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banded rock lizard
	Petrosaurus mearnsi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Lacertilia
Family:	Phrynosomatidae
Genus:	Petrosaurus
Species:	P. mearnsi
Binomial name
	Petrosaurus mearnsi; (Stejneger, 1894)
Synonyms
	Uta mearnsi Stejneger, 1894; Streptosaurus mearnsi ; — Mittleman, 1942; Petrosaurus mearnsi ; — Stebbins, 1985;

Petrosaurus mearnsi also known as the Banded rock lizard is a species of lizard commonly found in California.

Etymology

The specific name, mearnsi, is in honor of American naturalist Edgar Alexander Mearns, who collected the first specimens.^[2]^[3]

Occurrence

It occurs mainly in the eastern desert and rocky gorges in the peninsular range from San Gorgonia Pass, Riverside Co., south into northern Baja California. They have also been spotted in in Borrego-Palm Canyon, Anza Borrego SP, San Diego Co. They are present in low land areas as well as mountainous ranges and are found at heights from near sea level to around 3,600 ft. (1,100 m). It prefers a hot arid climate in massive rocks and high rocky cliffs palm oases, and desert flats. (Smith, 1975) ^[4] ^[5]

Description

Petrosaurus mearnsi is a small lizard ranging from 2.75-4.5 inches (6.6-10.6 cm) from snout to vent, however it has a long tail, and including that it can reach a length of up to one foot. They have a flat shape and intricately pattered body. It is identified by narrow black collar around the neck. It also, has wavy dark crossbars spread over its back and tail, though these are faint and hard to spot. It is usually olive, brown grayish in colour, with a few white spots. This colour helps them camouflage with its natural rocky desert environment. There is existence of sexual dimorphism, distinguishing between males, having a more pronounced scale pattern, and females. One can also distinguish between males and females by the colouring on the throat. Males have blue colouring where as the females have orange scales. Females also develop the orange colouring above their eyes when they are fertile. (Lemm 2006) ^[6] ^[7]

Behaviour

They are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day between the hours of dawn and dusk. They breed during the warm periods of the year from spring to early fall. It stays dormant during the cold period of the year. They are excellent climbers, and can climb any vertical heights, run upside down in gorges and rocky cliffs. They escape from predators by running to the opposite side of a rock. Males are territorial and defend their territories by bobbing their head up and down and bite when attacked. (MacKay, 1975) ^[8]

Diet

Petrosaurus mearnsi is omnivorous. Its diet mainly includes a variety of small invertebrates, ants, beetles, flies, caterpillars, spiders, etc. along with flower buds and blossoms, and occasionally other small lizards.

Reproduction

Petrosaurus mearnsi is sexually active over the spring and lays eggs in summer between the months of June and August; their gestation period is about two months.

References

This article is based on a description from "A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Coastal Southern California", Robert N. Fisher and Ted J. Case, USGS, http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/index.htm.

^ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
^ Beltz, Ellin. 2006. Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained. ebeltz.net/herps/biogappx.html.
^ Beolens, Bo; Michael Watkins; Michael Grayson. 2011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore. xiii + 312 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Petrosaurus mearnsi, p. 174.)
^ http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/CArocklizards.html
^ Smith, H. M. (1975). Handbook of lizards: Lizards of the united states and canada. Ithaca, NY, : Comstock Publishing Associates.
^ http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/p.mearnsi.html#description
^ http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=AR0704
^ MacKay, W. (1975). The home range of the banded lizard petrosaurus mearnsi. (1 ed., Vol. 20, pp. 113-120). Neiva, Columbia: Southwestern Association of Naturalists. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/3670017

Category:Phrynosomatids Category:Fauna of the California chaparral and woodlands Category:Reptiles of the United States

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[1] The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

[2] Beltz, Ellin. 2006. Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained. ebeltz.net/herps/biogappx.html.

[3] Beolens, Bo; Michael Watkins; Michael Grayson. 2011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore. xiii + 312 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Petrosaurus mearnsi, p. 174.)

[4] ttp://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/CArocklizards.html

[5] Smith, H. M. (1975). Handbook of lizards: Lizards of the united states and canada. Ithaca, NY, : Comstock Publishing Associates.

[6] ttp://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/p.mearnsi.html#description

[7] ttp://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=AR0704

[8] MacKay, W. (1975). The home range of the banded lizard petrosaurus mearnsi. (1 ed., Vol. 20, pp. 113-120). Neiva, Columbia: Southwestern Association of Naturalists. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/3670017

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