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Tropidurus hispidus
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
When I started taking pictures for about 9 months, was a medical suggestion because I was in a crisis recovery due to stress caused by excessive work (I work as a manager in the IT area of a private company). And needed a hobby to help me put aside the daily hustle and bustle during the weekends. I chose to photograph, because it was compatible with my need for physical exercise (also recommended by doctors), through long walks in a mountainous area close to my house.
Today I can say that my blood pressure is the same as when I was 20 years, I have an almost permanent smile on his face, I see my work from a more human point, and I'm pretty fun to take this photographs. I am also learning about animals which (despite being very close) had never paid much attention. All this, and several additional good things, I owe in part to the photograph.
Speaking of animals which had previously not received attention; This reptile, will be familiar to many residents of the area as "tuqueque the hill," but here called "tuqueque" to almost any color lizards indifferently or aspect that has so this is not a common name that can be used to identify. Finally, after reviewing a few hours online, I was able to collate photographs and pages dedicated to this sort elusive "tuqueque."
The picture was taken with zoom, I could hardly take a single photo, this reptile is very fast and does not seem to like the human presence. The reptile is not complete view, only showed upper, final liability and then disappeared among the rocks. As usual, my picture is not very good (WS accepted with much gratitude) but I wanted to show how to bridge this brief overview of why I want to take pictures and how well it is now time step.
A few of additional information:
Family Tropiduridae:
(neotropical ground lizards)
This ever-growing family of diverse lizards was formerly, along with six other new families, considered a subfamily of Iguanidae (see Frost and Etheridge 1989). The tropidurids are represented by more than 280 species, in nine genera and three subfamilies. They are distributed throughout South America, in the West Indies (Leiocephalus only), and on the Galapagos.
Tropidurids from all three radiations (subfamilies) are small to moderate sized (4-15 cm snout-vent length), with spiny scales. Together with the other seven families that were previously part of Iguanidae (sensu lato), tropidurids have pleurodont teeth, which distinguishes them from other members of the Iguania (agamids and chamaeleons). Synapomorphies that diagnose the family include a reduced angular, and a medially incomplete gular fold. In addition, tropidurids have a posterior extension of the splenial, and an enlarged, median sternal fontanelle, characters that might add support for the monophyly of the family, depending on who they are related to. Furthermore, all of the tropidurid subfamilies are diagnosed by multiple shared, derived features.
Tropidurids inhabit a wide range of habitats, including lowland rain forests, savannahs, deserts, and high mountain grasslands above tree line. Some live in rocks, others in sand; still others are terrestrial or arboreal. All are diurnal, and most are oviparous (although Phymaturus species and some Liolaemus are viviparous, especially * are herbivores. Some species feed opportunistically on flowers and fruit. Some Tropidurus species have females that are brightly colored all year round; in these species, males are highly territorial. Other Tropidurus have females that develop bright colors only when gravid. Leiocephalus schreibersi adults are known to cannibalize juveniles, but one study showed that more than half of all adults in one population are not cannibals (Jenssen et al 1989).
Tropidurids are unambiguously placed in the Iguania, a group that is sister to all other squamates (lizards and snakes). Within the Iguania, however, relationships are hotly contested. Until recently, almost 1,000 species, including those in Tropiduridae, were placed in Iguanidae (sensu lato), but Frost and Etheridge's (1989) analysis of iguanian systematics suggested eight monophyletic clades within that large family. They proposed family status for these eight clades, including Tropiduridae (and a much reduced Iguanidae (sensu stricto). Most researchers (and Animal Diversity Web) follow this classification, although several formal criticisms have been made (e.g. Lazell 1992, sensu lato, of which Tropiduridae is a member). Among the eight families of Iguanidae sensu lato, which includes Tropiduridae, relationships are not resolved, although several hypotheses posit that tropidurids are closely related to phrynosomatids, oplurids, and perhaps polychrotids.
Within Tropiduridae, the subfamilies Tropidurinae and Leiocephalinae are sister taxa, and Liolaeminae is basal.
Fossils are difficult enough to place without pinpointing the particular lineage within iguanians from which they arose. Iguanid (sensu lato) fossils are known from the Eocene in North America. Additionally, one fossil from the Cretaceous, Pristiguana, may be an iguanid (sensu lato). |
CeltickRanger, Silvio2006, boreocypriensis, briGG, cirano, Dillinger has marked this note useful
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hello Jesus
photographing birds or the nature it is one of the best things
to forget the stress of the life of everyday
excellent portrait photo of this lizard with fine POV, DOF and framing,
fine focus with great sharpness and details, and a wonderful
eye-contact of the lizard with you, TFS
Asbed
Ciao Jesus, splendid portrait with fine details and excellent sharpness, I like a lot, bravo, ciao Silvio
- Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3808 W: 190 N: 11328]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(34927) - [2009-06-11 12:56]
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Hola Jesús,
A fine portrait of the head and neck of this Lizard. The POV and pose are great and it is sharp enough to make it stand out against the rocky BG.
Glad to hear that nature photography is good for your health!
Keep posting more shots like this: it is good for us too:))
Thanks and best regards,
Ivan
Hi Jesus,
A very good capture of this large lizard.
Excellent exposure with good detail.
I can relate to your work related stress.
I decided I didn't like working in 1980 and just stopped. I was a cave guide at the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, and I met some punk rockers.
They seemed so free and happy that I thought 'this is me'. I left my job and went to the city to be a punk.I had many 'rough' years,and took a LOT of drugs,but had some great experiences too.
Athough I'm a family man now,I still like my freedom,and I couldn't imagine going back to work again. I'm a bit naughty I suppose,but someone has got to be ;)
Cheers
Steve
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- cirano
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 651 W: 0 N: 228]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(4878) - [2009-06-11 14:26]
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Hello Jesus,
A very good capture of this portrait lizard with splendid details and excellent sharpness.Nice ligth and composition.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards.
Dűrzan
Hello Jesus
very fine portrait of this lizard, wonderful details on his head and great eye contact
superb composition and colors
i am glad that photography and nature help you against stress
for me, people who like nature and animals are in harmony with the world and with oneself
Have a good night
Jacqueline
Wowww.. hi MF Jesus,
What a beauty indeed. A superb capture of this pretty New Worls ground lizard having a lovely pose from a nice POV
with excellent lit and neat details.
TFS and have a nice day!
Cheers,
Bayram
Ciao Jesus. What amazing shot! Double diagonal and excellent DOF. Intensive an funny portrait. Well done.
Roberto
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- briGG
(1383)
- [2009-06-12 10:39]
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Bonjour Jesús,
Ce ne sont pas trop mes animaux préférés... mais, il faut reconnaitre que tu l'as bien pris.
Je n'ai pas tout compris dans tes notes, mais ce n'est pas grave!
en tout cas, don't work too mutch!!! No stressssss, photographie !!
TFS
brigitte
hello jesus
great composition -good sharpness and nice light
great shot
greeting lou
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- dejo
(2238)
- [2009-06-17 15:28]
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Hello Jesus,
nice portrait of this cute little guy!
i like the composition.
TFS
Dejan
Jesus,
I really like the pose of this lizard. This is well seen and captured. Good focus, and nice catch-light in the eye.
Thanks, too, for sharing a bit of your personal story. I, too, find photography to be therapeutic to the stresses of life!
Take care,
Randy
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 899 W: 35 N: 1245]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(10017)![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 47 W: 18 N: 63]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-s-g.gif)
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