mm. Dorsolateral dark stripe or row of dashes in all

specimens; dark spots in lateral green fields, at least posteriorly in most; dark spots posteriorly in the dorsal green field in five; lateral dark stripe separated from dorsolateral stripe in all specimens; lateral white line extends to the groin in all specimens.

As can be seen from the above descriptions, the distinguishing characters of _Hyla microeximia_--confluence of lateral and dorsolateral dark stripes posteriorly, extent of lateral white stripe, and distribution of dark spots dorsally--are found in individuals from all of the populations sampled. In the samples from western Michoacan there is a higher incidence of _microeximia_-like frogs than in those from other parts of the state. _Hyla eximia_ is a wide-ranging species varying greatly geographically and individually. A thorough review of the species and related members of the _Hyla eximia_-group is necessary before certain populations can justifiably be segregated as subspecies or species.

In Michoacan _Hyla eximia_ has been collected in mesquite-grassland, pine-oak forest, and cultivated areas on the Mexican Plateau from 1500 to 2300 meters; apparently it is absent from the Sierra de Coalcoman. This is the most abundant frog on the southern part of the Mexican Plateau; in the rainy season breeding choruses are found in temporary pools and in the marshes adjacent to the permanent lakes.

~Hyla lafrentzi~ Mertens and Wolterstorff

_Hyla lafrentzi_ Mertens and Wolterstorff, Zool. Anz., 84:235, August 25, 1929.--Desierto de los Leones, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Cerro San Andres (26); Opopeo (9).

In March, 1949, James A. Peters collected this species at elevations of 2400 to 2800 meters on the west slope of Cerro San Andres. The frogs were found beneath logs and rocks in a damp canyon in coniferous forest. Among the juveniles in this series is a completely transformed individual (UMMZ 102093) having a snout-vent length of 14.5 mm. Five adults have snout-vent lengths of 36.2-39.5 (38.0) mm. _Hyla lafrentzi_ has noticeably longer hind limbs than _H. eximia_; in the former, when the hind limb is brought forward along the body, the tibiotarsal articulation extends to the snout. There are dark transverse bands on the hind limbs; the dorsolateral stripe is broken into an anterior and a posterior segment, and the latter is narrowly bordered by white in most specimens.

_Hyla lafrentzi_ occurs at higher elevations than any other frog in Michoacan; the locality records from throughout the range indicate that it is restricted to pine and pine-fir forests. In these habitats it replaces _Hyla eximia_, which inhabits the lower pine-oak forests and mesquite-grassland on the Mexican Plateau. Ponds are absent at places where _Hyla lafrentzi_ has been collected; possibly the eggs are laid in streams.

~Hyla smaragdina~ Taylor

_Hyla smaragdina_ Taylor, Copeia, No. 1:18, March 30, 1940.--6 kilometers east of Cojumatlan, Michoacan, Mexico.

_Hylella azteca_ Taylor, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 56:49, June 16, 1943.--Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico.

Cojumatlan (30); Copuyo (7); 18 km. E of Dos Aguas (22); Ostula (8); Pomaro (3); Sahuayo; Salitre de Estopilas (7).

Taylor (1940a:18) diagnosed this species as having few or no vomerine teeth, no vocal sac, a rather broad and flat head, two large tubercles below the anus, a granular venter, and a green dorsum in life. The specimens on which the description was based are either immature or non-breeding individuals; all were collected from bromeliads growing on cacti near Cojumatlan. Another small, flat-headed hylid from Tepoztlan, Morelos, was described and diagnosed by Taylor (1943b:49) as differing from _Hyla smaragdina_ in having a vocal sac and a broader head. This specimen was named _Hylella azteca_. Specimens from the coastal region of Michoacan and Colima were referred to _Hylella azteca_ by Peters (1954:7) and Duellman (1958c:8).

Comparison of topotypic _Hyla smaragdina_ and the holotype of _Hylella azteca_ (UIMNH 25044) with the several series of specimens from Michoacan has resulted in the conclusion that all pertain to only one species. Although the type series of _Hyla smaragdina_ consists of immature specimens, the males in that series do possess vocal sacs. Since these were not breeding individuals, the sacs are not well developed. The characters of the anal tubercles and the relative width of the head are of no value in separating the two species. The apparently aestivating individuals comprising the type series of _Hyla smaragdina_, and the type of _Hylella azteca_, which also was found in a bromeliad, were green in life. Of the calling males found on the coast of Michoacan, most were yellowish tan when found; two were pale green, but soon changed to pale tan. Calling males from Copuyo and Dos Aguas were pale yellowish tan. Therefore the color of the dorsum is of little significance in distinguishing the two named populations.

Males of _Hyla smaragdina_ have been found calling in the months of June and July from rocky streams; the call is a nasal "haah-haah-haah," repeated quickly and constantly for as long as 30 seconds. As pointed out by Duellman (1958c:9), this breeding behavior is unlike that suggested by Taylor (1943b:51). In Michoacan _Hyla smaragdina_ has been found in tropical semi-deciduous forest, oak forest, and mesquite-grassland at elevations from 150 to 1500 meters.

~Hyla smithi~ Boulenger

_Hyla smithi_ Boulenger, Zool. Rec. Reptilia and Batrachia, 38:33, 1902.--Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

Aguililla (14); Apatzingan (104); Arteaga; Charapendo (5); Coalcoman (11); El Sabino (44); La Playa (6); Lombardia (2); Nueva Italia (8); Playa Azul; Salitre de Estopilas (2).

This small hylid is abundant in the Tepalcatepec Valley to elevations of about 1000 meters; it was found infrequently on the coastal lowlands. Males call from bushes in and around flooded fields and ditches, from grasses and small herbs in the water and from vegetation overhanging small streams. The call consists of a series of short, high notes, somewhat reminiscent of a katydid's song. In the dry season occasional males were heard calling from irrigated fields near Apatzingan. In the daytime individuals were found in the axils of leaves of the elephant-ear plants (_Xanthosoma_).

In living individuals the dorsal color usually is uniform pale yellow; often the lateral white stripe is barely visible. The vocal sac is bright yellow, and the iris is pale gold. In some individuals there are scattered dark brown spots or flecks on the back and upper surfaces of limbs. Twenty males from Apatzingan have the following measurements: snout-vent length, 22.8-26.0 (25.0) mm., tibia length, 10.7-13.6 (12.6) mm.; head width, 7.2-8.0 (7.6) mm., head length, 7.1-8.1 (7.7) mm.

~Hypopachus caprimimus~ Taylor

_Hypopachus caprimimus_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 26:526, November 27, 1940.--Agua del Obispo, Guerrero, Mexico.

Buena Vista; Copuyo (6); Charapendo (3); Cofradia; Jaramillo; Jungapeo; San Salvador; Tuxpan.

Specimens of _Hypopachus_ from the Balsas drainage in Michoacan have characters consistent with topotypic _H. caprimimus_. Eleven specimens from the southern edge of the Mexican Plateau all have the flanks darker than the dorsum, a distinct and continuous dark stripe from the occiput to the groin, a large dark spot in the inguinal region, and a pair of dark transverse stripes on the thigh and shank (Pl. 6, Fig. 1). With the exception of three specimens from Charapendo, all have a predominantly brown venter with round, cream-colored spots.

Peters (1954:8) referred specimens from Buena Vista and San Salvador to _Hypopachus oxyrrhinus_. He stated that the specimen (BMNH 1914.1.28.150) from San Salvador had flanks much darker than the dorsum and a well-defined continuous stripe from the occiput to the groin; this specimen has the characters of _H. caprimimus_. The specimen (BMNH 1914.1.28.151) from Buena Vista resembles _H. oxyrrhinus_ in some characters, but it is not like _H. oxyrrhinus ovis_ on the Mexican Plateau in Michoacan. The specimen has paired transverse stripes on the hind limbs as does _H. caprimimus_, and is here referred to that species.

In Michoacan this species has been collected in arid tropical scrub forest at elevations of 200 to 1800 meters in the northern foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman, the Tepalcatepec and Tuxpan valleys, and on the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica. Calling males have been found along streams. One specimen from Charapendo was regurgitated by a _Leptodeira maculata_.

