The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michoacán, México

by William Edward Duellman

Sceloporus spinosus spinosus Wiegmann

Sceloporus spinosus Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:370, 1828.—México. Type locality restricted to Puebla, Puebla, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:116).

Sceloporus spinosus spinosus, Martín del Campo, Anal. Inst. Biol. México, 8:262, 1937.

Cojumatlán (2); Huetamo Road; Lago de Cuitzeo (4); Maravatio (8); Tupátaro (2).

Although this species is widespread on the southern part of the Mexican Plateau, it is uncommon in Michoacán. It has been collected only in rather open situations in the mesquite-grassland on the plateau between 1500 and 2300 meters, where it has been found in association with Sceloporus dugesi intermedius and S. scalaris scalaris. Most specimens of Sceloporus spinosus spinosus have been observed on rock fences. In this habitat the species is the larger member of a pair of species, the smaller of which is Sceloporus dugesi intermedius.

Sceloporus torquatus torquatus Wiegmann

Sceloporus torquatus Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:369, 1828.—México. Type locality restricted to México, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:126).

Sceloporus torquatus torquatus, Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 22:402, 1885.

Angahuan (31); Araparicuaro; Capácuaro (3); Carapan (11); Cerro Tancítaro; Cherán; Ciudad Hidalgo; Cojumatlán; Copándaro (2); Corupu (4); Cuseño Station (9); El Álamo; Jacona (6); Jiquilpan (2); Jungapeo (3); Lago de Camécuaro; Lago de Chapala; Lago de Cuitzeo (3); La Palma (2); Los Conejos (3); Los Reyes (3); Maravatio (9); Morelia (17); Paracho (3); Pátzcuaro (27); Pino Gordo; Queréndaro (2); Quiroga; Sahuayo (3); San José de la Cumbre; San Juan de Panangaricutiro; Tacícuaro (10); Tancítaro (200); Tangamandapio; Tangancícuaro (3); Temazcal (2); Tupátaro (5); Uruapan (136); Zacapu; Zinapécuaro (10); Zirimícuaro (12); Zitácuaro.

This large species inhabits the Mexican Plateau and the Cordillera Volcánica, but not the Sierra de Coalcomán, where apparently it is replaced by Sceloporus bulleri. Sceloporus torquatus torquatus usually is found in pine or pine-fir forests at elevations between 1450 and 3000 meters. In many places it is almost entirely arboreal, but in areas where there are many fallen trees or rock fences and rock piles, many individuals have been found on the ground near the rocks or logs. In the coniferous forests this species is associated with S. grammicus microtepidotus and S. aeneus aeneus.