Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus

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Presidio Canyon Lizard

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Sauria
Family:	Phrynosomatidae
Genus:	Sceloporus
Species:	S. merriami
Subspecies:	S. m. longipunctatus

Trinomial name

Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus
Olson, 1973

The Presidio Canyon Lizard (Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus) is a subspecies of the Canyon Lizard native to a narrow range in the Big Bend region of the US state of Texas and into adjacent states northern Mexico. It is unknown if it interbreeds with the other subspecies of Canyon Lizard found in the same region, but it is likely.

The epithet longipunctatus is a combination of the Latin words long meaning "long", punctum meaning "spot", and suffix -atus meaning "pertaining to", which literally describes the elongated spots on the lizard's back which are a diagnostic of the subspecies. The first specimen was collected in 1971 by R. Earl Olson in Presidio County, Texas.

[edit] Description

The Presidio Canyon Lizard is a medium sized lizard, growing from 4.5 to 6.25 inches in length. Their coloration varies with the soil color in their particular choice of habitat, varying from grey to brown, with two rows of dark, comma-shaped spots down each side of the back and a dark line on the shoulder region. They have a fairly large head for their body size, and a dewlap which is larger in males than females. Their underside has dark lines, especially under the neck and tail regions, and males have distinct blue patches on either side of their stomach.

[edit] Behavior

All Canyon Lizards are diurnal and insectivorous. Their primary choice of habitat is rocky, unvegetated canyon lands with numerous crevices to hide in, and ledges to bask on. They are oviparous.