~Hypopachus oxyrrhinus ovis~ Taylor

_Hypopachus ovis_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 26:520, November 27, 1940.--Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.

_Hypopachus oxyrrhinus ovis_, Shannon and Humphrey, Herpetologica, 14:89, July 23, 1958.

Emiliano Zapata; 30 km. NW of Jacona (2); 10 km. NE of Patzcuaro (2); Tangamandapio (16); 24 km. W of Zamora (16).

Thirty-seven specimens from the Mexican Plateau in northwestern Michoacan agree well with the diagnosis of _Hypopachus oxyrrhinus ovis_ by Shannon and Humphrey (1958). With the exception of one specimen from Tangamandapio, all have dark bellies extensively mottled or spotted with cream-color. Most of the specimens have some form of an irregular, usually broken, dark line from the occiput to the groin. In eight specimens there is no line or linear arrangement of spots; instead the dorsum is spotted or flecked with dark brown. The ground color of the dorsum and flanks varies from dull reddish brown to grayish brown; cream-colored spots are evident on the flanks and posterior surfaces of the thighs in all specimens (Pl. 6, Fig. 2).

In comparison with 14 specimens from Queseria, Colima (UMMZ 80001-2), individuals from the Mexican Plateau have a darker venter with bolder markings, and a more mottled dorsum.

In Michoacan this species has been taken between 1500 and 2200 meters on the Mexican Plateau, where it inhabits mesquite-grassland and cultivated areas.

~Rana dunni~ Zweifel

_Rana dunni_ Zweifel, Copeia, no. 2:78, July 15, 1957.--Lago de Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.

Lago de Patzcuaro (23); Rio de Morelia, near Undameo (8).

Aside from the type series of this species, there are in the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan six specimens taken from "tanks" at the limnological station at Patzcuaro by Paul S. Martin in 1948, and eight specimens found in shaded ditches along the Rio de Morelia by Robert R. Miller on April 4, 1957. The Rio de Morelia flows into Lago de Cuitzeo; this drainage is separated from Lago de Patzcuaro by a chain of hills about 2400 meters in elevation. Dr. Richard G. Zweifel has examined these specimens and has informed me that, although they differ slightly from typical _Rana dunni_, they are much closer to that species than to _Rana montezumae_.

~Rana megapoda~ Taylor

_Rana megapoda_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 28:310, November 12, 1942.--Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.

La Palma (8).

These specimens (USNM 113998-114005) are from the marshes along the southeastern shore of Lago de Chapala. Five females have snout-vent lengths of 124.0-138.1 (131.5), and one male has a snout-vent length of 110.2 mm. Two juveniles have snout-vent lengths of 49.7 and 56.3 mm. The coloration of the juveniles is more bold than that of the adults. The body proportions of these specimens agree with those presented by Zweifel (1957:80).

~Rana montezumae~ Baird

_Rana montezumae_ Baird, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:61, October 20, 1854.--Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

La Palma; 8 km. NW of Maravatio (10); Sahuayo; Tupataro (7).

This species probably is more abundant and widespread than is indicated by the few specimens listed above. It has been found only in the vicinity of permanent water on the Mexican Plateau and the mountains rising from the plateau at elevations of 1500 to 2000 meters. Its apparent absence from Lago de Patzcuaro cannot be explained, unless _Rana dunni_ replaces it there.

~Rana pipiens~ Schreber

_Rana pipiens_ Schreber, Der Naturforscher, Halle, 18:185, 1782.--Raccoon, Gloucester County, New Jersey.

Aguililla (2); Apatzingan (13); Arteaga; Axolotl (16); Camachines (2); Capirio; Cascada Tzararacua (3); Cerro San Andres (6); Charapendo (4); Ciudad Hidalgo; Coalcoman (17); Cuitzeo (3); El Sabino (10); Jacona (3); 29 km. NW of Jacona (8); Jiquilpan; La Orilla (3); La Palma (5); La Playa (4); Lago de Chapala (3); Lago de Patzcuaro (6); Lombardia; Los Conejos (67); Los Reyes (7); Macho de Agua; Maravatio; Morelia (5); Opopeo (3); Patzcuaro (9); 26 km. S of Patzcuaro (52); Puerto Hondo (3); Rio Duero, 14 km. E of Zamora (13); Rio Tepalcatepec, 27 km. S of Apatzingan (2); San Gregorio (38); San Jose de la Cumbre (5); Tangamandapio; Zacapu; 18 km. W of Zamora (35).

Except on the Pacific lowlands, this species is abundant throughout the state. It has been collected from sea level to 2800 meters, the greatest altitudinal range of any amphibian in Michoacan. It has been found frequently in the Tepalcatepec Valley; it is not a distinctly highland species in southern Michoacan, as stated by Peters (1954:9). One specimen from Aguililla (UMMZ 119257) is an albino. In this specimen there is a faint pattern on the hind limbs; otherwise the entire body is creamy white; the eyes are pink.

~Rana pustulosa~ Boulenger

_Rana pustulosa_ Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 5, 11:343, 1883.--Ventanas, Durango, Mexico.

Arteaga (4); 21 km. S of Arteaga; Cascada Tzararacua (3); Coalcoman (3); 12 km. ENE of Dos Aguas (3); El Sabino (53); Los Reyes (3); Tzitzio (4); Uruapan.

Although _Rana pustulosa_ seems to be absent from the Mexican Plateau in Michoacan, it has been collected at elevations of 850 to 2150 meters on the slopes of the Cordillera Volcanico and in the Sierra de Coalcoman. Usually the frogs are found along rocky streams, but at Coalcoman they were found in a hyacinth-choked old river channel, and at El Sabino, in irrigation ditches.

In most specimens the dorsum is dark olive-brown; in some it is pale olive-tan with dense dark brown mottling on the back and dark transverse bands on the hind limbs.

Thirteen tadpoles (UMMZ 94271) taken from a seepage pool by a stream near Uruapan closely resemble the description of tadpoles of this species given by Taylor (1942b).

REPTILIA

Testudines

~Chelonia mydas~ (Linnaeus)

_Testudo mydas_ Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 10:197, 1758.--Type locality restricted to Ascension Island by Mertens and Mueller (1928:23).

_Chelonia mydas_, Brongniart, Bull. Sci. Soc. Philom., 2:89, 1800.

Beach between Rio Motin and Rio Colotlan (2); Maruata; Playa Azul (4).

Green sea turtles are abundant along the coast of Michoacan. Laying females and fresh nests were found on August 6-12, 1950, July 14-16, 1951, and July 8-10, 1955. The general account of sea turtles on the coast of Michoacan that was given by Peters (1957) is supplemented here by my field notes on the actions of one female observed on the night of July 14, 1951, near Maruata by Donald D. Brand and I. Because of a full moon, visibility was excellent.

In the course of the day several _Chelonia_ were seen in the surf; shortly after dark the first turtle was observed on the beach. Several were observed to come out on the beach and crawl nearly to the strand line, only to return to the sea.

At 10:20 p. m. one turtle was seen about 15 meters from the water. We watched this turtle from some distance and observed that by 10:26 p. m. she had moved about ten meters to a bank of sand about two meters high. Ten minutes later she had climbed the bank and disappeared over the top into the brush. We moved closer and remained hidden below the bank. Although we could not see the turtle, we could hear her movements. Between 10:37 and 10:57 p. m. the turtle dug, often flipping the dry sand for a distance of about two meters. When this energetic digging ceased, we moved up the bank to see that she was facing inland and sitting in a depression about one and one-half meters in diameter and 30 centimeters in depth. She had cleaned out this depression in the past 20 minutes. Between 11:00 and 11:36 p. m. she dug the nest hole by first scooping sand with one hind flipper and then with the other; when sand was thrown by one flipper, there was a similar, but weaker, motion by the other flipper. At 11:36 p. m. she stopped digging. By crawling up behind the turtle we were able to examine the nest cavity, which measured 21 centimeters across the top and 38 centimeters deep. The diameter of the bottom of the hole was estimated to be about 50 centimeters. At 11:40 p. m. she released the first egg; a minute later she dropped the second. At 11:42 p. m. the third and fourth eggs were released; these were coherent, as were the fifth and sixth eggs released at 11:43 p. m. After this, as many as three eggs were dropped at a time. After laying about 60 eggs, she paused for a minute and then continued laying. By 11:55 p. m. she had laid 98 eggs; after this, the process of deposition slowed considerably. She dropped a fragment of an egg followed by normal eggs. At midnight she deposited a miniature egg about 20 mm. in diameter. This terminated the deposition. Immediately she began to cover the nest.

