| Tuatara | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Genus: | Sphenodon |
| Species: | Sphenodon punctatus |
Tuataras are reptiles endemic to New Zealand. Although resembling most lizards, they are part of a distinct lineage, the order Rhynchocephalia. Their name derives from the Māori language, and means "peaks on the back".
The single species of tuatara is the sole surviving member of its order, which originated in the Triassic period around 240 million years ago and which flourished during the Mesozoic era. Their most recent common ancestor with any other extant group is with the squamates (lizards and snakes).
References[]
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/tuatara/
- https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/tuatara
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/tuatara
- https://theconversation.com/not-a-lizard-nor-a-dinosaur-tuatara-is-the-sole-survivor-of-a-once-widespread-reptile-group-75921
- https://www.visitzealandia.com/About/Wildlife/Reptiles-Frogs-Invertebrates/Tuatara
- https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/animals/tuatara
- https://books.google.com.tr/books?id=GkpxJGTcuD4C&pg=PA49&lpg=PA49&dq=Tuatara&source=bl&ots=VHs6WrWG4S&sig=ACfU3U3BEnnX6Bz9N_MIKNX5jGVj59R_Nw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj9wtfy1O71AhWhRfEDHW6SB9M4ChDoAXoECAMQAw#v=onepage&q=Tuatara&f=false
- https://books.google.com.tr/books?id=v4zNBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA644&lpg=PA644&dq=Tuatara&source=bl&ots=c0XM_v8G5h&sig=ACfU3U343TMsJXkBB7tpYtS-AUTeP9hRQw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj9wtfy1O71AhWhRfEDHW6SB9M4ChDoAXoECBQQAw#v=onepage&q=Tuatara&f=false
In The Media[]
- The Living Planet "Worlds Apart".
- Primeval Survivors.
- PBS NATURE: Land of the Kiwi
- PBS NATURE: Nomads of the Wind "Distant Horizons"
- Eyewitness Reptile.
- Shamu and you exploring the world of reptiles.
- Walking with Dinosaurs “Spirits of the Ice Forest”.
- PBS Nature: Triumph of Life Episode 6 “The Survivors".
- The Wild Thornberrys “Hot Air”.
- Monsters We Met (Land of Lost Monsters) Episode 3 “The End of Eden”.
- South Pacific (Wild Pacific) Episode 5 “Strange Islands”.
- Mutant Planet episode 1 “New Zealand“.
- The Moe Show.
- Love in Cold Blood.
- Strange Magic.
- PBS Big Pacific “Passionate”.
- Wild New Zealand.
- Modern Dinosaurs.
