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Plestiodon callicephalus

(Bocourt, 1879)

Mountain Skink

G4Apparently Secure (G4G5) Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.100545
Element CodeARACH01030
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 callicephalusBocourt, 1879Eumeces tetragrammus callicephalusBocourt, 1879
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
Plestiodon brevilineatus and P. callicephalus (in the genus Eumeces) were treated as subspecies of P. tetragrammus by Lieb (1985, 1990). Tanner (1987) maintained that callicephalus should be retained as a distinct species. Lieb (1990) noted that additional sampling and study of material from Chihuahua is needed to clarify the status of callicephalus. Meanwhile, Crother et al. (2003) listed E. callicephalus as a species, based on allopatry and morphological diagnosability relative to E. brevilineatus and E. callicephalus.

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. Smith (2005) and Brandley et al. (2005) formally proposed that all North American species (north of Mexico) be placed in the genus Plestiodon.
Conservation Status
Review Date2005-08-26
Change Date2005-08-26
Edition Date2005-08-26
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent20,000-2,500,000 square km (about 8000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Range Extent Comments
Pajarito, Baboquivari, Santa Rita, and Huachuca mountains, Arizona; Peloncillo Mountains (Guadalupe Canyon, Geronimo Trail), New Mexico; and northeastern Chihuahua south through western slope foothills and barrancas of Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua, Sonora, Durango, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, and Zacatecas; coastal plain of central Sinaloa south through Nayarit (Lieb 1990, Stebbins 2003). Elevational range extends from near sea level (in Mexico) to above 1,980 meters (6,500 feet); generally above (1,220 meters (4,000 feet) in the United States (Lowe 1964, Degenhardt et al. 1996, Stebbins 2003).
Occurrences Comments
Lieb (1990) mapped 43 collection sites rangewide, all but 6 of which are in Mexico. This is a secretive species and relatively difficult to collect, so undoubtedly there are many more occurrences or subpopulations than currently are known.
Threat Impact Comments
The species is probably secure throughout most of its range in Mexico, although many local populations may be jeopardized by habitat loss (Baltosser et al. 1985). Potential threats in the United States include uncontrolled wildfire and intensive cattle grazing of riparian zones in the limited areas where this species occurs.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

In the United States, this skink inhabits rocky pine and oak habitats in the mountains, particularly in canyon riparian and hillside situations (Lowe 1964, Degenhardt et al. 1996, Stebbins 2003). In Mexico, it ranges down through western slope foothills and barrancas and is known from the coastal plain (Lieb 1990). Eggs are laid under rocks and in similar sites and are attended by the female until after hatching (Tanner 1987) (live birth also reported).

Reproduction

Lays and broods its eggs, or gives birth to its young (Stebbins 1985).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - MixedShrubland/chaparral
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaS2Yes
New MexicoS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
2 - Agriculture & aquaculture——High (continuing)
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranching——High (continuing)
7 - Natural system modifications——High (continuing)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppression——High (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (1)
Arizona (1)
AreaForestAcres
TumacacoriCoronado National Forest44,594
References (20)
  1. Baltosser, W. H. 1980. A biological inventory of endangered species occurring in Guadalupe Canyon (Hildago County), New Mexico. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Contract 519-68-06, Final Report. 11 pp.
  2. Baltosser, W. H., J. W. Eley, and J. P. Hubbard. 1985. Mountain skink (<i>Eumeces callicephalus</i>). In: Handbook of Species Endangered in New Mexico, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. REPT/SC/EU/CA:1-2.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  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. 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.
  13. Lieb, C. S. 1985. Systematics and distribution of the skinks allied to <i>Eumeces tetragrammus</i> (Sauria: Scincidae). Nat. Hist. Mus. Los Angeles Co., Contr. Sci. 357:1-19.
  14. Lieb, C. S. 1990. <i>Eumeces tetragrammus</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 492.1-492.4.
  15. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 1985. Handbook of species endangered in New Mexico.
  16. 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.
  17. Stebbins, R. C. 1954a. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.
  18. Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.
  19. Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
  20. Tanner, W. W. 1987. Lizards and turtles of western Chihuahua. Great Basin Nat. 47:383-421.