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Plestiodon obsoletus

Baird and Girard, 1852

Great Plains Skink

G5Secure Found in 16 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.106438
Element CodeARACH01130
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyScincidae
GenusPlestiodon
Synonyms
Eumeces obsoletus(Baird and Girard, 1852)
Other Common Names
Great Plains skink (EN)
Concept Reference
Brandley, M. C., H. Ota, T. Hikida, A.Nieto, M. De Oca, M. Feria-Ortiz, X. Guo, and Y. Wang. 2012. The phylogenetic systematics of blue-tailed skinks (Plestiodon) and the family Scincidae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 165(1):163-189.
Taxonomic Comments
Formerly in the genus Eumeces. Smith (2005) and Brandley et al. (2005) formally proposed that all North American species (north of Mexico) be placed in the genus Plestiodon. In a phylogenetic analysis of Eumeces based on morphology, Griffith et al. (2000) proposed splitting Eumeces into multiple genera, based on the apparent paraphyly of Eumeces.
Conservation Status
Review Date2005-08-26
Change Date1996-10-28
Edition Date2005-08-26
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Range Extent Comments
The geographic range include northeastern Colorado, southern Nebraska, and southwestern Iowa through Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, eastern Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and adjacent northern Mexico (to northern Tamaulipas and Durango) (Stebbins 2003). Elevational range extends from near sea level to 2,650 meters (8,700 feet) (Stebbins 2003).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by hundreds of occurrences or subpopulations (e.g., see Hall 1976, Colllins 1993, Degenhardt et al. 1996, Hammerson 1999, Dixon 2000).
Threat Impact Comments
No major threats have been identified. Large-scale intensive cultivation has eliminated or reduced some populations, but the species tolerates a moderate level of habitat alteration associated with agricultural development and cattle grazing.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

In the eastern part of the range, this skink inhabits prairie regions: rocky areas, canyon bottoms, sandhills, and floodplains; in the west, it occurs in canyons, mesas, and mountains in semiarid regions, especially in shrubby rock outcrops along stream courses. It is a secretive species that often takes refuge under rocks, logs, and other cover. Eggs are laid in nests dug under rocks (Fitch 1970).

Ecology

Fitch (1955) found that these skinks generally are rather sedentary in the short term; most live in home ranges not more than 30 m in diameter. Adult males are more mobile than females and juveniles. Sometimes individuals make longer movements of 100 m or more. Home range location is rather fluid. Individuals often live in one area for awhile, then shift to another area. Hall (1971) reported a maximum home range size of about 800 sq m.

Reproduction

Lays clutch of 5-21 eggs, May-July. Eggs hatch in 1-2 months. Females stays with eggs until hatching. Mature females may not breed every year. Sexually mature in 3-4 years.
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceousDesertCropland/hedgerowSuburban/orchard
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaS5Yes
TexasS5Yes
ColoradoS4Yes
New MexicoS5Yes
NebraskaSNRYes
MissouriS2Yes
OklahomaSNRYes
Navajo NationS3Yes
KansasS5Yes
IowaS1Yes
ArkansasS1Yes
Roadless Areas (16)
Arizona (5)
AreaForestAcres
Catalina St. Pk. Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest951
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
GaliuroCoronado National Forest28,333
HellsgateTonto National Forest6,171
WhetstoneCoronado National Forest20,728
New Mexico (11)
AreaForestAcres
Alamo CanyonSanta Fe National Forest8,639
CajaSanta Fe National Forest5,304
Capitan MountainsLincoln National Forest14,069
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
Hell HoleGila National Forest19,553
Last Chance CanyonLincoln National Forest8,934
Ortega PeakLincoln National Forest11,545
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
Ryan HillCibola National Forest34,201
South Guadalupe MountainsLincoln National Forest20,930
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
References (22)
  1. Brandley, M. C., A. Schmitz, and T. W. Reeder. 2005. Partitioned Bayesian analyses, partition choice, and the phylogenetic relationships of scincid lizards. Systematic Biology 54:373-390.
  2. Brandley, M. C., H. Ota, T. Hikida, A.Nieto, M. De Oca, M. Feria-Ortiz, X. Guo, and Y. Wang. 2012. The phylogenetic systematics of blue-tailed skinks (<i>Plestiodon</i>) and the family Scincidae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 165(1):163-189.
  3. Collins, J. T. 1982. Amphibians and reptiles in Kansas. Second edition. Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist., Pub. Ed. Ser. 8. xiii + 356 pp.
  4. Collins, J. T. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. 3rd ed. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp.
  5. Collins, J. T. 1993. Amphibians and reptiles in Kansas. Third edition, revised. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History, Public Education Series No. 13. xx + 397 pp.
  6. Collins, J. T., and T. W. Taggart. 2009. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians. Sixth edition. The Center for North American Herpetology, Lawrance, Kansas. iv + 44 pp.
  7. Conant, R., and J. T. Collins. 1998. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians: eastern and central North America. Third edition, expanded. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts. 616 pp.
  8. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Sixth edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular 37:1-84. Online with updates at: http://www.ssarherps.org/pages/comm_names/Index.php
  9. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2012. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 7th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 39:1-92.
  10. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
  11. Degenhardt, W. G., C. W. Painter, and A. H. Price. 1996. Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. xix + 431 pp.
  12. Dixon, J. R. 2000. Amphibians and reptiles of Texas. Second edition. Texas A & M University Press, College Station. 421 pp.
  13. Fitch, H. S. 1955. Habits and adaptations of the Great Plains skink (Eumeces obsoletus). Ecological Monographs 25:59-83.
  14. Fitch, H. S. 1970. Reproductive cycles of lizards and snakes. Univ. Kansas Museum Natural History Miscellaneous Publication 52:1-247.
  15. Griffith, H., A. Ngo, and R. W. Murphy. 2000. A cladistic evaluation of the cosmopolitan genus <i>Eumeces</i> Wiegmann (Reptilia, Squamata, Scincidae). Russian Journal of Herpetology 7(1):1-16.
  16. Hall, R. J. 1971. Ecology of a population of the Great Plains skink (Eumeces obsoletus). University of Kansas Science Bulletin 48:357-388.
  17. Hall, R. J. 1976. <i>Eumeces obsoletus</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 186.1-186.3.
  18. Hammerson, G. A. 1982b. Amphibians and reptiles in Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver. vii + 131 pp.
  19. Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and reptiles in Colorado. Second edition. University Press of Colorado, Boulder. xxvi + 484 pp.
  20. Smith, H. M. 2005. <i>Plestiodon</i>: a replacement name for most members of the genus <i>Eumeces</i> in North America. Journal of Kansas Herpetology 14:15-16.
  21. Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.
  22. Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.