Xantusia
Encyclopedia
Xantusia is one of three genera
of night lizards (family
Xantusiidae). Species of Xantusia are small to medium-sized, viviparous (live-bearing) lizards found in the U.S.
southwest and in northern Mexico.
The name and description of the type species and genus was published in 1859, by Spencer Fullerton Baird
, the name commemorating the naturalist John Xantus.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of night lizards (family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Xantusiidae). Species of Xantusia are small to medium-sized, viviparous (live-bearing) lizards found in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
southwest and in northern Mexico.
The name and description of the type species and genus was published in 1859, by Spencer Fullerton Baird
Spencer Fullerton Baird
Spencer Fullerton Baird was an American ornithologist, ichthyologist and herpetologist. Starting in 1850 he was assistant-secretary and later secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C...
, the name commemorating the naturalist John Xantus.
Classification
The following is a list of species in the genus,- Arizona night lizardArizona night lizardThe Arizona Night lizard is a small smooth-skinned gray-brown lizard with dark spots that sometimes form partial lines down the back. The lizard has a slightly flattened head....
, Xantusia arizonae - Bezy's night lizardBezy's night lizardBezy's night lizard, Xantusia bezyi, is a small, smooth-skinned gray-brown to yellow-brown night lizard found in desert highlands and pine woodlands of central Arizona. This night lizard measures from its nose to its vent. It has a flattened head and dark splotches on its back. The eyes lack...
, Xantusia bezyi - Bolson night lizard, Xantusia bolsonae
- Durango night lizardDurango night lizardThe Durango night lizard is a diminutive lizard found in the Mexican state of Durango. It is usually found in niches of agave and yucca plants.-External links:*...
, Xantusia extorris - Gilbert's night lizard, Xantusia gilberti
- Sandstone night lizardSandstone night lizardThe Sandstone night lizard, Xantusia gracilis, is a recently named species of night lizard. Prior to this elevated status it was considered a subspecies of the Granite night lizard Xantusia henshawi...
, Xantusia gracilis - Granite night lizardGranite night lizardThe Granite night lizard is a flat-bodied species of lizard with a broad, flat head and a soft skin. It has rounded, dark dorsal spots on a pale yellow or cream background. Its scales are granular on its dorsum, but large and squarish on the ventral surface...
, Xantusia henshawi - Island night lizardIsland Night LizardThe Island Night Lizard is a night lizard native to three of the Channel Islands of California: San Nicolas Island, Santa Barbara Island and San Clemente Island. The San Clemente community is a recognized subspecies, the San Clemente Night Lizard, or Xantusia riversiana reticulata...
, Xantusia riversiana - Sanchez's night lizard, Xantusia sanchezi
- Desert night lizardDesert night lizardThe Desert Night Lizard Xantusia vigilis is a night lizard native to southern California east of the Sierras and San Gabriel Mountains into Baja California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and extreme western Arizona....
, Xantusia vigilis