Within ten minutes after the last egg was deposited the nest had been covered. The turtle first had been seen at 10:20 p. m.; judging from its speed and its distance from the water, the turtle probably had been on land for about ten minutes. About 25 minutes were used in crawling from the water to the nesting site. One hour and 33 minutes were spent at the nesting site; of this time twenty minutes were taken for egg deposition. The turtle was not followed back to the water, but if the return trip took approximately the same amount of time as required to travel from the ocean to the nesting site, the total elapsed time from departure to return to the water was about two and one-half hours.

We collected the eggs as they were deposited. There were 106 eggs, each having a diameter of about 40 mm., plus one small egg and a fragment of another. The turtle had a carapace about one meter in length.

From our limited observations of sea turtles and their tracks on the beaches, and from the accounts of these animals by the residents of the coastal region, great numbers of sea turtles use these relatively uninhabited beaches for nesting grounds. However, the turtles do not go unmolested. The natives capture turtles and collect their eggs. Opened and emptied nests also showed signs of predatory activity on the part of other mammals. In the vicinity of Playa Azul several turtles were killed by dogs.

~Kinosternon hirtipes hirtipes~ Wagler

_Cinosternon hirtipes_ Wagler, Naturl. Syst. Amph., p. 37, 1830.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:25).

_Kinosternon hirtipes hirtipes_, Schmidt, Check list N Amer. Amph. Rept., ed. 6, p. 89, 1953.

Eight km. W of Ciudad Hidalgo; Jiquilpan; La Palma; Lago de Camecuaro (4); Lago de Cuitzeo (3); Lago de Patzcuaro (8); 14 km. E of Zamora (4).

One specimen from eight kilometers west of Ciudad Hidalgo (UIMNH 24707) is from the Rio Tuxpan, a tributary of the Rio Balsas; this is the only record for the species from the Balsas drainage. All others are from the lakes or rivers flowing into the lakes on the southern part of the Mexican Plateau. This species exists in Lago de Patzcuaro to the apparent exclusion of the abundant and widespread _Kinosternon integrum_.

~Kinosternon integrum~ LeConte

_Kinosternon integrum_ LeConte, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 7:183, 1854.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:25).

Agua Cerca (3); Aguililla; Arteaga (8); Apatzingan (7); Barranca de Herradero; Buenavista (20); Capirio (2); Charapendo (3); Chupio; Coahuayana (2); Coalcoman (169); Copuyo (4); El Sabino (8); Jacona; Jiquilpan (12); La Orilla (2); La Playa (2); Lago de Cuitzeo (27); Las Higuertas; Lombardia (3); Los Reyes (5); Morelia; Ojos de Agua de San Telmo; San Pedro Naranjestila; Tacicuaro.

Excepting Lago de Patzcuaro, _Kinosternon integrum_ occupies all permanent and temporary ponds, lakes, and streams below 2200 meters throughout the state. At Coalcoman the species was in roadside ditches, small puddles, flooded fields, a hyacinth-choked ox-bow of the Rio Coalcoman, as well as in the Rio Coalcoman and its tributaries. Specimens from Arteaga and Barranca de Herradero were found in clear rocky streams; the one from Las Higuertas was found in a small muddy pond in pine-oak forest.

On August 26, 1960, James R. Dixon found a copulating pair in a pool at Capirio. The large series from Coalcoman contains juveniles and adults; these turtles formed the basis for the study of relative growth of plastral scutes in this species by Mosimann (1956).

~Geoemyda rubida perixantha~ Mosimann and Rabb

_Geoemyda rubida perixantha_ Mosimann and Rabb, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 548:1, November 9, 1953.--Eight kilometers south of Tecoman, Colima, Mexico.

Apatzingan (2); Coahuayana; La Placita; Punta San Juan de Lima.

These specimens have been discussed in detail by Mosimann and Rabb (1953). All are from the arid tropical scrub forest; those from the coastal regions were collected at elevations of less than 40 meters, and those from the Tepalcatepec Valley were collected at an elevation of 335 meters.

Crocodilia

~Crocodylus acutus acutus~ Cuvier

_Crocodylus acutus_ Cuvier, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, 10:55, 1807.--Santo Domingo.

_Crocodylus acutus acutus_, Mueller and Hellmich, Ibero-Amerik. Stud., 13:128, 1940.

Boca de Apiza (2); Playa Azul (2).

The crocodile or "caiman" is abundant in the brackish lagoons along the cost of Michoacan; three large adults and several juveniles were observed at Estero Pichi at Playa Azul; others were seen at Mexiquillo and Maruata. Residents of the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin frequently have reported "caimanes" in the Rio Balsas and Rio Tepalcatepec, but the existence of the crocodile in these rivers has not been verified by specimens.

Sauria

~Phyllodactylus duellmani~ Dixon

_Phyllodactylus duellmani_ Dixon, Southwest Nat., 5:37, April 15, 1960.--Rancho El Espinal, Michoacan, Mexico.

Fourteen km. SSW of Apatzingan; Capirio; Cafradia (3); El Espinal (3).

This species is known only from the Tepalcatepec Valley, where it has been found in open arid situations from 180 to 500 meters. Specimens were found in the daytime in stumps, dead cacti, and the hollow branches of the legume, _Apoplanesia paniculata_. In life adults were pale gray or grayish tan above and creamy white below. A juvenile having a snout-vent length of 18 mm. had a pale orange tail with gray cross-bands. In the adults the tail was colored like the body. The specimen from 14 kilometers south-southwest of Apatzingan (KU 29764) and those from Cofradia (BMNH 1914.1.28.28-30) were not listed by Dixon (1960).

~Phyllodactylus homolepidurus~ Smith

_Phyllodactylus homolepidurus_ Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 22:121, November 15, 1935.--Five miles southwest of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

El Ticuiz (2); La Placita; Ostula (2); Pomaro; San Pedro Naranjestila.

These specimens have been referred to _Phyllodactylus homolepidurus_ by James R. Dixon (_in litt._), who is currently studying the American members of the genus. Geckos of this species have been found in tropical semi-deciduous forest in the coastal lowlands to elevations of 500 meters. Most specimens were found beneath the bark of standing dead trees or stumps. Two individuals from El Ticuiz (UMMZ 115102) in life were dark gray above with brownish tubercles; the belly was a dusty cream-color. Apparently this species does not enter the Tepalcatepec Valley, where _Phyllodactylus lanei_ is abundant.

~Phyllodactylus lanei~ Smith

_Phyllodactylus lanei_ Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 22:125, November 15, 1935.--Tierra Colorado, Guerrero, Mexico.

Apatzingan (13); 21 km. S of Arteaga: El Sabino (53); La Playa; Ostula (2); Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (8); 16 km. N of Tafetan.

This widespread species has been taken at elevations of less than 1100 meters in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin, where it occurs in riparian situations in the foothills. Specimens have been collected in tropical semi-deciduous forest at Ostula and in oak forest south of Arteaga; both of these localities are on the Pacific slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman, a region inhabited by _Phyllodactylus homolepidurus_. Both species have been collected at Ostula.

A juvenile from 21 kilometers south of Arteaga (UMMZ 118933) had alternating black and white bands on the tail. In life most of the lizards are dull ashy gray or grayish tan above and white below. According to Dixon (_in litt._), one specimen from Apatzingan (UMMZ 115102) resembles _Phyllodactylus magnus_ in scutellation, but it lacks the distinctive yellow venter of that species.

Apparently _Phyllodactylus lanei_ is restricted to rather mesic environments in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Valley and surrounding foothills; in the more open arid environments on the floor of the valley it seems to be replaced by _Phyllodactylus duellmani_.

