Sub-Adult, 500′, Oaxaca, Mexico
SMITH’S TROPICAL NIGHT LIZARD
Lepidophyma smithii – Bocourt 1876
IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:
In Mexico, Lepidophyma smithii is found on the Pacific slopes of the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero (as far north as Puerto Marquez) and Oaxaca, Cerro Quiengola and the Sierra Atravesada of Oaxaca/Chiapas and the Sierra Madre de Chiapas of Chiapas; extralimitally, it occurs as far south as El Salvador. Elevational distribution is from around sea level to around 850 meters. One anomolous record exists for Veracruz: 2 mi NW Sontecomapan (TCWC 26716); collecting at this locality has only revealed the presence of L. pajapanense and L. tuxtlae.
HABITAT:
This species is found in a variety of habitats. It is often found in tropical boulder fields (such as near Puerto Marquez, Guerrero), beneath logs and rocks in forested foothills and savannah and within road culverts and bridges.
Habitat, 500′, Oaxaca, Mexico
NATURAL HISTORY:
Like other Lepidophyma, this species is viviparous and eats primarily insects; in Guerrero it has been observed eating the fruits of a native fig. It is both diurnal and nocturnal.
TAXONOMY:
This species is closely related to L. flavimaculatum, L. reticulatum and L. lineri.
TYPE:
Described as Lepidophyma smithii by Bocourt (1876). Holotype: (Syntypes MNHN 76.95, 4323, A4323, B4323, 4968, A4968). Type locality: “Tehuantepec”. Restricted to “Mazatenango, Guatemala” by Smith and Taylor (1950).
PERSONAL NOTES:
In July, 2005 I found the above-pictured juvenile AOR on the hwy NE of Tapanatepec, Oaxaca at 11:00 hrs on an overcast day. My attention was drawn to this lizard as I walked out on to the rd to rescue a neonate Drymarchon melanurus from traffic. Because the Lepidophyma was abroad during the day, and it was missing it’s tail (freshly removed) it is likely that a predator had just flushed the lizard from a hiding place along the hwy.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
This species is widespread and adaptable; it is in no danger of decline.
REFERENCES:
Bocourt, M. F. 1876. Note sur quelques reptiles de l’Isthme de Tehuantepec (Mexique) donnes par M. Sumichrast au Museum. Journal de Zoologie (Paris) 5:386–411.
Hartweg, N., and J.A. Oliver. 1940. A contribution to the herpetology of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec IV. Miscellaneous Publications of the Museum of Zoology of the University of Michigan 47:1–31.
Mautz, W.J. 1976. Resource partitioning by lizards in a cave habitat. Herpetological Review 7:91.
Mautz, W.J., and W. Lopez-Forment. 1978. Observations on the activity and diet of the cavernicolous lizard Lepidophyma smithii (Sauria: Xantusiidae). Herpetologica 34:311–313.
Smith, H.M., and E.H. Taylor. 1950. An annotated checklist and key to the reptiles of Mexico exclusive of the snakes. United States National Museum Bulletin 199:1–253.
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.