Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, until reading some previously posted conversations on this message board, I was under the impression that there were five Acanthosaura agamids. A. armata, capra, crucigera, lepidogaster, and nataliae (discovered in 2006 as seen in the July 2006 issue of Reptiles on pg 9). But it seems that several members are familiar with an A. coronata. I have never heard of this subspecies of Acanthosaura before. Can someone give me some info about it.

Gunther described coronata in 1861 ever sins this specie have been mistaken for lepidogaster but was recently resurrected as coronata, there are many coronata in captivity, but keepers think they are lepidogaster.

I own 2 undescribed species and know of at least 4 to be named soon, there are probably more to be discovered, this make it interesting as study subjects.

can you post a coronat photo from the reptile mag?
id love to see it.

So, there is at least 9 speciese of MHD?! That is a lot.

Where do you here of these speciese?

There are quit a few peoples that are actually studying there biology, I call them up and discus with them. How easy is this?

RYAN2691, the information I have come across has been from a variety of sources. I find the more ways you type in Hountain Horned Dragon on google the more results you will find. (Whan I say "more ways" I mean type in, Acanthosaura, Mountain horned agamids, A.armata etc., and pricklenape lizard, as well as any other names you are able to find). These lizards are one of the most varaibly named reptiles I have ever come across so the possibilities are almost endless. Hope this helps you in your research.

The picture in the July Reptiles was natalie not coronata.

I have a question on this topic however. Can you tell me the difference between coronata and lepidogaster? For that matter, it seems to me that crucigera is also very similar. Where can I find the differences between these species?

I know you had stated before that the photos weren't mis-identified in the German publication of Manthey & Schuster's Agamid book. If I were to get the book in German I would not be able to read it but would I be able to identify the species? Or, is there a better resource? I am just really curious about this.

I really appreciate the differences you have shown me already and this has really provoked my curiosity as to identification of the other species of Acanthosaura.

thanks,
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

FroggieB, I found this link and, while not excellent, it does provide some information on the identification of A. coronata. Hopefully this helps as I too am in the precess of researching this.

FroggieB, here's the link (forgot to attach it to the other message, duh!)http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/54/54rbz129-155.pdf#search="acanthosaura coronata"
Hopefully it works.

Marcia you probably know that by now I have most publications ever made on acanthosaura, however you also know that id rather do my own work then talk about others work, you know the reasons very well.

I am presently working on an identification guide for all acanthosaura ssp! I am very sorry but until my work is over I prefer not to talk about there identification.
Except for nataliea all acanthosaura’s are named on there morphology, a quick Latin search will give you keys to identification, however only visual examination of specific characteristic will allow you to fully understand there often subtle difference.

Sorry but I have obligations towards a co-author that will limit my contributions on these forums, this is the downside of doing team work, it takes away your freedom.
rgds

Jobi, first off, as FroggieB said the picture in the Reptiles magazine was, unfortunatly, one of nataliae not of coronata. I can't post it on this site, (I'm not that technologically advanced but I am also somewhat confused about the taxonomy of this species. Where have you heard about the four "to be described" species? That totals 11 Acanthosaura species, is there any chance you have a picture of any one of the new ones, or know where to find them? I have found most searchs on A. nataliae (the newest one I was familiar with) to yeild little or nothing, and most taxonomic listings to only contain the origional four species. (I can't seem to find any newer lists). Again, any info you might have would be great.

Pleas be patient once my work is finish there should be no confusion with acanthosaura’s

Here are 3 distinct and un-described species, they are from different localities.

By the way I own 3 new species not 2. and will get 2 more soon. So this brings my collection to armata,capra,crucigera,lepidogaster and 5 new species, and I have no nataliea yet, furthermore each of these have 2—3 color variation that could be locality morphs, I do have a few surprises in stock for your guys.

All in all I can say that acanthosaura’s are a very interesting project for serious collectors, more so then any other lizard species.