Sceloporus occidentalis becki
Encyclopedia
Sceloporus occidentalis becki, commonly known as the island fence lizard, is a subspecies
of the Western fence lizard
, Sceloporus occidentalis. The subspecific epithet, becki, is in honor of Rollo Howard Beck
, an American ornithologist who collected the first specimens.
.
, i.e., Sceloporus becki. However, recent work in molecular systematics has suggested that there are four clade
s and 11 genetically separable populations, and that the subspecies
will probably have to be redefined.
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 Western fence lizard
Western fence lizard
The western fence lizard is a common lizard of California and the surrounding area. Because the ventral abdomen of an adult is characteristically blue, it is also known as the blue-belly...
, Sceloporus occidentalis. The subspecific epithet, becki, is in honor of Rollo Howard Beck
Rollo Beck
Rollo Howard Beck was an American ornithologist, bird collector and explorer. Beck's Petrel is named after him.-Early years:...
, an American ornithologist who collected the first specimens.
Geographic range
The island fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis becki is endemic to the Channel Islands of CaliforniaChannel Islands of California
The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California along the Santa Barbara Channel in the United States of America...
.
Taxonomy
Some authors have raised the island fence lizard to the rank of a speciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, i.e., Sceloporus becki. However, recent work in molecular systematics has suggested that there are four clade
Clade
A clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
s and 11 genetically separable populations, and that the subspecies
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...
will probably have to be redefined.
See also
- Coast Range fence lizard
- Great Basin fence lizard
- Island Night LizardIsland Night LizardThe Island Night Lizard is a night lizard native to three of the Channel Islands of California: San Nicolas Island, Santa Barbara Island and San Clemente Island. The San Clemente community is a recognized subspecies, the San Clemente Night Lizard, or Xantusia riversiana reticulata...
- Northwestern fence lizard
- Sierra fence lizard