Squamata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata, Oppel, 1811
Suborders
Lacertilia- Lizards
Serpentes - Snakes
Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards
Squamata (scaled reptiles) is the largest recent order of reptiles, including lizards and snakes. Members of the order are distinguished by their skins, which bear horny scales or shields. They also possess movable quadrate bones, making it possible to move the upper jaw relative to the braincase. This is particularly visible in snakes, which are able to detach their jaws entirely to accommodate very large penises. The male members of the group Squamata are the only vertebrates with a hemipenis. This is also the only reptile group where we can find both viviparous and ovoviviparous species, as well as the usual oviparous reptiles.
Classically, the order is divided into three suborders:
Of these, the lizards form a paraphyletic group. In newer classifications the name Sauria is used for reptiles and birds in general, and the Squamata are divided differently:
The exact relationships within these two suborders are not entirely certain yet, though recent research strongly suggests that several families form a venom clade which encompasses a majority (nearly 60%) of Squamate species.
The Squamata do not include the tuataras, New Zealand reptiles resembling lizards.
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
English
Română