''Plestiodon callicephalus'', commonly known as the mountain skink, is a
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
of
lizard, a medium-sized member of the ''Plestiodon''
skink
Skinks are a type of lizard belonging to the family (biology), family Scincidae, a family in the Taxonomic rank, infraorder Scincomorpha. With more than 1,500 described species across 100 different taxonomic genera, the family Scincidae is one o ...
s,
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...
to North America.
Taxonomy
At least one
herpetologist has considered this
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
to be a
subspecies
In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...
of ''
Plestiodon tetragrammus'' under the scientific name ''P. tetragrammus callicephalus'', but the more common classification considers it to be a separate species based on differences in appearance and its distinct geographic distribution.
Description
The mountain skink is a medium-sized skink reaching a maximum length from snout to vent of about . Its body is olive to brown in color, with black stripes on the sides. On the head, it features a distinctive, roughly Y-shaped light line pattern, which gave rise to its scientific name: ''callicephalus'' is
Greek and means "beautiful head".
Like many other ''
Plestiodon
''Plestiodon'' is a genus of lizards in the family Scincidae (skinks). The genus contains many species formerly classified under the genus ''Eumeces'', except those now placed in '' Mesoscincus''. They are secretive, agile animals with a cylin ...
'', juvenile mountain skinks have a bright blue tail. However, contrary to most other species of this
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
, adults retain this color, although it does fade a little with age.
Geographic range
The mountain skink occurs from southeastern
Arizona
Arizona is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region of the western United States with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It also borders Nevada to the nort ...
and extreme southwestern
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States. It is one of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, sharing the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. It also ...
southward to
Nayarit and
Jalisco
Jalisco, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in western Mexico and is bordered by s ...
in
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
.
In the
U.S., the species is very localized. In New Mexico, mountain skinks are found only in the southern
Peloncillo Mountains (Hidalgo County) of southwest
Hidalgo County. It is known only from Geronimo Trail and Guadalupe Canyon, where it is uncommon in its limited habitat. In Arizona, the mountain skink occurs in the
Coronado National Forest.
Conservation status
Throughout its range in
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
, the species seems secure, although many local populations may be jeopardized by habitat loss.
In New Mexico, the species is classified as "critically impaired".
Habitat
The mountain skink is found in a wide variety of habitat, ranging from sea level to nearly 2,000 m (about 6,560 ft). It prefers areas with abundant and well-rotted
leaf litter, providing cover and places for laying eggs.
Behavior
''Plestiodon callicephalus'' is a terrestrial skink, spending most of its time foraging on the ground, hunting for small
invertebrates. It is a good burrower, burrowing its own den.
References
Further reading
*
Behler, J.L., and F.W. King. 1979. ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians''. Knopf. New York. 743 pp. . (''Eumeces tetragrammus callicephalus'', p. 578 + Plate 439.)
*
Bocourt, M.F. 1879. ''Mission Scientifique au Mexique et dans l'Amérique Centrale.'' Imprimerie Imperiale. Paris. pp. 360–440. (''Eumeces callicephalus'', p. 431 + Plate XXII. D., figure 2.; and Plate XXII. E., figure 2.)
*
Boulenger, G.A. 1887. ''Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ, Gerrhosauridæ, Scincidæ,...'' Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers.) London. xii + 575 pp. + Plates I.- XL. (''Eumeces callicephalus'', p. 378.)
*
Smith, H.M., and E.D. Brodie Jr. 1982. ''Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification''. Golden Press. New York. 240 pp. . (''Eumeces callicephalus'', pp. 76–77.)
External links
BISON fact sheet
{{Taxonbar, from=Q153572
Plestiodon
Reptiles of the United States
Reptiles of Mexico
Reptiles described in 1879
Taxa named by Marie Firmin Bocourt