Xenosaurus

Lizards of the genus Xenosaurus are viviparous dwellers of crevices and holes and they range throughout much of central and southern Mexico and into Guatemala (Ballinger et al., 2000b).

Given that some species and populations of Xenosaurus are classified as endangered or threatened by the Mexican government (e.g., Zuniga-Vega et al., 2007), and most species are known from relatively few and isolated populations (Ballinger et al., 2000b), it is critical that we gain a better understanding of their ecological needs and requirements so that appropriate management and conservation measures can be taken.

Three lengths of copper tubing were used: 51, 67, and 98 mm, corresponding to lengths of neonates, juveniles, and adults, respectively (based on measurements on this and other studies of Xenosaurus; e.g., Zamora-Abrego et al., 2007).

The knob-scaled lizard, Xenosaurus grandis is distributed as disjunct populations from west central Veracruz southward to Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico to Alta Verapaz, Guatemala (Ballinger et al.

The following Xenosaurus grandis specimens from Veracruz, Mexico were examined: LACM 5927, 10981,75420, 75688, 75690, 75691, 75694, 104942, 120049-120057, 120059, 120060, 120064, 120065, 120070, 120071, 120075-120077, 120080-120084, 120086, 120087, 121537, 135539, 135541, 135544, 135545, 135547, 136334-136336.