Leiolepis

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Lepidosauromorpha
Superordo: Lepidosauria
Ordo: Squamata
Cladus: Unidentata Episquamata Toxicofera
Subordo: Iguania
Infraordo: Acrodonta

Familia: Agamidae
Subfamilia: Leiolepidinae
Genus: Leiolepis
Species: L. belliana – L. boehmei – L. guentherpetersi – L. guttata – L. ngovantrii – L. peguensis – L. reevesii – L. rubritaeniata – L. triploida
Name

Leiolepis
References

Grismer, J.L.; Grismer, L.L. 2010: Who’s your mommy? Identifying maternal ancestors of asexual species of Leiolepis Cuvier, 1829 and the description of a new endemic species of asexual Leiolepis Cuvier, 1829 from Southern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 2433: 47–61. Preview

Vernacular names
English: Ground lizard, Butterfly lizard
ไทย: แย้

eiolepis, commonly known as butterfly lizards or butterfly agamas (Thai: แย้), are group of agamid lizards.[1][2] They are native to Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Ryukyu Islands (Japan), Vietnam, and Hainan (China). The genus includes both sexual and asexual species.[2] Leiolepis is the sole genus of subfamily Leiolepidinae.

Description and ecology

Leiolepis are moderately sized lizards with the largest snout-to-vent length of 18 cm (7.1 in). Sexual species show sexual dimorphism. They are diurnal and live in flat, open areas with loose soil, which allows them to construct long, interconnected burrows used for refuge. They are omnivorous.[2]
Species

Ten species are recognized as being valid.[1]

Sexual species:
L. belliana (Hardwicke & Gray, 1827) – common butterfly lizard
L. guttata Cuvier, 1829 – giant butterfly lizard, spotted butterfly lizard
L. ocellata (G. Peters, 1971) – ocellated butterfly lizard
L. peguensis G. Peters, 1971 – Burmese butterfly lizard
L. reevesii (Gray, 1831) – Chinese butterfly lizard, Reeves's butterfly lizard
L. rubritaeniata Mertens, 1961 – Reeves's butterfly lizard
Asexual species:
L. boehmei Darevsky & Kupriyanova, 1993 – Böhme's butterfly lizard
L. guentherpetersi Darevsky & Kupriyanova, 1993 – Peters's butterfly lizard
L. ngovantrii J. Grismer & L. Grismer, 2010 – Ngo Van Tri's lady butterfly lizard[2]
L. triploida G. Peters, 1971 – Thai butterfly lizard, Malayan butterfly lizard

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Leiolepis.

Asexual species have arisen through hybridization of sexually-reproducing species.[2]
Relationship to humans
Captivity

Butterfly lizards are popular in the pet trade.
Consumption

In the northeast region of Thailand it is popular to catch butterfly lizards and eat them.[3] In the South Central Coast region of Vietnam, especially in Ninh Thuan Province, Leiolepis is considered a delicacy for its nutrional value and can fetch high prices on the market.[4]
Traditional game

In Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand, there is a traditional game called "yæ̂ lng rū" (แย้ลงรู; literally: "butterfly lizards hole down"[5]).
References

Leiolepis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 26 September 2017.
Grismer, Jesse L.; Grismer, L. Lee (2010). "Who's your mommy? Identifying maternal ancestors of asexual species of Leiolepis Cuvier, 1829 and the description of a new endemic species of asexual Leiolepis Cuvier, 1829 from Southern Vietnam" (PDF). Zootaxa. 2433: 47–61. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2433.1.3.
"ชาวมหาสารคามแห่จับแย้-กะปอม ทำเมนูเด็ด 'ผัดกะเพราแย้' กินเองลดค่าใช้จ่าย". PPTV (in Thai). 28 April 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
"Ăn thịt kỳ đà có tác dụng gì ? cách nấu thịt kỳ đà". cotacdunggi.com (in Vietnamese). 29 November 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
"แย้ลงรู". Ministry of Culture (in Thai). Retrieved 5 June 2013.