Sarada (lizard) explained

Sarada is a genus of lizards in the family Agamidae. The common name large fan-throated lizards has been coined for this genus. It is the sister genus of Sitana; together they form a group known as the fan-throated lizards. The genus, consisting of three species, was erected in 2016 on the basis of molecular phylogenetic studies from across peninsular India.^[1]

The scientific name Sarada finds its origin in a Marathi word (IAST: saraḍā) used to refer to Agamidae. All known members of this genus are restricted to two Indian states, Maharashtra and northern parts of Karnataka.^[1]

Species

The three species are listed here alphabetically:

• Sarada darwini Deepak, Karanth, Dutta and Giri, 2016 – Darwin's large fan-throated lizard
• Sarada deccanensis (Jerdon, 1870) – Deccan fan-throated lizard
• Sarada superba Deepak, Zambre, Bhosale and Giri, 2016 – superb large fan-throated lizard

Notes and References

1. Systematics and phylogeny of Sitana (Reptilia: Agamidae) of Peninsular India, with the description of one new genus and five new species. Contributions to Zoology. 85 . 1 . 67–111 . 2016. Deepak, V.. Giri, Varad B.. Asif, M.. Dutta, S.K.. Vyas, R.. Zambre, Amod M.. Bhosale, Harshal . Karanth, K. Praveen . 10.1163/18759866-08501004. free.