Xantusia bezyi
Papenfuss, Macey, and Schulte, 2001
Bezy's Night Lizard
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102461
Element CodeARACK01060
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyXantusiidae
GenusXantusia
Concept ReferencePapenfuss, T. J., J. R. Macey, and J. A. Schulte, II. 2001. A new lizard species in the genus Xantusia from Arizona. Natural History Museum, The University of Kansas, Scientific Papers (23):1-9.
Taxonomic CommentsPapenfuss et al. (2001) examined genetic and morphological variation of Xantusia and reviewed allozyme data from Bezy and Sites (1987). They concluded that three species are represented in Arizona: Xantusia vigilis, a yucca-dwelling species; X. arizonae, a granite-adapted species; and X. bezyi (newly described), another granite-associated species. Crother et al. (2003) listed X. bezyi and X. vigilis as distinct species but included arizonae as a subspecies of X. vigilis. Stebbins (2003) mentioned the taxonomic changes proposed by Papenfuss et al. but did not adopt them. Sinclair et al. (2004) examined phylogeographic patterns in Xantusia and concluded that X. bezyi is a valid species (but more widely distributed than previously known) and that X. arizonae has a smaller range than previously understood). Leavitt et al. (2007) confirmed the distinctiveness and distributions of X. arizonae and X. bezyi.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2018-11-29
Change Date2009-06-25
Edition Date2018-11-29
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G. (2009); Schuhmann, A. (2018)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank ReasonsThis species is restricted to a small area in central Arizona where there appear to be limited threats.
Range Extent CommentsWhen first described, the known range was confined to a small area near Sunflower, Maricopa County, central Arizona (Pappenfuss et al. 2001). Subsequent phylogeographic study expanded the range, but it is still confined to central Arizona (Sinclair et al. 2004, Leavitt et al. 2007).
Occurrences CommentsThis lizard is represented by several known occurrences or subpopulations. Sinclair et al. (2004) mapped 8 localities that they assigned to this species. Leavitt et al. (2007) listed 9 collection localities.
Threat Impact CommentsNo major threats have been identified, but removal of lizards and habitat degradation by collectors likely are significant in some localities.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
This species is found under exfoliating rock in granite outcrops (Papenfuss et al. 2001). Rugged, rocky slopes and boulder fields within the Arizona Upland Sonoran Desertscrub and Interior Chaparral communities are home to this lizard. Patches of Great Basin Conifer Woodland also occur within its range. This crevice-dweller frequents large outcroppings and large boulder clusters and is occasionally encountered in and under plant debris such as dead Dasylirion.
Terrestrial HabitatsWoodland - ConiferShrubland/chaparralDesertBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Arizona | S2 | Yes |
Roadless Areas (1)
Arizona (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|
| Boulder | Tonto National Forest | 40,359 |
References (9)
- Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD). 2018. <i>Xantusia bezyi</i>. Unpublished abstract compiled and edited by the Heritage Data Management System, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona.
- Bezy, R. 2005. The Night Lizards (<i>Xantusia</i>) of Arizona. Sonoran Herpetologist 18(2).
- 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
- 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.
- 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]
- 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.
- Papenfuss, T. J., J. R. Macey, and J. A. Schulte, II. 2001. A new lizard species in the genus Xantusia from Arizona. Natural History Museum, The University of Kansas, Scientific Papers (23):1-9.
- 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.
- Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.