Amphibians and reptiles of C. E. Miller Ranch and the Sierra Vieja, Chihuahuan Desert, Texas, USA

We report the occurrence of 50 species of amphibians and reptiles recently collected on C. E. Miller Ranch and the Sierra Vieja in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas, USA and describe their perceived distribution and abundance across various habitat associations of the region. Our recent surveys follow intense, historic sampling of amphibians and reptiles from this region in 1948. Of the 50 species detected in recent surveys, six were not collected in 1948 and an additional three species documented in 1948 have yet to be detected in a 14-year period of recent surveys. Combining data from both historic and recent surveys, a total of 53 species of amphibians and reptiles are known from the ranch (11 amphibians, 42 reptiles). Land stewardship and conservation practices have likely contributed to the persistence of the majority of these species through time. Additionally, we discuss the status of amphibians and reptiles not collected during recent surveys and comment on potential species that have not yet been detected

Chapter 07. Habitat Model

Habitat model for Spot-tailed Earless Lizard (Holbrookia lacerata

Chapter 00. Collaborative research on the natural history of the enigmatic Spot-tailed Earless Lizard (Holbrookia lacerata) in Texas

Final report. Spot-tailed Earless Lizard (Holbrookia lacerata

Chapter 11.3. Effects of Additional Current and Future Anthropogenic Activities on Landscape

Maps and tables of forecasted future wind development, red invasive fire ant locations, and urbanizatio

Figure 7 from: Davis DИ, LaDuc TJ(2018) Amphibians and reptiles of C. E. Miller Ranch and the Sierra Vieja, Chihuahuan Desert, Texas, USA. ZooKeys 735: 97-130. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.735.22200

We report the occurrence of 50 species of amphibians and reptiles recently collected on C. E. Miller Ranch and the Sierra Vieja in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas, USA and describe their perceived distribution and abundance across various habitat associations of the region. Our recent surveys follow intense, historic sampling of amphibians and reptiles from this region in 1948. Of the 50 species detected in recent surveys, six were not collected in 1948 and an additional three species documented in 1948 have yet to be detected in a 14-year period of recent surveys. Combining data from both historic and recent surveys, a total of 53 species of amphibians and reptiles are known from the ranch (11 amphibians, 42 reptiles). Land stewardship and conservation practices have likely contributed to the persistence of the majority of these species through time. Additionally, we discuss the status of amphibians and reptiles not collected during recent surveys and comment on potential species that have not yet been detected

Presentation: The Striking Behavior of Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes are efficient predators that play an integral role in maintaining the balance within ecosystems. Unfortunately, their capacity to injure or even kill humans has made them among the most misunderstood vertebrates on the planet. Few other groups of animals inspire man's contempt and fascination like rattlesnakes. Many people already find it difficult to relate to snakes, but knowing that rattlesnakes are venomous and that they audibly advertise this fact, most people despise and fear rattlesnakes. Popular culture feeds this fear of rattlesnakes with exaggerations of aggressive and deadly encounters, and this contributes to the persecution of this valuable group of animals. -- This lecture will dispel some of the myths surrounding rattlesnakes by sharing insights into their natural history gained through the use of high-speed videography, thermal imaging cameras, and radio transmitters These technologies have opened new avenues of research on the physiological and behavioral limits of not only rattlesnakes but of other animals. By offering suggestions on how best to avoid encounters with rattlesnakes, coupled with a better understanding of rattlesnake biology, it is hoped that rattlesnakes can be respected as an integral component of the natural landscape.Environmental Science Institut

Amphibians and reptiles of C. E. Miller Ranch and the Sierra Vieja, Chihuahuan Desert, Texas, USA

We report the occurrence of 50 species of amphibians and reptiles recently collected on C. E. Miller Ranch and the Sierra Vieja in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas, USA and describe their perceived distribution and abundance across various habitat associations of the region. Our recent surveys follow intense, historic sampling of amphibians and reptiles from this region in 1948. Of the 50 species detected in recent surveys, six were not collected in 1948 and an additional three species documented in 1948 have yet to be detected in a 14-year period of recent surveys. Combining data from both historic and recent surveys, a total of 53 species of amphibians and reptiles are known from the ranch (11 amphibians, 42 reptiles). Land stewardship and conservation practices have likely contributed to the persistence of the majority of these species through time. Additionally, we discuss the status of amphibians and reptiles not collected during recent surveys and comment on potential species that have not yet been detected

Holbrookia subcaudalis

Holbrookia subcaudalis (Axtell 1956) Tamaulipan Spot-tailed Earless Lizard (Fig. 9) Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalis Axtell 1956 Holbrookia subcaudalis Hibbitts et al. 2019 (this study) Holotype. Texas Natural History Collection, University of Texas (TNHC 20000); collected by Ralph W. Axtell on 6 June 1955 in plowed field 4.8 miles east northeast of Bishop, Nueces County, Texas, USA (27º 36’ N; 97º 45’ W) at an elevation of 75 feet. Etymology. The name subcaudalis is derived from the latin word sub which means under or below and cauda which means tail. This refers to the dark spots on the underside of the tail in this species. Distribution. Holbrookia subcaudalis is composed of all populations south of the Balcones Escarpment in Texas and west to the Sierra Madre Oriental in Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas, Mexico. They are absent from areas with sandy soils. Diagnosis. Morphological description based on measurements and counts from 45 adults. This is a small, earless lizard with an average of 5 (1 – 10) black spots on the underside of the tail. The average snout-vent length (SVL) is 56 mm (31 – 72), paravertebral and dorsolateral body blotches are often separated. An average of 0.7 (0 – 6) blotches are fused out of an average of 6 (4 – 9) blotches. The blotches form four rows of transverse mostly circular blotches. The dark blotches on the rear legs are circular in shape and do not form into bands with the average number of leg blotches being 8 (4 – 14). Most individuals have black lateral spots on the abdomen and these average 2.6 (0 – 5). The average number of femoral pores on the left leg is 14 (10 – 19). The female body color is greenish yellow during the breeding season but they do not acquire orange on the throat in either sex.Published as part of Hibbitts, Toby J., Ryberg, Wade A., Harvey, Johanna A., Voelker, Gary, Lawing, A. Michelle, Adams, Connor S., Neuharth, Dalton B., Dittmer, Drew E., Duran, C. Michael, Wolaver, Brad D., Pierre, Jon Paul, Labay, Benjamin J. & Laduc, Travis J., 2019, Phylogenetic structure of Holbrookia lacerata (Cope 1880) (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae): one species or two?, pp. 139-154 in Zootaxa 4619 (1) on pages 148-149, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4619.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/324848

Phylogenetic structure of Holbrookia lacerata (Cope 1880) (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae): one species or two?

Hibbitts, Toby J., Ryberg, Wade A., Harvey, Johanna A., Voelker, Gary, Lawing, A. Michelle, Adams, Connor S., Neuharth, Dalton B., Dittmer, Drew E., Duran, C. Michael, Wolaver, Brad D., Pierre, Jon Paul, Labay, Benjamin J., Laduc, Travis J. (2019): Phylogenetic structure of Holbrookia lacerata (Cope 1880) (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae): one species or two? Zootaxa 4619 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4619.1.