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Year of the Lizard News No

Year of the Lizard News No

Year of the News No. 1 January 2012 V V V V V V V V V V www.YearoftheLizard.org State of the Lizard Inside: page Photo Contest Calendar 2 Year of the Lizard Partners 2 YOU Can Participate! 3 YoL Logo Contest Winner 3 Spotlight 4 An Interview with Larry Jones 13 in the News 15 Upcoming Meetings & Events 15 Featured Lizard Families 16 Lizard Gear from Cafe Press 19

A Common (), peers out of a rock crevice in Valley of Fire State Park, NV. Photo © LLC Jones. The “2012 – Year of the Lizard” the public to develop conservation What are Lizards? campaign is sponsored by Partners in measures that will identify threats and Lizards are . They are: Amphibian and Conservation forestall losses at local levels. Here, we 1) vertebrates, having a backbone (PARC) to raise awareness for lizard provide a brief background on our like fish, amphibians, , and conservation. Why lizards, and lizards today, identify urgent needs ; and why now? The growth of human for the conservation of this fauna, 2) ectothermic, deriving their body communities and its effects on natural and outline actions that can aid in heat from the outside world. are taking a toll on our lizards. their persistence. With place-based Lizards characteristically have Threats to lizards include loss management, local populations can dry, scaly skin. They are generally and fragmentation, invasive species, thrive. Lizards are a taxonomic group , overexploitation, and that can benefit by Citizen Science State of the Lizard continues on p. 6 climate change. The good news is that actions. YOU can help. most of these concerns have solutions. With some focused attention, we The , suspectum, is a venomous lizard can engineer a future for our lizards of the southwestern US and within our developing world. northwestern . This species As 2012 unfolds, PARC will shine a has near-threatened status under the IUCN, and is protected in spotlight on our amazing lizard fauna , , and . and highlight the work of researchers, Photo © C Klinger. land and resource managers, and Look for Issue No. 2 of Year of the Lizard News in March! “Precisely the least, the softest, lightest, a lizard’s rustling, a breath, a flash, a moment - a little makes the way of the best happiness.” Friedrich Nietzsche (German classical scholar, philosopher and critic of culture, 1844-1900) Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 2 Get Your January Photo Contest Calendar It’s not your typical lizard! Laurie Vitt photographed this legless ( ventralis) in a neighbor’s back yard in . To get a better look at this month’s winner and runner- up, download the free Year of the Lizard Photo Contest Calendar for January at www.yearofthelizard.org. And don’t forget to check back in February for the next monthly calendar.

Call for Photos for the 2012 Year of the Lizard Calendar Photo Contest We are seeking close-up, digital photos of lizards, preferably in their natural habitats or within an educational or conservation context. One winner will be selected each month to be the featured photo as part of the Year of the Lizard online calendar. Runner- up photos will also be included in the calendar. Additionally, all submitted images will be considered for use in the Year of the Lizard monthly newsletter and website as well as other Year of the Lizard related conservation, outreach, and educational efforts. Give us your best shot! For more information and for entry details, please visit http://www.parcplace.org/images/stories/ YOT/YOLphotocontest.pdf. A preview of some of the great photos we’ve already received: (above) Caymanian Anole ( conspersus) from Grand Cayman Island, by Jim Harding; (below) a Horned Wood Lizard (Enyalioides palpebralis), native to Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil, by Laurie Vitt.

Year of the Lizard Partners The Year of the Lizard Team thanks the following individuals for assistance in planning the Year of the Lizard: David Pilliod (USGS, ), Denim Jochimsen (University of Idaho), Larry Jones (US Forest Service, Arizona), Ester Nelson (US Forest Service, New Mexico), Jason Jones ( Division of Wild. Resources), Brian Aucone (Denver ), Leland Pierce (New Mexico Department of Fish and Game), Chris Titus (NE PARC), Denise Parsons (University of Nevada), ML Robinson (University of Nevada), David Wojnowski (University of North ), Kathryn Ronnenberg (US Forest Service, ), Valorie Titus (, New York), Tom Giermakowski (University of New Mexico), Brian Aucone (Denver Zoo), David Dimitrie (Arcata, ), Teal Richards-Dimitrie (California Department of Fish and Game), Denise Parsons (University of Nevada), Dede Olson (PARC National Co-Chair; US Forest Service, Oregon), Al Breisch (PARC National Co-Chair; Albany, New York), Priya Nanjappa (PARC State Agencies Coordinator; Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies), Terry Riley (PARC Federal Agencies Coordinator, National Park Service) If your organization is interested in joining the list of Year of the Lizard Collaborating Partners and would like to assist in Year of the Lizard efforts throughout 2012, please send an email to [email protected] with a brief description of your organization and its efforts. Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 3 YOU Can Participate! Submit your Articles for Submit Your Lizard Art, Are You an Educator or Consideration in The Year of Stories, and Poetry Interpretive Naturalist? the Lizard News Submit photos of your lizard art We are working to create resources We would like to hear about your (jpg, tiff, or pdf files) and copies of for teachers and naturalists! If you research projects (local, national, your stories and poems via email to are willing to share, please send and abroad), citizen science efforts, [email protected]. Please your unit materials, educational school projects, folklore, natural include your name, location, and any program information, or PowerPoint area conservation proposals, lizard comments about the submission in presentations to yearofthelizard@ luminaries (people or that your email message. We will select gmail.com. Please include your have been shining stars in your life), several submissions to include in name, the name of your school/nature or other topics related to lizards. upcoming newsletters. center or organization, and location. If you did not create the materials, Please include these components: please be sure to tell us where you 1) Title found the materials. 2) Author name, affiliation, location 3) Text: ~400 words will fill one page, a nice size to consider. Shorter and longer articles are fine. It is an electronic newsletter, after all! 4) 1-2 photographs or graphics (with captions and photographer recognition; sometimes we can use more than 2) per page: 300+ dpi resolution, jpg or tiff. Submit your potential articles or any questions pertaining to contributing via email to yearofthelizard@gmail. Year of the Lizard com. The newsletter will be bi- Logo Contest – We monthly, with issues coming out in Green (Iguana iguana) in pastels, by Joyce McGee. March, May, July, September, and Have a Winner! November 2012. Submit Your Citizen Science PARC’s Year of the Lizard Projects Planning Task Team sought help from the herpetological community A compilation of lizard citizen Ask the Experts! to develop an appropriate logo for science (volunteer) inventory and Submit your lizard questions via PARC’s 2012 Year of the Lizard monitoring projects has begun. These email ([email protected]) Campaign. Among the many will be featured in our monthly to our panel of lizard experts, and outstanding logos submitted, the newsletters. Send any information we will select questions to answer in Team selected a logo submitted on these types of projects to upcoming newsletters. Please include by Todd Long. Thanks and [email protected]. your name and location in your email congratulations, Todd!

