Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus
Encyclopedia
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
.
-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.
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.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the Canyon Lizard native to a narrow range in the Big Bend region of the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and into adjacent states northern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. 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
Holotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
was collected on May 31, 1971 by R. Earl Olson in Presidio County, Texas
Presidio County, Texas
Presidio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 7,304. Its county seat is Marfa. Presidio County is in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas and is named for the ancient border settlement of Presidio del Norte.-Geography:Presidio County is triangular in...
.
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, commaComma
A comma is a type of punctuation mark . The word comes from the Greek komma , which means something cut off or a short clause.Comma may also refer to:* Comma , a type of interval in music theory...
-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
Dewlap
A dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of many vertebrates. While the term is usually used in this specific context, it can also be used to include other structures occurring in the same body area with a similar aspect, such as those caused by a double...
which is larger in males than females. Their underside has dark lines, especially under the neck and tail
Tail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
regions, and males have distinct blue patches on either side of their stomach.
Behavior
All Canyon Lizards are diurnalDiurnal animal
Diurnality is a plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night.-In animals:Animals that are not diurnal might be nocturnal or crepuscular . Many animal species are diurnal, including many mammals, insects, reptiles and birds...
and insectivorous
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
. Their primary choice of habitat is rocky, unvegetated canyon lands with numerous crevices to hide in, and ledges to bask on. They are oviparous.