REPTILIA

Testudines

Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus)

Testudo mydas Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 10:197, 1758.—Type locality restricted to Ascension Island by Mertens and Müller (1928:23).

Chelonia mydas, Brongniart, Bull. Sci. Soc. Philom., 2:89, 1800.

Beach between Río Motín and Río Colotlán (2); Maruata; Playa Azul (4).

Green sea turtles are abundant along the coast of Michoacán. Laying females and fresh nests were found on August 6-12, 1950, July 14-16, 1951, and July 8-10, 1955. The general account of sea turtles on the coast of Michoacán that was given by Peters (1957) is supplemented here by my field notes on the actions of one female observed on the night of July 14, 1951, near Maruata by Donald D. Brand and I. Because of a full moon, visibility was excellent.

In the course of the day several Chelonia were seen in the surf; shortly after dark the first turtle was observed on the beach. Several were observed to come out on the beach and crawl nearly to the strand line, only to return to the sea.

At 10:20 p. m. one turtle was seen about 15 meters from the water. We watched this turtle from some distance and observed that by 10:26 p. m. she had moved about ten meters to a bank of sand about two meters high. Ten minutes later she had climbed the bank and disappeared over the top into the brush. We moved closer and remained hidden below the bank. Although we could not see the turtle, we could hear her movements. Between 10:37 and 10:57 p. m. the turtle dug, often flipping the dry sand for a distance of about two meters. When this energetic digging ceased, we moved up the bank to see that she was facing inland and sitting in a depression about one and one-half meters in diameter and 30 centimeters in depth. She had cleaned out this depression in the past 20 minutes. Between 11:00 and 11:36 p. m. she dug the nest hole by first scooping sand with one hind flipper and then with the other; when sand was thrown by one flipper, there was a similar, but weaker, motion by the other flipper. At 11:36 p. m. she stopped digging. By crawling up behind the turtle we were able to examine the nest cavity, which measured 21 centimeters across the top and 38 centimeters deep. The diameter of the bottom of the hole was estimated to be about 50 centimeters. At 11:40 p. m. she released the first egg; a minute later she dropped the second. At 11:42 p. m. the third and fourth eggs were released; these were coherent, as were the fifth and sixth eggs released at 11:43 p. m. After this, as many as three eggs were dropped at a time. After laying about 60 eggs, she paused for a minute and then continued laying. By 11:55 p. m. she had laid 98 eggs; after this, the process of deposition slowed considerably. She dropped a fragment of an egg followed by normal eggs. At midnight she deposited a miniature egg about 20 mm. in diameter. This terminated the deposition. Immediately she began to cover the nest.

Within ten minutes after the last egg was deposited the nest had been covered. The turtle first had been seen at 10:20 p. m.; judging from its speed and its distance from the water, the turtle probably had been on land for about ten minutes. About 25 minutes were used in crawling from the water to the nesting site. One hour and 33 minutes were spent at the nesting site; of this time twenty minutes were taken for egg deposition. The turtle was not followed back to the water, but if the return trip took approximately the same amount of time as required to travel from the ocean to the nesting site, the total elapsed time from departure to return to the water was about two and one-half hours.

We collected the eggs as they were deposited. There were 106 eggs, each having a diameter of about 40 mm., plus one small egg and a fragment of another. The turtle had a carapace about one meter in length.

From our limited observations of sea turtles and their tracks on the beaches, and from the accounts of these animals by the residents of the coastal region, great numbers of sea turtles use these relatively uninhabited beaches for nesting grounds. However, the turtles do not go unmolested. The natives capture turtles and collect their eggs. Opened and emptied nests also showed signs of predatory activity on the part of other mammals. In the vicinity of Playa Azul several turtles were killed by dogs.

Kinosternon hirtipes hirtipes Wagler

Cinosternon hirtipes Wagler, Naturl. Syst. Amph., p. 37, 1830.—México. Type locality restricted to Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:25).

Kinosternon hirtipes hirtipes, Schmidt, Check list N Amer. Amph. Rept., ed. 6, p. 89, 1953.

Eight km. W of Ciudad Hidalgo; Jiquilpan; La Palma; Lago de Camécuaro (4); Lago de Cuitzeo (3); Lago de Pátzcuaro (8); 14 km. E of Zamora (4).

One specimen from eight kilometers west of Ciudad Hidalgo (UIMNH 24707) is from the Río Tuxpan, a tributary of the Río Balsas; this is the only record for the species from the Balsas drainage. All others are from the lakes or rivers flowing into the lakes on the southern part of the Mexican Plateau. This species exists in Lago de Pátzcuaro to the apparent exclusion of the abundant and widespread Kinosternon integrum.

Kinosternon integrum LeConte

Kinosternon integrum LeConte, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:183, 1854.—México. Type locality restricted to Acapulco, Guerrero, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:25).

Agua Cerca (3); Aguililla; Arteaga (8); Apatzingán (7); Barranca de Herradero; Buenavista (20); Capirio (2); Charapendo (3); Chupio; Coahuayana (2); Coalcomán (169); Copuyo (4); El Sabino (8); Jacona; Jiquilpan (12); La Orilla (2); La Playa (2); Lago de Cuitzeo (27); Las Higuertas; Lombardia (3); Los Reyes (5); Morelia; Ojos de Agua de San Telmo; San Pedro Naranjestila; Tacícuaro.

Excepting Lago de Pátzcuaro, Kinosternon integrum occupies all permanent and temporary ponds, lakes, and streams below 2200 meters throughout the state. At Coalcomán the species was in roadside ditches, small puddles, flooded fields, a hyacinth-choked ox-bow of the Río Coalcomán, as well as in the Río Coalcomán and its tributaries. Specimens from Arteaga and Barranca de Herradero were found in clear rocky streams; the one from Las Higuertas was found in a small muddy pond in pine-oak forest.

On August 26, 1960, James R. Dixon found a copulating pair in a pool at Capirio. The large series from Coalcomán contains juveniles and adults; these turtles formed the basis for the study of relative growth of plastral scutes in this species by Mosimann (1956).

Geoemyda rubida perixantha Mosimann and Rabb

Geoemyda rubida perixantha Mosimann and Rabb, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 548:1, November 9, 1953.—Eight kilometers south of Tecomán, Colima, México.

Apatzingán (2); Coahuayana; La Placita; Punta San Juan de Lima.

These specimens have been discussed in detail by Mosimann and Rabb (1953). All are from the arid tropical scrub forest; those from the coastal regions were collected at elevations of less than 40 meters, and those from the Tepalcatepec Valley were collected at an elevation of 335 meters.

Crocodilia

Crocodylus acutus acutus Cuvier

Crocodylus acutus Cuvier, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, 10:55, 1807.—Santo Domingo.

Crocodylus acutus acutus, Müller and Hellmich, Ibero-Amerik. Stud., 13:128, 1940.

Boca de Apiza (2); Playa Azul (2).

The crocodile or "caiman" is abundant in the brackish lagoons along the cost of Michoacán; three large adults and several juveniles were observed at Estero Pichi at Playa Azul; others were seen at Mexiquillo and Maruata. Residents of the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin frequently have reported "caimanes" in the Río Balsas and Río Tepalcatepec, but the existence of the crocodile in these rivers has not been verified by specimens.

Sauria

Phyllodactylus duellmani Dixon

Phyllodactylus duellmani Dixon, Southwest Nat., 5:37, April 15, 1960.—Rancho El Espinal, Michoacán, México.

Fourteen km. SSW of Apatzingán; Capirio; Cafradía (3); El Espinal (3).

This species is known only from the Tepalcatepec Valley, where it has been found in open arid situations from 180 to 500 meters. Specimens were found in the daytime in stumps, dead cacti, and the hollow branches of the legume, Apoplanesia paniculata. In life adults were pale gray or grayish tan above and creamy white below. A juvenile having a snout-vent length of 18 mm. had a pale orange tail with gray cross-bands. In the adults the tail was colored like the body. The specimen from 14 kilometers south-southwest of Apatzingán (KU 29764) and those from Cofradía (BMNH 1914.1.28.28-30) were not listed by Dixon (1960).

Phyllodactylus homolepidurus Smith

Phyllodactylus homolepidurus Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 22:121, November 15, 1935.—Five miles southwest of Hermosillo, Sonora, México.

El Ticuiz (2); La Placita; Ostula (2); Pómaro; San Pedro Naranjestila.

These specimens have been referred to Phyllodactylus homolepidurus by James R. Dixon (in litt.), who is currently studying the American members of the genus. Geckos of this species have been found in tropical semi-deciduous forest in the coastal lowlands to elevations of 500 meters. Most specimens were found beneath the bark of standing dead trees or stumps. Two individuals from El Ticuiz (UMMZ 115102) in life were dark gray above with brownish tubercles; the belly was a dusty cream-color. Apparently this species does not enter the Tepalcatepec Valley, where Phyllodactylus lanei is abundant.

Phyllodactylus lanei Smith

Phyllodactylus lanei Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 22:125, November 15, 1935.—Tierra Colorado, Guerrero, México.

Apatzingán (13); 21 km. S of Arteaga: El Sabino (53); La Playa; Ostula (2); Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (8); 16 km. N of Tafetán.

This widespread species has been taken at elevations of less than 1100 meters in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin, where it occurs in riparian situations in the foothills. Specimens have been collected in tropical semi-deciduous forest at Ostula and in oak forest south of Arteaga; both of these localities are on the Pacific slopes of the Sierra de Coalcomán, a region inhabited by Phyllodactylus homolepidurus. Both species have been collected at Ostula.

A juvenile from 21 kilometers south of Arteaga (UMMZ 118933) had alternating black and white bands on the tail. In life most of the lizards are dull ashy gray or grayish tan above and white below. According to Dixon (in litt.), one specimen from Apatzingán (UMMZ 115102) resembles Phyllodactylus magnus in scutellation, but it lacks the distinctive yellow venter of that species.

Apparently Phyllodactylus lanei is restricted to rather mesic environments in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Valley and surrounding foothills; in the more open arid environments on the floor of the valley it seems to be replaced by Phyllodactylus duellmani.

Phyllodactylus paucituberculatus Dixon

Phyllodactylus paucituberculatus Dixon, Southwest. Nat., 5:40, April 15, 1960.—Río Cupatitzio (= Río Marquez), 6.5 miles south of Lombardia, Michoacán, México.

Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (6).

Two of these specimens (UMMZ 112692-3) were discussed in detail by Dixon (1960:40) in his description of the species. On August 25, 1960, Dixon collected four additional specimens at the type locality, a conglomerate cliff along the Río Marquez. These will be reported by him in his forthcoming study of the genus.

Anolis dunni Smith

Anolis dunni Smith, Copeia, no. 1:9, May 10, 1936.—Agua del Obispo, Guerrero, México.

Arteaga (3); 19 km. S of Arteaga.

Three females from Arteaga (UMMZ 119075) have snout-vent lengths of 41, 41, and 44 mm. In life the pale grayish brown dorsum was marked with dark brown; the belly was white, and the throat was pale pink. All have a dark interorbital bar and dark vertical bars on the upper labials. In two specimens there are only scattered dark flecks on the dorsum; in the third there is a dark postorbital stripe, a dark lateral stripe, and four narrow transverse bands on the body. A male from 19 kilometers south of Arteaga (UMMZ 119076) having a snout-vent length of 49 mm. had in life a tan dorsum, a broad white stripe from the ear to the groin, scattered small white spots on the dorsum, and indistinct pale cream-colored spots on the posterior surfaces of the thighs. This male has the dark labial bars, but lacks the dark interorbital bar, found in the females. The large rose-pink throat fan extends to about the middle of the belly. In all of the specimens the middorsal scales are keeled and much smaller than the smooth pavementlike or slightly imbricate ventrals. All have two gulars in contact with the mental, five scales between the nasals, five scales (not including the first labials) in contact with the rostral, and four rows of loreals. In these characters these specimens agree well with Anolis dunni from Guerrero, as diagnosed by Davis (1954b).

