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C. vestigiurn by the absence in adult males of small
or large dark brown or black inguinal patches. It
may be further distinguished from C. dickersonae.
C. grismeri, C. bicinctores, C. insularis, and C. ves-
tigium by the absence in adult males of a strongly
laterally compressed tail, a white or off-white dorsal
caudal stripe, and a pale tan or white patternless
region on the dorsal surface of the head. It may be
further distinguished from C. grismeri, C. bicinc-
tores, C. insularis, and C. vestigium by the presence
of black oral melanin.
Variation (n = 17). -Rostra1 approximately four
times wider than high, usually rectangular in shape.
Rostra1 bordered by three to six postrostrals. Re-
maining snout scales irregularly arranged, an en-
larged middorsal series may be present. Nasals sep-
arated by five to seven internasals. Frontonasals oc-
casionally enlarged. Canthals three; five to eight
scales separate canthals of left and right sides. Su-
praorbital semicircles present with ten to 15 scales
per semicircle, median scales do not fuse to form
azygous frontals. Supraoculars flat or convex,
smooth, becoming progressively larger medially such
that medial scales are two to four times larger than
lateral ones. Circumorbitals present, not well dif-
ferentiated from supraoculars. Superciliaries seven
to 13, extremely elongate medial scale occasionally
present. Palpebrals ovoid, slightly convex, inter-
spersed with numerous interstitial granules. Preo-
culars, suboculars, and postoculars form an arc of
seven to 12 rectangular scales, second, third, or fourth
scale not elongate. Supralabials 1 1 to 15, usually
slightly longer than high except anteriormost scale,
which is square or pentagonal. Lorilabials in two to
three rows, ovoid to rectangular, juxtaposed, sepa-
rating supralabials from suboculars and nasals. Ap-
erture of external auditory meatus rectangular or
ovoid, often constricted at or above the midpoint,
approximately two to four times higher than wide,
with small, strongly convex, somewhat conical au-
ricular scales lining anterior margin. Mental pen-
tagonal, one to 1.5 times wider than high, bordered
laterally by anterior infralabials and posteriorly by
a pair of large postmentals. Postmentals may or may
not be separated from infralabials by one or two
sublabials. Chinshields weakly differentiated or un-
differentiated. Infralabials ten to 15, square or wider
than high, inferior border convex. Gulars granular,
strongly convex and beadlike, each scale separated
from adjacent scales by numerous asymmetrically
arranged interstitial granules.
Dorsal scales in approximately 156 to 192 rows
midway between forelimb and hindlimb insertions.
OF CROTAPHYTID LIZARDS
Tail long, cylindrical to oval, sometimes more
strongly laterally compressed in adult males. Paired,
median row of subcaudals larger than adjacent sub-
caudals and lateral caudals. Enlarged postanal scales
absent in males.
Deep postfemoral dermal mite pocket absent.
Femoral pores 15 to 18, femoral pores do not extend
beyond angle of knee, separated medially by 14 to
20 granular scales. Subdigital lamellae on fourth toe
18 to 22.
Coloration in Life. -Dorsal body coloration in
adult males and females is golden tan. The white
component of the dorsal pattern is composed of a
white reticulum found over nearly the entire dorsal
surface of the animal, including the body, the tail,
all four limbs, and the superficial mandibular and
temporal regions. Many of the white reticulations
of the body (and occasionally the limbs) enclose
black pigments and these black-filled hexagons are
present in seven or eight transversely arranged rows.
Transverse body bars are absent. A broad white or
off-white caudal vertebral stripe is not present in
adult males. The dorsal surface of the head is not
pale colored, and may bear a mottled pattern. Olive
green or burnt orange ventrolateral coloration is
lacking. The gular coloration in adult males is gen-
erally slate gray or olive green and may be heavily
tinged with yellow when the male breeding colora-
tion is present. A black central gular component is
present in males. Anterior and posterior collar
markings are usually present in males, while only
the posterior collar markings (in the form ofa trans-
verse series of black-filled reticulations) are often
present in females. In both sexes, the collar markings
appear to be more rudimentary than those of other
Crotaphytus and appear to represent modified rows
of transversely arranged black-filled hexagons from
which black pigments have escaped and run togeth-
er. When present, the posterior markings do not
contact middorsally. The anterior collar markings
are complete ventrally in adult males, with black
pigments extending through the gular fold. A pair
of black nuchal spots are generally present middor-
sally between the anterior collar markings. Enlarged
melanic axillary patches immediately posterior to
the forelimb insertion are lacking. Large melanic
inguinal patches are never present in adult males.
The femoral pore exudate of males is jet black.
Paired, melanic keels are absent from the ventral
surface of the caudal extremity. Females develop
vivid orange or reddish lateral bars during the gravid
period. The tail is not vividly colored in adult or
subadult females of this species.