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Follow all of the Year of the Lizard news and happenings on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/yearofthelizard2012) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/YearOfTheLizard). Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 4 The Dunes : an Endemic Species Spotlight Lizard in an Endangered Ecosystem By Daniel Leavitt, PhD candidate, Texas A&M University The Dunes Sagebrush basic requirements are met in these Lizard’s scale color patterns closely locations. They are well adapted to resemble the sand. living in and around sand. They bury This allows for them themselves in the sand, lay deep in to sit and wait for their prey without the sand, and swim through the sand compromising their to avoid above-ground movement. position to visually However, the lizard also requires cued predators. Photo by Michael T. Hill. cover above the sand and seeks refuge beneath Shinnery Oak (Quercus havardii), dives into leaf litter for shelter, and basks atop grasses and on oak branches. Because they require the complimentary presence of open In tough economic times, societies phile = lover) exist in the Mescalero- sand and Shinnery Oak cover, it is can lose sight of long-term goals in Monahans Shinnery Sands ecosystem, not hard to understand why they are search of immediate economic gain. a place where sand dunes and dwarf endemic to this ecosystem. Jared Diamond in Collapse notes oaks reign supreme. But the lizard is But the future is uncertain for this that societies that demonstrate this not the only endemic species here. ecosystem. Over the last 80 years, oil lack of vision for the future play a In fact, this ecosystem is home to and gas exploration in the risky game. Let me introduce you to a many other endemics including Basin has driven economic prosperity lizard that exists in an oil field. Once eleven and three for local communities, the states again, the scene is set. I hope this (the list is still growing!). By of New Mexico and Texas, and the society can find a way to meet both understanding this lizard’s biology, nation. This economic prosperity has long- and short-term needs. it becomes clear why recent human- come with an associated ecological The Dunes Sagebrush Lizard caused disruptions in the dunes are cost. The Mescalero-Monahans () lives only in concerning to resource managers. Shinnery Sands took thousands of the sand dunes of southeastern New You might find Dunes Sagebrush years to form. Yet within a century Mexico and west Texas. In fact, it Lizards in open patches of sand, we have dramatically altered the has one of the most restricted ranges called “blowouts”, or on the periphery natural dynamics that maintain this among North American lizards. The of large dune fields. Many of their word endemic is all that resource managers need to raise awareness The bumpy among the ranks. ‘Endemism’ landscape found describes organisms adapted to unique in the Mescalero- Monahans environmental characteristics that Shinnery Sands occur in a restricted geographic range ecosystem west (e.g., sand dunes). This endemism of Caprock, NM. Dwarf Shinnery and the uncertainty about the future Oak tops the of its ecosystem demonstrate just hummocks a few reasons why the US Fish and and blowouts are formed Wildlife Service recently proposed to where shifting list the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as an sands open up endangered species. vegetative cover. Photo by Daniel The dunes where you can find J. Leavitt. this psammophile (psammo = sand, Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 5 are very low and in possibly unsustainable numbers. Habitat loss and an increase in edge habitat appear to be the driving forces in the environment that are reducing this lizards’ presence in the ecosystem. More research has begun by a collaborative team including behavioral ecologists, geneticists, and conservation biologists to explore the depth of the problems surrounding this lizard and its ecosystem. However, the pace of research, policy, and oil field development are not equal. Recent efforts in Texas and New Mexico to establish conservation agreements between land use cooperatives and agencies are just now at the beginning stages. The common goal is to ensure effective conservation of the ecosystem while reducing economic impacts of conservation measures. That is, shareholders in economic prosperity (set on satisfying immediate societal needs) The Eddy – Lea County Line, New Mexico in 1996 and 2009. In the 2009 must work with the shareholders in photo new development of oil and gas wells are surrounded by well pads environmental prosperity (who focus (white squares) and connected by roads. Imagery from United States Department of Agriculture. on the long-term viability of Planet Earth). We have been progressing ecosystem through exploration of the lizard communities, and the as a society for centuries. Let us not and extraction of below-ground implications of protected status lose sight of our long-term goals for resources. for conservation goals. Alongside future generations. To extract oil resources at each Dr. Lee A. Fitzgerald (Texas A&M well pad, the sands are flattened University), I have established a long- with bulldozers, then “caliche” (an term comparative and experimental underground calcium carbonate study to investigate the impacts of oil rock) is mined and smoothed out and gas development, and subsequent Wanted: Volunteer over the surface. The bulldozed fragmentation, on populations of this sand pile is pushed aside and lizard. Our study design allows us to Translators flattens out over the course of the compare our findings with baseline The Year of the Lizard following years. While creating data for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard, campaign needs volunteers one well pad may not make a and the data from the first few years to translate the State of the difference to ecosystem dynamics, illuminates the extent of the problem. Lizard into Spanish and French, the development of a vast oil field Dunes Sagebrush Lizards are absent for online publication: www. results in habitat fragmentation. from 44% of the sites within the yearofthelizard.org. If you are My research on this lizard began oilfields where they once existed, as interested, please contact Dede in 2008. I have focused on their compared to 100% presence outside Olson, [email protected]. presence in the oil fields, the of the oil field. At oil field locations habitat requirements and structure where we do find them, populations Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 6 State of the Lizard continued from p. 1 New Mexico Whiptails, today is quite astounding. Aspidoscelis neomexicana, are all females and can Over 5,000 species of lizards live on reproduce without mating Earth today, and they can be found with males. Unfertilized on all continents but Antarctica. Our eggs develop and become clones of the mother. North American fauna is a small Photo © LLC Jones. subset of the world’s lizards, with only 118 species occurring north of for using push-ups, head Mexico. Spanning the United States bobbing, and posturing to and Canada, whiptails and spiny communicate. lizards are most diverse, with 21 and Interestingly, most lizards 22 species, respectively. The American have color vision, which Southwest is the regional hotspot, explains the spectrum with ~96 known species, inclusive of of hues characterizing northern Mexico. Latitudinal and distinguished from their close the different species, as seen in the longitudinal gradients in diversity relatives the by their limbs and brilliant blues of tails and the are quite apparent—for example, 16 external ears. A great variety of forms wild variety of color patterns in other species are known in northwestern exist among lizards, however, as can families. Coloration is often seasonal, , 10 species occur in be seen when you compare whiptails becoming vivid in the mating season. the northeastern U.S., with only one with Gila Monsters. Some lizards Many species are territorial—each species in New England, 18 species have overlapping scales or are legless, male defends a territory and the occur in the southeastern U.S., and like snakes. Some can drop their females within it against rivals. But only 6 native species are recorded for tails without injury to themselves to then there are the whiptails of the Canada. distract a predator and escape. Some American Southwest: some species lay eggs, and others give birth to are all females, and their eggs can live young. They have myriad social develop without fertilization by a behaviors, with some lizards known male! The diversity among lizards 2012 is also the Chinese Year of the . Are lizards? Yes and No. Some lizards have ‘dragon’ in their names. These include the Australian Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii) and Central Bearded Dragon (Pogono vitticeps), and the (Komodo Monitor, Varanus komodoensis, right) of Indonesia. So in one sense some dragons are lizards. Dragons are also mythological beasts that have lizard-like features, such as scales. However, lizards do not breathe fire or have wings to fly like fictional dragons, although the Common Gliding Lizard ( sumatranus) of southeast has skin flaps that allow it to soar between tree trunks. Some dragon legends place the creatures into aquatic realms. Today, most lizards occur on land in often arid settings, and only a few such as the famous Marine (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) of the Galapagos Islands venture into water. A common theme among both dragons and lizards is that they are revered in many cultures, and are symbolic of power and wisdom. Photo from http:// reptilespictures.net/Komodo-Dragon.html How about Alligators and Are salamanders lizards? Crocodiles? Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 7 Lizards listed as Threatened or Endangered by the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) and by the Commitee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) (http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/SpeciesReport.doc; http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/; accessed 18 November 2011). Common Name Scientific Name Status St. Croix Ground Lizard Ameiva polops Endangered (ESA) Maria Island Ground Lizard Cnemidophorus vanzoi Endangered (ESA) Hierro Giant Lizard Gallotia simonyi simonyi Endangered (ESA) Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard sila Endangered (ESA) Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporus arenicolus Proposed Endangered (ESA) Blue-tailed Mole Skink egregius lividus Threatened (ESA) Florida Sand Skink Plestiodon reynoldsi Threatened (ESA) Ibiza Wall Lizard pityusensis Threatened (ESA) Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard Uma inornata Threatened (ESA) Island riversiana Threatened (ESA) Greater Short- Phrynosoma hernandesi Endangered (COSEWIC) Five-lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus Endangered (COSEWIC) Skink Plestiodon septentrionalis Endangered (COSEWIC) 1. Habitat Loss, Alteration, Primary Threats to Lizards and Fragmentation • Habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation Habitat loss, degradation, • Invasive species and fragmentation are the most • Over-exploitation significant threats to lizards, overall. These threats coincide with human • Predation development, and are resulting from • Climate change the outright conversion of land for rural or urban expansion, the Threats: At a Loss for 20% of lizards north of Mexico incursion of energy development into Lizards have status rankings of concern. We remote areas, a relatively recent threat are truly ‘at a loss for lizards’! In the in the U.S. west, and additional Unfortunately, our understanding U.S., 38 lizard species are considered human-associated threats that tag of lizard status is incomplete. The under the ESA, with five species along with our growing population. IUCN Red List of identified as Endangered or proposed Lizard habitats are quite diverse acknowledges that their assessment is Endangered, five species are listed as because the different species can lacking relative to arid and semi-arid Threatened, and 20 are Species of live in different biomes such as species, including lizards. The IUCN Concern. An additional three species , forests, or . They recognizes that these systems are are Endangered in Canada. expanding, and a focus on the world’s Other lizard species are in 5,000+ lizards is needed. concern categories within In North America, we have a U.S. states. better understanding of lizard status through the various lists categorizing Lizards are common art Endangered, Threatened, or icons in our everyday life today, and in native cultures Sensitive species, including the worldwide. This mural of a U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) dinosaur-sized Iguana, and the Committee on the Status Dipsosaurus dorsalis, can be seen in 29 Palms, California! of Endangered Wildlife in Canada Photo © LLC Jones. (COSEWIC). To date, more than Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 8 The , invading arid western landscapes Ophisaurus compressus, is US ESA-listed as a Species are a particular threat to lizard of Concern due to habitat habitats. For example, Buffelgrass loss and degradation. It is (Pennisetum ciliare) is changing the legless and occurs in sandy scrub habitats of South southwestern U.S. and northern Carolina, Georgia and Mexico ecosystems from desert to Florida. Photo © JD Willson. grassland. Buffelgrass outcompetes native plants, is drought tolerant, persisting in dry years, and appears Sagebrush Lizard, to deplete soil fertility. Its spread has Sceloporus arenicolus, of changed fire dynamics, from a desert New Mexico and Texas system without fire and fire-adapted occurs in a small area usually live on the ground or climb communities, to systems in which of shinnery oak dunes habitat. Its hotter fires may be created year-round up into vegetation or over rocks. In habitat is threatened by oil and North America, physical habitat and subsequent loss of desert species. gas development, off-road vehicle This grass degrades habitat for lizards conditions are of paramount concern traffic, brush invasion, and chemical for many lizards. Two prime habitat such as the Reticulate Collared Lizard spraying. The Flat-tailed Horned ( reticulatus), a species elements of consideration for lizards Lizard, Phrynosoma mcallii, occurs in include temperatures suitable for listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and sandy desert hardpan or gravel flats threatened in the state of Texas. and substrates in southern California, southwestern suitable for burrowing or providing Another example is Cheatgrass Arizona, and northwestern Mexico. (Bromus tectorum), an invasive grass spaces used for cover. Vegetation is Agricultural, urban, and geothermal key for providing a variety of hiding of western American shrub-steppe developments, in addition to off-road communities, which is suggested to places, refugia from predators, vehicles and sand and gravel mining, and habitat for their prey. As these have negative effects on lizards such as restrict its habitat. Federal protection Desert Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma elements are altered, so are lizard was withdrawn for this lizard in 2006, habitats, and lizard survival and/or platyrhinos) in the Great Basin Desert and it is listed as ‘near threatened’ by of Utah. These horned lizards appear reproduction also may be affected. IUCN and a species of special concern Habitat fragmentation is a subtle to avoid areas with Cheatgrass, which in California. Ongoing monitoring impairs their mobility. change to the spatial arrangements of efforts are assessing population status habitats that alters lizard distributions of this species. Is this a horned or horny toad? and their interactions with each 2. Invasive Species No, this is a horned lizard! This Round- other. In particular, roads disrupt tailed Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma habitat connectivity and can affect Invasive species concerns for lizards modestum) lives in desert scrub and semi-desert grassland with gravelly habitat suitability for individuals are numerous, and this threat category or rocky soil in Texas, New Mexico, and the dynamics among individuals overlaps with two other threat Arizona, and Mexico. It eats ! Due that characterize lizard populations. categories—habitat degradation to its very specialized diet, the - eating horned lizards generally make Maintenance of connected habitats and predation. Non-native plants poor pets – watch these and other across large areas is an emerging native lizards in the wild; don’t take concern for all wildlife species. them home. Photo © JD Willson. Two examples follow. The Dunes

Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis) are some of the most common lizards in the pet trade. A pet store may call it a . They can be captive-bred, which reduces stress on animals and threats to wild populations. Green Anole declines in Florida are associated with both increasing non-native anoles and habitat degradation. Photo © JD Willson. Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 9 Non-native species are competitors ecosystem and native land and predators of native lizards, with iguanas there. Domestic Were dinosaurs lizards? cascading effects through food-web cats may sometimes bring Dinosaurs flourished in the Age of Reptiles, dynamics. Forty introduced exotic home only a lizard’s tail. the Mesozoic period of ~100-250 million lizard species occur in the southeastern Perhaps sacrificing that tail years ago, a time when reptiles dominated U.S., mostly in Florida. Many of saved the lizard’s life for the life on the planet. Many different groups of reptiles coexisted during the Mesozoic: these have origins from the pet trade; moment, but tail loss can dinosaurs were part of a larger group of release of non-native animals into affect locomotion, social reptiles, the Archosaurs, and lizards stem the wild can harm native species status, and longer-term from another lineage called the Lepidosaurs. through both food web dynamics, survival and reproduction. displacement from habitats, and Keeping domestic cats disease introductions. Another non- indoors and reducing feral cat heightened visibility such perches native species concern for lizards is populations are the best ways to afford birds. As human development ants. Some invasive ants displace reduce this threat to wild lizard fragments lizard habitat, predation native ants, depleting the main food populations. edge effects may result—meaning resource for horned lizards. In a ‘turn Other human-associated mammals more of a lizard’s habitat may be near of the tables’, invasive Fire Ants eat have been implicated as being threats a boundary with human habitation lizards. Additional threats that both to lizards as well. The St. Croix or development and these edges may non-native and native predators pose Ground Lizard (Ameiva polops) is a have new perches for avian predators. to lizards are included in the next U.S. Endangered species. Its main Avian predator use of power-line grids section. threat appears to have been the Indian was discussed in the 2010 ESA-listing Mongoose which was introduced into proposal for the Dunes Sagebrush the U.S. Virgin Islands in the late Lizard; this potential threat warrants 1800s. Dogs, pigs, and are other further research. Another example is known non-native predators that the increasing raccoon populations may be threats to lizards in different associated with human development; parts of the world. this is another potential threat to Natural predators of lizards include lizards from native predators. a diversity of snakes, birds, and mammals. Predation rates of native 4. Over-Exploitation predators on lizards may increase with Collection of wild animals can lead This Common Five-lined Skink, human development. For example, to over-exploitation. Lizard over- Plestiodon fasciatus, may be on the menu for your outdoor cat. with human development has come exploitation is an issue of particular Unprecedented predation rates by increased fencing, and electrical and concern for the rare and unique domestic or feral cats are key threats telephone poles and wires. These are species, but common species also to many lizards. Photo © JD Willson. perches for avian predators. Predation can be locally extirpated due to over- 3. Predation rates on lizards by their natural collection of wild animals. Lizards predators may have increased may be valued highly for a variety Domestic and feral cats eat lizards, due to the artificial perches and the of human uses, including pets, and they can be a dominant threat to lizard species. Cats are named as key The Southern Alligator Lizard, threats to the Common Five-lined multicarinata, can be found in , forests, Skink in Canada. In New Zealand, a grasslands, and urban areas single cat was found with 49 from Washington to Mexico. in its stomach—that one was They have a reputation for being fierce, and will bite. Climate a significant threat. The Galapagos change is a concern for altering National Park and the Charles microclimates upon which Darwin Research Center spent years this species relies. Photo © B McCreary. removing feral cats from a single island, Baltra, just to restore the Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 10 The Eastern Collared and the fragmentation of current Lizard, Crotaphytus collaris, is widespread lizard habitats due to extensive in North America, native human developments are proposed to areas from to to be putting today’s lizards at Mexico. Males are brightly colored during the unprecedented risk. They may not breeding season. They eat be resilient enough to ‘weather a variety of arthropods this storm,’ especially species with and other lizards. Over- collection of collared restricted distributions. This is a hot lizards is a conservation topic for lizard researchers today. concern. Photo © LJ Vitt. “Altered thermal niches” are an emerging concern for the effects of climate change on lizards. A recent to the wonders of the natural world. skins (monitors), meat (iguanas), study of Mexican lizards found that Although lizards can be bred in traditional or modern medicines 12% of local populations have been captivity, and lizard trade enthusiasts (monitor fat—antibacterial; monitor lost since 1975, and local extirpations have been transitioning to the trade oil—aphrodisiac; —miracle were projected to reach 40% by of captive-bred stock, there is no real cures), and souvenirs (stuffed horned 2080—the study provides support for certification process to ensure that lizards!). This is not solely an issue climate change as the cause. The basic wild animals are not taken illegally for other parts of the globe—large premise of this threat is that lizards are and sold. The onus is upon the numbers of lizards or lizard products active during optimal temperatures buyer to ensure that their purchase are sold in the U.S. every year, because they are ectothermic, and the either has been legally collected or although the demand for lizards is timing of these ‘windows’ may vary is a captive-bred animal. Release of higher elsewhere. The lack of harvest with weather patterns and climate captive animals back into the wild is and trade regulations and difficulty change trends. With current climate problematic due to disease issues and in the enforcement of existing change scenarios, these windows of potential mixing of isolated genetic regulations exacerbate this over- activity can narrow during critical populations; these concerns also hold exploitation problem. active seasons such as during breeding, for wild-caught animals brought into Reptile trade issues currently are and also at inappropriate times such captivity temporarily. Non-native a focus of attention in the U.S. and as during winter hibernation. species that are turned loose also abroad. For the U.S., PARC and Mounting evidence suggests that can compete with or prey on native State Partners have developed Model climate change is affecting some populations, upsetting the balance of State Herpetofauna Regulatory species. For example, in Oregon, Guidelines (http://parcplace.org/ a local animal community. For more publications/) to assist wildlife information, “Don’t turn it loose!” management agencies in creating or brochures are available at: http:// modifying their regulations regarding parcplace.org/images/stories/pdfs/ the collection, manipulation, DontTurn.pdf. possession, and sale of native and non- 5. Climate Change native herpetofauna. For the average citizen in the U.S. or Canada, please The first lizards have been check with your state or province dated to 250 million years ago, and regulations before taking them out from about 140 million years of the wild. Permits may be required, ago begin to look like modern lizards. and collection of rare animals for Although climates have changed personal use may be prohibited. radically over the last hundred However, in many places, it is legal to million years, the combined effects Males of the , collect lizards. of the more-recent heightened rate Cophosaurus texanus, become brightly colored in the mating season. They do For prospective pet owners, with of climate change, the restricted not have external ear openings, and proper care, some lizards make distribution of many of today’s thus appear to be earless. Photo © LLC excellent pets, and help connect us lizards, lizard dispersal limitations, Jones. Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 11