Previously Anolis dunni has been reported only from the vicinity of Agua del Obispo, Guerrero, a locality situated at an elevation of about 900 meters in pine-oak forest in the Sierra del Sur. All known close relatives of Anolis dunni occur only in Guerrero: A. taylori Smith and Spieler from Acapulco, A. gadowi Boulenger from Tierra Colorado, A. liogaster Boulenger, and A. omiltemanus Davis from Omiltemi. The present specimens from elevations of about 900 meters in riparian stream vegetation and oak forest represent the northern known limits of this group of Anolis.

Anolis nebulosus (Wiegmann)

Dactyloa nebulosa Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 47, 1834.—México. Type locality restricted to Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:66).

Anolis nebulosas, Bocourt, Mission Scientifique au Mexique et dan l'Amerique Centrale. Reptiles, livr. 2:77, 1873.

Acahuato (3); Agua Cerca; Apatzingán (4); Araparicuaro (3); 29 km. S of Ario de Rosales (3); 20 km. S of Arteaga (2); Barranca de Bejuco; Cascada Tzararacua (5); Cerro Tancítaro (13); Cherán; Chupio (5); Coalcomán (10); Cofradía; Dos Aguas (10); 18 km. E of Dos Aguas (3); El Diezmo; El Sabino (43); El Ticuiz; Jiquilpan (2); La Orilla; La Placita; La Playa (3); Los Conejos (2); Los Pozos; Nogueleras (2); Ostula; 8 km. W of Pátzcuaro (2); 8 km. NE of Pátzcuaro; Playa Azul (3); Río Cachán; Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia; Río Tepalcatepec, 27 km. S of Apatzingán; San Juan de Lima (6); San Pedro Naranjestila; Temazcal; Tuxpan (2); Tzitzio; Uruapan (74); 11 km. N of Uruapan (2); Volcán Jorullo; 16 km. E of Zacapu (2); 18 km. W of Zamora; Ziracuaretiro.

Even with the abundance of material the assignment of a specific name to these anoles is only tentative, for definite determination between Anolis nebulosus Wiegmann and A. nebuloides Bocourt is uncertain. Bocourt (1873:75) distinguished A. nebuloides from A. nebulosus by the following characters: (1) head scales keeled, not smooth; (2) snout narrower; (3) ear opening larger; (4) supraorbital semicircles separated by a row of small scales and not in contact; (5) dorsal scales larger and subequal in size to the belly scales. Boulenger (1885:77) used the same characters; Smith and Taylor (1950b:58) in their key to the Mexican species of Anolis stated that the dorsal scales are slightly smaller than the ventrals in A. nebulosus and markedly smaller in A. nebuloides. Smith (in litt.) stated that the characters of the relative sizes of the dorsal and ventral scales were incorrect in that key.

The application of the above criteria to specimens from Michoacán has not resulted in the recognition of two species. The majority of the specimens have the supraorbital semicircles separated by at least one small scale; the head scales, with the exception of those on the snout in a few individuals, are smooth; the dorsal scales are only slightly smaller than the ventrals. In other characters of scutellation the specimens are highly variable. The males in life have an orange throat fan. Anoles of this kind have been found in Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit, and southern Sinaloa. Near Oaxaca, Oaxaca, specimens were collected that superficially resemble those from Michoacán and farther north. These have low keels on the snout scales, dorsals somewhat larger than the ventrals, and a pink throat fan. In ten males from Oaxaca the size of the dorsal scales relative to that of the ventrals is 1.00:0.83; the same ratio for 25 males from Michoacán is 1.00:1.08. In both samples there are specimens in which the dorsal and ventral scales are about equal in size.

Investigations by Richard E. Etheridge on the osteology of Anolis, including those species here being considered, have revealed relatively constant differences in the parasternalia and in the caudal vertebrae. The application of Etheridge's findings to anoline systematics must await the completion of his study.

The carination of the scales on the snout versus smooth scales there seems to be the only significant character given by Bocourt that distinguishes A. Nebuloides from A. nebulosus. The difference in the color of the throat fan, which is apparent only in living individuals, is more striking. Obviously more than one species is represented, as is borne out by the differences in the color of the throat fan and in the osteology, but there is uncertainty about the correct name for each species. On the strength of Bocourt's diagnosis of keeled snout scales in A. nebuloides, I am applying that name to the population in Oaxaca and A. nebulosus to the specimens from Michoacán. As arranged here, the two species can be distinguished, as follows:

A. nebulosus.—Dorsal scales only slightly smaller than the ventral scales; snout scales usually smooth; throat-fan bright orange in adult males.

A. nebuloides.—Dorsal scales somewhat larger than the ventral scales; snout scales having a low keel; throat-fan pink in adult males.

With respect to geographic distribution, A. nebulosus has been collected from southern Sinaloa southward to Michoacán. The lizards here referred to A. nebuloides have been taken only in pine-oak forest on the mountain slopes near Oaxaca City. Zweifel and Norris (1955:233) reported anoles with pink throat-fans from southern Sonora; possibly those specimens are A. nebuloides; I have not examined them. I have seen several preserved specimens from the vicinity of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. Although they probably belong to this group, those specimens differ from both A. nebulosus and A. nebuloides in their larger size, relatively larger head, and much larger throat fan.

Aside from the minor variation in scutellation, specimens of Anolis nebulosus from Michoacán vary greatly in coloration. Usually the females have some form of a broad middorsal pale-colored band. In life this is dull yellow, tan, or orange. Two females from Dos Aguas are strikingly different; one (UMMZ 119521) has a broad middorsal orange stripe that is scalloped laterally and bordered by gray. The other (UMMZ 119081) has a narrow middorsal cream-colored line. Males usually are unicolor brown or olive-tan; sometimes the middorsal region is darker. Some individuals have dark cross-bands or chevrons on the dorsum. One male from Dos Aguas (UMMZ 119080) has a cream-colored lateral stripe.

In Michoacán Anolis nebulosus occurs from sea level to elevations slightly in excess of 2100 meters, usually in areas of dense cover, whether this be herbaceous, viney, or woody, ordinarily on the ground as well as in bushes and trees. One was in a bromeliad growing about ten meters above the ground. In the arid Tepalcatepec Valley anoles of this species are most frequently found in the tangled growth along streams. Above Uruapan they were found in pine-oak forest, and on the Mexican Plateau between Zamora and Zacapu they were found in a bunch grass-scrub oak association.

Anolis schmidti Smith

Anolis schmidti Smith, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser., 24:21, January 30, 1939.—Manzanillo, Colima, México.

La Placita; San Juan de Lima.

Peters (1954:11) reported on the specimen from La Placita; another was secured at San Juan de Lima in 1956. The latter (UMMZ 115078) is a male having a snout-vent length of 43.0 mm. and a tail length of 70.5 mm. The dorsal ground color is pale tan; there are five pairs of irregular dark brown dorsolateral blotches. In life the throat fan was pale orange. These specimens agree with those from Colima described by Duellman (1958c:10). The distribution of Anolis schmidti seems to be restricted to the coastal lowlands from Michoacán to Nayarit.

Basiliscus vittatus Wiegmann

Basiliscus vittatus Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:373, 1828.—México. Type locality restricted to Veracruz, Veracruz, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:72).

Apatzingán (9); Capirio; Coahuayana (5); El Cerrito; El Sabino (2); El Ticuiz; La Placita (3); Maruata (2); Motín del Oro; Ostula; Playa Azul (3).

This species has been found only on the coast and in the low Tepalcatepec Valley. In the latter area it is restricted to riparian situations along the larger streams. The lizard is abundant in the mangrove swamps bordering the brackish lagoons on the coast. In July, 1955, scores of individuals were seen around Estero Pichi at Playa Azul. Adults, especially the large males, are exceedingly wary and difficult to collect. At all localities where they were found, the lizards were most often seen in dense bushes, where they are well camouflaged. Individuals of all sizes were observed to run across the surface of the ponds.

Iguana iguana rhinolopha Wiegmann

Iguana rhinolopha Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 44, 1834.—México. Type locality restricted to Córdoba, Veracruz, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:72).

Iguana iguana rhinolopha, Van Denburgh, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1897:461, January 18, 1898.

Apatzingán (8); Capirio (3); El Cerrito; El Ticuiz (2); La Placita; La Playa (2); Maruata; Playa Azul; Río Cachán.

Like the preceding species, this lizard is always found near water. It does not ascend the foothills of the Sierra de Coalcomán, but in the Balsas Basin it reaches elevations of 800 meters at La Playa. Large adults are often seen in the large trees making up the gallery forests along rivers. From high perches the lizards drop into the water with a terrific splash. Bright green juveniles were abundant in bushes along the Río Tepalcatepec in July, 1955.

Ctenosaura pectinata (Wiegmann)

Cyclura pectinata Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 42, 1834.—México (by inference). Type locality restricted to Colima, Colima, México, by Bailey (1928:25).

Ctenosaura pectinata, Gray, Catalogue of the lizards... British Museum, p. 191, 1845.

Apatzingán (27); between Ario de Rosales and La Playa; Barranca de Bejuco; Capirio (2); Coalcomán (4); El Espinal; El Sabino (2); El Ticuiz; Jazmin (2); La Huacana; La Placita (8); La Playa (3); Limoncito; Lombardia; Motín del Oro; Playa Azul; Río Cancita, 12 km. E of Apatzingán (2); Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2);? Uruapan; Volcán Jorullo.

Ctenosaura pectinata is a common lowland species that ascends the slopes of the Sierra de Coalcomán and the Cordillera Volcánica to elevations of about 1050 meters (approximating the lower limits of the oak forest). The record from Uruapan (USNM 10234, collected by Dugès) is doubtful.

These large lizards are most easily observed on rock fences along roads. Near Apatzingán innumerable individuals can be seen in mid-morning. Later in the day, as the sun rises higher in the sky, the lizards retreat to the shade of the crevices in the fences. The abundance of these lizards in the Tepalcatepec Valley, together with evidence gathered from the natives of the valley, indicates that these lizards are seldom used for human consumption there. On the other hand, several people in Coalcomán consider the "iguana negra" (local name for Ctenosaura) to be a delicacy and serve it at every opportunity. In early July, 1951, brilliant green young of the year were collected at La Playa and at Coalcomán.

Enyaliosaurus clarki (Bailey)

Ctenosaura clarki Bailey, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 73:44, September 26, 1928.—Ovopeo (= Oropeo), Michoacán, México.

Enyaliosaurus clarki, Duellman and Duellman, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 598:1, February 16, 1959.

Twelve km. SSW of Apatzingán; Capirio (7); Cofradía (3); El Espinal (2); 32 km. E of Huetamo; Jazmin (5); Oropeo (10); Rancho Nuevo; Río Cancita, 12 km. E of Apatzingán (8); Tepalcatepec (3); Zicuiran (6).

This species is known only from the low areas of the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin between elevations of 200 and 510 meters. It is commonly found in the open arid tropical scrub forest dominated by Prosopsis sp., Apoplanesia paniculata, and Cercidium plurifoliolatum. Continued collecting in the Tepalcatepec Valley has borne out the suggestions of Duellman and Duellman (1959) concerning the distribution and abundance of this lizard. Also, continued collecting in Colima and on the Pacific coast has failed to reveal the presence of Enyaliosaurus there.

Phrynosoma asio Cope

Phrynosoma asio Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:178, September 30, 1864.—Colima, Colima, México.

Apatzingán (4); San Salvador.

