Side-blotched lizard
Encyclopedia
Side-blotched lizards are lizard
s of the genus
Uta. They are some of the most abundant and commonly observed lizards in the desert
s of western North America
. They commonly grow to six inches including the tail, with the males normally being the larger sex. Males often have bright throat colors. Orange-throated males establish large territories and accommodate multiple females. Yellow stripe throated males (sneakers) stay on the fringe of orange-throated lizard territories and mate with their females while the orange-throat is absent as the territory to defend is large. Blue-throated males defend a small territory large enough for one female. They can fend off the yellow stripe throated males but they can't withstand attacks by orange-throated males.
The orange and blue-throated males will even boldly approach a human intruder, to give his female(s) a chance to escape. When she is safe, he will join her in a hole, or under a rock.
These lizards are prey for many desert species. Snake
s, larger lizard
s and bird
s all make formidable predators to side-blotched lizards. Larger lizard species—such as collared, leopard
, and spiny lizards—and roadrunner
s are the main predators. In turn, the side-blotched lizards eat insect
s, spider
s, arthropods, and an occasional scorpion
.
As a result of their high predation rate, these lizards are very prolific breeders. From April to June they breed, with the young emerging as early as late May. These inch-long young appear all through the summer, and into September.
The diploid chromosome
number in most if not all species is 34, consisting of 12 macro- and 22 microchromosome
s.
and phylogeny of the side-blotched lizards is very confusing, with many local forms and morphs having been described as full species. Following the 1997 review of Upton & Murphy which included new data from mtDNA cytochrome b
and ATPase
6 sequences
, the following species can be recognized pending further research:
Uta stellata and U. concinna are nowadays usually considered a subspecies of U. stansburiana. U. encantadae, U. lowei and U. tumidarostra might be subspecies of a distinct species (Las Encantadas Side-blotched Lizard) instead. Similarly, U. auriculata and U. clarionensis might be subspecies of a single species, the Revillagigedo Side-blotched Lizard.
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
s of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Uta. They are some of the most abundant and commonly observed lizards in the desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
s of western North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. They commonly grow to six inches including the tail, with the males normally being the larger sex. Males often have bright throat colors. Orange-throated males establish large territories and accommodate multiple females. Yellow stripe throated males (sneakers) stay on the fringe of orange-throated lizard territories and mate with their females while the orange-throat is absent as the territory to defend is large. Blue-throated males defend a small territory large enough for one female. They can fend off the yellow stripe throated males but they can't withstand attacks by orange-throated males.
The orange and blue-throated males will even boldly approach a human intruder, to give his female(s) a chance to escape. When she is safe, he will join her in a hole, or under a rock.
These lizards are prey for many desert species. Snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
s, larger lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
s and bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s all make formidable predators to side-blotched lizards. Larger lizard species—such as collared, leopard
Leopard Lizard
The Long-nosed leopard Lizard, Gambelia wislizenii, is a relatively large lizard ranging from 3 1/4-5 3/4 inches . It has a large head, long nose, and a long round tail that can be longer than its body...
, and spiny lizards—and roadrunner
Roadrunner
Roadrunners are birds of the genus Geococcyx.Roadrunner or Road Runner may also refer to:* Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, an animated character based on the bird** The Road Runner Show, compiled cartoons including the character...
s are the main predators. In turn, the side-blotched lizards eat insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s, spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
s, arthropods, and an occasional scorpion
Scorpion
Scorpions are predatory arthropod animals of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by the pair of grasping claws and the narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back, ending with a venomous stinger...
.
As a result of their high predation rate, these lizards are very prolific breeders. From April to June they breed, with the young emerging as early as late May. These inch-long young appear all through the summer, and into September.
The diploid chromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
number in most if not all species is 34, consisting of 12 macro- and 22 microchromosome
Microchromosome
A microchromosome is a type of very small chromosome which is a typical component of the karyotype of birds, some reptiles, fish, and amphibians; they tend to be absent in mammals. They are less than 20 Mb in size; chromosomes which are greater than 40 Mb in size are known as macrochromosomes,...
s.
Systematics
The systematicsSystematics
Biological systematics is the study of the diversification of terrestrial life, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees...
and phylogeny of the side-blotched lizards is very confusing, with many local forms and morphs having been described as full species. Following the 1997 review of Upton & Murphy which included new data from mtDNA cytochrome b
Cytochrome b
Cytochrome b/b6 is the main subunit of transmembrane cytochrome bc1 and b6f complexes. In addition, it commonly refers to a region of mtDNA used for population genetics and phylogenetics.- Function :...
and ATPase
ATPase
ATPases are a class of enzymes that catalyze the decomposition of adenosine triphosphate into adenosine diphosphate and a free phosphate ion. This dephosphorylation reaction releases energy, which the enzyme harnesses to drive other chemical reactions that would not otherwise occur...
6 sequences
DNA sequence
The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and the chemical bonds that bond those atoms. Because nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are unbranched polymers, this specification is equivalent to specifying the sequence of...
, the following species can be recognized pending further research:
- Eastern Side-blotched Lizard, Uta stejnegeri - formerly included in U. stansburiana
- San Pedro Martir Side-blotched Lizard, Uta palmeri
- Angel de la Guarda Side-blotched Lizard (undescribed species, formerly included in U. stansburiana)
- Salsipuedes Side-blotched Lizard, Uta antiqua - formerly included in U. stansburiana
- Santa Catalina Side-blotched Lizard, Uta squamata - sometimes included in U. stansburiana
- San Esteban Side-blotched Lizard (undescribed species, formerly included in U. stansburiana)
- San Pedro Nolasco Side-blotched Lizard, Uta nolascensis
- Common Side-blotched LizardCommon side-blotched lizardThe common side-blotched lizard is a species of side-blotched lizard common on the Pacific coast of North America, from Washington to western Texas and NW Mexico...
, Uta stansburiana- Western Side-blotched Lizard, Uta (stansburiana) elegans
- Enchanted Side-blotched Lizard, Uta encantadae - possibly belongs into U. stansburiana
- El Muerto Side-blotched Lizard, Uta lowei - possibly belongs into U. stansburiana
- Swollen-nosed Side-blotched Lizard, Uta tumidarostra - possibly belongs into U. stansburiana
- Socorro Side-blotched Lizard, Uta auriculata - possibly belongs into U. stansburiana
- Clarion Side-blotched Lizard, Uta clarionensis - possibly belongs into U. stansburiana
- Ornate Side-blotched Lizard, Uta mannophora - possibly belongs into U. stansburiana
Uta stellata and U. concinna are nowadays usually considered a subspecies of U. stansburiana. U. encantadae, U. lowei and U. tumidarostra might be subspecies of a distinct species (Las Encantadas Side-blotched Lizard) instead. Similarly, U. auriculata and U. clarionensis might be subspecies of a single species, the Revillagigedo Side-blotched Lizard.