Ctenophorus caudicinctus, commonly known as the ring-tailed dragon or ring-tailed bicycle-dragon is a native species of agamid lizard occurring in rocky ranges and outcrops of Australia. Ctenophorus caudicinctus is most commonly found in the Pilbara region and offshore islands of Western Australia. The ctenophorus has 28 known species in the northern, southern, and western parts of Australia. It is recognized to be the most speciose group of Australian agamids.
Description
Ctenophorus caudicinctus are recognized for their bright colours, their survival tactics, and sexual dimorphism. Males display brighter colours than females to make themselves more attractive to a mate. The colour of the lizard is also impacted by their age, season, and temperature of their body. The ring-tailed dragon is about 25–35 cm long and is differentiated from other lizards by the line of spines that curves beneath the eyes. The pattern of the ctenophorus caudicinctus can range from a pale beige to dark orange. They have distinctive banding around the tail and a white to yellow underbelly. They have a short crest of nuchal spines that varies in colour.
Etymology
Ctenephorus is the largest group of lizards in Australia. Ctenephorus means comb-bearing dragons and caudicinctus means ring-tailed. Many of these species have been grouped by similar morphology and have been given informal names derived from mythological creatures.
Anatomy
Excretion
The environment in Western Australia where Ctenophorus Caudicinctus is commonly found is arid and dry. Ctneophorus caudicinctus and many other lizards in dry tropics, do not produce hyperosmotic urine. The wall of the colon absorbs water and salts so that the body can retain water to prevent dehydration.
Sensory characteristics
Ctenophorus caudicinctus has vestibular hearing. The hair cells located in the neuroepithelial structures in the inner ear acts as receptors. They convert mechanical energy by the displacement of their surroundings into electrochemical energy. The displacement of their surroundings are caused by sound waves and they use the balance of their head to perceive their surroundings.
Maintenance of water
Ctenophorus caudicinctus has scale hinges that overlap each other and it creates an enclosed spaced between the scales. The scale hinges are flexible and able to stretch due to its thin layer of β-keratin in the hinge joint. These scale hinges create a smooth surface texture. The water flows into the mouth and over the scales not between the scales. The purpose of this is to promote cutaneous water transport to the body. It allows water to be absorbed into the deeper layers of the body through capillary action and hinge joint channels.
Osmoregulation
In spring where there is no breeding, ctenophorus caudicinctus has more sodium and potassium in their plasma and lower water influx and efflux. However, in autumn there is an increase in water metabolism. There are higher water influx and efflux but less sodium and potassium in their body. Their total body water is higher in autumn than in spring. This is due to the mating season and heavy rainfall in autumn. Sodium and potassium content is important because it shows the rehydration or dehydration of any lizard. The nasal salt gland contributes to the potassium excretion for rehydration. Therefore, in autumn ctenophorus caudicinctus is more hydrated than in spring. Osmoregulation is important in lizards because of hormonal control, maintaining bodily functions and survival.
Autotomy
Most lizards can regrow their tail and they can lose it voluntarily. However, most agamid lizards, including the ctenophorus caudicinctus do not lose their tail. Their tail is very thick compared to other lizards that can regrow their tail. Therefore, it is hard to regenerate if they lose their tail. In addition, ctenophorus caudicinctus uses their tail for balance when they bipedal.
Evolution
Ctenophorus caudicinctus is part of a large genus that shares similar phenotypes. But are still distinct from each other. Ctenophorus is a type of convergent evolution that both the ecological and biological factors that cause the evolution of a species to repeat.