In Michoacán this species has been obtained only in the Tepalcatepec Valley and on the northern slopes of the Sierra de Coalcomán between 300 and 700 meters. Apparently the lizard is absent from the coastal lowlands of Michoacán and Guerrero. The distribution of this species, therefore, is discontinuous. One population inhabits the lowlands of Colima and the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin inland to northern Guerrero and Morelos; a southern population inhabits the Plains of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca.

A juvenile from Apatzingán (USNM 47739) has a snout-vent length of 40.0 mm. and a tail length of 19.5 mm.

Sceloporus aeneus aeneus Wiegmann

Sceloporus aeneus Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:370, 1828.—México. Type locality restricted to Tres Cumbres, Morelos, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:137).

Sceloporus aeneus aeneus, Smith, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 361:6, December 15, 1937.

Angahuan; Araparicuaro (2); Capácuaro (2); Carapan (11); Cherán (11); 18 km. WNW of Ciudad Hidalgo (10); Cuseño Station; Jeráhuaro; Los Conejos (36); Macho de Agua (7); Opopeo; Paracho (2); Pátzcuaro (4); Pino Gordo; 18 km. W of Quiroga (2); Tancítaro (49); Uruapan (14); 16 km. NW of Zacapu (5); between Zacapu and Zamora (2); 13 km. E of Zinapécuaro; 14 km. SE of Zitácuaro (14).

This small terrestrial species inhabits the pine and fir forests of the Cordillera Volcánica between elevations of 1850 and 3100 meters; apparently it is absent from the Sierra de Coalcomán. It seems to prefer rather open coniferous forests in which there is a more or less continuous cover of grasses on the ground. On warm sunny days the lizards can be observed scurrying about in the grass; in the early hours of the day, or on cold days, they are found beneath stones, logs, or dead clumps of bunch grass.

Sceloporus asper Boulenger

Sceloporus asper Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1897:497, October, 1897.—La Cumbre de los Arrastrados, Jalisco, México.

Apatzingán (3); 10 km. E of Dos Aguas; Uruapan (41).

This strictly arboreal lizard is abundant in the mixed broad-leafed forest near Uruapan. The lizards are exceedingly wary and can be approached only with difficulty. In life males have pale blue bellies; the throat is pale pink. The pale gray dorsum marked with irregular darker gray blotches blends well with the color of the tree trunks on which the lizard lives. The one specimen from Dos Aguas was found on a pine tree; it provides the only record for the species from the Sierra de Coalcomán.

Sceloporus bulleri Boulenger

Sceloporus bulleri Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1894:729, April, 1895.—Las Cumbre de los Arrastrados, Jalisco, México.

Acuaro de las Lleguas (13); Barolosa (9); Dos Aguas (61); 10 km. NE of Dos Aguas (5).

Heretofore this species has been known only from a few specimens from scattered localities in the Sierra Madre Occidental in southwestern Jalisco and Sinaloa. The collection of a large series of these lizards in virgin pine forest at elevations of more than 2000 meters in the Sierra de Coalcomán now makes possible an analysis of variation in the species.

Superficially S. bulleri resembles S. torquatus, but S. bulleri is smaller, has more dorsal scales, fewer scales in the dark collar, and fewer femoral pores. In 88 specimens of S. bulleri there are 36-41 (38.7) dorsal scales and 2 or 3 (2.6) middorsal scales in the collar, as compared with 28-31 (29.3) dorsal scales and 3 or 4 (3.4) middorsal scales in the collar of 26 specimens of S. torquatus from Uruapan. In 20 adult males of S. bulleri there are 13-15 (14.3) femoral pores, and 13-16 (14.4) in 11 females; 13 males of S. torquatus have 14-21 (17.3) femoral pores, and 13 females have 15-21 (16.7). Seventeen adult males of S. bulleri have snout-vent lengths of 72-91 (82.0); ten females, 71-87 (75.7). In comparison, 13 adult males of S. torquatus have an average snout-vent length of 88.9 mm., and 13 females, 88.5 mm. In S. bulleri there is little variation in the head scales. The frontal is in contact with the interparietal in 63, and not in 24, specimens; the median frontonasal is in contact with the frontal in 13, and not in 74, specimens. In 39 specimens there are two canthals, and in 48 there is one; in 29 specimens there are three preauriculars, and in 58 there are four.

In life adult males have a pale blue tail, bright blue belly patches, a purplish blue throat, and pale blue lines on the sides of the head and neck.

This species was obtained at four localities in the high mountains of the Sierra de Coalcomán. In this mountain range Sceloporus bulleri apparently replaces S. torquatus, a species that is widespread in the Cordillera Volcánica and on the Mexican Plateau. At Dos Aguas and at Acuaro de las Lleguas the lizards were abundant in the tall pine forest, where they were found on standing pine trees, on pine logs, and on rock outcroppings.

Sceloporus dugesi intermedius Dugès

Sceloporus intermedius Dugès, La Naturaleza, 4:29, 1877.—La Noria, near Zamora, Michoacán, México.

Sceloporus dugesii intermedius, Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 24:663, February 16, 1938.

Cojumatlán (6); Jiquilpan (11); Lago de Camécuaro; Lago de Chapala; Morelia (23); Pátzcuaro (84); Quiroga (35); Sahuayo (4); Tacícuaro (2); Tangamandapio (17); Tangancícuaro (9); Zacapu (4); Zamora (11); Zinapécuaro (9).

This lizard is strictly an inhabitant of the Mexican Plateau, where it is found in rocky places, sometimes in pine-oak forest, but more frequently in mesquite-grassland. It is a terrestrial species, and is most often seen on rock fences at elevations of 1500 to 2200 meters.

This species differs from S. bulleri and S. torquatus in having two rows of supraoculars, instead of one; also it has more dorsal scales. Twenty-six specimens of Sceloporus dugesi intermedius from Tangamandapio and Tangancícuaro have 44-48 (45.7) dorsal scales, as compared with an average of 38.7 in S. bulleri and 29.3 in S. torquatus. In life Sceloporus dugesi intermedius has a dull greenish gray dorsum; in males the belly patches are bright blue bordered medially by black, and the throat is bluish gray. The largest specimen examined is a male having a snout-vent length of 80 mm.

Sceloporus gadowae Boulenger

Sceloporus gadoviae Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1905, 2:246, October 7, 1905.—Mezquititlán, Guerrero, México.

Chupio; El Sabino (77); La Playa (6); Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (11).

Although this species has a rather extensive range in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin in the state of Michoacán, Guerrero, Morelos, and Puebla, it is only locally abundant in that area. Usually these lizards are found on rocky cliffs in which there are many crevices for cover. Sceloporus gadowae is abundant on a conglomerate cliff along the Río Marquez south of Lombardia. Although the closely related S. pyrocephalus is abundant in the stream valley and in the hills above the cliff, S. gadowae has been found only on the cliff; few individuals of S. pyrocephalus have been observed on the cliff. A similar situation was discovered on a much more extensive conglomerate cliff along the Río Balsas near Mexcala, Guerrero. Near Tehuitzingo, Puebla, where S. pyrocephalus was not found, S. gadowae was found on conglomerate cliffs. Probably there is strong competition between the two species; possibly this has resulted in the restriction of S. gadowae to isolated cliff-habitats within the extensive range of the more widespread S. pyrocephalus.

In Michoacán Sceloporus gadowae has been found along the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica at elevations from 250 to 1050 meters. All of the localities from which this lizard is known lie in the arid tropical scrub forest.

Sceloporus grammicus microlepidotus Wiegmann

Sceloporus microlepidotus Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 51, 1834.—México. Type locality restricted to México, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:120).

Sceloporus grammicus microlepidotus, Smith and Laufe, Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci., 48:332, December, 1945.

Angahuari; Apo (10); Atzimba (3); Carapan (5); Cerro San Andrés (17); Cerro Tancítaro (18); Corupu; Cuseño Station (2); Jacona; Jeráhuaro (10); Macho de Agua; Mil Cumbres; 46 km. E of Morelia; 60 km. E of Morelia (2); Opopeo (14); Pátzcuaro (30); Puerto Hondo (19); San Gregorio (41); San José de la Cumbre (8); Sierra Patamba; Tancítaro (233); Tupátaro; Undameo; Uruapan (180); between Zacapu and Zamora; 24 km. SE of Zitácuaro; between Zurumbeneo and Cerro Garnica.

This small species of Sceloporus is an ubiquitous inhabitant of the coniferous forests from 1550 to 3100 meters in the Cordillera Volcánica. Usually it is seen on tree trunks, but occasionally on the ground. Near the lower limit of the altitudinal distribution of the species, as at Uruapan, individuals sometimes are found on broad-leafed trees. Apparently Sceloporus heterolepis replaces S. grammicus microlepidotus in the Sierra de Coalcomán.

Sceloporus heterolepis Boulenger

Sceloporus heterolepis Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1894:731, April, 1895.—La Cumbre de los Arrastrados, Jalisco, México.

Araparicuaro; Cerro Barolosa (6); Dos Aguas (13); Los Conejos; 11 km. N of Uruapan (3).

Although Michoacán has not previously been included in the range of this lizard, it was first collected in the state by Gadow in 1908 (BMNH 1914.1.28.69 from Araparicuaro). The description of S. heterolepis given by Smith (1939:197) can be supplemented by data on the 23 specimens now in the collections of the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan. All have two canthals; there are 55 to 71 (63.6) scales in the middorsal row; 1 to 3 rows middorsally are somewhat enlarged and bordered on either side by a row of larger scales bearing high keels. There are 14 to 20 (16.2) femoral pores. Eight adult males have snout-vent lengths from 49 to 61 (58.0) mm. and tail lengths from 57 to 74 (66.0) mm.; four adult females have snout-vent lengths from 52 to 57 (55.2) mm. and tail lengths from 60 to 66 (63.5) mm. The smallest of eight juveniles has a snout-vent length of 28 mm. and a tail length of 32 mm. The dorsum in adults is pale grayish brown; there are three irregular chevron-shaped dark marks and a triangular dark brown mark above the insertion of the hind limbs; on the tail are dark brown rings. There are scattered faint blue flecks on the flanks and narrow transverse dark lines on the lower limbs. Males have pale bluish green belly patches and an orange-salmon-colored throat; the belly in females is pale orange-tan. The juveniles have a more contrasting color pattern; the dark chevrons on the dorsum are bordered posteriorly by pale gray.

In Michoacán this species has been obtained in pine and pine-fir forests from 1800 to 2700 meters. On Cerro Barolosa and at Dos Aguas, both in the Sierra de Coalcomán, the lizards were found beneath the bark of dead, standing pines. In the Sierra de Coalcomán Sceloporus heterolepis seems to fill the niche of the small arboreal Sceloporus in the coniferous forest in southwestern México, a position held by S. grammicus microlepidotus in the Cordillera Volcánica; the latter species does not occur in the Sierra de Coalcomán. Five specimens of Sceloporus heterolepis are known from the Cordillera Volcánica, whereas 603 of S. grammicus microlepidotus have been collected there. The ecological relationships that exist between the two species in the Cordillera Volcánica are not known.

Insofar as is known, Sceloporus heterolepis reaches the southern limits of its range in the Sierra de Coalcomán and in the western part of the Cordillera Volcánica. Other records for the species are from the Sierra Madre Occidental in Jalisco. Langebartel (1959) described Sceloporus shannonorum from the mountains near the Durango-Sinaloa border; the single specimen of S. shannonorum differs significantly from S. heterolepis only in having fewer dorsal scales (48). The acquisition of additional material, especially from Nayarit and northern Jalisco, probably will provide a basis for showing that these two populations are conspecific.

Sceloporus horridus oligoporus Cope

Sceloporus oligoporus Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:177, September 30, 1864.—Colima, Colima, México.

