Gray’s Spiny-tailed Iguana
Ctenosaura similis
(Gray, 1830)
TEE-noh-SAW-rah — SIM-ih-liss
SSAR 9th Edition Comments:
Native to Central America. It was introduced to Georgia (Brennan et al., 2022, Herpetological Review 53: 272–273) and is established in many areas of Florida since the 1970s (Butterfield et al., 1997, pp. 123–138. In: D. Simberloff, D. C. Schmitz, and T. C. Brown (Editors), Strangers in Paradise: Impact and Management of Nonindigenous Species in Florida. Island Press, Washington, D.C.; Krysko and Nuñez, 2019, Ctenosaura similis. Pages 385–387 in Krysko et al. (Editors) Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida). Based on genetic analysis, most Florida populations are the result of independent introductions with native range origins of Honduras (Nuñez, 2016, M.S. thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville). Cowan (1969, Journal of the Society for the Bibliography of Natural History 5: 137–140) listed the authority date as 1830 (not 1831). The English name Common Spiny-tailed Iguana is used by Hedges et al. (2019, Caribbean Herpetology (67): 1–53).
(Krysko, Kenneth and Travis W. Taggart. 2025. Established Exotic Species. Pages 64-87 in Kirsten E. Nicholson (Editor), Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in Our Understanding, 9th Edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Lawrence, Kansas. 87 pp.)
Range maps are based on curated specimens and provided gratis by CNAH.
(Created by Travis W. Taggart; Version: 2025.04.03.12.35.48)
Download GeoJSON polygon range file: - 0.25 MB
Province/State Distribution:
United States: Arizona
Taxonomic Etymology:
Named for its similarity to other species in the genus.
Ctenosaura — From Greek ktenos (κτενός), “comb,” and saura (σαύρα), “lizard.” The name means “comb lizard,” referring to the comb-like crest of enlarged spines running along the back and tail.
similis — From Latin similis, meaning “similar” or “like.” The name refers to its resemblance to other species of Ctenosaura, possibly C. pectinata, though it is generally larger and darker.
First instance(s) of published English names:
Common Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis: Hedges, S. Blair, Robert Powell, Robert W. Henderson, Sarah Hanson, and John C. Murphy. 2019. Definition of the Caribbean Islands biogeographic region, with checklist
and recommendations for standardized common names of amphibians and
reptiles. Caribbean Herpetology (67):1–53);
Catalog of American Amphibians and Reptiles
The Reptile Database
GenBank
USGS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database
Selected References:
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1830
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Gray, John E. A synopsis of the species of the class reptilia. Pages 1-110 in The Animal Kingdom Arranged in Conformity with its Organization by the Baron Cuvier, member of teh Institute of France, with Additional Descriptions of all the Species Hitherto Named, and of many not before noticed. Ninth Volume. Whittaker, Treacher, and Company, London, England. pp.
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1969
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Cowan, C. F. Notes on Griffth's Animal Kingdom of Cuvier (1824-1835). Journal of the Society for the Bibliography of Natural History 5(2):137-140
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2003
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Townsend, J. H., Kenneth L. Krysko, and Kevin M. Enge. The identity of spiny-tailed iguanas, Ctenosaura, introduced to Florida, USA (Squamata: Sauria: Iguanidae). Herpetozoa 16:67-72
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2009
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Krysko, Kenneth K., Kevin M. Enge, E. M. Donlan, E. Z. Golden, J. P. Burgess and K. W. Larson. The non-marine herpetofauna of Key Biscayne, Florida. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5(1):132-142
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2016
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Nunez, Leroy P. Molecular analyses of three non-indigenous squamate species in Florida: Testing various hypotheses regarding species introductions. Thesis. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. 61pp.
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2019
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Hedges, S. Blair, Robert Powell, Robert W. Henderson, Sarah Hanson, and John C. Murphy. Definition of the Caribbean Islands biogeographic region, with checklist
and recommendations for standardized common names of amphibians and
reptiles. Caribbean Herpetology (67):1–53
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