Numeric analysis of the lizard genus Sceloporus with special reference to cranial osteology

Authors

Kenneth R. Larsen, Brigham Young University
Wilmer W. Tanner, Brigham Young University

Abstract

Numerical statistical methods were used to analyze the species in the genus Sceloporus using cranial osteology, external meristic and numeric characters, karyology, display behavior, and geographic distribution.

A new classification for the genus is proposed with three major branches or groups. Group I contains 7 species in 3 species groups. Group II contains approximately 19 species in 5 species groups. Group III contains approximately 32 species in 5 species groups. This classification is supported by the cluster analysis of several different sets of data. Cranial osteology, zoogeography, behavior, and karyology are shown to be taxonomically significant as numeric characters. Stepwise discriminate analysis shows that this classification of the species of Sceloporus into 3 major groups and 13 species groups is significant at the .999 confidence level: It is concluded that the 3 major groups should be given taxonomic recognition.

Recommended Citation

Larsen, Kenneth R. and Tanner, Wilmer W. (1974) "Numeric analysis of the lizard genus Sceloporus with special reference to cranial osteology," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 34: No. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol34/iss1/1