Sceloporus horridus oligoporus, Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 24:520, February 16, 1938.

Aguililla; Apatzingán (50); Arteaga (2); Capirio (2); Cascada Tzararacua; Charapendo (4); Coahuayana (3); Coalcomán (32); 19 km. S of Corralito; 27 km. E of Dos Aguas; El Sabino (55); El Ticuiz; Huetamo (2); Jazmin; Jungapeo (2); La Orilla (2); La Placita; Limoncito (3); Playa Azul (5); Tzitzio (8); Uruapan (4); Volcán Jorullo (2); Ziracuaretiro; Zirimícuaro (13).

All of the specimens from Michoacán seem to be typical S. horridus oligoporus; none has more than six femoral pores.

Characteristically this species is found in open arid scrub forest; it reaches its greatest abundance in rocky areas in which there are scattered leguminous trees and bushes. It has been found in these low trees and bushes almost as frequently as it has been found on the ground; none has been seen in large trees or far above the ground. Altitudinally, this species ranges from sea level to about 1600 meters.

Sceloporus melanorhinus calligaster Smith

Sceloporus melanorhinus calligaster Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 92:360, November 5, 1942.—Acapulco, Guerrero, México.

Aguililla; Apatzingán (18); Barranca de Herradero; Capirio (19); Coahuayana (4); Coalcomán (2); Cofradía (4); El Cerrito; El Sabino (33); El Ticuiz (3); La Placita (6); Lombardia (4); Playa Azul; Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2); Río Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia (4); Salitre de Estopila; San Juan de Lima (2); Santa Ana; Tzitzio; Ziracuaretiro.

Smith (1942a:360) diagnosed Sceloporus melanorhinus calligaster as having fewer femoral pores than the other subspecies of S. melanorhinus and as having the lateral belly patches in the males confluent in the midline. Examination of forty specimens from the Tepalcatepec Valley and the coastal regions of Michoacán does not substantiate this diagnosis. The number of femoral pores varies from 15 to 22 (18.9); 14 individuals (35%) had 20 or more femoral pores. Smith (loc. cit.) stated that S. melanorhinus in Oaxaca had 18 to 27 (21.6) femoral pores and that 77 per cent of the specimens had more than 20 femoral pores. Of the 24 males examined from Michoacán, 18 have the lateral belly patches separated in the midline. Usually they are separated by no more than one scale, but in some individuals they are separated by two or more scales. Although the above data minimize certain differences between the northern and southern populations of this species, certain of the color pattern characters seem to be diagnostic of the subspecies inhabiting the Pacific lowlands from Guerrero to Nayarit. Large adults of S. m. calligaster have only a faint dorsal pattern, which in the subspecies melanorhinus and stuarti consists of a series of large, dark, interconnected triangles on the back. This pattern is present in young and small adults of S. m. calligaster; furthermore, in this subspecies the ventral coloration of the males differs from that found in the more southern populations. Adult males of S. m. calligaster have a black throat, that changes to brilliant blue posteriorly, and a large white spot medially on the chin. This spot is present in some specimens from Oaxaca and Chiapas, but, if present, it is much smaller and less distinct than in specimens from Michoacán. In S. m. calligaster the chest and midventral area are orange to salmon-color.

A male from Lombardia in life was colored as follows: Dorsum grayish tan bearing faint bluish gray flecks; chest deep salmon-orange, this color continuing down midventral area to the somewhat paler groin; belly patches pale blue fading to pale green laterally; throat black anteriorly enclosing a white spot; throat blue posteriorly and bluish green posterolaterally.

Individual lizards were observed to change in dorsal color from a pale ashy gray to a rather dull brown. Normally, inactive individuals and those observed on overcast days were dull brown.

Sceloporus melanorhinus calligaster is found in trees in riparian situations in the lowlands to elevations of about 1500 meters. It does not inhabit the arid tropical scrub forest in the Tepalcatepec Valley or on the coast, but in those areas is found in the gallery forests along streams and rivers. The lizards are wary and live high in the trees; they are especially difficult to locate in the rainy season, when the trees are in full leaf.

Sceloporus pyrocephalus Cope

Sceloporus pyrocephalus Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:177, September 30, 1864.—Colima, Colima, México.

Acahuato (2); Apatzingán (142); Arteaga (4); 26 km. S of Arteaga (4); Capirio (6); Chinapa; Chupio; 19 km. S of Corralito (5); El Sabino (220); Jazmin (3); La Placita (8); La Playa (14); La Salada (6); Lombardia (5); Nueva Italia (14); Ojos de Agua de San Telmo (2); Oropeo (3); Ostula; Punta de San Telmo (3); Río Cancita, 14 km. E of Apatzingán (13); Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (10); Río Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia (3); San Juan de Lima (2); Santa Ana (2); Tafetan (2); Tepalcatepec (2); Tzitzio (6); Volcán Jorullo (3).

This small species is extremely common in the Tepalcatepec Valley and noticeably less so on the coast. It is usually found on the ground in rocky areas, but males frequently have been seen on the trunks of low trees in the scrub forest. Altitudinally, it ranges from sea level to slightly more than 1000 meters. The sexes are readily distinguished in the field (Oliver, 1937; Smith, 1939; Duellman, 1954b). In the dry season only males were observed in the Tepalcatepec Valley, but in the rainy season both sexes were found in approximately the same numbers.

Sceloporus scalaris scalaris Wiegmann

Sceloporus scalaris Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:370, 1828.—México. Type locality restricted to México, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:137).

Sceloporus scalaris scalaris, Smith, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 361:2, December 15, 1937.

Carapan (2); Cherán; Ciudad Hidalgo; Huingo (3); Jacona (3); Jiquilpan (2); Lago de Camécuaro (2); Lago de Chapala; Lago de Cuitzeo (5); Morelia (4); Pátzcuaro (4); Queréndaro; Quiroga; Tacícuaro (5); Tarécuaro; Zacapu (4); Zamora (4); Zinapécuaro (11).

This small terrestrial species does not seem to be abundant anywhere in the state. It sometimes is found in open pine, oak, or pine-oak forest, but usually it is observed in areas supporting bunch grass. In such places the lizards sun and forage on the open ground and quickly take refuge in the large clumps of grass. Altitudinally, the species ranges from 1550 to 2300 meters. Although Sceloporus scalaris scalaris has been found in association with S. dugesi intermedius, S. spinosus, and S. torquatus, it does not seem to form any close ecological association with any of these species. In the pine forests of the Cordillera Volcánica S. s. scalaris is replaced by Sceloporus aeneus aeneus, another small terrestrial species that occurs in great abundance throughout the coniferous forests of the Cordillera Volcánica.

Sceloporus siniferus siniferus Cope

Sceloporus siniferus Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 11:159, 1869.—Pacific side of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Type locality restricted to Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:134).

Sceloporus siniferus siniferus, Smith and Taylor, Bull. U. S. Natl. Mus., 199:134, October 26, 1950.

Twenty-six km. S of Arteaga; Barranca de Bejuco (2); Coahuayana; El Ticuiz (2); La Mira; La Orilla (2); La Placita (9); Maruata; Ojos de Agua de San Telmo; Ostula (4); Playa Azul (6); Pómaro (2); Puerto de las Higuerita; Santa Ana (3).

This small terrestrial species inhabits the dense arid tropical scrub forest on the coast and lower foothills of the Sierra de Coalcomán to elevations of about 150 meters. It also occurs in the lower Balsas Valley, but it has not been found in the scrub forest of the broad Tepalcatepec Valley. Perhaps the large number of Sceloporus siniferus on the coastal lowlands is responsible for the small number there of S. pyrocephalus, another terrestrial species of about the same size. The latter is abundant in the Tepalcatepec Valley, where S. siniferus siniferus has not been found. Sceloporus siniferus siniferus is a fast runner and difficult to collect; consequently, the small number of specimens available is not indicative of its abundance.

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.

The distinction made by Smith (1938:572) between the subspecies S. torquatus torquatus and melanogaster is slight. Individuals with pale bluish spots are found throughout the range of the species in Michoacán; spotting is especially evident in the young. Individuals having an incomplete nuchal collar have been found at Maravatio and at Zinapécuaro in the northern part of the state; in this character these specimens resemble S. torquatus melanogaster, which is found to the north from Guanajuato to Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí.

Sceloporus utiformis Cope

Sceloporus utiformis Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:177, September 30, 1864.—Colima, Colima, México.

Nineteen km. S of Arteaga (2); Cascada Tzararacua (17); Coahuayana (3); Coalcomán (6); El Sabino (2); El Ticuiz (2); Ostula (3); Pómaro; Río Cachán; San Juan de Lima; Uruapan (26).

In Michoacán the range of this species is discontinuous. It has been found between 1050 and 1550 meters on the slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica, and on the coast and seaward slopes of the Sierra de Coalcomán up to an elevation of 900 meters. It is absent from the Tepalcatepec Valley. At Uruapan and at Cascada Tzararacua this lizard was found on the ground in oak forest or in open pine-oak forest; on the coast and foothills of the Sierra de Coalcomán it was found on the ground in the gallery forests along streams, and not in the scrub forest.

Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus (Schmidt)

Uta tuberculata Schmidt, Amer. Mus. Novitates, 22:4, December 1, 1921.—Colima, Colima, México.

Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus, Mittleman, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 91:169, September, 1942.

Twenty-six km. S of Arteaga; Cascada Tzararacua (2); Chupio; Coahuayana; Coalcomán (8); El Sabino (2); Jungapeo; La Orilla (2); La Placita (4); Playa Azul (4); Pómaro (2); San Salvador (16);? Tupátaro; Uruapan (12); Tzitzio; Zamora.

The known distribution and geographic variation of Urosaurus bicarinatus in southwestern México presents a confused picture. In general rugosity, specimens from the coastal region of Michoacán (Coahuayana, La Orilla, La Placita, Playa Azul, and Pómaro) resemble U. bicarinatus tuberculatus to the north along the Pacific coast. Furthermore, specimens from the coast have less stippling in the gular region than do those from the Sierra de Coalcomán and the slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica. Specimens from the mountains have greatly carinate enlarged dorsals, large lateral tubercles, and heavily stippled throats; in these characters they resemble specimens from Morelos, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. As mentioned by Peters (1954:14), some specimens from La Orilla and San Salvador are like U. bicarinatus bicarinatus in certain characters, and one specimen has the blue ventral patches restricted to the sternal area, a characteristic of U. bicarinatus anonymorphus of Oaxaca and eastern Guerrero. Examination of all available specimens from Michoacán indicates that the nature of the dorsal scales is of little value in separating the subspecies. The specimens from Michoacán are here provisionally referred to U. bicarinatus tuberculatus, because cursory examination of specimens from several localities between Nayarit and Oaxaca shows that there are only minor differences between the named populations. Individuals from the northern part of the range are more rugose and have larger blue ventral patches and less gular stippling than those from the south.

In Michoacán Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus is found in wooded areas, not in open scrub forest, in the coastal area to elevations of about 900 meters, and along the slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica and the southern edge of the Mexican Plateau at elevations from 1000 to 1700 meters. The record for Tupátaro probably is erroneous, for no other specimens of this species are known from the central plateau. Essentially, the distribution of this species parallels that of Sceloporus utiformis, a strictly terrestrial species. Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus lives on tree trunks. Below 1000 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus is replaced by Urosaurus gadowi.

Urosaurus gadowi (Schmidt)

Uta gadovi Schmidt, Amer. Mus. Novitates, 22:3, December 1, 1921.—Cofradía, Jalisco, México (in error) = Cofradía, Michoacán, México (Duellman, 1958b:49).

Urosaurus gadowi, Mittleman, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 91:154, September, 1942.

