Granite spiny lizard

Granite spiny lizard
Sceloporus orcutti
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Sceloporus
Species:
S. orcutti
Binomial name
Sceloporus orcutti

The granite spiny lizard (Sceloporus orcutti) is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.[1][2]

Etymology

The epithet, orcutti, honors American naturalist Charles Russell Orcutt (1864–1929), who collected the type specimen in San Diego County, California.[2][3][4]

Geographic range

S. orcutti is native to southern California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico.[1][2]

Description

The granite spiny lizard is 7.6–10.8 cm (3.0–4.3 in) snout-to-vent length (SVL). Maximum total length including the tail is 28.9 cm (11.4 in).[5] Its dorsal scales are strongly keeled and pointed on its body and tail. It has a wide purple mid-dorsal stripe. The males of the species have yellow-green and blue-centered scales on the body; juveniles and females have distinct yellow-tan transverse bands on their body and tail. Additionally, the male has deep-blue ventral patches on its chest and throat and femoral pores.

Behavior and habitat

The granite spiny lizard is a colorful species that can be observed perched atop boulders from considerable distance. This species is primarily associated with rocky hillsides and outcrops.

Reproduction

S. orcutti is oviparous.[2]

Sources

References

  1. ^ a b c Hollingsworth, B.; Hammerson, G.A. (2007). "Sceloporus orcutti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T64134A12748114. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64134A12748114.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sceloporus orcutti at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 February 2015.
  3. ^ Beltz, Ellin (2006). Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained. http://ebeltz.net/herps/biogappx.html
  4. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Sceloporus orcutti, p. 195).
  5. ^ Smith HM, Brodie ED Jr. (1982). Reptiles of North America, A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. ISBN 0-307-13666-3. (Sceloporus orcutti, pp. 120-121).

Further reading

  • Behler JL, King FW (1979). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. 657 color plates. ISBN 0-394-50824-6. (Sceloporus orcutti, p. 527 + Plate 351).
  • Stebbins RC (2003). A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition. The Peterson Field Guide Series ®. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. xiii + 533 pp., 56 color plates. ISBN 978-0-395-98272-3. (Sceloporus orcutti, pp. 287-288 + Plate 31 + Map 89).
  • Stejneger L (1893). "Annotated List of the Reptiles and Batrachians Collected by the Death Valley Expedition in 1891, with Descriptions of New Species". North American Fauna (7): 159-228. (Sceloporus orcutti, new species, p. 181 + Plate I, Figures 4a-4c).