Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalis

Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Holbrookia
Species: H. lacerata
Subspecies: H. l. subcaudalis
Trinomial name
Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalis
Axtell, 1956
Synonyms
  • Holbrookia subcaudalis
    — Ernest A. Liner, 1994

Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalis, commonly known as the southern spot-tailed earless lizard, is a subspecies of Holbrookia lacerata, the spot-tailed earless lizard. Some sources consider it to be its own species, as Holbrookia subcaudalis.

Geographic range

It is found in northern Mexico and the United States in southern Texas.

Description

The southern spot-tailed earless lizard is overall light grayish tan in color, with two paravertebral rows of transverse light-edged dark blotches, one row down either side of the back and a second lateral row of dark, pale-edged blotches that are usually not connected to the paravertebral blotches. Adults are 11.5–15.4 cm (4.5–6.1 in) in total length. They have round, dark spots on the ventral surface of the tail, a characteristic which gives them both their common and scientific names. As with all species and subspecies of earless lizard, they have no external ear openings. When gravid, females will often turn greenish yellow on neck and trunk.

Behavior

As with all earless lizards, the southern spot-tailed earless lizard is diurnal and insectivorous.

Habitat

Their preferred habitat is subhumid agricultural and nonagricultral flatlands and very low rolling hills with sparse vegetation such as small patches of grass on dark clay loam soils, with a few mesquite trees mesquite, but not prickly pear cactus.

Reproduction

They are oviparous.

References

Further reading


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