Corytophanidae is a family of iguanian lizards, also called casquehead lizards or helmeted lizards,

In past years there has been evidence of corytophanids in the Eocene of North America. The greatest percentage of omnivorous species (> 10% plant diet), over 30% in each, and the highest mean percentage of plant matter in the diet are corytophanids.

Behavior

In Corytophanes, the head crests are used in defensive displays, where the lateral aspect of the body is brought about to face a potential predator in an effort to look bigger.

Habitat

Casquehead lizards are forest-dwelling. All corytophanids are excellent climbers, and they are usually found in trees or low bushes.

Reproduction

Despite the small number of species in the family Corytophanidae, it includes both egg-laying species and species that give birth to live young.

Genera and species

Family Corytophanidae

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!Genus

!Living species

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| Basiliscus

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  • Basiliscus basiliscus — Common basilisk
  • Basiliscus galeritus — Western basilisk
  • Basiliscus plumifrons — Plumed basilisk
  • Basiliscus vittatus — Brown basilisk

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|Corytophanes

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  • Corytophanes cristatus — Helmeted iguana
  • Corytophanes hernandesii — Hernandez's helmeted basilisk
  • Corytophanes percarinatus — Guatemalan helmeted basilisk

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| Laemanctus

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  • Laemanctus julioi — Julio's casquehead iguana
  • Laemanctus longipes — Eastern casquehead iguana
  • Laemanctus serratus — Serrated casquehead iguana
  • Laemanctus waltersi — Walter's casquehead iguana

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Nota bene: In the following lists, a binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a different genus.

References

Further reading

  • Fitzinger L (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (Family Corythophanae, p. 52). (in Latin).
  • Pough FH, Andrews RM, Cadle JE, Crump ML, Savitsky AH, Wells KD (2003). Herpetology, Third Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 736 pp. . (Corytophanidae, p. 129).