Rajasthan toad-headed lizard
| Rajasthan toad-headed lizard | |
|---|---|
| On desert sand (Rajasthan) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Bufoniceps Arnold, 1992 |
| Species: | B. laungwalaensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Bufoniceps laungwalaensis (Sharma, 1978)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
The Rajasthan toad-headed lizard (Bufoniceps laungwalaensis), also known commonly as the Laungwala long-headed lizard and the Laungwala toad-headed agama, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Agaminae of the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to India
Taxonomy
Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is the only species in the genus Bufoniceps.[2]
Description
Bufoniceps laungwalaensis may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 7 cm (2.8 in). The external ear opening is very small, and the tympanum is deeply set. The digits have fringes of flat, pointed scales. There is no gular sac, and there are no femoral pores nor preanal pores.[3]
Geographic distribution
In India, Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is found in the Rajasthan Desert, in Jaisalmer District. The type locality is recorded as Laungwala, Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan, India.[2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is desert sand dunes.[1]
Behavior
Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is terrestrial.[1] It does not excavate burrows, but can bury itself in sand by "shivering".[3]
Diet
Bufoniceps laungwalaensis preys upon insects of the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera, and it also preys upon small lizards.[3]
Reproduction
Bufoniceps laungwalaensis is oviparous.[2]
Gallery
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In Rajasthan, India (frontal view)
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In Rajasthan, India (lateral view)
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In Rajasthan, India (habitat view)
References
- ^ a b c Vyas, R.; Srinivasulu, C.; Mohapatra, P. (2021). "Bufoniceps laungwalaensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202856/2757362. Accessed on 31 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d Species Bufoniceps laungwalaensis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ a b c Das, I. (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. 144 pp. (Bufoniceps laungwalaensis, p. 70).
Further reading
- Agarwal, I.; Mistry, V.K.; Tillack, F. (2009). "Über die Rajasthan-Krötenkopfagame Bufoniceps laungwalaensis (Sharma, 1978), ein Endemit aus der Wüste Thar ". Sauria. 30 (4): 37–48. (in German).
- Arnold, E.N. (1992). "The Rajasthan Toad-headed lizard, Phrynocephalus laungwalaensis (Reptilia: Agamidae), represents a new genus". Journal of Herpetetology 26 (4): 467–472. (Bufoniceps laungwalaensis, new combination).
- Barts, M.; Wilms, T. (2003). "Die Agamen der Welt ". Draco 4 (14): 4–23. (in German).
- Sharma, R.C. (1978). "A new species of Phrynocephalus Kaup (Reptilia: Agamidae) from the Rajasthan Desert, India, with notes on ecology". Bulletin of the Zoological Survey of India 1 (3): 291–294. (Phrynocephalus laungwalaensis, new species).
- Varma, V.; Choure, G. (2022). "Bufoniceps laungwalaensis (Laungwala Toad-headed Agama). Death-feigning". Herpetological Review. 53 (1): 130–131.
