Caiman (genus)

Caiman (genus)

Chordata

Caimans
Yacare Caiman, Caiman yacare
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Superorder: Crocodylomorpha
Order: Crocodylia
Family: Alligatoridae
Subfamily: Caimaninae
Genus: Caiman
Spix, 1825
Type species
Caiman fissipes
Spix, 1825
Species
Synonyms
  • Jacaretinga Spix, 1825
  • Champsa Wagler, 1830
  • Jacare Gray, 1844

Caimans are alligatorid crocodylians within the subfamily Caimaninae. Caimans inhabit Central and South America. They are relatively small crocodilians, with most species reaching lengths of only a few meters, although one species, the Black caiman, can exceed 4 metres (13 ft) in length.[1]

Contents

Anatomy

Brain

In Caiman the dura covering the medullary region of the brain is proportionally thicker than the dura covering the forebrain, although this might not impact the ratio in volume between the regions.[2]

Taxonomy

References

  1. ^ Brochu, C. A. (1999). "Phylogenetics, Taxonomy, and Historical Biogeography of Alligatoroidea". Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoir 6: 9–100. doi:10.2307/3889340. JSTOR 3889340. 
  2. ^ "Allometric Comparison," Larsson (2001). Page 26.
v · d · eRelated articles on alligators, caimans, crocodiles and gharials
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  • caiman — [kā′mən] n. [ModL < Sp < Carib acayuman] any of a genus (Caiman) of Central and South American crocodilian reptiles similar to alligators …   English World dictionary

  • caiman — /kay meuhn/, n., pl. caimans. any of several tropical American crocodilians of the genus Caiman and allied genera: some are endangered. Also, cayman. [1570 80; < Sp caimán < Carib] * * * Any member of several species of Central and South American …   Universalium

  • caiman — noun /ˈkeɪ.mən/ a) A relative of the alligator, of the genus Caiman. It resembles an alligator and a crocodile but smaller. b) A semi aquatic lizard, of the genus Dracaena, found in South America. To differentiate from caimans, they are referred… …   Wiktionary

  • genus Caiman — noun caimans • Hypernyms: ↑reptile genus • Member Holonyms: ↑Alligatoridae, ↑family Alligatoridae • Member Meronyms: ↑caiman, ↑cayman …   Useful english dictionary

  • caiman lizard — a crocodilelike lizard, Dracaena guianensis, of South America, having powerful jaws for crushing the snails and mussels upon which it feeds. * * * ▪ reptile       any member of a genus (Dracaena) of lizards in the family Teiidae. These lizards (D …   Universalium

  • caiman — cai•man or cayman [[t]ˈkeɪ mən[/t]] n. pl. mans ram any of several tropical American crocodilians of the genus Caiman and allied genera • Etymology: 1570–80; < Sp caimán < Carib …   From formal English to slang

  • caiman — /ˈkeɪmən/ (say kaymuhn) noun (plural caimans) any of several tropical American crocodilians of the genus Caiman and related genera resembling and related to the alligators, but having overlapping ventral scutes. Also, cayman. {Spanish, Portuguese …  

  • Caiman lizard — noun any semi aquatic lizard, of the genus, Dracaena, found in South America …   Wiktionary

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