Acahuato (2); Apatzingán (56); 12-16 km. S of Apatzingán (12); Buenavista (7); Capirio (23); Cofradía (21); El Sabino (13); Guayabo; Jazmin; La Playa; La Salada (3); Nueva Italia (7); Rancho Nuevo; Río Cancita, 14 km. E of Apatzingán (5); Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2); Río Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia (3); San Salvador (2); Santa Ana; Tepalcatepec; Volcán Jorullo (3); Zicuiran (2); Ziracuaretiro.

Although individuals of this species have been collected at elevations slightly exceeding 1200 meters on Volcán Jorullo and at 1100 meters at Ziracuaretiro on the southern slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica, for the most part these lizards are found at elevations of less than 800 meters, where they inhabit the open arid scrub forest of the Tepalcatepec Valley, a region to which this species is endemic (Duellman, 1958b:49). These small lizards usually are found on the trunks and main branches of the small trees in the scrub forest; in this habitat they are associated with Sceloporus horridus oligoporus, a much larger species.

Males have a pale orange spot on the throat and a pale blue belly; females have immaculate venters.

A specimen from Guayabo on the northern slopes of the Sierra de Coalcomán was referred to Urosaurus irregularis (Fischer) by Peters (1954:15). I have studied this specimen (BMNH 1914.1.28.110), a female having a snout-vent length of 46 mm., and agree with Peters that it closely resembles Fischer's description and figure (1882: pl. 17, fig. 1). This specimen and those seen of Urosaurus gadowi all have pavementlike enlarged dorsal scales that are complete across the vertical line. In U. gadowi the enlarged dorsals usually are in four to six irregular rows; in the specimen from Guayabo the dorsals are in two rows. Although none of the other specimens of U. gadowi examined has only two rows of enlarged dorsals, I prefer to consider the specimen from Guayabo as an aberrant individual of that species, rather than U. irregularis. Guayabo is in the known range of U. gadowi. Urosaurus irregularis is known only from the type specimen in the Bremen Museum; the type locality, according to Fischer (1882:232), is "Aus dem Hochlande von Mexico." If an examination of the type specimen of U. irregularis shows it to be identical with U. gadowi, then U. irregularis would be the name for the lizards here referred to U. gadowi.

Mabuya brachypoda Taylor

Mabuya brachypoda Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 38 (1):308, December 20, 1956.—Four kilometers east-southeast of Los Angeles de Tilarán, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

El Sabino (42); La Placita; Playa Azul; Tzitzio (3).

Previously this species has been reported from La Placita as Mabuya mabouya alliacea by Peters (1954:15). Webb (1958:1311) provided evidence that Mexican specimens were conspecific with Mabuya brachypoda, as described from Costa Rica by Taylor (1956:308). The large series in the Taylor collection studied by Webb and listed by him as being from Uruapan actually is part of a series collected by Hobart M. Smith at El Sabino at an elevation of 1050 meters, 30 kilometers south of Uruapan.

This species probably ranges throughout the coastal region of the state; individuals from La Placita and Playa Azul were taken in dense scrub forest near sea level.

Scincella assata taylori (Oliver)

Leiolopisma assatum taylori Oliver, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 360:12, November 20, 1937.—Santiago, Colima, México.

Scincella assata taylori, Mittleman, Herpetologica, 6:20, June 5, 1950.

Twenty-one km. S of Arteaga; Ostula.

The specimen from Ostula was obtained in semi-deciduous broad-leaf forest at an elevation of 120 meters; that from 21 kilometers south of Arteaga was taken in oak forest at an elevation of 830 meters. Both localities are on the coastal slopes of the Sierra de Coalcomán. Probably the species inhabits the heavy forests on the lower slopes of these mountains. The specimen from south of Arteaga (UMMZ 119117) in life had a tan dorsum and a bright orange-pink tail.

Eumeces altamirani Dugès

Eumeces altamirani Dugès, La Naturaleza, ser. 2, 1:485, 1891.—Apatzingán, Michoacán, México.

Twelve km. E of Apatzingán; El Sabino (4).

One specimen of this rare species was found beneath a rock in the open scrub forest 12 kilometers east of Apatzingán on July 3, 1955. Another skink, presumably of this species, was seen at Capirio. The specimen from east of Apatzingán is a male having a snout-vent length of 97 mm. and an incomplete tail. In most respects it compares favorably with accounts of the species given by Taylor (1936b:55 and 1936c:102). The frontal is divided by a transverse suture; the enlarged dorsal scales are arranged in 11 pairs anteriorly, followed by 48 unpaired enlarged scales. The head and middorsal area are brown; there is a pale tan stripe on the edges of the vertebral and paravertebral rows, bordered by a dark brown stripe on the paravertebral row, which, in turn, is bordered by a pale tan stripe on the lateral edge of the paravertebral scale row and the median edge of the adjacent scale row. The stripes extend from the neck to the base of the tail. The flanks are mottled with brown and cream-color; the labials are cream-color barred by brown; the venter is a pale cream-color.

Dugès (1891:485) described Eumeces altamirani from "las regiones cálidas del Estado de Michoacán" and subsequently (1896:480) gave Apatzingán as a locality for the species. Presumably he had only one specimen. In 1935 Hobart M. Smith collected the species at El Sabino on the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica bordering the Tepalcatepec Valley. All of the known specimens are from this valley and the adjacent slopes, an area to which the species apparently is endemic.

Eumeces colimensis Taylor

Eumeces colimensis Taylor, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser., 20:77, May 15, 1935.—Colima, Colima, México.

Coalcomán; Salitre de Estopila.

The species was reported by Peters (1954:16); no additional material has been discovered. The species is known only from foothills and low mountains at elevations between 130 and 950 meters in Michoacán and Colima.

Eumeces copei Taylor

Eumeces copei Taylor, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 46:133, June 5, 1933.—10 miles southeast of Asunción, México, México. Cerro Tancítaro (3); Zacapu.

This member of the Eumeces brevirostris-group has been found only in pine or pine-fir forests at elevations from 1800 to 2700 meters. It probably ranges throughout the high mountains of the state north of the Tepalcatepec Valley; its apparent absence in other parts of the Cordillera Volcánica, other than on Cerro Tancítaro, is surprising. The species has been taken near Asunción in the state of México and at Lagunas de Zempoala in Morelos.

In this species the lateral pale yellow stripe, which is bordered below by dark brown, extends to the groin and onto the base of the tail. The dorsolateral stripe is separated from the copper-colored middorsum by a narrow brown stripe.

Eumeces dugesi Thominot

Eumeces Dugesii Thominot, Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris, ser. 7, 7:138, 1883.—Guanajuato. Type locality restricted to Guanajuato, Guanajuato, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:169).

Carapan (6); Cherán (5); Opopeo (2); 17 km. S of Pátzcuaro (3); San José de la Cumbre (2); Tancítaro (2); Tangancícuaro; Uruapan; Zacapu.

Individuals of this species frequently have been found beneath rocks and logs in pine-oak, pine, or fir forests from elevations of 1550 to 1850 meters. To judge from specimens available, E. dugesi probably is the most abundant and widespread species of skink in the state.

In this species the lateral yellow stripe is indistinct and is persistent only in the axilla; the dorsolateral stripes terminate anterior to the hind limbs and are not separated from the tan dorsum.

Eumeces indubitus Taylor

Eumeces indubitus Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 21:257, November 27, 1934.—Near Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.

Puerto Hondo.

The one specimen of this species from Michoacán was collected by Edward H. Taylor in pine forest at Puerto Hondo, near Zitácuaro, at an elevation of about 2750 meters (Taylor, 1935:466). The species is known from the high mountains of eastern Michoacán, western México, and northern Morelos.

Eumeces parvulus Taylor

Eumeces parvulus Taylor, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 46:175, October 26, 1933.—Tepic, Nayarit, México.

El Ticuiz; La Placita; Pómaro (2); San Pedro Naranjestila (3).

Aside from the specimens reported by Peters (1954:17), one other specimen was obtained at El Ticuiz. It has 22 scale rows, 3 supraoculars in contact with the frontal, 2 postlabials, and a unicolored olive-tan dorsum. In life the anterior dorsolateral stripes were pale pinkish tan, the labials cream color, the throat white, and the tail pale blue. All specimens were found in semi-deciduous broad-leaf forest at elevations of less than 500 meters on the seaward slopes of the Sierra de Coalcomán.

Ameiva undulata sinistra Smith and Laufe

Ameiva undulata sinistra Smith and Laufe, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 31 (1):59, May 1, 1946.—Manzanillo, Colima, México.

Apatzingán (9); 19 km. S of Arteaga (3); Barranca de Bejuco (2); Coahuayana (6); Coalcomán (3); El Ticuiz (10); La Placita (2); Limoncito (3); Ostula (2); Playa Azul; Salitre de Estopila; San Juan de Lima (2); San Pedro Naranjestila (4).

Six males and six females from the Tepalcatepec Valley have more femoral pores than do 16 males and nine females from the coastal lowlands; the ranges and average number of femoral pores in the former are 40-50 (44.8) for males and 38-40 (38.6) for females; males from the coast have 34-44 (39.2), and females have 32-40 (36.2) femoral pores. In all specimens the number of lamellae beneath the fourth toe varies from 26 to 33 (29.7). In life juveniles have a pale olive-tan dorsum and a dorsolateral dark band, superimposed on which is a row of darker brown spots. The dorsolateral band is bordered below by a narrow cream-colored stripe. The tail is tan above and grayish white below; the belly is pale bluish white. Adult males are brilliantly colored in life. A male having a snout-vent length of 108 mm. had a rusty brown dorsum and bright blue bars on the flanks separated by dark brown interspaces. The side of the head was pale green, and the chin and throat were golden yellow. In some specimens the throat is orange. Juveniles and subadults have dark flecks on the brown or tan middorsal area, but these are absent in the largest males.

This species inhabits the heavily wooded areas in the lowlands to elevations of about 950 meters. In the Tepalcatepec Valley it has been found only in gallery forests along streams. In both the Tepalcatepec Valley and the coastal lowlands there is a noticeable absence of large adults in the dry season.

Cnemidophorus calidipes Duellman

Cnemidophorus calidipes Duellman, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 574:1, December 23, 1955.—Capirio, Michoacán, México.

Apatzingán (56); 12-20 km. S of Apatzingán (5); 19 km. E of Apatzingán (5); 25 km. S of Arteaga; Capirio (57); El Espinal (13); Jazmin (9); 11 km. S of Lombardia; Nueva Italia.

This small, distinctive species of the sexlineatus-group of Cnemidophorus was discovered in the Tepalcatepec Valley in 1955 (Duellman, 1955); subsequent field studies showed it to be widespread in the valley (Duellman, 1960c). One specimen (KU 29747) is from the relatively arid, low Pacific slope of the Sierra de Coalcomán, 25 kilometers south of Arteaga. All other specimens have been taken at elevations of 200 to 650 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley, where the species characteristically inhabits the open scrub forests of the valley floor, especially the Cercidium-Prosopis-Apoplanesia associations, where there is a sparse growth of grasses. In this habitat it is most frequently seen in association with Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli and C. deppei infernalis.

Aside from the characters given in Table 5, Cnemidophorus calidipes differs from other species of Cnemidophorus in Michoacán by possessing a complete (or nearly so) supraorbital semicircle-series of granules; in other species the granules seldom extend anteriorly beyond the posterior border of the frontal.

Cnemidophorus communis communis Cope

Cnemidophorus communis Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:95, 1877.—No type locality given; type locality restricted to Colima, Colima, México, by Zweifel (1959a:74).

Cnemidophorus communis communis, Zweifel, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 117:74, April 27, 1959.

