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Home/Species/ Great Basin Collared Lizard

Crotaphytus bicinctores

Smith and Tanner, 1972

Great Basin Collared Lizard

G5Secure Found in 64 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.104755
Element CodeARACF04010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyCrotaphytidae
GenusCrotaphytus
Synonyms
Crotaphytus insularis bicinctoresSmith and Tanner, 1972
Other Common Names
Great Basin collared lizard (EN) Mojave Black-collared Lizard (EN)
Concept Reference
McGuire, J. A. 1996. Phylogenetic systematics of crotaphytid lizards (Reptilia: Iguania: Crotaphytidae). Bulletin of Carnegie Museum of Natural History (32):1-143.
Taxonomic Comments
This species formerly was included in Crotaphytus collaris, and it also has been referred to as Crotaphytus insularis bicinctores. McGuire (1996) recognized C. bicinctores as a monotypic species.

McGuire et al. (2007) found incongruencies between their mtDNA phylogeny and currently recognized species boundaries in Crotaphytus. They interpreted these as evidence for introgression of C. collaris haplotypes into both C. reticulatus and C. bicinctores resulting from past hybridization during glacial maxima.
Conservation Status
Review Date2005-05-13
Change Date1996-10-28
Edition Date2005-05-13
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Range Extent Comments
This lizard ranges from southeastern Oregon and southern Idaho south through northeastern California, Nevada, and western and lowland central Utah to southeastern California and western Arizona (McGuire 1996, Stebbins 2003); a museum record for Spokane County, Washington, is probably erroneous (Nussbaum et al. 1983) and at least should be considered questionable until confirmed by additional field work (McGuire 1996). Elevational range extends from around sea level to about 7,500 feet (2,290 meters) (Stebbins 2003).
Occurrences Comments
McGuire (1996) mapped well over 200 known collection sites that are widely distributed throughout the range.
Threat Impact Comments
No major threats have been identified.
Ecology & Habitat

Diagnostic Characteristics

Differs from C. RETICULATUS, C. COLLARIS, C. NEBRIUS, and C. DICKERSONAE by absence of oral melanin; differs further from C. RETICULATUS, C. COLLARIS, and C. NEBRIUS by the presence in adult males of a strongly laterally compressed tail with a pale white dorsal caudal stripe, enlarged dark brown or black inguinal patches that extend between one-third and two-thirds of the distance between the hindlimb and forelimb insertions, and a pale tan or off-white patternless region on the dorsal surface of the head (McGuire 1996, which see for further details).

Habitat

This lizard occurs mainly in xeric, sparsely vegetated rocky areas; sometimes in adjacent areas lacking much rock; it perches atop rocks, and it hides under rocks or in rodent burrows (McGuire 1996). Eggs are deposited in sandy soil, rodent burrows, or under rocks.

Reproduction

Other members of the same genus lay 1 or 2 clutches of eggs/year. Clutch size 3-8. In Utah, egg laying occurs mainly in June (see McGuire 1996). In Arizona, eggs are laid in June or July, hatch in October. Neonates have been observed in August in eastern Oregon (see McGuire 1996). In southern populations some females mature in 1 year (Nussbaum et al. 1983).
Terrestrial Habitats
DesertBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
UtahS4Yes
OregonS3Yes
NevadaS4Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
IdahoS1Yes
Navajo NationS4Yes
ArizonaS4Yes
Roadless Areas (64)
Arizona (1)
AreaForestAcres
Burro CanyonKaibab National Forest19,928
California (16)
AreaForestAcres
Andrews Mtn.Inyo National Forest9,912
Birch CreekInyo National Forest28,816
Black CanyonInyo National Forest32,421
Boundary Peak (CA)Inyo National Forest210,884
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
Circle MountainSan Bernardino National Forest6,375
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest1,249
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
HortonInyo National Forest5,717
PaiuteInyo National Forest58,712
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
Sheep MountainAngeles National Forest21,098
Soldier CanyonInyo National Forest40,589
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
Nevada (39)
AreaForestAcres
Antelope - West 1Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,642
Arc Dome - CarversHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,846
Arc Dome - North JetHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,286
Arc Dome - Secret BsnHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest74,782
Arc Dome - South JetHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,716
Arc Dome - TwinHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8
Bald Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest41,598
Boundary Peak (NV)Inyo National Forest21,851
Butler Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest25,878
Charleston - CarpenterHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest17,828
Chineese Camp (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,207
Currant - East SlopeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest10,101
Fish Lake CHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,538
Four MileHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest24,093
Georges CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest108,551
Iron SpringHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest36,737
Lovell Summit SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,455
MarysvilleHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,365
Moriah - Hendrys Ck.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,345
Moriah - Old Mans Cyn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest50
Moriah - Red LedgeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest670
Moriah - Rhodes Cyn. EHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest298
Moriah - Silver CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,582
Moriah - Smith Ck. NHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest103
Moriah - Smith Ck. SHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest45
Mt. EtnaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,527
North StirlingHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,929
Paradise PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest18,717
Pine Grove NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,749
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
PotosiHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,145
QuinnHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest62,459
Rough CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,476
Santa RosaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest54,555
Snake - Big WashHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,146
Stirling - Big ThunderHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,699
Table Mtn. - EastHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest87,789
Toiyabe RangeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest99,225
Warm SpringsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest29,540
Utah (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bull ValleyDixie National Forest10,911
Bunker CreekDixie National Forest7,474
CottonwoodDixie National Forest6,754
Long Neck Mesa / Steep Creek / Oak Creek - Steep Creek / OakDixie National Forest55,489
Oak CreekFishlake National Forest54,053
Pine Valley MountainsDixie National Forest57,673
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
Stoddard MountainDixie National Forest13,165
References (11)
  1. Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 719 pp.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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]
  6. McGuire, J. A. 1996. Phylogenetic systematics of crotaphytid lizards (Reptilia: Iguania: Crotaphytidae). Bulletin of Carnegie Museum of Natural History (32):1-143.
  7. McGuire, J. A., C. W. Linkem, M. S. Koo, D. W. Hutchison, A. K. Lappin, D. I. Orange, J. Lemos-Espinal, B. R. Riddle, and J. R. Jaeger. 2007. Mitochondrial introgression and incomplete lineage sorting through space and time: phylogenetics of crotaphytid lizards. Evolution 61:2879-2897.
  8. Montanucci, R. R. 1983. Natural hybridization between two species of collared lizards (<i>Crotaphytus</i>). Copeia 1983: 1-11.
  9. Nussbaum, R.A., E.D. Brodie, Jr., and R.M. Storm. 1983. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. University Press of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. 332 pp.
  10. Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.
  11. Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.