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Home/Species/ Mearns's Rock Lizard

Petrosaurus mearnsi

(Stejneger, 1894)

Mearns's Rock Lizard

G4Apparently Secure Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103050
Element CodeARACF11010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyPhrynosomatidae
GenusPetrosaurus
Other Common Names
Banded Rock Lizard (EN)
Concept Reference
Grismer, L. L. 1999. An evolutionary classification of reptiles on islands in the Gulf of California. Herpetologica 55:446-469.
Taxonomic Comments
This species formerly was included in the genus Streptosaurus. Grismer (1999) treated P. mearnsi and P. slevini as separate species. See Aguilars-S. et al. (1988) for information on genetic variability in the genus Petrosaurus.
Conservation Status
Review Date2005-07-06
Change Date1996-10-28
Edition Date2005-07-06
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Range Extent Comments
The range extends from San Gorgonio Pass, Riverside County, California, south through the arid portions of the Peninsular Ranges to at least Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California, including the upper elevations of the Sierra las Pintas and the isolated El Pedregoso in Valle de Gato, Baja California; isolated populations on Mejia, Angel de la Guarda, and El Muerto islands in the Gulf of California (Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003). Elevational range: from near sea level to around 3,600 feet (1,200 meters) (Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by a large number of occurrences. Jennings (1990) mapped about 40 collection sites in Baja California and at least 25 in California.
Threat Impact Comments
No major threats have been identified.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

This lizard is most abundant among massive rocks (high rocky cliffs) in the shady, narrower parts of canyons, on the desert slope of mountains (Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003). In Baja California, some populations extend into chaparral and pinyon-juniper woodlands on the west face of the Sierra San Pedro Martir (Grismer 2002).

Reproduction

Lays a clutch of 2-6 eggs June-August (Stebbins 1985).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - ConiferShrubland/chaparralDesertBare rock/talus/screeCliff
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaSNRYes
Roadless Areas (2)
California (2)
AreaForestAcres
CalienteCleveland National Forest5,953
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
References (11)
  1. Aguilars-S., M. A., J. W. Sites, Jr., and R. W. Murphy. 1988. Genetic variability and population structure in the lizard genus <i>Petrosaurus </i>(Iguanidae). J. Herpetol. 22:135-145.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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]
  7. Grismer, L. L. 1999. An evolutionary classification of reptiles on islands in the Gulf of California. Herpetologica 55:446-469.
  8. Jennings, M. R. 1990b. <i>Petrosaurus</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 494.1-494.2.
  9. Jennings, M. R. 1990c. <i>Petrosaurus mearnsi</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 495.1-495.3.
  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.