Lepidophyma micropholis
Adult, 600′, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Adult, 600′, Tamaulipas, Mexico
CAVE DWELLING TROPICAL NIGHT LIZARD
Lepidophyma micropholis - Walker 1955
IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:
This species is known to occur at several localities in the Sierra del Abra of southern Tamaulipas and adjacent San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
HABITAT:
L. micropholis is found within limestone caves and rock outcrops within Tropical Deciduous Forest.
NATURAL HISTORY:
Within the caves, the lizards have been observed active during the day near the mouth, where they are found on ledges and in crevices in the walls and mud floor (Walker, 1955). This species is viviparous and feeds primarily on arthropods. It occurs in sympatry with Syrrhophus dennisi, another lowland cave specialist.
TAXONOMY:
This species is closely related to L. sylvaticum.
TYPE:
Described as Lepidophyma micropholis by C. F. Walker (1955). Holotype: UMMZ 101298. Type locality: ‘‘cave at El Pachon, about 5 miles NNE of Antigua Morelos, Tamaulipas, estimated elevation 600–700 feet.’’
PERSONAL NOTES:
I have seen this species in both Cueva del Pachon, and the Grutas de Quintero. On both occasions I found adult specimens within the twilight zone of the cave’s mouth. The regionally endemic Syrrhophus dennisi was seen in both caves as well.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
This species appears to be in no danger of local or widespread population decline. Cueva del Pachon is protected by the local people because a blind cave tetra (fish) occurs within the cave’s waters.
REFERENCES:
Walker, C.F. 1955. Two new lizards of the genus Lepidophyma from Tamaulipas. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology of the University of Michigan 564:1–10.