The Western Banded , variegatus, is nocturnal, and occurs in Are geckos lizards? arid habitats of southern Yes. Geckos are indeed lizards, and California, Arizona, Nevada, there are almost 1,500 species of and Mexico. Photo © LLC Jones. geckos on Earth. They are found in warm areas and can be very colorful. Many geckos can produce sounds and are excellent climbers. Geckos can be found in pet stores, and some varieties are captive-bred and make excellent pets. However, prospective gecko owners need to do their reproductive ‘busts’ from variable periods, 1940-1975 and 1991- homework to make their selection spring conditions narrowing the 2005. Those researchers pointed out a successful endeavor for both the gecko and the human! time window of suitable breeding constraints in lizard range shifts in conditions have been reported their region due to the geographic in the Side-blotched Lizard, Uta barriers of the Cantabrian Sea and identify priority areas for lizards, and stansburiana. In Alberta, Canada, the Pyrenees Mountains. Such then address habitat-management lizard mortality has been seen with dispersal limitations can also be and connectivity-corridor alternatives unseasonal warm weather midwinter, caused by anthropogenic habitat accordingly. Habitats for lizards are followed by more cold weather. fragmentation. The relationships habitats for a wealth of biodiversity, so Winter survival for the Greater between lizard ecology and climate connecting lizards to other species and Short-horned Lizard, Phrynosoma may have regional and taxonomic conserving the jointly used habitats hernandesi, in Alberta may rely on patterns. These topics warrant closer will help communities of organisms. persistent snow cover, which insulates inspection. By dedicating conservation efforts to hibernating animals from such warm Conservation Needs: lizards while we still have thriving spells. North temperate zones may be populations, we will also address particularly susceptible to such year- 1) Conservation Actions ecosystem sustainability, and retain round weather vagaries, and in North our treasured natural heritage for Members of the public, biologists, America, lizard range boundaries future generations, bio-medical land and resource managers, and are coincident with areas subject to research opportunities, bio-ethics, policy makers all have roles in widely fluctuating weather patterns. and aesthetics. In short, if the rate of climate change wildlife conservation. Effective lizard conservation can occur within local increases, lizards may be in peril. 2) Public awareness and It should be noted that predicting communities. Citizen-scientists, weather patterns from climate- school groups, and nature enthusiasts education change trends is not straightforward, can have a strong voice in managing Raising conservation awareness many complex factors come into local areas to retain and improve lizard for lizards is an educational theme play, including geographic variation habitats and connectivity among that can have rewarding benefits in climate drivers. However the habitats. At larger scales, county, state for ‘children of all ages’! Lizards are point here is that it is also not a and provincial planning efforts can watchable wildlife, and as such can straightforward conclusion to assume that global warming trends will create www.yearofthelizard.org warmer habitats that will be ‘good’ PARC is dedicated to herpetofaunal for ectothermic lizards, expanding conservation. You can become involved in PARC population boundaries. Nevertheless, to help address lizard conservation needs in your in Spain’s Mediterranean-influenced area. For more information about PARC and the environments, one study has found Regional Working Group in your area, please go a significant northward expansion to: www.parcplace.org! of lizard ranges between two time Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 12 help us to connect to our natural Courting Broad- world. As the ‘2012 – Year of the headed Skinks, Lizard’ campaign unfolds, watch for (Plestiodon laticeps). newsletters and other informational Photo © LJ Vitt materials at www.yearofthelizard. org. Contribute to these newsletters with your own stories—share your experiences. ‘Pay it Forward’ by helping to raise lizard-conservation awareness in your area! 3) Research

