Saara asmussi
Species of lizard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saara asmussi, also known commonly as the Iranian mastigure and the Persian spiny-tailed lizard, is a species of lizard belonging to the family Agamidae.[2][3] The species is endemic to Asia.
| Saara asmussi | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Saara |
| Species: | S. asmussi |
| Binomial name | |
| Saara asmussi (Strauch, 1863) | |
| Synonyms[2][3] | |
| |
Etymology
The specific name, asmussi, is in honor of Baltic German paleozoologist Hermann Martin Asmuss.[3]
Geographic range
S. asmussi occurs in Afghanistan, southern Iran, and Pakistan.[3]
Description
S. asmussi may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 26 cm (10 in), and a tail length of 21 cm (8.3 in).[4]
Diet
S. asmussi eats leaves, stems, and seeds of herbaceous plants.[4]
Behavior
S. asmussi excavates a burrow in which it shelters. If disturbed it lashes its heavy spiky tail in defense.[4]
