Granite spiny lizard
The granite spiny lizard (Sceloporus orcutti) is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.[1][2]
| Granite spiny lizard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sceloporus orcutti | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Sceloporus |
| Species: | S. orcutti |
| Binomial name | |
| Sceloporus orcutti | |
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 endemic 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.
Sources
- This article is based on a description from "A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Coastal Southern California", Robert N. Fisher and Ted J. Case, USGS, http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/index.htm.
References
- Hollingsworth B, Hammerson GA (2007). "Sceloporus orcutti ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T64134A12748114. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64134A12748114.en.
- Sceloporus orcutti at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 February 2015.
- Beltz, Ellin (2006). Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained. http://ebeltz.net/herps/biogappx.html
- 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).
- 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).