~Phyllodactylus paucituberculatus~ Dixon

_Phyllodactylus paucituberculatus_ Dixon, Southwest. Nat., 5:40, April 15, 1960.--Rio Cupatitzio (= Rio Marquez), 6.5 miles south of Lombardia, Michoacan, Mexico.

Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (6).

Two of these specimens (UMMZ 112692-3) were discussed in detail by Dixon (1960:40) in his description of the species. On August 25, 1960, Dixon collected four additional specimens at the type locality, a conglomerate cliff along the Rio Marquez. These will be reported by him in his forthcoming study of the genus.

~Anolis dunni~ Smith

_Anolis dunni_ Smith, Copeia, no. 1:9, May 10, 1936.--Agua del Obispo, Guerrero, Mexico.

Arteaga (3); 19 km. S of Arteaga.

Three females from Arteaga (UMMZ 119075) have snout-vent lengths of 41, 41, and 44 mm. In life the pale grayish brown dorsum was marked with dark brown; the belly was white, and the throat was pale pink. All have a dark interorbital bar and dark vertical bars on the upper labials. In two specimens there are only scattered dark flecks on the dorsum; in the third there is a dark postorbital stripe, a dark lateral stripe, and four narrow transverse bands on the body. A male from 19 kilometers south of Arteaga (UMMZ 119076) having a snout-vent length of 49 mm. had in life a tan dorsum, a broad white stripe from the ear to the groin, scattered small white spots on the dorsum, and indistinct pale cream-colored spots on the posterior surfaces of the thighs. This male has the dark labial bars, but lacks the dark interorbital bar, found in the females. The large rose-pink throat fan extends to about the middle of the belly. In all of the specimens the middorsal scales are keeled and much smaller than the smooth pavementlike or slightly imbricate ventrals. All have two gulars in contact with the mental, five scales between the nasals, five scales (not including the first labials) in contact with the rostral, and four rows of loreals. In these characters these specimens agree well with _Anolis dunni_ from Guerrero, as diagnosed by Davis (1954b).

Previously _Anolis dunni_ has been reported only from the vicinity of Agua del Obispo, Guerrero, a locality situated at an elevation of about 900 meters in pine-oak forest in the Sierra del Sur. All known close relatives of _Anolis dunni_ occur only in Guerrero: _A. taylori_ Smith and Spieler from Acapulco, _A. gadowi_ Boulenger from Tierra Colorado, _A. liogaster_ Boulenger, and _A. omiltemanus_ Davis from Omiltemi. The present specimens from elevations of about 900 meters in riparian stream vegetation and oak forest represent the northern known limits of this group of _Anolis_.

~Anolis nebulosus~ (Wiegmann)

_Dactyloa nebulosa_ Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 47, 1834.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:66).

_Anolis nebulosas_, Bocourt, Mission Scientifique au Mexique et dan l'Amerique Centrale. Reptiles, livr. 2:77, 1873.

Acahuato (3); Agua Cerca; Apatzingan (4); Araparicuaro (3); 29 km. S of Ario de Rosales (3); 20 km. S of Arteaga (2); Barranca de Bejuco; Cascada Tzararacua (5); Cerro Tancitaro (13); Cheran; Chupio (5); Coalcoman (10); Cofradia; Dos Aguas (10); 18 km. E of Dos Aguas (3); El Diezmo; El Sabino (43); El Ticuiz; Jiquilpan (2); La Orilla; La Placita; La Playa (3); Los Conejos (2); Los Pozos; Nogueleras (2); Ostula; 8 km. W of Patzcuaro (2); 8 km. NE of Patzcuaro; Playa Azul (3); Rio Cachan; Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia; Rio Tepalcatepec, 27 km. S of Apatzingan; San Juan de Lima (6); San Pedro Naranjestila; Temazcal; Tuxpan (2); Tzitzio; Uruapan (74); 11 km. N of Uruapan (2); Volcan Jorullo; 16 km. E of Zacapu (2); 18 km. W of Zamora; Ziracuaretiro.

Even with the abundance of material the assignment of a specific name to these anoles is only tentative, for definite determination between _Anolis nebulosus_ Wiegmann and _A. nebuloides_ Bocourt is uncertain. Bocourt (1873:75) distinguished _A. nebuloides_ from _A. nebulosus_ by the following characters: (1) head scales keeled, not smooth; (2) snout narrower; (3) ear opening larger; (4) supraorbital semicircles separated by a row of small scales and not in contact; (5) dorsal scales larger and subequal in size to the belly scales. Boulenger (1885:77) used the same characters; Smith and Taylor (1950b:58) in their key to the Mexican species of _Anolis_ stated that the dorsal scales are slightly smaller than the ventrals in _A. nebulosus_ and markedly smaller in _A. nebuloides_. Smith (_in litt._) stated that the characters of the relative sizes of the dorsal and ventral scales were incorrect in that key.

The application of the above criteria to specimens from Michoacan has not resulted in the recognition of two species. The majority of the specimens have the supraorbital semicircles separated by at least one small scale; the head scales, with the exception of those on the snout in a few individuals, are smooth; the dorsal scales are only slightly smaller than the ventrals. In other characters of scutellation the specimens are highly variable. The males in life have an orange throat fan. Anoles of this kind have been found in Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit, and southern Sinaloa. Near Oaxaca, Oaxaca, specimens were collected that superficially resemble those from Michoacan and farther north. These have low keels on the snout scales, dorsals somewhat larger than the ventrals, and a pink throat fan. In ten males from Oaxaca the size of the dorsal scales relative to that of the ventrals is 1.00:0.83; the same ratio for 25 males from Michoacan is 1.00:1.08. In both samples there are specimens in which the dorsal and ventral scales are about equal in size.

Investigations by Richard E. Etheridge on the osteology of _Anolis_, including those species here being considered, have revealed relatively constant differences in the parasternalia and in the caudal vertebrae. The application of Etheridge's findings to anoline systematics must await the completion of his study.

The carination of the scales on the snout _versus_ smooth scales there seems to be the only significant character given by Bocourt that distinguishes _A. Nebuloides_ from _A. nebulosus_. The difference in the color of the throat fan, which is apparent only in living individuals, is more striking. Obviously more than one species is represented, as is borne out by the differences in the color of the throat fan and in the osteology, but there is uncertainty about the correct name for each species. On the strength of Bocourt's diagnosis of keeled snout scales in _A. nebuloides_, I am applying that name to the population in Oaxaca and _A. nebulosus_ to the specimens from Michoacan. As arranged here, the two species can be distinguished, as follows:

_A. nebulosus._--Dorsal scales only slightly smaller than the ventral scales; snout scales usually smooth; throat-fan bright orange in adult males.

_A. nebuloides._--Dorsal scales somewhat larger than the ventral scales; snout scales having a low keel; throat-fan pink in adult males.

With respect to geographic distribution, _A. nebulosus_ has been collected from southern Sinaloa southward to Michoacan. The lizards here referred to _A. nebuloides_ have been taken only in pine-oak forest on the mountain slopes near Oaxaca City. Zweifel and Norris (1955:233) reported anoles with pink throat-fans from southern Sonora; possibly those specimens are _A. nebuloides_; I have not examined them. I have seen several preserved specimens from the vicinity of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. Although they probably belong to this group, those specimens differ from both _A. nebulosus_ and _A. nebuloides_ in their larger size, relatively larger head, and much larger throat fan.

Aside from the minor variation in scutellation, specimens of _Anolis nebulosus_ from Michoacan vary greatly in coloration. Usually the females have some form of a broad middorsal pale-colored band. In life this is dull yellow, tan, or orange. Two females from Dos Aguas are strikingly different; one (UMMZ 119521) has a broad middorsal orange stripe that is scalloped laterally and bordered by gray. The other (UMMZ 119081) has a narrow middorsal cream-colored line. Males usually are unicolor brown or olive-tan; sometimes the middorsal region is darker. Some individuals have dark cross-bands or chevrons on the dorsum. One male from Dos Aguas (UMMZ 119080) has a cream-colored lateral stripe.

