Notes on Viscainopelmatus davewerneri (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae; Stenopelmatinae) from the Viscaino Desert, Baja California Sur, Mexico

A male nymph in stadium 3 of Viscainopelmatus davewerneri Tinkham is reported and illustrated. The specimen was taken near Laguna Scammon, Baja California Sur, Mexico.     

Microtopography of microbiotic crusts on the Colorado Plateau, and distribution of component organisms

We analyzed the microtopography of microbiotic soil crusts at 3 sites on the Colorado Plateau of southern Utah and investigated distributions of cyanobacteria and several lichens in distinctive microhabitats created by this topography. At all 3 sites the long axes of linear soil mounds were oriented nonrandomly in a NNW—SSE direction. The conspicuous and consistent orientation of soil mounds may result from a combination of physical and biotic processes. Subtle differences across sites in mound orientation and organismal distribution suggest that these variables may be useful in comparing disturbance histories of crusts retrospectively. Differences in colonization frequencies, abundances, and distributions of microorganisms comprising the crusts, as a function of mound aspect or exposure, suggest that these organisms are associated with particular aspects due to distinctive and favorable microhabitats on these exposures. Polysaccharide sheath material, deposited by cyanobacteria, and associated filaments occurred in greater quantities on ENE than WSW mound exposures, and cover by Collema spp. lichens exhibited the same pattern. Colonization of mounds by common lichen species occurred significantly more frequently on ENE than WSW mound aspects at 2 of 3 sites. In contrast, the 3 most common lichen species, aside from Collema spp., did not exhibit a tendency for greater cover on ENE than WSW mound aspects. Physiological differences between gelatinous cyanolichens and green-algal lichens may explain the different distributional patterns of Collema spp. and the 3 other lichens.     

The name of the Baja California Cape wormsnake

The type - specimen of Glauconia boettgeri Werner, 1899, is consubspecific with L. h. slevini Klauber, 1931. The valid name of the Baja California Cape wormsnake accordingly is Leptatyphlops humilis boettgeri (Werner)     

An extant, indigenous tortoise population in Baja California Sur, Mexico, with the description of a new species of Xerobates (Testudines: Testudinidae)

An extant, indigenous desert tortoise population is reported from the cape region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. This population is described and figured as a new species, Xerobates lepidocephalus , distinct from all other North American tortoises including Xerobates agassizii , X. berlandieri , Gopherus flavomarginatus , and G. polyphemus . Xerobates lepidocephalus , or the scaly-headed tortoise, whose range is known only from an extremely small area in the gulf-drainage mountains just south of La Paz, appears to be a peninsular relict whose closest living relative is probably X. agassizii . However, carpal bone affinities connote a close relationship between X. lepidocephalus and the Oligoeene species X. laticunea from Wyoming and Colorado, suggesting that the former species may be one of the more primitive contemporary tortoises of the Xerobates lineage. Such evidence indicates that X. lepidocephalus is not of vicariant origin resulting from the formation of the cape of Baja California. Scaly-headed tortoises likely ranged, and may yet be discovered, in other medium-elevation mountain ranges of the cape.     

Description of a Phyllorhynchus from Cerralvo Island, Gulf of California, Mexico

Phyllorhynchus decurtatus porelli ssp. nov. is described from a single specimen from Cerralvo Island, Gulf of California, Mexico, and is regarded as different from P. d. decuratus on the basis of an increased number of dorsal blotches (41 as compared to 18 – 33) and an increased number of supralabials (7 as compared to 6), combined with geographical isolation and the high degree of endemism found in other reptiles on Cerralvo Island.       

Predatory bird populations in the east Mojave Desert, California

We surveyed 7 species of predatory birds weekly during a 12-month period (December 1992 through November 1993) in the east Mojave Desert, California. The Common Raven ( Corvus corax ) was the most frequently observed species with an average of 6.9 sightings per 100 km. Turkey Vultures ( Cathartes aura ), Red-tailed Hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis ), Loggerhead Shrikes ( Lanius ludovicianus ), American Kestrels ( Falco sparverius ), Golden Eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ), and Prairie Falcons ( Falco mexicanus ) were seen in decreasing order of frequency of observation through the study period. Ravens, Red-tailed Hawks, Loggerhead Shrikes, American Kestrels, and Prairie Falcons were seen throughout the year. Turkey Vultures were not present during winter months, while Golden Eagles were seen only during November and December. Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, and ravens were most numerous on agricultural lands, while Loggerhead Shrikes were most common at urban areas. Raven numbers increased with increasing number of linear rights-of-way parallel to the survey route. Perching was the most common behavior type, although Turkey Vultures and ravens were often observed soaring, flying, or standing on the ground near highways. Transmission powerline towers and telephone poles were used as perch sites disproportionately to availability.     

