Microlophus indefatigabilis

Santa Cruz lava lizard
	Male
	Female
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Tropiduridae
Genus:	Microlophus
Species:	M. indefatigabilis
Binomial name
	Microlophus indefatigabilis; (Baur, 1890)
Synonyms
	Tropidurus indefatigabilis

The Santa Cruz lava lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis) is a species of lava lizard endemic to the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz.

Distribution

Endemic to Santa Cruz Island, it is found within volcanic rock areas, dry shrublands, dry grasslands, deciduous forests, and urban areas, and prefers shaded locations.

Description

They are identifiable by a brown body with scattered black and white blotches with a distinctive red and black throat and a black chest. Females have a more uniform brown body, a bright orange face, and a black mark at shoulder level. The species is able to shed its tail without mortal injury.

Sexual dimorphism

Harems are kept, and are competed for by males using a pushup ritual to avoid physical injury. Males have a higher stamina and greater body size compared to the female.

References

↑ Márquez, C.; Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. (2016). "Microlophus indefatigabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T88793749A88793762. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T88793749A88793762.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
↑ Benavides, Edgar; Baum, Rebecca; Snell, Heidi M.; Snell, Howard L. & Sites Jr., Jack W. (2009). "Island biogeography of Galápagos lava lizards (Tropiduridae: Microlophus): species diversity and colonization of the archipelago" (PDF). Evolution. 63 (6): 1606–1626. doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00617.x. PMID 19154379. S2CID 13598047. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
1 2 "Santa Cruz Lava-Lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis) | Tropical Herping". www.tropicalherping.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
↑ Jennings, Snell HL (1988). "Intrapopulation variation in predator-avoidance performance of Galápagos lava lizards: the interaction of sexual and natural selection". Evolutionary Ecology. 2 (4): 353–369. doi:10.1007/BF02207566. S2CID 9955874.

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[iucn_status_19_November_2021-1] Márquez, C.; Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. (2016). "Microlophus indefatigabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T88793749A88793762. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T88793749A88793762.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.

[2] Benavides, Edgar; Baum, Rebecca; Snell, Heidi M.; Snell, Howard L. & Sites Jr., Jack W. (2009). "Island biogeography of Galápagos lava lizards (Tropiduridae: Microlophus): species diversity and colonization of the archipelago" (PDF). Evolution. 63 (6): 1606–1626. doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00617.x. PMID 19154379. S2CID 13598047. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2012-01-09.

[:0-3] 1 2 "Santa Cruz Lava-Lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis) | Tropical Herping". www.tropicalherping.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.

[4] Jennings, Snell HL (1988). "Intrapopulation variation in predator-avoidance performance of Galápagos lava lizards: the interaction of sexual and natural selection". Evolutionary Ecology. 2 (4): 353–369. doi:10.1007/BF02207566. S2CID 9955874.