Abstract

The marked pattern and coloration which distinguish members of Crotaphytus collaris baileyi in its western range indicated a need to compare it to the collaris-complex consisting of C.c. auriceps, C.c. baileyi, and C.c. fuscus. Thirty-two external and sixteen cranial characters were measured on preserved specimens. Blood serum proteins were compared by disc gel electrophoresis. Cluster, canonical, and discriminant analyses were used to define population characteristics and areas of intergradation. Disc electrophoresis did not reveal consistent population differences. The western range of C.c. baileyi is restricted to Central Arizona. The Great Basin form from western Arizona, western Utah, southern Idaho, southeastern Oregon, Nevada, western California and northern Sonora, Mexico is proposed as a previously unrecognized subspecies, C.c. bicinctores. C. dickersonae, which is closely related to C.c. bicinctores, is reclassified as C.c. dickersonae. The population from Isla Angel de la Guardia is designated C. insularis insularis. The southern California, Baja California form is proposed as a previously unrecognized subspecies, C.i. vestigium.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Rights

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