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Xantusia sierrae

Bezy, 1967

Sierra Night Lizard

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102131
Element CodeARACK01032
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyXantusiidae
GenusXantusia
Synonyms
Xantusia vigilis sierraeBezy, 1967
Concept Reference
Sinclair, E. A., R. L. Bezy, K. Bolles, J. L. Camarillo R., K. A. Crandall, and J. W. Sites, Jr. 2004. Testing species boundaries in an ancient species complex with deep phylogeographic history: genus Xantusia (Squamata: Xantusiidae). American Naturalist 164:396-414.
Taxonomic Comments
Sinclair et al. (2004) considered the treatment of Xantusia sierrae as a separate species from X. vigilis as tentative, because of nesting of mtDNA haplotypes of the former within those of the latter (see also Leavitt et al. 2007 and Noonan et al. 2013). Crother (2017) follows Sinclair et al. (2004) in recognizing X. sierrae and X. wigginsi as separate species from X. vigilis.
Conservation Status
Review Date2014-11-10
Change Date2014-11-10
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Inhabits rocky outcrops around Granite Station in open grassland with scattered oak woodland and low shrubs.
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - HardwoodGrassland/herbaceousBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS1Yes
Roadless Areas (1)
California (1)
AreaForestAcres
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
References (8)
  1. Collins, C.T., K. Corey, J. Pike, and L.R. Hays. 1991. The status and management of the Least Bell's Vireo within the Prado Basin, California, 1986-1990. Final Rep. to Orange County Water District, Fountain Valley, CA.
  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. Leavitt, D. H., R. L. Bezy, K. A. Crandall, and J. W. Sites. Jr. 2007. Multi-locus DNA sequence data reveal a history of deep cryptic vicariance and habitat-driven convergence in the desert night lizard <i>Xantusia vigilis</i> species complex (Squamata: Xantusiidae). Molecular Ecology 16:4455-4481.
  7. Noonan, B. P., J. B. Pramuk, R. L. Bezy, E. A. Sinclair, K. de Queiroz, and J. W. Sites Jr. 2013. Phylogenetic relationships within the lizard clade Xantusiidae: using trees and divergence times to address evolutionary questions at multiple levels. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 69(1):109-122.
  8. Sinclair, E. A., R. L. Bezy, K. Bolles, J. L. Camarillo R., K. A. Crandall, and J. W. Sites, Jr. 2004. Testing species boundaries in an ancient species complex with deep phylogeographic history: genus <i>Xantusia </i>(Squamata: Xantusiidae). American Naturalist 164:396-414.