A greater understanding of emerging Make lizard conservation happen! Pianka ER, Vitt LJ. 2003. Lizards: Windows threats to lizards is a priority research to the Evolution of Diversity. Univ. need. Each of the threats discussed For More Information California Press, Berkeley, CA. above has associated knowledge gaps Alberta Conservation Association. 2010. Sinervo B et al. 2010. Erosion of lizard that research can address. In a human- Reptiles of Alberta. 12 p. Available diversity by climate change and altered thermal niches. Science 328:894-899. dominated world, how much habitat at http://www.ab-conservation.com/ go/default/assets/File/Publications/ Zani PA. 2005. Life-history strategies is needed to keep lizard populations Brochures/ACA_Reptiles_of_Alberta_ near the limits of persistence: winter sustainable? How resilient are they to WR_2010_v2.pdf, accessed 22 survivorship and spring reproduction our changing world? Are other threats November 2011. in the common side-blotched lizard looming, such as disease? Emerging Crother BI. 2008. Scientific and standard (Uta stansburiana) in eastern Oregon. J Herpetol 39:166-169. concerns such as climate change need English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with Zani PA, Rollyson M. 2011. The effects greater attention. More knowledge comments regarding confidence in our of climate modes on growing-season of this diverse and colorful fauna understanding. Society for the Study of length and timing of reproduction in will assist us in making management Amhibians and Reptiles Herpetological the Pacific Northwest as revealed by decisions in the future. Circular No. 37. biophysical modeling of lizards. Amer Gibbons W, Greene J, Mills T. 2009. Lizards Midl Nat 165: 372-388. Seven Small Ways YOU & Crocodilians of the Southeast. Univ. Georgia Press, Atlanta, GA. Can Help Lizards Jones LLC, Lovich RE (eds). 2010. Lizards of the American Southwest. Rio Nuevo Author: Deanna H. Olson, US Forest 1. Provide lizard-friendly habitats Publ., Tuscon, AZ. Service, Pacific Northwest Research in your backyard and elsewhere Moreno-Rueda G, Pleguezuelos JM, Station, Corvallis, OR; dedeolson@ to help keep common species Pizarro M, Montori. 2011. Northward fs.fed.us shifts of the distribution of Spanish common Acknowledgements.—This report was reptiles in association with climate improved by comments from L. Jones, B. 2. Focus special attention on rare change. Conserv Biol, doi:10.1111/ Aucone, L. Pierce, A. Breisch, D. Pilliod, species j.1523-1739.2011.01793.x. W. Gibbons, E. Pianka, L. Vitt, T. Riley, 3. Lizards are watchable wildlife, Newbold TAS. 2005. D. Wojnowski, P. Nanjappa, and K. (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) locomotor watch them! Ronnenberg. Design by K. Ronnenberg. performance: the influence of cheatgrass 4. Do not take wild lizards as pets, Year of the Lizard logo by Todd Long. (Bromus tectorum). Southwestern or release pets into the wild Naturalist 50:17-23. 5. Consider adopting a lizard from Olson DH. 2009. Herpetofaunal a shelter or wildlife rehabilitation conservation in Northwestern North center rather than buying a new America. Northwestern Naturalist one 90:61-96 6. Keep pet cats indoors, or if you let them out, try not to let them “At noon in the desert a panting lizard waited for history, eat lizards its elbows tense, watching the curve of a particular road as if 7. Tell others about lizard something might happen.”— William Stafford conservation needs Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 13 An Interview with Larry Jones By Kathryn Ronnenberg, US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

