Cnemidophorus exsanguis, Stebbins, 1985

TAYLOR, HARRY L., COLE, CHARLES J., HARDY, LAURENCE M., DESSAUER, HERBERT C., TOWNSEND, CAROL R., WALKER, JAMES M. & CORDES, JAMES E., 2001, Natural Hybridization Between the Teiid Lizards Cnemidophorus tesselatus (Parthenogenetic) and C. tigris marmoratus (Bisexual): Assessment of Evolutionary Alternatives, American Museum Novitates 3345, pp. 1-1 : 1-

sentatives of C. exsanguis and C. inornatus

were found throughout the study area, with the latter species using grass­dominated sites to a greater extent than its congeners. Daily contacts among members of all four species and the hybrid group could easily occur. Evidence of one such encounter consisted of an adult representative of C. inornatus that had been regurgitated by one of two hybrids in a collecting bag.

THE CNEMIDOPHORUS ASSEMBLAGE

Each of the four species of Cnemidophorus at Arroyo del Macho has a distinctive color pattern and can be reliably identified in the field prior to capture. Hybrids collected in 1996 and 1997 were initially identified as representatives of C. tesselatus , which they most closely resemble, prior to dissecting all individuals for an assessment of reproductive condition. Subsequently, consistent color pattern features of the hybrids were recognized that both diagnose their hybrid status and identify their parental species. While some hybrids can be approached closely enough for positive identification in the field, all hybrids can be identified as such subsequent to capture.