Aguililla (2); Apatzingán (6); 13 km. S of Arteaga (2); 19 km. S of Arteaga (3); Capirio (3); Coahuayana (3); Coalcomán (44); El Ticuiz; between El Ticuiz and Ojos de Agua de San Telmo; La Placita (6); Pómaro (2); Río Cachán; Salitre de Estopila; San Juan de Lima.

The specimens from Coalcomán and the coastal localities were referred to Cnemidophorus sacki copei by Peters (1954:18) and Duellman (1954b:12). Zweifel (1959a) referred these specimens to Cnemidophorus communis communis and pointed out the probable sympatry of C. communis and C. costatus (= sacki of Zweifel) in the Tepalcatepec Valley.

There is considerable geographic variation in the number of dorsal granules around the midbody. Sixteen specimens from the coastal regions of Michoacán have 129-146 (136.3) granules; nine from the Tepalcatepec Valley have 124-137 (128.3), and 44 from Coalcomán at an elevation of 950 meters in the Sierra de Coalcomán, intermediate geographically between the coast and the Tepalcatepec Valley, have 105-144 (119.7). The number of granules in specimens from the coast of Michoacán compares favorably with the range of 118-154 (137.8) for 34 specimens from Colima, Colima (Zweifel, 1959a:107). Aside from the characters given in Table 5, C. communis communis can be distinguished from other members of the Cnemidophorus sexlineatus-group (calidipes, costatus, and scarlaris) by its relatively small post-antebrachial scales.

Table 5.—Comparison of the Ten Species and Subspecies of Cnemidophorus in Michoacán (Scale Counts Are for Specimens from Michoacán Only)

Species Dorsal granules Femoral pores Adult color pattern Throat color Maximum snout-vent length

calidipes 66-86 (75) 31-47 (39) Light brown dorsum with vertical blue bars and spots Pink 79 mm.

communis communis 105-146 (124)38-52Green dorsum with six rows of yellow spotsPink135 mm.

costatus occidentalis 97-102 (99) 37-43 (39) Cross-bars anteriorly and pale spots posteriorly Pink 126 mm.

costatus zweifeli 91-117 (106)32-49 (41) Lateral and dorsolateral rows of spots; paravertebrals fused with pale green middorsum Pink with blue spot132 mm.

deppei deppei 116-117 (116) 37-38 (37) Green paravertebral and dorsolateral stripes; lateral stripe broken into row of bluish spots Black 93 mm.

deppei infernalis 91-120 (101) 31-43 (36) Green paravertebral and dorsolateral stripes; broad cream lateral stripe; reddish flanks Black 84 mm.

lineatissimus exoristus 108-140 (122) 32-47 (39) Paravertebral stripes fused with yellow middorsal stripe; vertical bars on flanks Pink and black 98 mm.

lineatissimus lineatissimus 117-126 (121) 32-37 (35) Eight distinct stripes plus partially fused vertebrals Bluish-pink and black 96 mm.

lineatissimus lividus 126-164 (148) 32-48 (38) Broad middorsal stripe; paravertebrals distinct; blue lateral spots Pink and black 106 mm.

scalaris 80-92 (86) 32-41 (35) Six distinct cream stripes; tan spots in dark fields Orange-pink 95 mm.

Although this is the largest species of Cnemidophorus in Michoacán (adult males attain a snout-vent length of 135 mm.), it is neither widespread nor abundant. On the coastal lowlands it occurs primarily with Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus. In the coastal lowlands there is little open scrub forest, a type of habitat that seems to be preferred by C. communis communis. In the Tepalcatepec Valley, C. communis communis occurs in the open scrub forest with the more abundant large species C. costatus (subspecies zweifeli). Only in the scrub forest in the Coalcomán Valley, where no other species of Cnemidophorus occurs, is C. communis communis abundant.

Cnemidophorus costatus occidentalis Gadow

Cnemidophorus communis occidentalis Gadow, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1906, 1:339, August 23, 1906.—Type locality restricted to Ixtlán, Nayarit, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:182).

Cnemidophorus costatus occidentalis, Zweifel, Copeia, No. 1:98; March 17, 1961.

Jiquilpan (4).

Only four specimens from the extreme northwestern part of the state are referable to this subspecies. These have 97 to 102 dorsal granules at midbody and lack the blue gular band or spot characteristic of the subspecies in the Tepalcatepec Valley. Probably C. costatus occidentalis ranges throughout the Chapala depression, but to the east it is replaced by Cnemidophorus scalaris scalaris.

Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli Duellman

Cnemidophorus sacki zweifeli Duellman, Univ. Kansas Publ. Mus. Nat. Hist., 10:589, May 2, 1960.—Capirio, Michoacán, México.

Apatzingán (107); Buenavista (3); Capirio (31); Charapendo (12); Chinapa (2); 19 km. S of Corralito (3); Jazmin (2); between La Playa and Volcán Jorullo (2); Limoncito (3); 14 km. S of Lombardia (11); Nueva Italia (15); Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2); Río Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia; Tafetan (18); 14 km. E of Tepalcatepec (2); Tzitzio (11); 19 km. S of Tzitzio; Volcán Jorullo (5); Ziracuaretiro; Zirimícuaro.

These lizards were referred to Cnemidophorus sacki copei by Duellman (1954b:12 and 1955:6); Duellman (1960a) described the subspecies zweifeli and assigned it to Cnemidophorus sacki. Zweifel (1961:98) used the specific name C. costatus for the whiptails on the southwestern part of the Mexican Plateau (C. c. occidentalis). Since occidentalis and zweifeli are conspecific, the combination C. costatus zweifeli is used here for the population inhabiting the Tepalcatepec Valley.

This lizard is abundant in the Tepalcatepec Valley, where it lives in open and dense scrub forest, usually at elevations of less than 1000 meters. Throughout the valley it is found in association with Cnemidophorus deppei infernalis, and in the lower parts of the valley it also is associated with Cnemidophorus calidipes. Observations made in the dry season indicate that large adults are not active at that time.

On the coastal lowlands and in the valleys in the Sierra de Coalcomán Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli is replaced by C. communis communis. To the east in the Balsas Basin C. costatus zweifeli intergrades with C. costatus costatus.

Cnemidophorus deppei deppei Wiegmann

Cnemidophorus deppei Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 29, 1834.—México. Type locality restricted to Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:179).

Cnemidophorus deppei deppei, Cope, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:31, 1892.

Salitre de Estopila; San Pedro Naranjestila.

This small species, which is extremely abundant on the coastal lowlands of Guerrero, seems to be rare on the coast of Michoacán, where it has been taken at elevations of 130 and 500 meters in open situations in otherwise forested areas. Duellman and Wellman (1960:25) discussed these specimens in relation to their subspecific assignment. They were referred to Cnemidophorus deppei lineatissimus by Peters (1954:18).

Cnemidophorus deppei infernalis Duellman and Wellman

Cnemidophorus deppei infernalis Duellman and Wellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 111:32, February 10, 1960.—Mexcala, Guerrero, México.

Acahuato; Apatzingán (227); Capirio (3); El Sabino; Jazmin; La Playa (6); Lombardia (6); Nueva Italia (4); Río Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (6); Río Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia (10); south of Tancítaro; Volcán Jorullo (3).

This is one of the most abundant and widespread lizards in the Tepalcatepec Valley. Throughout its range it is ecologically associated with Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli, which ranges to elevations somewhat higher than the 1050 meters known for C. deppei infernalis. This small lizard reaches its greatest abundance in grassy areas on the floor of the Tepalcatepec Valley, where in the Cercidium-Prosopis-Apoplanesia associations it occurs with Cnemidophorus calidipes.

Duellman and Wellman (1960) discussed the variation and relationships of Cnemidophorus deppei, of which the subspecies infernalis is restricted to the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin.

Cnemidophorus lineatissimus exoristus Duellman and Wellman

Cnemidophorus lineatissimus exoristus Duellman and Wellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 111:44, February 10, 1960.—Rancho Santa Ana, four kilometers northeast of San Salvador, Michoacán, México.

Thirteen to 25 km. S of Arteaga (18); Capirio (19); Limoncito (13); Santa Ana (22).

As in Cnemidophorus calidipes, the distribution of this subspecies seems to be restricted to the Tepalcatepec Valley, except in the vicinity of Arteaga, where it occurs on the southern slope of the Sierra de Coalcomán. As pointed out by Duellman and Wellman (1960:46), the specimens from south of Arteaga are like those from the Tepalcatepec Valley in scutellation and coloration, and not like Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus from the geographically closer coastal lowlands.

In the Tepalcatepec Valley Cnemidophorus lineatissimus exoristus inhabits gallery forests along the larger streams; in this habitat it is associated with Ameiva undulata sinistra. From the other species of Cnemidophorus in Michoacán, C. lineatissimus exoristus can be distinguished by the possession of seven longitudinal stripes in adults and by the characters of scutellation given in Table 5.

Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lineatissimus Cope

Cnemidophorus lineatissimus Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:94, 1877.—Colima and Guadalajara. Type locality restricted to Colima, Colima, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:179).

Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lineatissimus, Duellman and Wellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 111:41, February 10, 1960.

Boca de Apiza (4).

These specimens have 117 to 126 dorsal granules at midbody, a noticeably lower count than that for Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus on the coast of Michoacán, which has 126 to 164 (148). Apparently these specimens represent immature C. lineatissimus lineatissimus; the differences between these and C. lineatissimus lividus from nearby localities indicate that possibly the populations are distinct species and not subspecies, as suggested by Duellman and Wellman (1960:41).

Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus Duellman and Wellman

Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus Duellman and Wellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 111:50, February 10, 1960.—Maruata, Michoacán, México.

Barranca de Bejuco (4); Boca de Apiza (2); Coahuayana (6); El Ticuiz (7); La Placita (11); Maruata (7); Motín del Oro; Ostula (5); Playa Azul (4); Playa Cuilala (2); Pómaro (2); Salitre de Estopila (2); San Pedro Naranjestila.

This is the most abundant and widespread species of Cnemidophorus on the coastal lowlands of Michoacán, where it ranges from sea level to elevations of about 500 meters. In this area it inhabits dense arid scrub forest and semi-deciduous broad-leafed forest. Both of these habitats are continuous, or nearly so, along the lowlands and foothills of the Sierra de Coalcomán. This in itself may explain the abundance of Cnemidophorus lineatissimus and the relative scarcity of C. deppei and C. communis in the coastal area, for C. deppei and C. communis usually inhabit more open arid scrub forest, as occurs in the Tepalcatepec Valley. Living in the dense scrub forest with C. lineatissimus is Ameiva undulata sinistra.

Cnemidophorus scalaris Cope

Cnemidophorus gularis scalaris Cope, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:47, 1892.—Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México.

Cnemidophorus scalaris, Zweifel, Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist., 117:72, 1959.

Araro (2); Jacona; Lago de Cuitzeo (42); Morelia; 21 km. N of Morelia (4).

Zweifel (1959a:72) assigned the small species of Cnemidophorus having a relatively low number of dorsal granules and inhabiting the southern part of the Mexican Plateau to C. scalaris, which he diagnosed as rarely exceeding 100 mm. in snout-vent length and always having an average of less than 100 dorsal granules at midbody and usually less than 90. Forty-two specimens from the south shore of Lago de Cuitzeo (UMMZ 119558) have 80-91 (85.8) dorsal granules. Four specimens from 21 kilometers north of Norelia (UIMNH 6952 and UMMZ 104743) have 89, 78, 92, and 84 granules; one from Morelia (UMMZ 104742) has 78; two from Araro (UMMZ 119522) have 80 and 87; one from Jacona (UIMNH 24703) has 88.

