Common side-blotched lizard

Common side-blotched lizard
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Uta
Species:
U. stansburiana
Binomial name
Uta stansburiana
Baird & Girard, 1852
Subspecies
Synonyms
  • Uta concinna
  • Uta elegans
  • Uta levis
  • Uta martinensis
  • Uta stansburiana hesperis
  • Uta stellata
  • Uta wrighti
  • Uta irregularis
  • Uta lateralis
  • Uta nelsoni
  • Uta tuberculata

The common side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) is a species of side-blotched lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to dry regions of the western United States and northern Mexico. It is notable for having a unique form of polymorphism wherein each of the three different male morphs utilizes a different strategy in acquiring mates. The three morphs compete against each other following a pattern of rock paper scissors, where one morph has advantages over another but is outcompeted by the third.[2][3][4]

  1. ^ Hammerson, G.A., Frost, D.R. & Santos-Barrera, G. (2007). "Uta stansburiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2014.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference S&L1996 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Z&S2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference S&L1991 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).