Abstract
We surveyed historic and nearby collecting localities for
Aspidoscelis (=
Cnemidophorus)
arizonae in Cochise and Graham Counties, Arizona, during spring and summer, 2000-2003. Aspidoscelis arizonae was present at or nearby all but one of the historic sites (seven of eight) that we surveyed located near Willcox (within 15 km), but not the type locality 65 km to the west at Fairbank, Cochise County, nor the Whitlock Valley 65 km to the northeast in Graham County. The Desert Grassland Whiptail, A. uniparens, was present at most sites unoccupied by
A. arizonae, including the type locality; three sites were occupied by both taxa. Cattle grazing was apparent at virtually all sites occupied by either species;
A. arizonae was associated with relatively open grasslands, whereas
A. uniparens was often found in habitats with numerous invader shrubs (e.g., mesquite), regardless of grazing activity.
Parent Publication
Keywords
Aspidocelis arizonae,
habitat,
distribution,
historic sites,
surveys,
Arizona
Citation
Sullivan, Brian K.; Hamilton, Paul S.; Kwiatkowski, Matthew A. 2005. The Arizona striped whiptail: past and present. In: Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 145-148