In Michoacan _Anolis nebulosus_ occurs from sea level to elevations slightly in excess of 2100 meters, usually in areas of dense cover, whether this be herbaceous, viney, or woody, ordinarily on the ground as well as in bushes and trees. One was in a bromeliad growing about ten meters above the ground. In the arid Tepalcatepec Valley anoles of this species are most frequently found in the tangled growth along streams. Above Uruapan they were found in pine-oak forest, and on the Mexican Plateau between Zamora and Zacapu they were found in a bunch grass-scrub oak association.

~Anolis schmidti~ Smith

_Anolis schmidti_ Smith, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser., 24:21, January 30, 1939.--Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico.

La Placita; San Juan de Lima.

Peters (1954:11) reported on the specimen from La Placita; another was secured at San Juan de Lima in 1956. The latter (UMMZ 115078) is a male having a snout-vent length of 43.0 mm. and a tail length of 70.5 mm. The dorsal ground color is pale tan; there are five pairs of irregular dark brown dorsolateral blotches. In life the throat fan was pale orange. These specimens agree with those from Colima described by Duellman (1958c:10). The distribution of _Anolis schmidti_ seems to be restricted to the coastal lowlands from Michoacan to Nayarit.

~Basiliscus vittatus~ Wiegmann

_Basiliscus vittatus_ Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:373, 1828.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:72).

Apatzingan (9); Capirio; Coahuayana (5); El Cerrito; El Sabino (2); El Ticuiz; La Placita (3); Maruata (2); Motin del Oro; Ostula; Playa Azul (3).

This species has been found only on the coast and in the low Tepalcatepec Valley. In the latter area it is restricted to riparian situations along the larger streams. The lizard is abundant in the mangrove swamps bordering the brackish lagoons on the coast. In July, 1955, scores of individuals were seen around Estero Pichi at Playa Azul. Adults, especially the large males, are exceedingly wary and difficult to collect. At all localities where they were found, the lizards were most often seen in dense bushes, where they are well camouflaged. Individuals of all sizes were observed to run across the surface of the ponds.

~Iguana iguana rhinolopha~ Wiegmann

_Iguana rhinolopha_ Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 44, 1834.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Cordoba, Veracruz, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:72).

_Iguana iguana rhinolopha_, Van Denburgh, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1897:461, January 18, 1898.

Apatzingan (8); Capirio (3); El Cerrito; El Ticuiz (2); La Placita; La Playa (2); Maruata; Playa Azul; Rio Cachan.

Like the preceding species, this lizard is always found near water. It does not ascend the foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman, but in the Balsas Basin it reaches elevations of 800 meters at La Playa. Large adults are often seen in the large trees making up the gallery forests along rivers. From high perches the lizards drop into the water with a terrific splash. Bright green juveniles were abundant in bushes along the Rio Tepalcatepec in July, 1955.

~Ctenosaura pectinata~ (Wiegmann)

_Cyclura pectinata_ Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 42, 1834.--Mexico (by inference). Type locality restricted to Colima, Colima, Mexico, by Bailey (1928:25).

_Ctenosaura pectinata_, Gray, Catalogue of the lizards... British Museum, p. 191, 1845.

Apatzingan (27); between Ario de Rosales and La Playa; Barranca de Bejuco; Capirio (2); Coalcoman (4); El Espinal; El Sabino (2); El Ticuiz; Jazmin (2); La Huacana; La Placita (8); La Playa (3); Limoncito; Lombardia; Motin del Oro; Playa Azul; Rio Cancita, 12 km. E of Apatzingan (2); Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2);? Uruapan; Volcan Jorullo.

_Ctenosaura pectinata_ is a common lowland species that ascends the slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman and the Cordillera Volcanica to elevations of about 1050 meters (approximating the lower limits of the oak forest). The record from Uruapan (USNM 10234, collected by Duges) is doubtful.

These large lizards are most easily observed on rock fences along roads. Near Apatzingan innumerable individuals can be seen in mid-morning. Later in the day, as the sun rises higher in the sky, the lizards retreat to the shade of the crevices in the fences. The abundance of these lizards in the Tepalcatepec Valley, together with evidence gathered from the natives of the valley, indicates that these lizards are seldom used for human consumption there. On the other hand, several people in Coalcoman consider the "iguana negra" (local name for _Ctenosaura_) to be a delicacy and serve it at every opportunity. In early July, 1951, brilliant green young of the year were collected at La Playa and at Coalcoman.

~Enyaliosaurus clarki~ (Bailey)

_Ctenosaura clarki_ Bailey, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 73:44, September 26, 1928.--Ovopeo (= Oropeo), Michoacan, Mexico.

_Enyaliosaurus clarki_, Duellman and Duellman, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 598:1, February 16, 1959.

Twelve km. SSW of Apatzingan; Capirio (7); Cofradia (3); El Espinal (2); 32 km. E of Huetamo; Jazmin (5); Oropeo (10); Rancho Nuevo; Rio Cancita, 12 km. E of Apatzingan (8); Tepalcatepec (3); Zicuiran (6).

This species is known only from the low areas of the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin between elevations of 200 and 510 meters. It is commonly found in the open arid tropical scrub forest dominated by _Prosopsis_ sp., _Apoplanesia paniculata_, and _Cercidium plurifoliolatum_. Continued collecting in the Tepalcatepec Valley has borne out the suggestions of Duellman and Duellman (1959) concerning the distribution and abundance of this lizard. Also, continued collecting in Colima and on the Pacific coast has failed to reveal the presence of _Enyaliosaurus_ there.

~Phrynosoma asio~ Cope

_Phrynosoma asio_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:178, September 30, 1864.--Colima, Colima, Mexico.

Apatzingan (4); San Salvador.

In Michoacan this species has been obtained only in the Tepalcatepec Valley and on the northern slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman between 300 and 700 meters. Apparently the lizard is absent from the coastal lowlands of Michoacan and Guerrero. The distribution of this species, therefore, is discontinuous. One population inhabits the lowlands of Colima and the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin inland to northern Guerrero and Morelos; a southern population inhabits the Plains of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca.

A juvenile from Apatzingan (USNM 47739) has a snout-vent length of 40.0 mm. and a tail length of 19.5 mm.

~Sceloporus aeneus aeneus~ Wiegmann

_Sceloporus aeneus_ Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:370, 1828.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Tres Cumbres, Morelos, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:137).

_Sceloporus aeneus aeneus_, Smith, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 361:6, December 15, 1937.

Angahuan; Araparicuaro (2); Capacuaro (2); Carapan (11); Cheran (11); 18 km. WNW of Ciudad Hidalgo (10); Cuseno Station; Jerahuaro; Los Conejos (36); Macho de Agua (7); Opopeo; Paracho (2); Patzcuaro (4); Pino Gordo; 18 km. W of Quiroga (2); Tancitaro (49); Uruapan (14); 16 km. NW of Zacapu (5); between Zacapu and Zamora (2); 13 km. E of Zinapecuaro; 14 km. SE of Zitacuaro (14).

This small terrestrial species inhabits the pine and fir forests of the Cordillera Volcanica between elevations of 1850 and 3100 meters; apparently it is absent from the Sierra de Coalcoman. It seems to prefer rather open coniferous forests in which there is a more or less continuous cover of grasses on the ground. On warm sunny days the lizards can be observed scurrying about in the grass; in the early hours of the day, or on cold days, they are found beneath stones, logs, or dead clumps of bunch grass.

~Sceloporus asper~ Boulenger

_Sceloporus asper_ Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1897:497, October, 1897.--La Cumbre de los Arrastrados, Jalisco, Mexico.

Apatzingan (3); 10 km. E of Dos Aguas; Uruapan (41).

This strictly arboreal lizard is abundant in the mixed broad-leafed forest near Uruapan. The lizards are exceedingly wary and can be approached only with difficulty. In life males have pale blue bellies; the throat is pale pink. The pale gray dorsum marked with irregular darker gray blotches blends well with the color of the tree trunks on which the lizard lives. The one specimen from Dos Aguas was found on a pine tree; it provides the only record for the species from the Sierra de Coalcoman.

~Sceloporus bulleri~ Boulenger

_Sceloporus bulleri_ Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1894:729, April, 1895.--Las Cumbre de los Arrastrados, Jalisco, Mexico.

