Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard

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Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard
Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard.JPG
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Uma
Species:
U. inornata
Binomial name
Uma inornata
Cope, 1895

The Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard (Uma inornata) is a species of phrynosomatid lizard.[2]

Phylogeny and evolution[]

The species is most closely related to Uma notata, the Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard. Genetic variation within the species is small, equivalent to that of one population of Uma notata.[3] The species population is isolated from other closely related lizards.[3]

Characteristics[]

The species is well adapted to its desert habitat. It has a wedged-shaped nose which enables it to burrow through loose, fine sand. Elongated scales cover the ears to keep out blowing sand, and specialized nostrils allow it to breathe below the sand without inhaling sand particles.[4]

Ecology and behaviour[]

During breeding season, male lizards minimize time spent foraging for food to maximize time for mating. They preferentially ate readily-available flowers rather than spending time foraging.[5] Female lizards observed an energy-maximizing feeding strategy all-year around.[5]

Habitat and distribution[]

The lizard is endemic to Coachella Valley, California.[2] The lizard is restricted to habitats with fine, windblown sand deposits in the sandy plains of the Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California. Since the 1970s, estimates of this species' habitat has decreased by about 75% due to human activities. Only a small portion of its original habitat has wind blowing in the fine sand that creates the “blowsand” habitat that it needs to survive.[4]

Conservation status[]

It is listed as an endangered species in California, a threatened species in the United States, and the IUCN classifies it as endangered.[4][6]

Refuge[]

The Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge, for the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, is contained within the Coachella Valley Preserve, and Indio Hills Palms State Reserve, located east of Palm Springs near Palm Desert, California, in the Colorado Desert region of the Sonoran Desert.

References[]

  1. ^ Hammerson, G.A. (2007). "Uma inornata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T22727A9380224. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T22727A9380224.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Durtsche, Richard D. (1995). "Foraging Ecology of the Fringe-Toed Lizard, Uma inornata, during Periods of High and Low Food Abundance". Copeia. 1995 (4): 915–926. doi:10.2307/1447040. ISSN 0045-8511.
  3. ^ a b Trépanier, Tanya L.; Murphy, Robert W. (2001-03-01). "The Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard (Uma inornata): Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of an Endangered Species". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 18 (3): 327–334. doi:10.1006/mpev.2000.0881. ISSN 1055-7903.
  4. ^ a b c U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard
  5. ^ a b Durtsche, Richard D. (1992). "Feeding Time Strategies of the Fringe-Toed Lizard, Uma inornata, during Breeding and Non-Breeding Seasons". Oecologia. 89 (1): 85–89. ISSN 0029-8549.
  6. ^ Hammerson, G.A. (2007). "Uma inornata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T22727A9380224. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T22727A9380224.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021. Listed as Endangered (EN A1a, B1+2c v2.3)

External links[]


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