Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Place Collected(Object)
: No locality information Dimensions:skull length = 5 cm
Taxonomy
- Attributes
- Objects
- Taxonomy
- Kingdom:
Animalia
- Phylum:
Chordata
- Class:
Reptilia
- Order:
Squamata
- Suborder:
Iguania
- Family:
Agamidae
- Subfamily:
Amphibolurinae
- Genus:
Pogona
- SpecificEpithet:
vitticeps
Object number: ROMH23457
DescriptionBearded dragons are medium-size semi-arboreal lizards which occur in the dry lands of east-central Australia. They feed principally on insects. Bearded dragons are members of the lizard family Agamidae, which contains over 350 species in Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe. Agamid lizards have acrodont teeth, which are attached to the edge of the jaw, without roots. The teeth are similar in size and shape. Lizard skulls can come in many shapes and sizes, reflecting the multitude of adaptations in this large group of reptiles. The broad skull of the bearded dragon indicates that it has fairly large jaw muscles. The flattened shape of the skull facilitates burrowing or sheltering under rocks or logs. Compare the skull of the bearded dragon with that of the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), a reptile that has a superficial resemblance to lizards. The tuatara skull has two large openings in the side, whereas lizard skulls have a single opening.
Collector(s):Enright, Malcom
