Natural history and distribution of the lizard Barisia rudicollis(Anguidae).

摘要

Known by the common name of escorpion, like all the other gerrhonotine lizards in Moxico (Gonzfilez-Romero, 1982), Barisia rudicollis is one of the least understood species of the genus. Despite the fact that this was one of the earliest gerrhonotines described (Wiegmann, 1828), only 16 specimens deposited in scientific collections had been reported as of 1992, including 5 that were embryos contained in a female (Wiegmann, 1828, 1834). That few specimens of B. rudicollis are available in collections results from a combination of several factors, including a restricted geographic distribution, presumably small populations, and an accelerated rate of destruction of habitat. Additionally, because they are believed to be poisonous, these lizards are killed by people in the areas where they live. In recent years several specimens identified as B. rudicollis have been deposited in Mexican herpetological collections. Some were collected at sites previously known for this species, including Valle de Brava and Zempoala. The remaining specimens came from Tuxpan and Ocuilan, in the States of Michoacam and Mexico, respectively, and the Sierra del Chichinautzin and Tetla del Volcfin, in the State of Morelos. The specimens from Tuxpan do belong to B. rudicoUis; however, specimens from the remaining localities actually represent an undescribed species (Zaldivar-River6n, 1998; Zaldfvar-River6n and Nieto-Monte de Oca, in litt.). Herein, we present data on distribution, habitat, life form, reproduction, and sexual dimorphism of B. rudicollis. Specimens examined (Appendix 1) are deposited in the Museo de Zoologfa "Alfonso L. Herrera" of the Facultad de Ciencias (MZFC) and the herpetological collection of the Instituto de Biologfa (IBH), both from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, and the herpetological collection of the Universidad Nacional Aut6noma de Morelos (EBUM).