Pogona minor

Pogona minor is a species of agamid lizard from a group commonly known as bearded dragons, and is found on the southwest coast and interior of Western Australia. This taxonomic name includes the widespread type known as western bearded dragon, Pogona minor minor which is widespread across West Australia between the Pilbara and the south coast,[2] and the subspecies, Pogona minor minima is confined to the Wallabi Group of islands.[3] There is another subspecies, Pogona minor mitchelli which lives in tropical woodlands of the Kimberley area of West Australia.[2]

Western bearded dragon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Pogona
Species:
P. minor
Binomial name
Pogona minor
(Sternfeld, 1919)
Subspecies

Pogona minor minor
Pogona minor minima
Pogona minor mitchelli

Description

Pogona minor minor lizards are large, 38 cm in length (15 cm from snout to vent), P. m. minima is slightly smaller, at 11cm snout to vent, and P. m. mitchelli has a snout to vent length of 16cm.[2] All bearded dragons have a chameleon-like colour, either blending into their environments or presenting brighter displays during interaction with others. They are similar in appearance to Pogona nullarbor and Caimanops amphiboluroides (mulga dragon), but are distinguished by smaller heads, and the arrangement of spines on their undersides and necks. The western bearded dragon is widespread in Southwest Australia and central deserts; the range includes semiarid regions such as woodland or heathland, and arid desert or coastal dunes. This subspecies also occurs on Dirk Hartog Island. Pogona minor minima is found on West, North, and East Wallabi Islands, Houtman Abrolhos.[3][4]

These dragons display a behavior common to other Pogona species, they will wave one of their fore legs to trigger a response from a potential rival or mate. Another typical behavior is head-bobbing amongst males, perhaps related to dominance within their social order. They are often seen basking on fence posts.[3]

They usually lay egg clutches of 5–9, though clutches of up to 15 have been recorded.[2]

Due to their small size, it is likely that they are insectivorous rather than herbivorous like most other bearded dragon species.[2]

See also

References
  1. Melville, J.; Doughty, P.; Craig, M.; Macdonald, S.M (2017). "Pogona minor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T83493552A83493572. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T83493552A83493572.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. Melville, Jane; Steve, Wilson (2019). Dragon Lizards of Australia. Museums Victoria Publishing. pp. 332–333. ISBN 978-1-921-833-49-6.
  3. Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush; Brad Maryan; David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. p. 160. ISBN 978-1-920694-74-6. Pogona minor minor, Abrolhos Bearded Dragon
  4. "Pogona minor minima (Abrolhos Bearded Dragon)". Specimen collections. Western Australian Museum. 2003. represented by 94 specimen records in museum collection. North, East Wallabi and West Wallabi Islands

Further reading


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