Acuaro de las Lleguas (13); Barolosa (9); Dos Aguas (61); 10 km. NE of Dos Aguas (5).

Heretofore this species has been known only from a few specimens from scattered localities in the Sierra Madre Occidental in southwestern Jalisco and Sinaloa. The collection of a large series of these lizards in virgin pine forest at elevations of more than 2000 meters in the Sierra de Coalcoman now makes possible an analysis of variation in the species.

Superficially _S. bulleri_ resembles _S. torquatus_, but _S. bulleri_ is smaller, has more dorsal scales, fewer scales in the dark collar, and fewer femoral pores. In 88 specimens of _S. bulleri_ there are 36-41 (38.7) dorsal scales and 2 or 3 (2.6) middorsal scales in the collar, as compared with 28-31 (29.3) dorsal scales and 3 or 4 (3.4) middorsal scales in the collar of 26 specimens of _S. torquatus_ from Uruapan. In 20 adult males of _S. bulleri_ there are 13-15 (14.3) femoral pores, and 13-16 (14.4) in 11 females; 13 males of _S. torquatus_ have 14-21 (17.3) femoral pores, and 13 females have 15-21 (16.7). Seventeen adult males of _S. bulleri_ have snout-vent lengths of 72-91 (82.0); ten females, 71-87 (75.7). In comparison, 13 adult males of _S. torquatus_ have an average snout-vent length of 88.9 mm., and 13 females, 88.5 mm. In _S. bulleri_ there is little variation in the head scales. The frontal is in contact with the interparietal in 63, and not in 24, specimens; the median frontonasal is in contact with the frontal in 13, and not in 74, specimens. In 39 specimens there are two canthals, and in 48 there is one; in 29 specimens there are three preauriculars, and in 58 there are four.

In life adult males have a pale blue tail, bright blue belly patches, a purplish blue throat, and pale blue lines on the sides of the head and neck.

This species was obtained at four localities in the high mountains of the Sierra de Coalcoman. In this mountain range _Sceloporus bulleri_ apparently replaces _S. torquatus_, a species that is widespread in the Cordillera Volcanica and on the Mexican Plateau. At Dos Aguas and at Acuaro de las Lleguas the lizards were abundant in the tall pine forest, where they were found on standing pine trees, on pine logs, and on rock outcroppings.

~Sceloporus dugesi intermedius~ Duges

_Sceloporus intermedius_ Duges, La Naturaleza, 4:29, 1877.--La Noria, near Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico.

_Sceloporus dugesii intermedius_, Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 24:663, February 16, 1938.

Cojumatlan (6); Jiquilpan (11); Lago de Camecuaro; Lago de Chapala; Morelia (23); Patzcuaro (84); Quiroga (35); Sahuayo (4); Tacicuaro (2); Tangamandapio (17); Tangancicuaro (9); Zacapu (4); Zamora (11); Zinapecuaro (9).

This lizard is strictly an inhabitant of the Mexican Plateau, where it is found in rocky places, sometimes in pine-oak forest, but more frequently in mesquite-grassland. It is a terrestrial species, and is most often seen on rock fences at elevations of 1500 to 2200 meters.

This species differs from _S. bulleri_ and _S. torquatus_ in having two rows of supraoculars, instead of one; also it has more dorsal scales. Twenty-six specimens of _Sceloporus dugesi intermedius_ from Tangamandapio and Tangancicuaro have 44-48 (45.7) dorsal scales, as compared with an average of 38.7 in _S. bulleri_ and 29.3 in _S. torquatus_. In life _Sceloporus dugesi intermedius_ has a dull greenish gray dorsum; in males the belly patches are bright blue bordered medially by black, and the throat is bluish gray. The largest specimen examined is a male having a snout-vent length of 80 mm.

~Sceloporus gadowae~ Boulenger

_Sceloporus gadoviae_ Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1905, 2:246, October 7, 1905.--Mezquititlan, Guerrero, Mexico.

Chupio; El Sabino (77); La Playa (6); Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (11).

Although this species has a rather extensive range in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin in the state of Michoacan, Guerrero, Morelos, and Puebla, it is only locally abundant in that area. Usually these lizards are found on rocky cliffs in which there are many crevices for cover. _Sceloporus gadowae_ is abundant on a conglomerate cliff along the Rio Marquez south of Lombardia. Although the closely related _S. pyrocephalus_ is abundant in the stream valley and in the hills above the cliff, _S. gadowae_ has been found only on the cliff; few individuals of _S. pyrocephalus_ have been observed on the cliff. A similar situation was discovered on a much more extensive conglomerate cliff along the Rio Balsas near Mexcala, Guerrero. Near Tehuitzingo, Puebla, where _S. pyrocephalus_ was not found, _S. gadowae_ was found on conglomerate cliffs. Probably there is strong competition between the two species; possibly this has resulted in the restriction of _S. gadowae_ to isolated cliff-habitats within the extensive range of the more widespread _S. pyrocephalus_.

In Michoacan _Sceloporus gadowae_ has been found along the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica at elevations from 250 to 1050 meters. All of the localities from which this lizard is known lie in the arid tropical scrub forest.

~Sceloporus grammicus microlepidotus~ Wiegmann

_Sceloporus microlepidotus_ Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 51, 1834.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Mexico, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:120).

_Sceloporus grammicus microlepidotus_, Smith and Laufe, Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci., 48:332, December, 1945.

Angahuari; Apo (10); Atzimba (3); Carapan (5); Cerro San Andres (17); Cerro Tancitaro (18); Corupu; Cuseno Station (2); Jacona; Jerahuaro (10); Macho de Agua; Mil Cumbres; 46 km. E of Morelia; 60 km. E of Morelia (2); Opopeo (14); Patzcuaro (30); Puerto Hondo (19); San Gregorio (41); San Jose de la Cumbre (8); Sierra Patamba; Tancitaro (233); Tupataro; Undameo; Uruapan (180); between Zacapu and Zamora; 24 km. SE of Zitacuaro; between Zurumbeneo and Cerro Garnica.

This small species of _Sceloporus_ is an ubiquitous inhabitant of the coniferous forests from 1550 to 3100 meters in the Cordillera Volcanica. Usually it is seen on tree trunks, but occasionally on the ground. Near the lower limit of the altitudinal distribution of the species, as at Uruapan, individuals sometimes are found on broad-leafed trees. Apparently _Sceloporus heterolepis_ replaces _S. grammicus microlepidotus_ in the Sierra de Coalcoman.

~Sceloporus heterolepis~ Boulenger

_Sceloporus heterolepis_ Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1894:731, April, 1895.--La Cumbre de los Arrastrados, Jalisco, Mexico.

Araparicuaro; Cerro Barolosa (6); Dos Aguas (13); Los Conejos; 11 km. N of Uruapan (3).

Although Michoacan has not previously been included in the range of this lizard, it was first collected in the state by Gadow in 1908 (BMNH 1914.1.28.69 from Araparicuaro). The description of _S. heterolepis_ given by Smith (1939:197) can be supplemented by data on the 23 specimens now in the collections of the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan. All have two canthals; there are 55 to 71 (63.6) scales in the middorsal row; 1 to 3 rows middorsally are somewhat enlarged and bordered on either side by a row of larger scales bearing high keels. There are 14 to 20 (16.2) femoral pores. Eight adult males have snout-vent lengths from 49 to 61 (58.0) mm. and tail lengths from 57 to 74 (66.0) mm.; four adult females have snout-vent lengths from 52 to 57 (55.2) mm. and tail lengths from 60 to 66 (63.5) mm. The smallest of eight juveniles has a snout-vent length of 28 mm. and a tail length of 32 mm. The dorsum in adults is pale grayish brown; there are three irregular chevron-shaped dark marks and a triangular dark brown mark above the insertion of the hind limbs; on the tail are dark brown rings. There are scattered faint blue flecks on the flanks and narrow transverse dark lines on the lower limbs. Males have pale bluish green belly patches and an orange-salmon-colored throat; the belly in females is pale orange-tan. The juveniles have a more contrasting color pattern; the dark chevrons on the dorsum are bordered posteriorly by pale gray.

