lizard | 台北市立動物園資訊網

Formandfunction.Ratherthanpresentadetailedanatomicalreportofalizard,thissectiondiscussescertainstructuresthatareeithercharacteristicoflizardsin​ ...

Rather than present a detailed anatomical report of a lizard, this section discusses certain structures that are either characteristic[1] of lizards in general or specializations of certain groups.

The skull[2] is derived from the primitive diapsid condition, but the lower bar leading back to the quadrate bone is absent, however, giving greater flexibility to the jaw[3]. In some burrowers (such as Anniella and the worm lizards[4]) as well as some surface-living forms (such as the geckos[5]), the upper and lower temporal bars have been lost. Small burrowing lizards have thick, tightly bound skulls with braincases that are well protected by bony walls. In most lizards, the front of the braincase is made up of thin cartilage[6] and membrane, and the eyes are separated by a thin, vertical interorbital septum. In burrowing forms with degenerate[7] eyes, the septum is reduced and adds to the compactness of the skull. Mo...