Phrynosomatidae
Phrynosomatidae Genus Callisaurus – 1 species – Callisaurus draconoides Genus Cophosaurus – 1 species – Cophosaurus texanus Genus Holbrookia – 4 species Genus Petrosaurus – 2 species Genus Phrynosoma – 17 species Genus Sceloporus – 86 species Genus Uma – 9 species Genus Urosaurus – 9 species Genus Uta – 9 species A diverse family of iguanian lizards inhabiting Central and North America (Fig. 1). They live primarily in arid environments, are diurnally active, feed on insects and small vertebrates, and are very agile; both oviparous and ovoviviparous species exist. Species of the genera Cophosaurus and Holbrookia (Figs. 2–3) are notable for lacking ear openings, while species of the genus Phrynosoma (Figs. 4–5) possess a defensive mechanism that allows them to squirt a jet of blood from their eyes at predators, thereby frightening them. Fig. 1: Range of the family Phrynosomatidae Figs.
2–3: Absence of ear openings in Cophosaurus texanus and Holbrookia lacerata Figs.
4–5: Defensive mechanism of Phrynosoma solaris and its appearance Figs.
6–7: Appearance of Callisaurus draconoides Sources: https://www.gbif.org https://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/ https://en.wikipedia.org https://imnh.isu.edu/home/ https://eol.org/