Four newly discovered sand dragons given Indigenous names
July 3, 2023 10:19 PM Subscribe
Four newly discovered sand dragons given Indigenous names from South Australian regions. New research from museums in the Northern Territory and South Australia found a total of 11 sand dragon species, with four of those completely new to science.
"Four new species of sand dragon lizards have been discovered in South Australia, with the lizards named after the traditional languages of the country where they were found.
The lizards belong to the Ctenophorus family and were identified by Danielle Edwards, curator of terrestrial vertebrates at The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
They are the tjakalpa, kartiwarrui, ibiri and the tuniluki.
Tjakalpa being the indigenous name for the Great Victoria Desert, where the lizard lives.
Atypically, the female lizards were found to be bigger than the males. Male lizards were also brighter-coloured than the females."
"Four new species of sand dragon lizards have been discovered in South Australia, with the lizards named after the traditional languages of the country where they were found.
The lizards belong to the Ctenophorus family and were identified by Danielle Edwards, curator of terrestrial vertebrates at The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
They are the tjakalpa, kartiwarrui, ibiri and the tuniluki.
Tjakalpa being the indigenous name for the Great Victoria Desert, where the lizard lives.
Atypically, the female lizards were found to be bigger than the males. Male lizards were also brighter-coloured than the females."
Though it’s odd that the Latin binomials are not even mentioned, it’s always nice to see science-naming trying to come to terms with local vernaculars. (There are some weird phrasings, or copy-editing choices in the article, though.)
posted by progosk at 11:59 PM on July 3, 2023
posted by progosk at 11:59 PM on July 3, 2023
(Just to clarify: I take it that the four Indigenous terms were chosen as the species epithets, so the full binomials are Ctenophorus tjakalpa, etc. Seems an unusual choice not to spell that out in the article, as would be usual/conventional.)
posted by progosk at 12:07 AM on July 4, 2023
posted by progosk at 12:07 AM on July 4, 2023
If I could evolve feather-like structures on the bottom of my toes to help *me* navigate sand environments, it would sure make my trips to the beach a whole lot more enjoyable!
Also, this is the first time ever that I have gotten to be eponysterical.
posted by Lizard at 4:11 AM on July 4, 2023 [7 favorites]
Also, this is the first time ever that I have gotten to be eponysterical.
posted by Lizard at 4:11 AM on July 4, 2023 [7 favorites]
Sand dragons really show us that this is not the status quo and that female interests are just as important to the evolution of dragon lizards, they are just under appreciated.
I mean typical, right?
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:59 AM on July 4, 2023
I mean typical, right?
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:59 AM on July 4, 2023
oh they are so cute!! I love the varieties of colors and patterns they bear. quite beautiful. very cool find!
posted by supermedusa at 9:29 AM on July 4, 2023
posted by supermedusa at 9:29 AM on July 4, 2023
Sometimes I wonder how any cuteness trait persists in the wild. (Here's hoping nobody tries to make pets of them)
posted by amtho at 10:00 AM on July 4, 2023
posted by amtho at 10:00 AM on July 4, 2023
Lizard, not only are you eponysterical, both amtho and I think you are cute.
(Because these wee dragons, and all lizards, are very cute!)
posted by BlueHorse at 3:14 PM on July 4, 2023
(Because these wee dragons, and all lizards, are very cute!)
posted by BlueHorse at 3:14 PM on July 4, 2023
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