In Michoacan this species has been obtained in pine and pine-fir forests from 1800 to 2700 meters. On Cerro Barolosa and at Dos Aguas, both in the Sierra de Coalcoman, the lizards were found beneath the bark of dead, standing pines. In the Sierra de Coalcoman _Sceloporus heterolepis_ seems to fill the niche of the small arboreal _Sceloporus_ in the coniferous forest in southwestern Mexico, a position held by _S. grammicus microlepidotus_ in the Cordillera Volcanica; the latter species does not occur in the Sierra de Coalcoman. Five specimens of _Sceloporus heterolepis_ are known from the Cordillera Volcanica, whereas 603 of _S. grammicus microlepidotus_ have been collected there. The ecological relationships that exist between the two species in the Cordillera Volcanica are not known.

Insofar as is known, _Sceloporus heterolepis_ reaches the southern limits of its range in the Sierra de Coalcoman and in the western part of the Cordillera Volcanica. Other records for the species are from the Sierra Madre Occidental in Jalisco. Langebartel (1959) described _Sceloporus shannonorum_ from the mountains near the Durango-Sinaloa border; the single specimen of _S. shannonorum_ differs significantly from _S. heterolepis_ only in having fewer dorsal scales (48). The acquisition of additional material, especially from Nayarit and northern Jalisco, probably will provide a basis for showing that these two populations are conspecific.

~Sceloporus horridus oligoporus~ Cope

_Sceloporus oligoporus_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:177, September 30, 1864.--Colima, Colima, Mexico.

_Sceloporus horridus oligoporus_, Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 24:520, February 16, 1938.

Aguililla; Apatzingan (50); Arteaga (2); Capirio (2); Cascada Tzararacua; Charapendo (4); Coahuayana (3); Coalcoman (32); 19 km. S of Corralito; 27 km. E of Dos Aguas; El Sabino (55); El Ticuiz; Huetamo (2); Jazmin; Jungapeo (2); La Orilla (2); La Placita; Limoncito (3); Playa Azul (5); Tzitzio (8); Uruapan (4); Volcan Jorullo (2); Ziracuaretiro; Zirimicuaro (13).

All of the specimens from Michoacan seem to be typical _S. horridus oligoporus_; none has more than six femoral pores.

Characteristically this species is found in open arid scrub forest; it reaches its greatest abundance in rocky areas in which there are scattered leguminous trees and bushes. It has been found in these low trees and bushes almost as frequently as it has been found on the ground; none has been seen in large trees or far above the ground. Altitudinally, this species ranges from sea level to about 1600 meters.

~Sceloporus melanorhinus calligaster~ Smith

_Sceloporus melanorhinus calligaster_ Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 92:360, November 5, 1942.--Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.

Aguililla; Apatzingan (18); Barranca de Herradero; Capirio (19); Coahuayana (4); Coalcoman (2); Cofradia (4); El Cerrito; El Sabino (33); El Ticuiz (3); La Placita (6); Lombardia (4); Playa Azul; Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2); Rio Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia (4); Salitre de Estopila; San Juan de Lima (2); Santa Ana; Tzitzio; Ziracuaretiro.

Smith (1942a:360) diagnosed _Sceloporus melanorhinus calligaster_ as having fewer femoral pores than the other subspecies of _S. melanorhinus_ and as having the lateral belly patches in the males confluent in the midline. Examination of forty specimens from the Tepalcatepec Valley and the coastal regions of Michoacan does not substantiate this diagnosis. The number of femoral pores varies from 15 to 22 (18.9); 14 individuals (35%) had 20 or more femoral pores. Smith (_loc. cit._) stated that _S. melanorhinus_ in Oaxaca had 18 to 27 (21.6) femoral pores and that 77 per cent of the specimens had more than 20 femoral pores. Of the 24 males examined from Michoacan, 18 have the lateral belly patches separated in the midline. Usually they are separated by no more than one scale, but in some individuals they are separated by two or more scales. Although the above data minimize certain differences between the northern and southern populations of this species, certain of the color pattern characters seem to be diagnostic of the subspecies inhabiting the Pacific lowlands from Guerrero to Nayarit. Large adults of _S. m. calligaster_ have only a faint dorsal pattern, which in the subspecies _melanorhinus_ and _stuarti_ consists of a series of large, dark, interconnected triangles on the back. This pattern is present in young and small adults of _S. m. calligaster_; furthermore, in this subspecies the ventral coloration of the males differs from that found in the more southern populations. Adult males of _S. m. calligaster_ have a black throat, that changes to brilliant blue posteriorly, and a large white spot medially on the chin. This spot is present in some specimens from Oaxaca and Chiapas, but, if present, it is much smaller and less distinct than in specimens from Michoacan. In _S. m. calligaster_ the chest and midventral area are orange to salmon-color.

A male from Lombardia in life was colored as follows: Dorsum grayish tan bearing faint bluish gray flecks; chest deep salmon-orange, this color continuing down midventral area to the somewhat paler groin; belly patches pale blue fading to pale green laterally; throat black anteriorly enclosing a white spot; throat blue posteriorly and bluish green posterolaterally.

Individual lizards were observed to change in dorsal color from a pale ashy gray to a rather dull brown. Normally, inactive individuals and those observed on overcast days were dull brown.

_Sceloporus melanorhinus calligaster_ is found in trees in riparian situations in the lowlands to elevations of about 1500 meters. It does not inhabit the arid tropical scrub forest in the Tepalcatepec Valley or on the coast, but in those areas is found in the gallery forests along streams and rivers. The lizards are wary and live high in the trees; they are especially difficult to locate in the rainy season, when the trees are in full leaf.

~Sceloporus pyrocephalus~ Cope

_Sceloporus pyrocephalus_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:177, September 30, 1864.--Colima, Colima, Mexico.

Acahuato (2); Apatzingan (142); Arteaga (4); 26 km. S of Arteaga (4); Capirio (6); Chinapa; Chupio; 19 km. S of Corralito (5); El Sabino (220); Jazmin (3); La Placita (8); La Playa (14); La Salada (6); Lombardia (5); Nueva Italia (14); Ojos de Agua de San Telmo (2); Oropeo (3); Ostula; Punta de San Telmo (3); Rio Cancita, 14 km. E of Apatzingan (13); Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (10); Rio Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia (3); San Juan de Lima (2); Santa Ana (2); Tafetan (2); Tepalcatepec (2); Tzitzio (6); Volcan Jorullo (3).

This small species is extremely common in the Tepalcatepec Valley and noticeably less so on the coast. It is usually found on the ground in rocky areas, but males frequently have been seen on the trunks of low trees in the scrub forest. Altitudinally, it ranges from sea level to slightly more than 1000 meters. The sexes are readily distinguished in the field (Oliver, 1937; Smith, 1939; Duellman, 1954b). In the dry season only males were observed in the Tepalcatepec Valley, but in the rainy season both sexes were found in approximately the same numbers.

~Sceloporus scalaris scalaris~ Wiegmann

_Sceloporus scalaris_ Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:370, 1828.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Mexico, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:137).

_Sceloporus scalaris scalaris_, Smith, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 361:2, December 15, 1937.

Carapan (2); Cheran; Ciudad Hidalgo; Huingo (3); Jacona (3); Jiquilpan (2); Lago de Camecuaro (2); Lago de Chapala; Lago de Cuitzeo (5); Morelia (4); Patzcuaro (4); Querendaro; Quiroga; Tacicuaro (5); Tarecuaro; Zacapu (4); Zamora (4); Zinapecuaro (11).

This small terrestrial species does not seem to be abundant anywhere in the state. It sometimes is found in open pine, oak, or pine-oak forest, but usually it is observed in areas supporting bunch grass. In such places the lizards sun and forage on the open ground and quickly take refuge in the large clumps of grass. Altitudinally, the species ranges from 1550 to 2300 meters. Although _Sceloporus scalaris scalaris_ has been found in association with _S. dugesi intermedius_, _S. spinosus_, and _S. torquatus_, it does not seem to form any close ecological association with any of these species. In the pine forests of the Cordillera Volcanica _S. s. scalaris_ is replaced by _Sceloporus aeneus aeneus_, another small terrestrial species that occurs in great abundance throughout the coniferous forests of the Cordillera Volcanica.

