Sceloporus uniformis
Phelan and Brattstrom, 1955
Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1167793
Element CodeARACF14240
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyPhrynosomatidae
GenusSceloporus
SynonymsSceloporus magister uniformisPhelan and Brattstrom, 1955
Concept ReferenceCrother, 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]
Taxonomic CommentsSceloporus uniformis is currently recognized as a full species by Crother (2017). Previously, Sceloporus magister uniformis was elevated to full species by Schulte et al. (2006) but returned to the synonymy of S. magister by Leache´ and Mulcahy (2007).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2013-07-04
Change Date2013-07-04
Edition Date2013-07-10
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Range Extent CommentsRange has not been precisely circumscribed but (based on Fig. 2 in Leaché and Mulcahy 2007) includes California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.
Occurrences CommentsThis species is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations) and locations (as defined by IUCN).
Threat Impact CommentsNo major threats have been identified.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
This lizard inhabits arid and semiarid regions, from plains to lower mountain slopes, including desert shrubland and woodland, mesquite-yucca grassland, juniper and mesquite woodland, shrubby areas along arroyos, and cottonwood/willow zones along rivers (Hammerson 1999, Stebbins 2003). It occurs on trees, rocks, and on the ground near cover. Eggs are laid in soil/underground.
Terrestrial HabitatsShrubland/chaparralDesertBare rock/talus/screeCliff
Palustrine HabitatsRiparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesNNR
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Utah | SNR | Yes |
| Arizona | SNR | Yes |
| California | SNR | Yes |
| Nevada | S5 | Yes |
Roadless Areas (8)
Nevada (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|
| Bald Mtn. | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest | 41,598 |
References (6)
- 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]
- Crother, B. I., J. Boundy, J. A. Campbell, K. de Quieroz, D. Frost, D. M. Green, R. Highton, J. B. Iverson, R. W. McDiarmid, P. A. Meylan, T. W. Reeder, M. E. Seidel, J. W. Sites, Jr., S. G. Tilley, and D. B. Wake. 2003. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico: update. Herpetological Review 34:198-203.
- Leaché, A. D., and D. G. Mulcahy. 2007. Phylogeny, divergence times and species limits of spiny lizards (<i>Sceloporus magister</i> species group) in western North American deserts and Baja California. Molecular Ecology 16:5216-5233.
- Schulte II, J.A., R. Macey, and T.J. Papenfuss. 2006. A genetic perspective on the geographic association of taxa among arid North American lizards of <i>the Sceloporus magister</i> complex (Squamata: Iguanidae: Phrynosomatinae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 39:873-880.
- Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.