Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus

Taxobox
name = Presidio Canyon Lizard
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Iguania
familia = Phrynosomatidae
genus = "Sceloporus"
species = "S. merriami"
subspecies = "S. m. longipunctatus"
trinomial = "Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus"
trinomial_authority = 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.citation
url = http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/redalyc/pdf/575/57509006.pdf
title = An Annotated List of the Species-Group Names Applied to the Lizard Genus Sceloporus.
first1 = Edwin L.
last1 = Bell
first2 = Hobart M.
last2 = Smith
first3 = David
last3 = Chiszar
year = 2003
journal = Acta Zoologica Mexicana
volume = 90
pages = 103–174]

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.

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.

Notes

References

*EMBL species|genus=Sceloporus|species=merrami
* [http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/lizards/sceloporus.merriami.html Herps of Texas: "Sceloporus merrami"]
* [http://www.ecologia.edu.mx/azm/documentos/90/F-Bell.pdf An Annotated List of the Species-Group Names Applied to the Lizard Genus "Sceloporus"] - PDF