Since no large adult males are present in the series from Michoacán, an adequate comparison of coloration between these and populations on the northern part of the Mexican Plateau cannot be made. Cnemidophorus scalaris is a name applied to the lizards inhabiting the Mexican Plateau from Chihuahua south to Puebla by Zweifel (1959a:72). It is doubtful if all of the populations assigned to this subspecies belong there; possibly more than one species is involved, but the paucity of material prevents further analysis at this time.

Heloderma horridum horridum (Wiegmann)

Trachyderma horridum Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 22:421, 1829.—México. Type locality restricted to Huajintlán, Guerrero, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:193).

Heloderma horridum horridum, Bogert and Martín del Campo, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 109:20, April 16, 1956.

Apatzingán; Coalcomán; La Placita; Oropeo; Parácuaro.

This species is known from elevations of less than 1000 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley, the Sierra de Coalcomán, and the coastal lowlands. Specimens from Coalcomán, La Placita, and Parácuaro came from areas of dense woods; those from Apatzingán and Oropeo might have come from patches of dense woods in the otherwise open scrub forest of the Tepalcatepec Valley.

Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus Wiegmann

Gerrhonotus imbricatus Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:379, 1828.—México. Type locality restricted to México, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:201).

Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus, Dunn, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 88:475, October 20, 1936.

Acuaro de las Lleguas (9); Cerro Barolosa (4); Cerro Tancítaro (36); Dos Aguas (22); Paracho; Sierra Patamba; Tinguidín; Zacapu.

Specimens from the Sierra de Coalcomán are noticeably different from those inhabiting the mountains rising from the Mexican Plateau. Of 45 specimens from Cerro Tancítaro and adjacent areas on the Mexican Plateau and in the Cordillera Volcánica, 15 have twelve longitudinal rows of dorsal scales and 30 have fourteen rows. Of seven specimens from the state of México, 5 have twelve rows and 2 have fourteen; of nine specimens from central Veracruz, 8 have twelve rows and one has fourteen; of six specimens from Hidalgo, 5 have twelve rows and one has sixteen; of two specimens from Guanajuata, one has fourteen and the other has sixteen rows. All of the 35 specimens from the Sierra de Coalcomán have sixteen rows. Furthermore, these specimens have the superciliary row extended anteriorly, so that the anterior superciliary is in broad contact with the loreal. Specimens from Cerro Tancítaro have a shorter superciliary row, so that the anterior superciliary is not in broad contact with the loreal. These characters were used by Tihen (1949:220) to distinguish Gerrhonotus imbricatus ciliaris from G. imbricatus imbricatus. According to Tihen, the subspecies G. imbricatus ciliaris ranges from Guanajuato and Hidalgo northward to Chihuahua and Coahuila, whereas the nominal subspecies occurs from Michoacán and Hidalgo southward to Oaxaca. Specimens from the Sierra de Autlán in Jalisco are like those from Cerro Tancítaro; consequently, there seems to be no connection between the populations of G. imbricatus ciliaris in the mountains of the northern part of the Mexican Plateau with the ciliaris-like individuals found in the Sierra de Coalcomán. The acquisition and study of additional material from throughout the range of the species is necessary to clarify the picture of geographic variation. Until then, I prefer to consider all of the specimens from Michoacán as Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus.

The largest specimen is a male having a snout-vent length of 136 mm. Two juveniles collected in July 24, 1960, have snout-vent lengths of 36 and 42 mm. A specimen having a snout-vent length of 127 mm. and a tail length of 145 mm. was regurgitated by a Crotalus pusillus, which had a body length of 550 mm.

Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus is an inhabitant of coniferous forests. In the Cordillera Volcánica it occurs from 1500 to 3500 meters at the top of Cerro Tancítaro. In the Sierra de Coalcomán it occurs from 2100 to 2700 meters. On July 4, 1955, a pair was found in copulation beneath a pine log at 2700 meters on Cerro Barolosa. The male was lying on top of the female and was holding her head firmly in his jaws; the male's tail was curled under the female's tail, so that the cloacae were in contact.

Serpentes

Typhlops braminus (Daudin)

Eryx braminus Daudin, Hist.... des reptiles, 7:279, 1803.—Vazagapatam, India.

Typhlops braminus, Cuvier, Règne animal, ed. 2, 2:73, 1829.

Apatzingán; Arteaga.

Both specimens known from Michoacán were collected by Gadow in 1908. Peters (1954:20) remarked that the specimen from Arteaga probably does not indicate a rapid spreading of the species, which most likely was introduced into México at the time that vessels were stopping at Acapulco from the Philippines (Taylor, 1940b:444), but instead may indicate that pack trains from Acapulco passed through the Sierra de Coalcomán. The occurrence of this snake along a long-used camino substantiates this belief.

Leptotyphlops bressoni Taylor

Leptotyphlops bressoni Taylor, Copeia, No. 1:5, March 9, 1939.—Hacienda El Sabino, Michoacán, México.

El Sabino.

This species still is known definitely only from the type specimen collected on the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica at the northern edge of the Tepalcatepec Valley. A specimen (now lost) reported from Aguililla by Cope (1887:63) possibly represents this species (see Smith and Taylor, 1945:21, and Peters, 1954:20).

Leptotyphlops gadowi Duellman

Leptotyphlops gadowi Duellman, Copeia, No. 2:93, May 29, 1956.—Apatzingán, Michoacán, México.

Apatzingán.

No additional specimens of this species have been collected since the species was described by Duellman (1956b:93). Data given with the specimen by Gadow indicate that it came from his camp above Apatzingán at an elevation of about 800 meters. Although the exact position of this camp is unknown, the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica above Apatzingán usually support arid scrub forest at elevations below 1000 meters. Therefore, this species probably is an inhabitant of the arid scrub forest.

Leptotyphlops phenops bakewelli Oliver

Leptotyphlops bakewelli Oliver, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 360:16, November 20, 1937.—Paso del Río, Colima, México.

Leptotyphlops phenops bakewelli, Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 93:445, October 29, 1943.

La Placita (4); La Salada; Ostula.

The five specimens from the coastal lowlands are from elevations of less than 150 meters; these were collected by Peters (1954:20); the specimen from La Salada is from an elevation of 580 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley. Peters (loc. cit.) remarked that the rostral and the tip of the tail that were described as white by Oliver (1937:17) actually are sulphur-yellow in life.

Loxocemus bicolor Cope

Loxocemus bicolor Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 13:77, June 30, 1861.—La Unión, El Salvador.

Loxocemus sumichrasti Bocourt, Ann. Sci. Nat., ser. 6, 4:1, 1876.—Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México.

Apatzingán (6); La Orilla; Lombardia.

As noted by Peters (1954:21), this species was not recorded from Michoacán by Smith and Taylor (1945:27), but Gadow (1930:30) collected a specimen at La Orilla in 1908. This specimen (BMNH 1914.1.28.124) is a male having 235 ventrals and 47 caudals, a dark brown dorsum, and cream-colored labials and venter. The anterior chin-shields are considerably longer than the scales bordering the chin-shields. In these characters this specimen agrees with the diagnosis of Loxocemus bicolor given by Taylor (1940c:447), who revived Loxocemus sumichrasti Bocourt. Of the six specimens from Apatzingán in the Tepalcatepec Valley, three males have 243 to 253 (246.6) ventrals and 44 to 45 (44.3) caudals; three females have 238 to 247 (244.0) ventrals and 42 to 44 (43.0) caudals. Certain characters of scutellation utilized by Taylor for separating L. bicolor and L. sumichrasti are inconsistent in this series. The chin-shields are longer than the adjacent scales, like those illustrated in L. bicolor by Taylor (op. cit., fig. 1). The relative lengths of the prefrontal and internasal sutures are subequal, or the prefrontal suture is slightly longer. Thus, in these characters of scutellation these snakes are like L. bicolor, but in coloration they are like L. sumichrasti; the dorsal color in life was an iridescent dark bluish gray, and the belly was pale gray or bluish gray.

The supposed differences in scutellation between L. bicolor and L. sumichrasti have been questioned by Woodbury and Woodbury (1944:360); these authors treated L. sumichrasti as a subspecies of L. bicolor. As pointed out by Zweifel (1959b:5), such an arrangement is not tenable, for, although individuals with each kind of color pattern have not been collected together at any one locality, the over-all geographic picture is one of sympatric distribution. Only snakes having the coloration of L. sumichrasti have been collected in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin. I agree with Zweifel (loc. cit.) that on the basis of morphological similarities and sympatric distribution, L. bicolor and L. sumichrasti seem to be dimorphic phases of the same species, showing no more striking differences in coloration than Lampropeltis getulus californiae, a now classical example of pattern dimorphism in snakes.

In Michoacán, as in other parts of its range, Loxocemus bicolor inhabits arid scrub forest environments at low elevations.

Boa constrictor imperator Daudin

Boa imperator Daudin, Hist. nat.... des reptiles, 5:150, 1803.—México. Type locality restricted to Córdoba, Veracruz, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:347).

Boa constrictor imperator, Forcart, Herpetologica, 7:199, December 31, 1951.

Apatzingán (4); Coalcomán; El Sabino (2); La Placita; La Playa (2); Lombardia; Nueva Italia (2); Río Cachán; Río Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia; Río Nexpa; Volcán Jorullo.

These specimens have come from a variety of habitats from elevations of less than 1,000 meters. The species seems to be equally abundant in the broad-leafed semi-deciduous forests of the coastal foothills and in the arid Tepalcatepec Valley. In the latter area most of the specimens were collected at night.

Coniophanes fissidens dispersus Smith

Coniophanes fissidens dispersus Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 91:106, November 13, 1941.—El Limoncito, Guerrero, México.

Arteaga.

Further collecting in southern Michoacán has failed to add additional material of this species, which is known in the state from the one specimen collected by Gadow in 1908. The species possibly ranges throughout the coastal foothills of the Sierra de Coalcomán. Peters (1954:21) described the specimen from Arteaga.

Coniophanes lateritius lateritius Cope

Coniophanes lateritius Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 13:524, March 31, 1862.—Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.

Coniophanes lateritius lateritius, Smith and Grant, Herpetologica, 14:20, April 25, 1958.

Nineteen km. S of Arteaga.

The one specimen available from Michoacán of this apparently rare species was discussed by Wellman (1959:127), who pointed out that although the specimen was geographically intermediate between the subspecies C. l. lateritius (Jalisco and Nayarit) and C. l. melanocephalus (Morelos and Puebla), the specimen (UMMZ 118954) was like C. l. lateritius in scutellation and in color pattern differed from other known specimens of the species in having had in life a pale orange, instead of a brick-red, dorsum. Additional specimens from the Sierra de Coalcomán will be required in order to determine whether this specimen is a representative of an orange-colored population or merely is aberrant in coloration.

The present specimen is from an elevation of 900 meters in oak forest on the southern slopes of the Sierra de Coalcomán; other locality records for the species indicate that it inhabits broad-leafed forest in foothills from Nayarit to Puebla.

Conophis vittatus vittatus Peters

Conophis vittatus Peters, Monats. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 519, 1860.—No type locality given. Type locality restricted to Laguna Coyuca, Guerrero, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:331).

Conophis vittatus vittatus, Smith, Jour. Washington Acad. Sci., 31:119, March 17, 1941.

Arteaga; Coalcomán (4); La Playa; 19 km. S of Tzitzio.

All specimens of this terrestrial snake have been collected in areas of scrub forest between 800 and 1100 meters above sea level. Since the species is known from the coastal regions of Guerrero and Colima, its absence from the cost of Michoacán is unexplainable; probably the lack of specimens from these areas is due solely to inadequate collecting.

Conopsis biserialis Taylor and Smith

Conopsis biserialis Taylor and Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 28 (2):333, November 12, 1942.—Ten miles west of Villa Victoria, México, México.

