Elgaria.com

Investigation of the distribution and life history of the Panamint Alligator Lizard

 

Have you seen this lizard?

Email sighting information to:

cyasuda (at) mail.csuchico.edu

 

Panamint alligator lizards are small (3.5 -6" long without tail) striped lizards. They are only found in Inyo & Mono Counties in California but may occur across the border in Nevada.

 

Please submit as much of the following as possible:

GPS coordinates of animal location

Date & Time of encounter

Photographs of animal

Measurements (length, weight, sex) ***

 

*** Panamint alligator lizards are a California species of special concern and require special permits to pursue or catch. Most information can be gathered without disturbing the animal, do not attempt to catch this species if you do not have proper permits.

 Catherine Yasuda

I recieved my Bachelor's degree from University of California, Davis in Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology Spring, 2012.  I am currently pursuing a Master's degree from CSU Chico working in the Engstrom Vertebrate Ecology Laboratory studying Panamint alligator lizards.

 

Interests:

Herpetology, Scientific Illustration, Birding, Mammology, Museum Studies

 

Publications:

Lambert, M.R., Yasuda, C.M. and Todd, B.D. 2012. Evaluation of a photographic technique for estimating body size in lizards from a distance. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 7(1): 83-88.

 

Yasuda, C.M. and Todd, B.D. 2012. Evidence of sexual size dimorphism of head morphology in an introduced population of the banded watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) from an isolated California waterway. Manuscript in review.

 

Contact Information:

Catherine Yasuda

Department of Biological Sciences,

California State University, Chico

cyasuda (at) mail.csuchico.edu

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Fauna & Flora Identification:


California Herps: Californiaherps.com

 

California Fish: California Fish Website

 

California Rare Plants: California Native Plant Society

 

North American Mammals: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

 

North American Birds: What Bird

 

 

 

Where to report wildlife sightings:

 

Birds: eBird

 

Reptiles/Amphibians: Herpetological Education & Research Project

 

California Roadkill: California Roadkill Observation System

 

California Rare Taxa: California Natural Diversity Database

 

All taxa: iNaturalist

 

 

Primary Research Objectives:

 

1. Determine important life history characteristics of Panamint alligator lizards including habitat requirements, home range size, and overwintering/aestivation sites.

 

2. Estimate current population abundance and distribution across the landscape, including conducting surveys in historical locations to determine if animals are still extant at these sites.

 

3. Construct a detailed habitat model to predict where Panamint alligator lizards may be found and how climate change may impact this species in the future.

 

 

Secondary Research Objectives:

 

1. Utilizing museum records and live animals, analyze scale morphology to determine if members of Elgaria can be identified to individuals utilizing pattern recognition software.

 

2. Determine if the color pattern of Panamint alligator lizards is unique to individuals.

 

3. Construct an online reporting system and database of known individuals based on outcome of objectives 1 & 2.