| Side-blotched lizards | |
|---|---|
| Male Common Side-blotched Lizard Uta stansburiana |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Uta Baird & Girard, 1852 |
| Species | |
|
Several, see text |
|
Side-blotched lizards are lizards of the genus Uta. They are some of the most abundant and commonly observed lizards in the deserts of western North America. They commonly grow to six inches including the tail, with the males normally being the larger sex. Males often have bright throat colors. Orange-throated males establish large territories and accommodate multiple females. Yellow stripe throated males (sneakers) stay on the fringe of orange-throated lizard territories and mate with their females while the orange-throat is absent as the territory to defend is large. Blue-throated males defend a small territory large enough for one female. They can fend off the yellow stripe throated males but they can't withstand attacks by orange-throated males.
The orange and blue-throated males will even boldly approach a human intruder, to give his female(s) a chance to escape. When she is safe, he will join her in a hole, or under a rock.
These lizards are prey for many desert species. Snakes, larger lizards and birds all make formidable predators to side-blotched lizards. Larger lizard species—such as collared, leopard, and spiny lizards—and roadrunners are the main predators. In turn, the side-blotched lizards eat insects, spiders, arthropods, and an occasional scorpion.
As a result of their high predation rate, these lizards are very prolific breeders. From April to June they breed, with the young emerging as early as late May. These inch-long young appear all through the summer, and into September.
The diploid chromosome number in most if not all species is 34, consisting of 12 macro- and 22 microchromosomes.[1]
The systematics and phylogeny of the side-blotched lizards is very confusing, with many local forms and morphs having been described as full species.[2] Following the 1997 review of Upton & Murphy which included new data from mtDNA cytochrome b and ATPase 6 sequences, the following species can be recognized pending further research:
Uta stellata and U. concinna are nowadays usually considered a subspecies of U. stansburiana. U. encantadae, U. lowei and U. tumidarostra might be subspecies of a distinct species (Las Encantadas Side-blotched Lizard) instead. Similarly, U. auriculata and U. clarionensis might be subspecies of a single species, the Revillagigedo Side-blotched Lizard.