TARASCAN TROPICAL NIGHT LIZARD
Lepidophyma tarascae – Bezy, Webb and Alvarez 1982
IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:
This species is known from the Ixtlahuacan region of Colima, as well as the rocky coast and Sierra de Coalcoman (Canyon of the Rio Chilitos) of Michoacan, Mexico.
HABITAT:
Lepidophyma tarascae is found in caves, ravines and rocky outcrops in Tropical Semi-Deciduous Forest and Evergreen Oak Woodland.
NATURAL HISTORY:
This species is viviparous, insectivorous and both diurnal and nocturnal. Little is known of this species’ specific natural history.
TAXONOMY:
Lepidophyma tarascae is closely allied to L. smithii and L. lineri.
TYPE:
Described as Lepidophyma tarascae by R. L. Bezy, R. G. Webb and T. Alvarez (1982). Holotype: IPN 9221. Type locality: Near Mexiquillo, Aquila District, Michoacan, Mexico.
PERSONAL NOTES:
I have looked for this species once in Ixtlahuacan, Colima but we failed to find any individuals.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
This species is in no danger of local or widespread population decline.
REFERENCES:
Alvarez, T., and E. Diaz-Pardo. 1983. Estudio de una coleccion herpetofaunistica de la costa de Michoacan, Mexico. Anales de la Escuela Nacional de Ciencia Biologia Mexico 27:129–147.
Bezy, R.L., R.G. Webb, and T. Alvarez. 1982. A new species of the genus Lepidophyma (Sauria: Xantusiidae) from Michoacan, Mexico. Herpetologica 38:361–366.
Guzman-Villa, U., O. Flores-Villela, W. Schmidt-Ballardo, and R.L. Bezy. 1998. Variation, distribution, and taxonomic status of the Xantusiid lizard Lepidophyma tarascae. Herpetological Review 29:78.