Capácuaro (5); Cerro San Andrés; Cherán; Ciudad Hidalgo; Macho de Agua (4): Pátzcuaro (8); Tancítaro (24); Uruapan (9); 24 km. SE of Zitácuaro (14).

This species is abundant in the coniferous forests at elevations from 1550 to 2800 meters throughout the Cordillera Volcánica; apparently it does not occur in the Sierra de Coalcomán.

On August 1, 1956, a copulating pair was found beneath a rock at Capácuaro.

One of the best characters to distinguish this species from Toluca lineata, which occurs with Conopsis throughout its range in Michoacán, is the presence of large, black ventral blotches in Conopsis biserialis, as contrasted with the two rows of small black spots in Toluca lineata.

Conopsis nasus Günther

Conopsis nasus Günther, Catalogue... snakes... British Museum, p. 6, 1858.—California (in error). Type locality restricted to Guanajuato, Guanajuato, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:330).

Carapan (2); Erongaricuaro; Maravatio (3); Morelia (2); Nahuatzen; Pátzcuaro (7); Tacícuaro (8); Tancítaro.

This species has been collected in oak, pine-oak, and fir forests at elevations of 1900 to 2450 meters on the mountains rising from the Mexican Plateau. It does not seem to be so abundant as Conopsis biserialis. Sufficient ecological data to determine differences in habitat between the two species have not been compiled.

Diadophis dugesi Villada

Diadophis punctatus dougesii Villada, La Naturaleza, 3:226, 1875.—Potreros de Balbuena, Distrito Federal, México.

Diadophis dugesii, Blanchard, Bull. Chicago Acad. Sci., 7:51, December 30, 1942.

Morelia (2); Pátzcuaro; Quiroga.

Apparently this snake is uncommon in Michoacán. It has been found only at elevations of 1900 to 2200 meters in pine and pine-oak forests on the mountains rising from the Mexican Plateau.

Dryadophis melanolomus stuarti Smith

Dryadophis melanolomus stuarti Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 93:418, October 29, 1943.—Acapulco, Guerrero, México.

Coahuayana; El Ticuiz; La Placita (3); Punto San Juan de Lima; Punto San Telmo.

The few specimens indicate that in Michoacán, as elsewhere on the Pacific coast of México, this species is restricted to forested regions on the coastal plain. It does not occur in the Tepalcatepec Valley.

The coloration, in life, of a juvenile (UMMZ 114604) is as follows: The dorsum is uniform pale grayish tan on posterior one-third of body and on tail; anteriorly there are pale grayish tan middorsal blotches separated by grayish white interspaces, which are about one-half the length of the blotches. Posteriorly the blotches are less distinct, fading into the uniform grayish tan ground color of the posterior part of the body. The blotches extend laterally onto the fourth and fifth scale rows. Large squarish lateral intercalary blotches of darker brown interconnect with the dorsal blotches. The top of the head is pale olive-brown; a dark brown postorbital stripe extends from the eye to the posterior edge of the last upper labial. The labials, chin, and ventrals 1-30 are creamy white, changing to a dusty cream-color posteriorly; the chin and ventrals 1-30 are heavily spotted with dark brown. The iris is a cream-color above and chocolate brown below; the tongue is blue.

Drymarchon corais rubidus Smith

Drymarchon corais rubidus Smith, Jour. Washington Acad. Sci., 31:474, November 11, 1941.—Rosario, Sinaloa, México.

Apatzingán (5); Arroyo El Salto; Arteaga; Capirio; El Sabino (7); La Palma; La Placita; Ostula; San Juan de Lima.

Not all of the specimens from Michoacán are typical in color pattern of this subspecies, as defined by Smith (1941a:475). All specimens from the Tepalcatepec Valley are uniformly black above; they have reddish or cream-colored chins and the anterior two-thirds of the belly salmon-pink or reddish buff. Individuals from the Sierra de Coalcomán (Arteaga and Arroyo El Salto) are like those from the Tepalcatepec Valley. Three specimens from the coastal lowlands differ noticeably in color pattern:

UMMZ 104504, adult male (Ostula).—Pale brown above flecked with black anteriorly; at midbody, flecks form narrow transverse bands that become progressively wider posteriorly, until on tail no brown pigment evident, all ventrals reddish buff, except last eight, which are black.

UMMZ 104602, adult female (La Placita).—Black above, reddish cross-bands and flecks on all of body; dorsal and ventral surfaces of tail black; chin cream-color and entire belly reddish buff.

UMMZ 114626, adult male (San Juan de Lima).—Black above; dull rust-colored cross-bands on anterior half of body; chin white; belly rust-colored on anterior two-thirds of body and black posteriorly.

One specimen from La Palma on the Mexican Plateau (KU 29275) has the top of the head an olive-color, the entire dorsum black, the chin and ventrals 1-42 a cream-color, remainder of venter black, and all of the labials heavily barred with black. A juvenile from Capirio in the Tepalcatepec Valley (UMMZ 114627) is black above and has pale olive-colored flecks on the anterior one-third of the body; the top of the head is dark olive-brown, and the sides of the head are somewhat paler. Anteriorly the belly is a cream-color; posteriorly it is black.

The specimens from the Tepalcatepec Valley are typical of Drymarchon corais rubidus. Those from the coastal lowlands differ in having large areas of brown or red pigment on the dorsum, a condition not mentioned by Smith in his description of the subspecies. The specimen from La Palma, like many others from various localities on the Mexican Plateau, resembles in certain characters D. corais orizabensis (Smith, op. cit.: 477). Our knowledge of the geographical variation in coloration in this species is incomplete; many populations have been assigned to subspecific rank without justification.

In Michoacán this species is found from sea level to 1350 meters in the Sierra de Coalcomán and to 1300 meters at La Palma on Lago de Chapala. It has been collected in scrub forest, semi-deciduous broad-leafed forest, and oak forest.

Drymobius margaritiferus fistulosus Smith

Drymobius margaritiferus fistulosus Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 92:383, November 5, 1942.—Miramar, Nayarit, México.

Apatzingán (3); Coahuayana; Coalcomán (3); El Sabino (3); El Ticuiz; 12 km. S of Tzitzio.

This snake is abundant in the lowlands of the state; the few specimens listed above are indicative not of the rarity, but rather of the speed and agility, of this diurnal snake. It most frequently is found near water, where there is a dense growth of vegetation. One individual was observed in a large pool inhabited by several small Rana pipiens, and another was seen along the bank of a hyacinth-choked river channel. A third individual was captured while it was in pursuit of a Cnemidophorus.

This species has been collected on the coastal lowlands and seaward foothills of the Sierra de Coalcomán and in the Tepalcatepec Valley to elevations of 1150 meters.

Elaphe triaspis intermedia (Boettger)

Pityophis intermedius Boettger, Ber. Offen. Vereins. Naturk., 22:148, 1883.—México. Type locality restricted to Hacienda El Sabino, Michoacán, México, by Dowling (1960:74).

Elaphe triaspis intermedia, Mertens and Dowling, Senckenbergiana, 33:201, November 15, 1952.

Twenty-four km. E of Apatzingán; Chupio; El Sabino (4); 11 km. E of Emiliano Zapata.

Dowling (1960) has shown that specimens from the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin have fewer ventrals and caudals than those from the Sierra del Sur or the coast. All specimens from Michoacán were collected in open forest, either scrub or oak forest. They were found in drier situations than those described for the species in southern Tamaulipas by Martin (1958:69). In Michoacán Elaphe triaspis intermedia is known from the Tepalcatepec Valley, the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcánica, and the western edge of the Mexican Plateau at an elevation of 1350 meters. It probably occurs in the lower parts of the Sierra de Coalcomán and along the Pacific coast, for it is known from the coastal lowlands of Guerrero and Colima. In August, 1951, I saw a snake that probably was this species in Barranca de Bejuco.

Enulius unicolor (Fischer)

Geophis unicolor Fischer, Abh. Nat. Ver. Bremen, 7:227, 1882.—México. Type locality restricted to Chilpancingo, Guerrero, México, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:331).

Enulius unicolor, Taylor and Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 25:247, July 10, 1939.

Between Ario de Rosales and La Playa; Coalcomán; Jungapeo (4); between Zitácuaro and Tuxpan.

This small snake has been collected from beneath rocks in brushy areas and broad-leafed forest between 900 and 1800 meters; it has not been found in coniferous forest. The limited ecological data suggest that the species inhabits the transition zone between the tropical scrub forest and the temperate hardwood forest.

All of the specimens have 17 rows of scales; four males have 169-178 (174.2) ventrals and 102-111 (106.8) caudals; two females have 192 and 195 ventrals and 96 and 87 caudals. Three individuals have one postocular on one side and two on the other; in the other specimens there are two postoculars on each side. The largest male has a body length of 232 mm. and a tail length of 130 mm.; the largest female has a body length of 274 mm. and a tail length of 119 mm.

Geagras redimitus Cope

Geagras redimitus Cope, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, ser. 2, 8:141, 1876.

San Juan de Lima (2).

Previously this species was known definitely only from the Plains of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. Sphenocalamus lineolatus was described by Fischer (1883:5) from Mazatlán; this name has been placed in the synonymy of Geagras redimitus Cope. Although Fischer gave the type locality only as "Mazatlán" and did not designate the state, it is probable that the type originated from Mazatlán, Sinaloa. The present specimens are from a locality almost midway between Tehuantepec and Mazatlán and support the possibility that Geagras ranges along the Pacific coast of México from Oaxaca to Sinaloa.

The two specimens from Michoacán (UMMZ 114446-7), both males, have 118 and 122 ventrals, 31 and 33 caudals, body lengths of 108 and 81 mm., and tail lengths of 20 and 15 mm. Both have 1-1 preoculars, 1-1 postoculars, 1-2 temporals, 6-6 upper labials, and 5-5 lower labials. In life, the dorsum was pale tan; the top of the head and the middorsal and lateral stripes were dark brown; the belly was white. The occipital spots were pale pinkish tan. Both specimens were found beneath rocks in tropical semi-deciduous forest at an elevation of 15 meters on the coastal plain.

Geophis dugesi Bocourt

Geophis dugesii Bocourt, Miss. Scientifique au Mexique et dans l'Amerique Centrale, Rept., livr. 9:573, 1883.—Tangancícuaro, Michoacán, México.

Carapan; Tangancícuaro; Zacapu.

Aside from the three specimens listed above, there are two (SU 4407-8) bearing the data "Michoacán." Bocourt (1883:574) stated that the type specimen from Tangancícuaro had six or seven pale cross-bands on the anterior part of the body. An illustration, presumably of the same specimen, by Dugès (1884:Pl. 9) shows five distinct and one indistinct cross-bands. Of the four specimens that I have examined, none has more than three pale cross-bands, and one has only one indistinct cross-band. Two females have 154 and 158 ventrals and 38 and 37 caudals; two males have 150 and 151 ventrals and 43 and 42 caudals.

This species is known only from elevations between 1750 and 2050 meters on the southwestern edge of the Mexican Plateau in the state of Michoacán.

Geophis incomptus Duellman

Geophis incomptus Duellman, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 605:3, May 29, 1959.—Dos Aguas, Michoacán, México.

Dos Aguas (15).

This species, which seems to be related to Geophis maculiferus, is known only from the pine-oak forest in the vicinity of Dos Aguas (elevation 2100 meters) in the Sierra de Coalcomán. Aside from the five specimens comprising the type series, there are ten other specimens in the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan collected by Floyd L. Downs in July, 1960. Data from these specimens and those comprising the type series show that in this sample seven males have 146-153 (149.3) ventrals and 35-37 (36.0) caudals; eight females have 150-154 (152.4) ventrals and 29-34 (32.5) caudals. The largest specimen is a female with a body length of 344 mm. and a tail length of 53 mm.