Diplolaemus darwinii, also commonly known as Darwin's iguana and the southern Patagonian lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Leiosauridae. The species is native to the southern tip of South America.
Etymology Both the specific name, darwinii, and the common name, Darwin's iguana, are in honor of Charles Darwin, who was an English naturalist and the author of On the Origin of Species.Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. . (Diplolaemus darwinii, p. 65).
Geographic range D. darwinii is found in the Patagonian Desert in southern Argentina and Chile.
Description Darwin's iguana has a broad, triangular head and strong jaws.
Diet The diet of D. darwinii mostly consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Habitat The preferred natural habitat of D. darwinii is the Patagonian steppes from sea level up to elevations of .
Reproduction D. darwinii is oviparous. www.reptile-database.org.
Conservation status The IUCN has listed Darwin's iguana as being of "Least Concern" because of its wide range and the lack of any identified threats to the species.
References
Further reading Bell T (1843). In: Darwin C (1843). The Zoology of the Voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle, Under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., During the Years 1832 to 1836. Part V. Reptiles. London: Smith, Elder and Company. vi + 50 pp. + Plates 1-20. ("Diplolæmus darwinii ", new species, p. 20 + Plate 10).