Natural history of Xenosaurus phalaroanthereon (Squamata, Xenosauridae), a Knob-scaled Lizard from Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

We made observations on the natural history of a population of the lizard Xenosaurus phalaroanthereon from Oaxaca, Mexico. Females were larger than males (SVL). Most lizards were found completely inside rock crevices. Mean body temperature was 20.3°C. Body temperature wasrelated primarily to substrate temperature. Body temperature was not influenced by any crevice characteristic. Based on abdominal palpation, the size at maturity for females appears to be 117-119 mm SVL. Sex ratio did not differ from 1:1. We compare the ecology of this population to that of other Xenosaurus.

Keywords

• Squamata
• Xenosauridae
• Xenosaurus phalaroanthereon
• body temperature
• sex ratio
• sexual dimorphism
• size at maturity
• Mexico