Late Pleistocene-early Holocene history of coniferous woodlands in the Lucerne Valley region, Mohave Desert, California

The composition of four radiocarbon-dated, late Pleistocene woodrat middens is reported and analyzed. A date of 11,850 ±550 BP records the first reported macrofossil occurrence in this region of late Pleistocene Pinus monophylla-Juniperus osteosperma woodlands. A 7,800 ±350 BP date documents the most recent J. osteosperma woodlands in this presently coniferless desert area, while a date of 12,100 ±400 BP is the oldest record of juniper woodlands among the four middens. Other juniper and creosote bush desert flora radiocarbon dates along with six pollen profiles were obtained. The research suggests that as recently as 7,800 BP this part of the Mohave Desert was subject to a cooler, moister climate than at present, and that the aboriginal food resources of pinyon seeds and juniper berries were probably available to early prehistoric man in this area.     

Stephonyx californiensis sp. nov. (Amphipoda: Lysianassoidea: Uristidae), a new bathyal scavenger species from the Central Gulf of California,Mexico, and comments on the bathymetric and geographic distribution of the Stephonyx species group

A new species of scavenger amphipod of the genus Stephonyx is described and illustrated. The specimen was caught at 1150 m depth with a modified rectangular lobster trap positioned on the sea bottom in the central Gulf of California, Mexico. The new species is characterised by the absence of eyes; the lateral cephalic lobes medially developed and acute; antennae subequal in length; gnathopod 1 chelate, dactylus simple with three distal stout setae, inner margin sinuous with minute setae; gnathopod 2 subchelate, carpus with ventral margin crenulate, propodus subovate, palm deeply excavate, and dactylus slightly shorter than palm; maxilliped inner plate laceolate, with seven marginal nodular robust setae, distally; telson, each lobe with two dorsal robust setae, distal margin truncated, with one penicillate and two simple setae, in addition to two short spines. Stephonyx californiensis sp. nov. is morphologically similar to S. arabiensis, S talismani, S. laqueus and S. perexcavatus. The new species increases the number of Stephonyx species around the world to 14, with one species inhabiting from the continental shelf to abyssal depths (to 3000 m), 11 species occurring in bathyal depths (201–2000 m), and two other species restricted to abyssal depths (2001–4000 m).

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:346C3B15-E56A-4E17-9C5F-C9FDBB2AED92     

Species composition, emergence, and habitat preferences of Trichoptera of the Sagehen Creek Basin, California, USA

An extensive study of larvae and adult Trichoptera of the Sagehen Creek basin. Sierra Nevada, California, USA, revealed 77 species representing 14 families and 41 genera. Twenty-six species were restricted to small water bodies (spring sources, seeps, spring streams, temporary ponds, and intermittent streams); 27 were restricted to Sagehen Creek, a second-order stream, and the mouths of two large spring streams. Similarity between species caught at black lights and those in emergence traps was 43%. There were two major peaks in adult emergence by species, midsummer and late summer-fall. A few species emerged during winter or throughout most of the year. The species composition of the community showed affinity with Oregon, the Great Basin, and the Rocky Mountains but very little similarity with the California Coast Range. Four of the most abundant species in the basin have very restricted distributions. Ecological separation of several groups of closely related species could be explained by major differences in larval habitats or by different emergence periods.     

Additional records of reptiles from Jalisco, Mexico

Noteworthy records of reptiles from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, are presented. The first state records of Coleonyx elegans nemoralis, the second state record for Geophis tarascae, and notes on the distribution and reproduction of Eumeces brevirostris indubitus are discussed.     

Comparison of distribution and habitat characteristics between an endemic and a wide-ranging cryptic species of Peromyscus on the Baja California Peninsula

Peromyscus eva and Peromyscus fraterculus are 2 morphologically similar species of the Peromyscus eremicus group occurring on the Baja California Peninsula. Due to the similarity between these 2 species, their ranges have been greatly confused; consequently, the specific habitat characteristics for each group are not well known. The goal of this study was to assess distribution ranges and characteristics of preferred habitats for P. eva and P. fraterculus in more detail. We identified taxonomy of individuals by evaluating genetic patterns produced by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). We evaluated the banding pattern generated by Alu I and Bam HI restriction enzymes in an 850-bp cytochrome b fragment. Consistent differences in number and size of fragments allowed for discrimination of individuals to species. The heterogeneity and evenness indexes showed that the microhabitat of P. fraterculus contained less-diverse soil types and is more homogeneous than the microhabitat of P. eva. In the state of Baja California Sur, P. eva occurs exclusively in the flat areas along the Pacific coast from the Vizcaino Desert to the south, including Margarita Island, with one small population in the Loreto area adjacent to Carmen Island. The habitats occupied by P. eva were heterogeneous (areas with friable, soft sandy soil and a low percentage of small stones). Peromyscus fraterculus occurs mostly in Baja California Norte, with some populations distributed in Baja California Sur, particularly in the western areas of the Vizcaino Desert along the mountain range, in the gulf side of the peninsula south of the city of La Paz, and in a small area on the eastern side of Sierra de Las Cruces. This species was mostly found on hard soil with high medium-size stone content.     

Soil algae of cryptogamic crusts from the Uintah Basin, Utah, U.S.A.

