Corytophanidae

Corytophanidae is a family of iguanian lizards, also called casquehead lizards or helmeted lizards,<ref name=EoR/> endemic to the New World. Nine species of casquehead lizards from three genera are recognized.

Geographic range

Corytophanids are found from Mexico, through Central America, and as far south as Ecuador.

Certain species are now extant in South Florida and are considered invasive.

Description

The casquehead lizards are moderately sized lizards, with laterally compressed bodies, and typically have well-developed head crests in the shape of a casque helmet. This crest is a sexually dimorphic characteristic in males of Basiliscus, but is present in both sexes of Corytophanes and Laemanctus.<ref name=Pough>Pough et al. (2003).</ref> In past years there has been evidence of corytophanids in the Eocene of North America. The greatest percentage of omnivorous species (> 10% plant diet), over 30% in each, and the highest mean percentage of plant matter in the diet are corytophanids.<ref>Cooper Jr, W., & Vitt, L. (2002). Distribution, extent, and evolution of plant consumption by lizards. Journal of Zoology, 257(4), 487-517. doi:10.1017/S0952836902001085</ref>

Behavior

In Corytophanes, the head crests are used in defensive displays, where the lateral aspect of the body is brought about to face a potential predator in an effort to look bigger.<ref name=Pough/> Unlike many of their close relatives, they are unable to break off their tails when captured, probably because the tail is essential as a counterbalance during rapid movement.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

Habitat

Casquehead lizards are forest-dwelling. All corytophanids are excellent climbers, and they are usually found in trees or low bushes.

Reproduction

Despite the small number of species in the family Corytophanidae, it includes both egg-laying species and species that give birth to live young.<ref name=EoR>Template:Cite book</ref>

Genera and species

Family Corytophanidae<ref>Family Corytophanidae. The Reptile Database. http://www.reptile-database.org.</ref>

Image	Genus	Living species
File:Basiliscus galeritus 176994214.jpg	Basiliscus Template:Small	Basiliscus basiliscus — Common basilisk Template:Small Basiliscus galeritus — Western basilisk Template:Small Basiliscus plumifrons — Plumed basilisk Template:Small Basiliscus vittatus — Brown basilisk Template:Small
File:Corytophanes percarinatus 44897832.jpg	Corytophanes Template:Small	Corytophanes cristatus — Helmeted iguana Template:Small Corytophanes hernandesii — Hernandez's helmeted basilisk Template:Small Corytophanes percarinatus — Guatemalan helmeted basilisk Template:Small
File:Julio's casquehead iguana (Laemanctus julioi).jpg	Laemanctus Template:Small	Laemanctus julioi — Julio's casquehead iguana Template:Small Laemanctus longipes — Eastern casquehead iguana Template:Small Laemanctus serratus — Serrated casquehead iguana Template:Small Laemanctus waltersi — Walter's casquehead iguana Template:Small

Nota bene: In the following lists, a binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a different genus.

Further reading

• Fitzinger L (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (Family Corythophanae, p. 52). (in Latin).
• Pough FH, Andrews RM, Cadle JE, Crump ML, Savitsky AH, Wells KD (2003). Herpetology, Third Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 736 pp. Template:ISBN. (Corytophanidae, p. 129).