How did you become interested in of other interesting lizards, such as lizards, and at what age? whiptails with their fascinating life- I think I was in the womb. Actually, history and evolutionary traits. I I was hooked on animals when I was do have a special place in my heart about 5 years old and always wanted for Red-backed and Giant Spotted to be a “naturalist” (like a Mr. Charles whiptails. Some other whiptails are Darwin in one of my kid’s books). parthenogenetic, so they have no use Early on I was most interested in for males. Obviously, they are more reptiles and mammals. I remember advanced than humans. Bunchgrass drawing all of the lizards in the Lizards and Night Lizards are among Peterson Field Guide of Western my favorite little brown jobs. Reptiles and Amphibians while in Junior High and memorizing the What is your defining moment or Larry Jones and friend (a subadult favorite memory of working with Sonoran Spiny-tailed Iguana, scientific names of all reptiles and macrolopha) in San Carlos, mammals in the US. In college, I lizards? Mexico. Photo by Michael Sredl. became very herp-centric (but also My defining moment was probably Lawrence L.C. Jones has worked dabbled in Marine Biology). I have to the “Marijilda Experience” I mention with many species of reptiles, admit, during herpetology class field in the preface of “Lizards of the amphibians, mammals (especially trips, noosing lizards was “what we American Southwest.” At that time I American Marten), birds, and fishes did while waiting for snakes to come realized what a dearth of information over the course of thirty years in out.” So, I guess I am a born-again there was in the general literature on both the research and management lizard aficionado. lizards, particularly given the fact branches of multiple public agencies. that lizards are so well-known and He is the Southwest PARC co-chair What is your current role in lizard well-studied; that last synthesis of and has always been fascinated by research and conservation? information devoted to lizards was both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ herps. A move Currently, I have two lizard Hobart Smith’s “Handbook of Lizards” from the Northwest to the Southwest projects. One is tracking changes in from 1946! Not only do I continue to enabled him to fully indulge his a lizard assemblage in an ecotone of monitor lizards in Marijilda Canyon, passion for lizards. Larry has authored southeastern Arizona where there are but I also signed up for the Adopt- or edited over 80 scientific and 20 species, the highest diversity in the popular publications, including three U.S. The other is educational—there books on amphibians and reptiles. are two programs to introduce people In 2009, he and co-editor Rob to the wonders of lizards as watchable Lovich published the encyclopedic wildlife. One of the projects is geared “Lizards of the American Southwest: A toward urban youths as part of a “kids Photographic Field Guide”, the most in the woods” program to help young comprehensive recent treatment urbanites experience the outdoors. of the subject. Currently, Larry is involved in long-term monitoring What is your favorite lizard or group of a highly diverse lizard assemblage of lizards? in southeastern Arizona, as well as teaching and leading lizard-watching The Gila Monster…duh! OK, so adventures for urban youths and the the Gila Monster has to be the holy *The views and opinions of general public. grail of lizards, but there are scads interviewees are not necessarily shared by all members of PARC or other Year of the Lizard Partners Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 14 Southwest PARC How can the public help in the members were very fortunate conservation of lizards? to see no fewer Awareness is a key issue. Most than three Gila Monsters lizards do not fare well in urban (Heloderma settings and are most diverse and suspectum) on a numerous in the vast expanses of single field trip to Sabino Canyon public lands. These lands should not near Tucson, be taken for granted. If the public can Arizona. Photo © recognize how important lizards are LLC Jones. in ecosystems (they eat and are prey themselves to a host of other critters), they will understand how we have to take lizard management a-Highway program there. A recent Given that 2012 has been designated seriously. As an example, for the favorite memory came during the Year of the Lizard, how can people be 2012 annual meeting of SW PARC 2011 Southwest PARC annual made aware of the importance of lizards in Las Vegas, Nevada, there are two meeting in Tucson. I was hosting and the role they play in our ecosystems? themes that will go hand-in-hand: the meeting so I wanted everything The public needs to receive factual Year of the Lizard and Renewable to run smoothly. Thankfully the and honest education about lizards Energy Resources. Public lands will stars lined up for our field trip to as important components of our be targeted for renewable energy Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina ecosystems. In today’s society, people sources (and non-renewable), so it is Mountains. We scored big time and are actually very aware of what lizards crucial that we work on meeting our I will always remember how I treated are and unlike snakes, almost nobody energy needs while maintaining the SW PARC attendees to a three-Gila is afraid of a lizard. This interest diversity of lizards occupying the arid Monster day. should be nurtured, as I am doing Southwest. with my public lizard walks. One What do you believe is the biggest threat of my pet peeves is how sensational What advice would you give to young facing lizards in the 21st century? animal programs are on the TV these people (or adults) who love lizards and My answer is simply the days. I’m afraid the Crocodile Hunter want to work with them? anthropogenic menace. It is hard to generation requires life-threatening For the more casual lizard tease out “the biggest threat” among encounters and I fear the public will aficionado, they can participate in all of the problems humans create not embrace any critters as innocuous lizard walks where they occur, or for other critters, and there are often as lizards (although Komodo Dragons encourage biologists to hold public local threats that are problematic fit the bill for sensational megafauna). lizard walks. Lizards are eminently for certain species. I am tempted to watchable wildlife. This is an join in on the Sinervo et al. (2010) important first step for children. bandwagon about the effects of The public can also become citizen climate change on lizard assemblages, but lizards and their habitats are so The Giant Spotted complex, I would prefer to fast- Whiptail (Aspidoscelis forward a decade or two to see what stictogramma) is just one of many whiptail species changes will have happened, and if that inhabit the wildlands and how they are linked to climate of Arizona, including change. Invasive species, disease, and Sycamore Canyon in the Pajarito Mountains, energy development also have to be in where this animal was the front of our reptilian brainstems photographed. Photo © when we are considering threats to LLC Jones. lizards. Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p. 15 scientists; because there are a fair Is there anything else you would This question is not as easy to answer. number of lizard researchers, a little like to add? Are there any questions I There are certainly fewer horned homework could lead to working should have asked that you’re burning lizards in certain areas now than in with a renowned herpetologist. For to answer?. the past, but I also subscribe to the the lizard aficionado who wants to Yes. What are the most common horned lizard-child phenomenon. become a professional herpetologist, questions you get from the public It is that people tend to remember that is almost like trying to make it about lizards? 1. “What is the things they saw as kids, so the images in Hollywood, because the jobs are difference between a gecko and a of the event are etched in the brain, few and far between and competition lizard?” The answer is that geckos but they tend to forget “not seeing can be fierce. Having said that, if are types of lizards, belonging horned lizards” when they were someone is sufficiently motivated to the (Geckos) or young. Also, young folk are generally they may be able to find the lizard at (Eyelidded Geckos) out there playing in the bush, at lizard the end of the rainbow (a Rainbow families. 2. “Are there fewer horned level, poking around and looking for Lizard?). And unlike Hollywood, lizards now than there used to be)? I lizards…only a few of us never grew the herpetological community will used to see a lot more of them when up and still do that! embrace you, rather than I was a kid.” (They usually call them you up and spitting you out! “horny toads,” but then, so do I!)