The algal flora of selected soils in the Uintah Basin, Uintah County, Utah, was studied. A total of 45 species was identified from the top soils of three different vascular plant habitats. The soil algal flora was dominated in biomass by filamentous Cyanophyta, including Microcoleus vaginatus, Phormidium minnesotense, and three species of Nostoc . These algae formed the algal matrix of the soil within which other Cyanophyta as well as Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, and Euglenophyta occurred.         

A new sceloporine lizard from Oaxaca, Mexico

Sceloporus megalepidurus halli, subsp. nov., is described from San José Lachiguiri, Oaxaca, Mexico, from one adult male.     

Species composition and habitat associations of benthic algal assemblages in headwater streams of the Sierra Nevada, California

Despite their trophic importance and potential importance as bioindicators of stream condition, benthic algae have not been well studied in California. In particular there are few studies from small streams in the Sierra Nevada. The objective of this study was to determine the standing crop of chlorophyll- a and benthic algal species assemblages present in the small 1st- and 2nd-order streams of the Kings River Experimental Watersheds (KREW, watersheds of Bull, Providence, Duff, and Teakettle Creeks) and determine the associations of these measures with stream habitat. We collected samples of benthic algae from rock substrata in September 2002 (7 sites) and 2005 (the same 7 sites plus 5 additional sites). Habitat and water-quality data were collected concurrently. Chlorophyll- a values ranged from 0.2 to 3.2 mg ? m –2 . Chlorophyll- a in the Bull Creek watershed was generally lower than in the other watersheds. Benthic algal assemblages were dominated by diatoms and cyanobacteria. We collected 79 taxa of diatoms in 2002 and 126 taxa in 2005. Diatom taxa richness in individual samples ranged from 15 to 47. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis of arcsine square-root transformed proportional abundances of diatoms identified 3 groups of sites. Bull Creek sites were generally different from other sites (group 1), and the sites from Bull Creek were different in 2002 (group 2) and 2005 (group 3). Five taxa appeared to be particularly important in distinguishing groups: Achnanthidium minutissimum , Cocconeis placentula , Eunotia incise , Eunotia pectinalis var. minor , and Planothidium lanceolatum . Elevation, water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and canopy were habitat variables correlated with the differences in diatom assemblages among sites. Our results provide a valuable baseline for future studies of benthic algae in Sierra Nevada headwater streams and will be particularly important in understanding the effects of different forest restoration management strategies being tested in the KREW project.     

A new Hypsiglena from Tiburon island, Sonora, Mexico

This third report on the herpetofauna of Chihuahua deals exclusively with amphibians. The first plethodonid salamander is reported, species Ambystoma rosaceum is discussed in greater detail than before, and two subspecies are recognized. Spea is elevated from subgeneric to generic rank, and S. stagnalis Cope is removed from synonymy and is recognized as a subspecies of hammondii . The species listed include the following: 2 salamanders and 19 anurans (1 Scaphiopus , 2 Spea , 9 Bufo , 1 Eleutherodactylus , 2 Hyla , 3 Rana , and 1 Microhyla ). Reference is made to vaious habitats that are associated with elevations arising form lower deserts and extending into the western mountains. The role played by the dry and wet annual cycles is also noted.     

Cryptogamic soil crusts: recovery from grazing near Camp Floyd State Park, Utah, USA

The effects of grazing on the cryptogamic and vascular plant communities at two sites near Camp Floyd State Park, Utah County, Utah, were studied. The grazed site was subject to heavy grazing up until seven years prior to the study. The ungrazed site within the park boundaries had been protected from grazing for 20 years prior to the study and had a well-developed algal-lichen-moss crust. We found that the algae of the grazed site had recovered in terms of degree of crusting. There were no significant differences in the algal communities of the two sites when prevalent species were used as blocks in the ANOVAR analysis. However, when major algal groups were used as blocks, the analysis was significant, with the more recently grazed site having lower algal frequency. This difference, together with a few compositional differences, indicates that, although the algal community seven years following grazing is very similar to the algal community free of grazing for 20 years, the seven-year site is still in the process of recovery and community development. The diatom collections had a higher density in the grazed site, though the difference was not significant. Recovery of the lichen and moss community was not complete. The lichen Collema tenax and the mosses Bryum pallescens and Tortula ruralis were all significantly more abundant in the ungrazed area. Total cover of the lichen and moss components of the soil crusts was significantly lower in the more recently grazed area. Vascular cover was also lower.     

New records for hermatypic corals (Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the Gulf of California,Mexico, with an historical and biogeographical discussion

This paper reports range extensions for seven hermatypic coral species in the Gulf of California. An analysis of the distribution and fossil record of the 12 hermatypic species of the Gulf shows that the coral communities of the Gulf are the oldest ones in the eastern Pacific. Two species have been recorded in the Gulf (or nearby) since the Pliocene and several other species since the Pleistocene. The uninterrupted fossil record falsifies the hypothesis of a total extinction of reef corals in the eastern Pacific during the Pleistocene. The fossil evidence and temperature calculations support the conjecture that the Gulf of California was a refuge zone for corals and other warm-water biotas during the same epoch. Also it is suggested that some species of the genera Porites may have an Atlantic origin, contrary to the accepted idea of an exclusive Indo-Pacific origin of the eastern Pacific coral fauna.