Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Presidio Canyon Lizard | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| 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 laterally elongated paravertebral spots on the lizard's back which are a diagnostic of the subspecies. The holotype was collected on May 31, 1971 by R. Earl Olson in Presidio County, Texas.[1]
Contents |
[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.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Bell, Edwin L.; Smith, Hobart M. & Chiszar, David (2003), “An Annotated List of the Species-Group Names Applied to the Lizard Genus Sceloporus.”, Acta Zoologica Mexicana 90: 103–174, <http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/redalyc/pdf/575/57509006.pdf>
[edit] References
- Species Sceloporus merrami at The Reptile Database
- Herps of Texas: Sceloporus merrami
- An Annotated List of the Species-Group Names Applied to the Lizard Genus Sceloporus - PDF
 |
This lizard article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
