Typical colouration comprises a greenish body and tail, with darker limbs.
Labial scales above and below the mouth are typically white, and the eye
patch is dark. A gular sac (dewlap) is present which is typically
reddish-brown and somewhat darker in males. A black shoulder patch is
typically present. Hatchlings may have oblique brownish banding on the
flanks.
The example show here, from Cameron Highlands, appears to be an adult male
based on its markedly reddish-brown chin, throat and shoulders.
Figs 1 to 3 : Adult, probably male, from Cameron Highlands, Pahang,
Peninsular Malaysia. This lizard was found clinging to a slender branch
amidst a tangle of vegetation. Photos thanks to Amar-Singh HSS.
References :
Grismer, L.L., (2011). Lizards of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and
their Adjacent Archipelagos. Edition Chimaira. 728 pp.
Wolfgang Denzer, Ulrich Manthey, Kristin Mahlow & Wolfgang Bohme
(2015). The systematic status of Gonocephalus robinsonii
Boulenger, 1908 (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae). Zootaxa, 4039(1),
129-144.
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