WESTERN COLLARED SPINY LIZARD Tropidurus etheridgei
The Tropidurus or Spiny Lizards are a group of about 20 species confined to South America which are typical of dry areas. They are shaped somewhat like Agamid Lizards, with flattened bodies and large heads. This species is found in the Chaco where it is terrestrial and semi-arboreal - and was formerly considered conspecific with the Eastern Collared Spiny Lizard of eastern Paraguay. This species can be distinguished from the Eastern Collared by the presence of a broad pale lateral line (in most specimens), less robust appearance and blackish patches on the ventral side of the thighs.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPREP67PH) Adult, Cruce Los Pioneros, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 2 - (FPREP477PH) Adult, Fortín Boquerón, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith November 2010).
FIGURE 3 - (FPREP68PH) Adult male found recently dead, Cruce Los Pioneros, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 4 - (FPREP69PH) Same individual dorsal view (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 5 - (FPREP70PH) Same individual ventral view (Paul Smith October 2007).
The specimen in images (FPREP68PH - FPREP70PH) was initially confusing because of its apparent robustness, lack of a pale lateral line and overall dark colouration. The dark thigh patches visible in (FPREP70PH) however confirm the individuals identity as etheridgei.  Dr Norman Scott writes "The darker overall color may be because the animal was rousted out of its sleeping quarters and hadn't had a chance to warm up"
FIGURE 6 - (FPREP446PH) Adult, Cerro León, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith September 2010).
VIDEO - (FPREP478VI) Adult, Fortín Boquerón, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith November 2010).
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Thanks to Dr Norman Scott for identifying some of the images in this gallery.
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