Rankinia

Species Name

Common Name

Distribution

Size

Notes

Rankinia 

R. diemensis

Mountain Dragon, Mountain Heath Dragon

Australia (NSW, Tasmania, Victoria)

A smallish agamid, found in heaths and, woodlands: populations in forests favour clearings [Swann and West]. They perch on low stones and fallen timber [ibid]. Scalation details: upper head-scales rough, strongly keeled. Sides of neck strongly plicate and studded with small spines; a distinct dorso-lateral fold. Gular scales a little smaller than ventrals, keeled. Body much depressed, covered above with very irregular strongly keeled scales intermixed with enlarged spinose ones; the latter form a zigzag series on each side of the vertebral region, the scales of which are not enlarged, and a longitudinal series following the dorso-lateral fold; they are irregularly scattered on the flanks ; ventral scales strongly keeled and mucronate. Limbs and digits short; the adpressed hind limb reaches the tympanum or between the latter and the orbit; spinose scales scattered on the limbs. Femoral pores 4-6 on each side, not extending beyond the basal half of the thighs; preanal pores 2-5 on each side. Other: habit stout. Head short; snout as long as the diameter of the orbit; nostril equally distant from the eye and the tip of the snout; tympanum exposed, measuring nearly half the diameter of the orbit. Tail: round, depressed at the base, once and two thirds to once and three fourths as long as head and body, above with five longitudinal series of strongly enlarged spinose scales. Coloration: brown above, sides darker ; a festooned dark brown, black-edged band along the back ; lower surfaces pale brown, usually dotted or reticulated with darker. Reproduction: [SOURCES: Boulenger,