The New Mexico whiptail (Aspidoscelis neomexicanus) is a female-only species of lizard found in New Mexico and Arizona in the southwestern United States, and in Chihuahua in northern Mexico. It is the official state reptile of New Mexico.[2] It is one of many lizard species known to be parthenogenetic. Individuals of the species can be created either through the hybridization of the little striped whiptail (A. inornatus) and the western whiptail (A. tigris),[3] or through the parthenogenetic reproduction of an adult New Mexico whiptail.
The hybridization of these species prevents healthy males from forming, whereas males exist in one parent species (see Sexual differentiation). Parthenogenesis allows the all-female population to reproduce. This combination of interspecific hybridization and parthenogenesis exists as a reproductive strategy in several species of whiptail lizard within the genus Aspidoscelis to which the New Mexico whiptail belongs.
The New Mexico whiptail grows from 6.5 to 9.1 in (16.5 to 23 cm) in length, and is typically overall brown or black in color with seven pale yellow stripes from head to tail. Light colored spots often occur between the stripes. They have a white or pale blue underside, with a blue or blue-green colored throat. They are slender bodied, with a long tail that is more commonly blue-green in their infant stage, melding into the same spotted brown and yellow color as they age.
Behavioredit
Like most other whiptail lizards, the New Mexico whiptail is diurnal and insectivorous. They are wary, energetic, and fast moving, darting for cover if approached. They are found in a wide variety of semi-arid habitats, including grassland, rocky areas, shrubland, or mountainside woodlands. Reproduction occurs through parthenogenesis, with up to four unfertilized eggs being laid in mid summer, and hatching approximately eight weeks later.
The New Mexico whiptail lizard is a crossbreed of a western whiptail, which lives in the desert, and the little striped whiptail, which favors grasslands. The whiptail engages in mating behavior with other females of its own species, giving rise to the nickname "lesbian lizards".[4][5] A common theory is that this behavior stimulates ovulation, as those that do not "mate" do not lay eggs.[6]
^Hammerson, G.A.; Lavin, P.; Vazquez Díaz, J.; Quintero Díaz, G.; Gadsden, H. (2007). "Aspidoscelis neomexicana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T64278A12752324. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64278A12752324.en. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
^(PDF). New Mexico Envirothon. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
^Lowe, Charles H.; Wright, John W. (1966). "Evolution of parthenogenetic species of Cnemidophorus (whiptail lizards) in western North America". Journal of the Arizona Academy of Science. 4 (2): 81–87. JSTOR 40022375.
^"BBC Two - Battle of the Sexes - In the Animal World, THE RIDDLE OF SEX, Lesbian lizards". BBC. 10 March 2010. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
^Spinney, Kimberley (2015-06-15). "Lesbian Lizards a Hybrid Species Out of New Mexico". Guardian Liberty Voice. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
^Crews, David (1987). "Courtship in unisexual lizards: A model for brain evolution". Scientific American. 257 (6): 116–121. Bibcode:1987SciAm.257f.116C. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican1287-116. JSTOR 24979584.
Referencesedit
January 01, 1970
mexico, whiptail, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, november, 2013, learn, when, remove, this, message, aspidosc. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations November 2013 Learn how and when to remove this message The New Mexico whiptail Aspidoscelis neomexicanus is a female only species of lizard found in New Mexico and Arizona in the southwestern United States and in Chihuahua in northern Mexico It is the official state reptile of New Mexico 2 It is one of many lizard species known to be parthenogenetic Individuals of the species can be created either through the hybridization of the little striped whiptail A inornatus and the western whiptail A tigris 3 or through the parthenogenetic reproduction of an adult New Mexico whiptail New Mexico whiptail New Mexico whiptail Aspidoscelis neomexicanus Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Family Teiidae Genus Aspidoscelis Species A neomexicanus Binomial name Aspidoscelis neomexicanusLowe amp Zweifel 1952 Synonyms Cnemidophorus perplexusBaird amp Girard 1852Cnemidophorus neomexicanusLowe amp Zweifel 1952 The hybridization of these species prevents healthy males from forming whereas males exist in one parent species see Sexual differentiation Parthenogenesis allows the all female population to reproduce This combination of interspecific hybridization and parthenogenesis exists as a reproductive strategy in several species of whiptail lizard within the genus Aspidoscelis to which the New Mexico whiptail belongs Contents 1 Description 2 Behavior 3 See also 4 Footnotes 5 ReferencesDescription editThe New Mexico whiptail grows from 6 5 to 9 1 in 16 5 to 23 cm in length and is typically overall brown or black in color with seven pale yellow stripes from head to tail Light colored spots often occur between the stripes They have a white or pale blue underside with a blue or blue green colored throat They are slender bodied with a long tail that is more commonly blue green in their infant stage melding into the same spotted brown and yellow color as they age Behavior editLike most other whiptail lizards the New Mexico whiptail is diurnal and insectivorous They are wary energetic and fast moving darting for cover if approached They are found in a wide variety of semi arid habitats including grassland rocky areas shrubland or mountainside woodlands Reproduction occurs through parthenogenesis with up to four unfertilized eggs being laid in mid summer and hatching approximately eight weeks later The New Mexico whiptail lizard is a crossbreed of a western whiptail which lives in the desert and the little striped whiptail which favors grasslands The whiptail engages in mating behavior with other females of its own species giving rise to the nickname lesbian lizards 4 5 A common theory is that this behavior stimulates ovulation as those that do not mate do not lay eggs 6 See also editWhiptailFootnotes edit Hammerson G A Lavin P Vazquez Diaz J Quintero Diaz G Gadsden H 2007 Aspidoscelis neomexicana IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2007 e T64278A12752324 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2007 RLTS T64278A12752324 en Retrieved 17 May 2023 Chapter VIII New Mexico state animals PDF New Mexico Envirothon Archived from the original PDF on July 14 2011 Retrieved January 22 2011 Lowe Charles H Wright John W 1966 Evolution of parthenogenetic species of Cnemidophorus whiptail lizards in western North America Journal of the Arizona Academy of Science 4 2 81 87 JSTOR 40022375 BBC Two Battle of the Sexes In the Animal World THE RIDDLE OF SEX Lesbian lizards BBC 10 March 2010 Retrieved 2021 11 14 Spinney Kimberley 2015 06 15 Lesbian Lizards a Hybrid Species Out of New Mexico Guardian Liberty Voice Retrieved 2021 11 14 Crews David 1987 Courtship in unisexual lizards A model for brain evolution Scientific American 257 6 116 121 Bibcode 1987SciAm 257f 116C doi 10 1038 scientificamerican1287 116 JSTOR 24979584 References editHerps of Texas Cnemidophorus neomexicanus Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title New Mexico whiptail amp oldid 1220947633, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