Lizards in the News Upcoming Meetings Scott Hensley NPR’s , of Tracy Miles explains attempts being & Events SHOTS health blog , discusses an made to save South Canterbury, New Southeast PARC Annual investigation into the exploitation Zealand’s unique paddock habitat, Meeting, February 16-19, Fall of Tokay Geckos ( gecko) which is home to an assemblage Creek Falls State Park, TN collected for their ‘so called’ anti-viral of both common/widespread properties. The full story available and very rare lizard species. The North Carolina PARC Annual at http://www.npr.org/blogs/ full story is available at http:// Meeting, March 20, Weymouth health/2011/11/16/142401191/ www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/ Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, geckos-threatened-by-booming- communities/6069901/Lizards- Southern Pines, NC demand-for-traditional-medicines. face-grim-fate-if-not-helped Northwest PARC Annual The Fresno ’s Mark Grossi Leiolepis ngovantrii was one of 208 Meeting, March 19-20, Portland shares highlights of a unique species new to science discovered in and Hood River, OR conservation project using cows the Vietnam section of the greater to keep non-native grasses at bay Mekong River – found being sold Association of and in traditional endangered Blunt- live at restaurants. The photograph Aquariums (AZA) Mid-Year Nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia and full story are available at Meeting, March 24-30, Palm sila) habitat. The full story is http://news.nationalgeographic. Springs, CA available at http://www.fresnobee. com/news/2011/12/ com/2011/12/10/2645192/ pictures/111213-elvis-monkey- World Congress of Herpetology managed-grazing-aids-valley- new-species-mekong-animals- 7, August 8-14, 2012, Vancouver, lizard.html. science/#/cloning-lizard- British Columbia, Canada. eaten_28416_600x450.jpg Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p.16 By Lawrence L. C. Jones Featured Lizard Families [Larry “the Lizard Guy” Jones”] There are about as many lizard families in the United Featured families for the six issues of the Year of the States as there are months in the year (depending on your Lizard News will be: view of and nomenclature), so the Year of the January: Family (collared and leopard Lizard newsletter is a golden opportunity to showcase lizards) and Family (iguanas and ) lizards by family each month. There are only six newsletters per year; therefore, each issue will highlight two families. March: Family (phrynosomatid lizards) The feature will briefly describe some of the genera and and Family Scincidae (skinks) species within that featured family, with information May: Family Helodermatidae (Gila Monsters and Beaded on natural history, lizard-watching opportunities, and Lizards) and Family Xantusiidae (night lizards) conservation issues. Becoming familiar with the families July: Family (whiptails) and Family really helps the reader to learn species. Note that I use (alligator and legless lizards) initial upper case letters for standard English names of species (e.g., Gila Monster) but not groups of lizards September: Family Gekkonidae (geckos) and Family (e.g., night lizards), following the general convention of Eublepharidae (eyelidded geckos) Crother et al. (2008, SSAR Herpetological Circular 37). November: Family (anoles) and Family I generally follow the naming standards of Crother et al. (worm lizards) (2008, op. cit.) for species in the United States, and Liner and Casas-Andreu (2008, SSAR Herpetological Circular 38) for species in Mexico.

Specacularly colored male Eastern Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris), © Larry Jones.

