The Amphibians and Reptiles of Sinaloa, Mexico - Smithsonian ...

126 UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLS., MUS. NAT. HIST.
from four localities north of Guasave, Sinaloa, have fewer dorsal
scales and femoral pores, about the same number of lamellae beneath
the fourth toe, a similar number of ventrals, and a relatively
shorter tail in males than specimens from the rest of the state.
Ventral color pattern of live males is as follows: two dark blue
or black bars bordered with light blue; light orange anterior to
bars continuous to insertion of forelimbs; bright yellow posterior
to bars, continuous to hind limbs and anterior part of thighs; chin
gray or white, with orange (pink in preservative) gular spot covering
about 15 scales; tail white. Ventral color of females is as follows:
bars much fainter than males, without blue borders; light orange
anterior to bars and bright yellow posterior to bars, extending onto
femur; chin gray and white or white with orange gular spot; tail
light orange. The orange gular coloration may be correlated with
breeding activity and exhibit seasonal variation.
Axtell (personal communication) distinguishes female H. m. elegant
from females of H. m. thermophila by differences in ground
color, distinctness of the dorsal blotches, relative proportions of the
dorsal blotches, and the relative size of the femoral pores. In
material from Sonora and Sinaloa available to us, the paravertebral
blotches are more sharply defined and are relatively wider in
elegans than in thermophila. There are no constant differences in
other characters examined. Axtell considers specimens from Guirocoba,
Alamos, and Camoa (Sonora) to be intergrades between the
two subspecies. Until more evidence regarding the intergradation
zone becomes available, all specimens from Sinaloa are referred
to Holbrookia maculata elegans.
Most specimens were found in open areas along trails, in river
beds, and on the beach. Females collected between July 3 and
July 19 contained eggs. Two recently hatched individuals (LACM
6606-07) were collected on August 15, 1962.
Distribution in Sinaloa.—Lowlands throughout the state, to elevation
of 520 meters. See Fig. 45.
Specimens examined.—16 km. NNE Choix. 520 m. ( e KU 73682-83); Colom'a
de la Reforma, 19.7 mi. W Techa June. (UAZ 4361); 19 km. N Culiacan
("KU 40450-55); 23 mi. E Culiacan (CSCLB 1977); 48 mi. S Culiacan (SU
19356); 6 km. NE El Fuerte, 155 m. (• KU 78619-30); 18 mi. S El Fuerte
(JRM 1129); 40 km. N El Limon (*KU 40449); Guamuchil (UAZ 14366);
11 mi. S Cuamuchil (CSCLB 2104); La Cruz, 9 m. ("KU 73678; LACM
6601); 4 mi. N Los Mochis turnoff (LACM 25712-14); 7.3 km. SW Matatan,
155 m. ('KU 78616); near Mazarlan (LACM 6602); 7 mi. N Magadan
(LACM 25711); 10 mi. N Mazatlan (LACM 8624); 7 mi. E Mazadin (UNM
10049); 1.5 km. SE Mazatlan, 3 m. (• KU 29657-61); 2 mi. S Obispo (LACM
6600); Playa Visnaga (UAZ 10492); 1 mi. W highway 15 along Rio Piaxtla
(CSCLB 1978); Rancho de los Pocitos, 14.2 mi. WNW Pericos June. (UAZ