Fringe-toed lizard
| Uma | |
|---|---|
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| Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, Uma inornata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Uma Baird, 1859[1] |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Uma. |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Uma |
Fringe-toed lizards are lizards of the genus Uma in the family Phrynosomatidae, native to deserts of North America. They are adapted for life in sandy deserts with fringe-like scales on their hind toes.
Description
These lizards have a brown and tan coloration that helps them to blend in with the sand. The dorsal surface has a velvety texture intricate markings. In addition, they also have prominent elongated scales which form a fringe on the sides of their hind toes.[2] These fringes aid with traction and speed, and help the lizard avoid sinking into loose, sandy dunes.[3]
Fringe-toed lizards also possess upper jaws which overlap the lower ones, preventing the intrusion of sand particles, and nostrils that can be closed at will. Flaps also close against the ear openings when moving through sand and the upper and lower eyelids have interlocking scales that prevent sand from getting into the eyes.[2]
Geographic range
These lizards range throughout southeast California and southwest Arizona, and extend into northwest Sonora and northeast Baja California.[2]
Habitat
They are found in low desert areas having fine, loose sand.
Diet
They primarily eat insects, including ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Flower buds, stems, leaves and seeds of plants are also eaten.[2]
Species
- Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, Uma inornata Cope, 1895
- Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard, Uma notata Baird, 1858
- Mojave fringe-toed lizard, Uma scoparia Cope, 1894
- Sonoran fringe-toed lizard, Uma rufopunctata Cope, 1895
- Mexican fringe-toed lizard, Uma paraphygas Williams, Chrapliwy & H.M. Smith, 1959
- Coahuila fringe-toed lizard, Uma exsul Schmidt & Bogert, 1947[4]
See also
- Meroles, a genus of African lizards with morphological and ecological similarities
- Xerocoles, animals adapted to desert environments
References
- ↑ Wikispecies
- 1 2 3 4 Stebbins, Robert (2003). A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. pp. 280–282. ISBN 0395982723.
- ↑ Carothers, J. H. (1986). "An experimental confirmation of morphological adaptation: toe fringes in the sand-dwelling lizard Uma scoparia". Evolution 40 (4): 871–874. doi:10.2307/2408475. JSTOR 2408475.
- ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.