Numeric analysis of the lizard genus Sceloporus with special reference to cranial osteology
Year: 1974
Type: article
Abstract: Numerical statistical methods were used to analyze the species in the genus Sceloporus using cranial osteology, external meristic and numeric characters, karyology, display behavior, and geographic distribution.A new classification for the genus is proposed with three major branches or groups.Group I contains 7 species in 3 species groups.Group II contains approximately 19 species in 5 species groups.Group III contains approximately 32 species in 5 species groups.This classification is supported by the cluster analysis of several different sets of data.Cranial osteology, zoogeography, behavior, and karyology are shown to be taxonomically significant as nvuneric characters.Stepwise discriminate analysis shows that this classification of the species of Sceloporus into 3 major groups and 13 species groups is significant at the .999confidence level: It is concluded that the 3 major groups should be given taxonomic recognition.
Source: The Great Basin naturalist
Authors: Kenneth Rex Larsen, Wilmer W. Tanner
Institution: Harvard University
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2395533408