Date of Award

Spring 1968

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Zoology and Physiology

First Advisor

Douglas A. Rossman

Abstract

During the period January, 1960, to September, 1965, herpetological collections were made throughout the isolated San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado, Over 800 specimens representing 15 species were examined and compared taxonomically with populations outside the Valley, Brief notes are included on natural history and ecology of the species in the area. Data are also presented on geography, geology, climate, vegetation, and zoogeographic position of the Valley, Thamnophis sirtalis dorsalis is eliminated from the fauna of Colorado upon re-examination of the specimen upon which this record was based. Data on Phrynosoma douglassi from the Valley support Gehlbach's (1965) conclusion that the race ornatissimum is only a high altitude variant of P. d. hernandesi. The first known intergrades of Eumeces multivirgatus are described from the Valley, proving E. m. multivirgatus and E, m. epipleurotus to be conspecific. A previously unknown ontogenetic pattern change is also described for this species. The relictual Valley population of Bufo cognatus is considered to represent a distinct race, but is not named due to a lack of information on geographic variation of the species in other areas. It is recommended that the name of the New Mexico-Arizona population of Pseudacris t. triseriata, currently considered a western relictual colony of the eastern population of P. t. triseriata, be changed to P. t. maculata. Specimens from the supposed areas of intergradation show a smooth north-south cline in taxonomic characters rather than an abrupt change,

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