Cnemidophorus exsanguis, Stebbins, 1985

TAYLOR, HARRY L., COLE, CHARLES J., HARDY, LAURENCE M., DESSAUER, HERBERT C., TOWNSEND, CAROL R., WALKER, JAMES M. & CORDES, JAMES E., 2001, Natural Hybridization Between the Teiid Lizards Cnemidophorus tesselatus (Parthenogenetic) and C. tigris marmoratus (Bisexual): Assessment of Evolutionary Alternatives, American Museum Novitates 3345, pp. 1-1 : 1-

CNEMIDOPHORUS EXSANGUIS

Parthenogenetic C. exsanguis is a medium­sized triploid species. Our sample of 11 representatives had a mean snout–vent length (in mm ± SE, range limits) of 74.1 ± 4.1, 58–98. The species is characterized by three pairs of pale longitudinal stripes (paravertebrals, dorsolaterals, and laterals), all with straight margins, alternating with brown or reddish­brown dark fields. Numerous pale spots are superimposed on the stripes and dark fields. Pale stripes of large individuals may become obscure, but conspicuous spots on a fundamentally brown dorsum is a per­

common, C. tesselatus was rare, and C. tigris marmoratus was absent. The dark patch of shrubs partially cupped by the distant rocky outcrop is creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata ); a few individuals of C. tigris marmoratus were using this patch of habitat, and numerous C. tesselatus and hybrids were found in this area. B. A closer view of the patch of creosote bush (shown in A) surrounded by preferred microhabitat of C. tesselatus and hybrids. Other scattered patches of creosote bush were located north and east of this escarpment. Representatives of C. tigris were essentially restricted to the patches of creosote bush.

sistent feature of the pattern. A pale vertebral line (or its fragments) is missing in older

adults, and the pale ventral surfaces are unspotted. Hybrids did not exhibit any of the basic color pattern features of C. exsanguis .