Family Crotaphytidae, Collared spots. Both genera are renowned for their feeding habits. and Leopard Lizards Besides the usual fare of , smaller lizards are an important part of the diet of crotaphytids. In fact, This is a small family of lizards consisting of only two captive animals may need vertebrate prey in the diet to genera restricted to North America: collared lizards thrive. ( Crotaphytus) and leopard lizards (genus Gambelia). The collared lizards found in the U.S. include the Great There are nine species of Crotaphytus and three species of Basin Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores), Eastern Gambelia. Five species of collared lizards and all three of Collared Lizard (C. collaris), Sonoran Collared Lizard the leopard lizards are found in the United States. Both (C. nebrius), Reticulate Collared Lizard (C. reticulatus), genera are similar in that they are heavy bodied, have and the Collared Lizard (C. vestigium). large heads, stout limbs, and long tails. Collared lizards Not too far south of the border into Mexico we can have the tell-tale black collars on the neck, while leopard find the rest of the species: Venerable Collared Lizard lizards are invariably some shade of tan with brown (C. antiquus), Sonoran Collared Lizard (C. dickersonae), Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p.17 Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii), Cope’s Leopard Lizard (G. copeii), and Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard (G. sila). The latter species is restricted to several valleys in central California. Cope’s is endemic to the Baja California, Mexico, and a small area of adjacent southern California. The Long-nosed Leopard Lizard is much more widespread, being found in all deserts of the Southwest from Oregon to northern Mexico. All species are similarly marked, and there is little difference between the sexes, although gravid females have orange bars, as do their cousins the collared lizards. However, male Blunt-nosed The Sonoran Collared Lizard (C. nebrius) is much paler in color than most of its kin. Photo © Larry Jones. Leopard Lizards have an orange blush over the entire body during the active season. Juvenile leopard lizards Sierra los Cucapás Collared Lizard (C. grismeri), and Isla have red, rather than brown, spots. Leopard lizards prefer Ángel de la Guardia Collared Lizard (C. insularis). One open areas of shrubs and bunchgrasses, but do not require thing that all collared lizards have in common (besides boulders like most collared lizards. Leopard lizards are the collar) is that they are attractive, stately animals. most commonly seen while basking on roadways, road Males are usually much more vibrant than the females, berms, or while in the shade of bushes. In some areas although C. nebrius is rather bland for a collared lizard. leopard lizards are locally abundant and fairly easy to find, Eastern Collared Lizards are the most widespread of the while in other areas they can be quite difficult to locate. species, occurring over much of the U.S. and northern Mexico. Males may be bright green to bluish. However, they are outdone by the cobalt-blue color of the male Sonoran Collared Lizard. The Venerable and Reticulate collared lizards have a beautiful reticulated pattern that is quite unlike the other species (although juveniles of most species have a weakly reticulated pattern). Females of all species sport bright orange bars along the sides when gravid. Juveniles also tend to have orange bars, especially young males. Collared lizards are the epitome of lizards as watchable wildlife. They are relatively large, may be locally abundant, Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii) basking in and the bright color of males catches the eye from a the sun. Photo © LLC Jones. distance. On public lizard walks, participants invariably want to see and photograph collared lizards. Most species Although collared and leopard lizards may be relatively of collared lizards are seen while they perch atop boulders. abundant, there are conservation concerns, especially From these promontories, they can bask, locate prey, for two of the species. The Reticulate Collared Lizard advertise their territories, and watch for danger. When is considered threatened in Texas and is apparently a potential meal or danger is detected, a collared lizard declining due to loss of habitat, negative interactions will bolt from the boulder and may run on its hind with non-native species (e.g., buffelgrass), and possibly legs, using the tail as a counterbalance. Most species of climate change. The Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard has collared lizards (except C. reticulatus) require open space lost much of its former habitat due to development and with scattered boulders for high-quality habitat. Some conversion of lands to agriculture. It is federally listed as species of collared lizards are more wary than others, and endangered, and is also considered endangered by the wariness seems to vary by locality even for a given species. State of California and the IUCN Red List. The Eastern Collared and leopard lizards cam deliver a painful bite Collared Lizard and possibly other species are subject to when captured. over-collection by commercial collectors and poachers for Leopard lizards are not as showy as collared lizards, but the pet trade. Collared and leopard lizards species may do are nevertheless impressive creatures. The three species are well in captivity, but many pet owners do not give them Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p.18 proper care (e.g., exposure to the appropriate spectrum of is found in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. The Desert light, temperature balance, vitamins, and vertebrates in Iguana is a relatively cylindrical lizard with a long tail, the diet), so they may languish in captivity. moderately sized limbs, and a small head. Overall, it is tan colored, with subtle, but intricate, markings. The sexes are similar and juveniles are similar to adults. The aptly named is found in the hottest and driest parts of the desert. They are the most heat-tolerant lizard known in the U.S. This species can be seen basking on pavement when the temperature in the shade is in the triple digits and its body temperature can reach 45°C (113°F), well beyond the lethal maximum temperature for other species. Desert Iguanas are typically found in open areas of Creosote Bush, often on sandy soils. They are readily observed in dune areas and creosote flats. Good A Common Chuckwalla, Sauromalus ater. Photo © places to see Desert Iguanas include Anza-Borrego Desert Larry Jones. State Park, Joshua Tree National Monument, and in the Family Iguanidae, Iguanas and desert next to my house in Tucson (the eastern limit of Chuckwallas the species). Juvenile According to some authorities, the family Iguanidae chuckwallas have striped includes some of the other families I will discuss in tails, like the later issues of the Year of the Lizard News, including one that has the crotaphytids (above), and the diverse group of climbed on top of this orange- phrynosomatid lizards. For our purposes, I consider bodied male. Iguanidae restricted to the relatively large lizards typically Photo © Larry known as iguanas and chuckwallas. One thing that stands Jones. out about this family is that they are largely herbivorous, compared to other lizard families that are carnivorous (especially insectivorous). There are about 40 species from North and , the West Indies, and Common Chuckwallas are also found in the Mojave even the South Pacific. Some of the noteworthy iguanids and Sonoran deserts and are also associated with Creosote from afar include the famous Galápagos Marine Iguanas, Bush. However, this lizard will not be found in the flats— the spectacular Fiji Iguanas, and the well-known Green instead you need to look to boulder piles and outcrops. The Iguanas that flood U.S. pet shops. In the continental Common Chuckwalla is the second largest lizard in the United States, we have only two native species—the continental United States. They are heavy-bodied animals Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) and the Common with a large head, thick legs, and thick tail. The torso is Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater). These species are quite broad, with loose folds of skin. The loose skin allows for different in appearance from one another, but both are the expansion of the torso, as chuckwallas have a well- relatively large and herbivorous, like other iguanids. Both known behavior of inflating themselves by gulping air species seem to be fairly well known where they occur, and wedging themselves in rock crevices to avoid capture and both have been well-studied by researchers. The and predation. Males are variously colored, depending on (Iguana iguana) is native to the US Virgin the location. They may have a red, white, black, banded, Islands and has become established in Florida and Hawaii. or cryptically colored torso. In most areas the head and Several species of spiny-tailed iguanas (genus Ctenosaura) legs are black. An unsual color pattern is found in South are found to the south in Mexico and some have become Mountain Park near Tucson, Arizona—the males are all naturalized in parts of the U.S. black except for a bright orange tail. Elsewhere the tail The genus Dipsosaurus has only 2-3 species, depending is cream-colored. Females from all areas are brownish to on your taxonomic leanings. All are known from grayish and usually lightly banded. Juveniles are similar to northern Mexico, and the single U.S. species, D. dorsalis, adult females but have a distinctly banded tail. Year of the Lizard News No. 1, January 2012, p.19 At the time of this writing, Desert Iguanas and Common Chuckwallas are locally common and relatively widespread within their range. The biggest conservation concerns are urban growth and development, collecting, and habitat alteration. Unscrupulous collectors and poachers break rocks apart to get at chuckwallas in crevices; this will destroy habitat that has taken thousands of years to develop. There is a new threat looming on the horizon—development of renewable energy sources. The sun and wind may be renewable energy sources, but there is a cost: blading desert habitat. PARC intends to A Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis), out in the mid-day heat, which it tolerates better than any other U.S. species. meet the challenge by working with industry. For the Photo © Larry Jones. 2012 Southwest PARC annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV in October, the two themes “Year of the Lizard” If you are interested in chuckwallas, you should and “Renewable Energy” will be emphasized. The U.S. check out the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) for is becoming more self-sufficient in energy, so solar and the island forms. There are five additional species of wind energy development is imminent. PARC will work chuckwallas endemic to one or more of the islands. In with industry to minimize effects on species such as his book, Lee Grismer (2002, Amphibians and Reptiles Desert Iguanas and Common Chuckwallas. In the eyes of Baja California, University of California Press) gives an of lizards and herpetologists, the vast areas of desert are excellent account of all species of chuckwallas. The Sea of not a wasteland. Cortez also has island-endemic spiny-tailed iguanas.

Get your Year of the Lizard 2012 Gear! An Introduction to the Cafepress Store To kick off the Year of the Lizard, PARC launched their first product--the 2012 Year of the Lizard wall calendar! Just in time for the holidays! Now there other products for you to view, purchase, and enjoy. To view and order the merchandise, simply go online to the PARCStore (www.cafepress.com/parcstore)

Stay tuned and check out the website periodically...more PARC and Year of the Lizard products will be showing up. Proceeds from sales go to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, a not- for-profit organization that helps support PARC activities, such as public education, publications, and research.

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