Teiidae 322882 215004097 2008-05-26T08:03:39Z SamatBot 7027852 robot Adding: [[hu:Tejufélék]] {{Taxobox | name = Teiidae | image = Goldteju Tupinambis teguixin.jpg | image_width = 200px | image_caption = ''[[Tupinambis teguixin]]'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Reptile|Sauropsida]] | ordo = [[Squamata]] | familia = '''Teiidae''' | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = ''[[Ameiva]]''<br/> ''[[Aspidoscelis]]<br/> ''[[Callopistes]]''<br/> ''[[Cnemidophorus]]''<br/> ''[[Crocodilurus]]''<br/> ''[[Dicrodon]]''<br/> ''[[Dracaena (lizard)|Dracaena]]''<br/> ''[[Kentropyx]]''<br/> ''[[Teius]]''<br/> ''[[Tupinambis]]'' }} '''Teiidae''' is a family of [[lizard]]s, generally known as '''whiptails''', that includes the parthenogenic genera [[Cnemidophorus]] and [[Aspidoscelis]] and the non-parthenogenic [[Tupinambis|Tegu]]s. == Morphology == Teiids can be distinguished from other lizards by the following characteristics: they have large rectangular scales that form distinct transverse rows ventrally and generally small granular scales dorsally, they have head scales that are separate from the skull bones, and the teiid teeth are solid at the base and "glued" to the jaw bones. Additionally, all teids have a forked, snake like tongue. ==Parthenogenesis== Certain species of whiptail lizards have all-female or nearly all-female populations.<ref>[[American Association for the Advancement of Science|AAAS]] – [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/135/3499/212 All-Female Species of the Lizard Genus Cnemidophorus, Teiidae]</ref> These lizards reproduce by [[parthenogenesis]], and research has shown that simulated mating behavior increases fertility. For instance, one female lies on top of another, engaging in [[pseudocopulation]]. When they lay eggs, the lizard that was on bottom has larger eggs while the one on top has smaller. The lizards switch off this role each mating season.<ref>Nerve.com – [http://www.nerve.com/Regulars/ScienceOfSex/09-19-00/09-19-00.asp The Science of Sex]. Simon LeVay, Ph.D.</ref> The offspring are genetic clones of the mother, sparking debate as to how these lizards [[Evolution|evolve]] or adapt to the environment.<ref>American Museum of Natural History – [http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/expeditions/treasure_fossil/Treasures/Unisexual_Whiptail_Lizards/lizards.html?50 Unisexual Whiptail Lizards]</ref> == Sources == *Pianka, E. R. and L. J. Vitt. 2003 ''Lizards: Windows to the evolution of diversity''. University of California Press. Berkeley. <references/> [[Category:Lizards]] [[Category:Whiptail lizards]] {{lizard-stub}} [[de:Schienenechsen]] [[es:Teiidae]] [[fr:Teiidae]] [[lt:Tejidai]] [[hu:Tejufélék]] [[nl:Teiidae]] [[no:Tejuer]] [[pl:Teidy]] [[pt:Teiidae]] [[ro:Teiidae]] [[ru:Тейиды]] [[sv:Tejuödlor]]