~Sceloporus siniferus siniferus~ Cope

_Sceloporus siniferus_ Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 11:159, 1869.--Pacific side of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Type locality restricted to Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:134).

_Sceloporus siniferus siniferus_, Smith and Taylor, Bull. U. S. Natl. Mus., 199:134, October 26, 1950.

Twenty-six km. S of Arteaga; Barranca de Bejuco (2); Coahuayana; El Ticuiz (2); La Mira; La Orilla (2); La Placita (9); Maruata; Ojos de Agua de San Telmo; Ostula (4); Playa Azul (6); Pomaro (2); Puerto de las Higuerita; Santa Ana (3).

This small terrestrial species inhabits the dense arid tropical scrub forest on the coast and lower foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman to elevations of about 150 meters. It also occurs in the lower Balsas Valley, but it has not been found in the scrub forest of the broad Tepalcatepec Valley. Perhaps the large number of _Sceloporus siniferus_ on the coastal lowlands is responsible for the small number there of _S. pyrocephalus_, another terrestrial species of about the same size. The latter is abundant in the Tepalcatepec Valley, where _S. siniferus siniferus_ has not been found. _Sceloporus siniferus siniferus_ is a fast runner and difficult to collect; consequently, the small number of specimens available is not indicative of its abundance.

~Sceloporus spinosus spinosus~ Wiegmann

_Sceloporus spinosus_ Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:370, 1828.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Puebla, Puebla, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:116).

_Sceloporus spinosus spinosus_, Martin del Campo, Anal. Inst. Biol. Mexico, 8:262, 1937.

Cojumatlan (2); Huetamo Road; Lago de Cuitzeo (4); Maravatio (8); Tupataro (2).

Although this species is widespread on the southern part of the Mexican Plateau, it is uncommon in Michoacan. It has been collected only in rather open situations in the mesquite-grassland on the plateau between 1500 and 2300 meters, where it has been found in association with _Sceloporus dugesi intermedius_ and _S. scalaris scalaris_. Most specimens of _Sceloporus spinosus spinosus_ have been observed on rock fences. In this habitat the species is the larger member of a pair of species, the smaller of which is _Sceloporus dugesi intermedius_.

~Sceloporus torquatus torquatus~ Wiegmann

_Sceloporus torquatus_ Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:369, 1828.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Mexico, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:126).

_Sceloporus torquatus torquatus_, Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 22:402, 1885.

Angahuan (31); Araparicuaro; Capacuaro (3); Carapan (11); Cerro Tancitaro; Cheran; Ciudad Hidalgo; Cojumatlan; Copandaro (2); Corupu (4); Cuseno Station (9); El Alamo; Jacona (6); Jiquilpan (2); Jungapeo (3); Lago de Camecuaro; Lago de Chapala; Lago de Cuitzeo (3); La Palma (2); Los Conejos (3); Los Reyes (3); Maravatio (9); Morelia (17); Paracho (3); Patzcuaro (27); Pino Gordo; Querendaro (2); Quiroga; Sahuayo (3); San Jose de la Cumbre; San Juan de Panangaricutiro; Tacicuaro (10); Tancitaro (200); Tangamandapio; Tangancicuaro (3); Temazcal (2); Tupataro (5); Uruapan (136); Zacapu; Zinapecuaro (10); Zirimicuaro (12); Zitacuaro.

This large species inhabits the Mexican Plateau and the Cordillera Volcanica, but not the Sierra de Coalcoman, where apparently it is replaced by _Sceloporus bulleri_. _Sceloporus torquatus torquatus_ usually is found in pine or pine-fir forests at elevations between 1450 and 3000 meters. In many places it is almost entirely arboreal, but in areas where there are many fallen trees or rock fences and rock piles, many individuals have been found on the ground near the rocks or logs. In the coniferous forests this species is associated with _S. grammicus microtepidotus_ and _S. aeneus aeneus_.

The distinction made by Smith (1938:572) between the subspecies _S. torquatus torquatus_ and _melanogaster_ is slight. Individuals with pale bluish spots are found throughout the range of the species in Michoacan; spotting is especially evident in the young. Individuals having an incomplete nuchal collar have been found at Maravatio and at Zinapecuaro in the northern part of the state; in this character these specimens resemble _S. torquatus melanogaster_, which is found to the north from Guanajuato to Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi.

~Sceloporus utiformis~ Cope

_Sceloporus utiformis_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:177, September 30, 1864.--Colima, Colima, Mexico.

Nineteen km. S of Arteaga (2); Cascada Tzararacua (17); Coahuayana (3); Coalcoman (6); El Sabino (2); El Ticuiz (2); Ostula (3); Pomaro; Rio Cachan; San Juan de Lima; Uruapan (26).

In Michoacan the range of this species is discontinuous. It has been found between 1050 and 1550 meters on the slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica, and on the coast and seaward slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman up to an elevation of 900 meters. It is absent from the Tepalcatepec Valley. At Uruapan and at Cascada Tzararacua this lizard was found on the ground in oak forest or in open pine-oak forest; on the coast and foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman it was found on the ground in the gallery forests along streams, and not in the scrub forest.

~Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus~ (Schmidt)

_Uta tuberculata_ Schmidt, Amer. Mus. Novitates, 22:4, December 1, 1921.--Colima, Colima, Mexico.

_Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus_, Mittleman, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 91:169, September, 1942.

Twenty-six km. S of Arteaga; Cascada Tzararacua (2); Chupio; Coahuayana; Coalcoman (8); El Sabino (2); Jungapeo; La Orilla (2); La Placita (4); Playa Azul (4); Pomaro (2); San Salvador (16);? Tupataro; Uruapan (12); Tzitzio; Zamora.

The known distribution and geographic variation of _Urosaurus bicarinatus_ in southwestern Mexico presents a confused picture. In general rugosity, specimens from the coastal region of Michoacan (Coahuayana, La Orilla, La Placita, Playa Azul, and Pomaro) resemble _U. bicarinatus tuberculatus_ to the north along the Pacific coast. Furthermore, specimens from the coast have less stippling in the gular region than do those from the Sierra de Coalcoman and the slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica. Specimens from the mountains have greatly carinate enlarged dorsals, large lateral tubercles, and heavily stippled throats; in these characters they resemble specimens from Morelos, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. As mentioned by Peters (1954:14), some specimens from La Orilla and San Salvador are like _U. bicarinatus bicarinatus_ in certain characters, and one specimen has the blue ventral patches restricted to the sternal area, a characteristic of _U. bicarinatus anonymorphus_ of Oaxaca and eastern Guerrero. Examination of all available specimens from Michoacan indicates that the nature of the dorsal scales is of little value in separating the subspecies. The specimens from Michoacan are here provisionally referred to _U. bicarinatus tuberculatus_, because cursory examination of specimens from several localities between Nayarit and Oaxaca shows that there are only minor differences between the named populations. Individuals from the northern part of the range are more rugose and have larger blue ventral patches and less gular stippling than those from the south.

In Michoacan _Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus_ is found in wooded areas, not in open scrub forest, in the coastal area to elevations of about 900 meters, and along the slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica and the southern edge of the Mexican Plateau at elevations from 1000 to 1700 meters. The record for Tupataro probably is erroneous, for no other specimens of this species are known from the central plateau. Essentially, the distribution of this species parallels that of _Sceloporus utiformis_, a strictly terrestrial species. _Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus_ lives on tree trunks. Below 1000 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley _Urosaurus bicarinatus tuberculatus_ is replaced by _Urosaurus gadowi_.

~Urosaurus gadowi~ (Schmidt)

_Uta gadovi_ Schmidt, Amer. Mus. Novitates, 22:3, December 1, 1921.--Cofradia, Jalisco, Mexico (in error) = Cofradia, Michoacan, Mexico (Duellman, 1958b:49).

_Urosaurus gadowi_, Mittleman, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 91:154, September, 1942.

Acahuato (2); Apatzingan (56); 12-16 km. S of Apatzingan (12); Buenavista (7); Capirio (23); Cofradia (21); El Sabino (13); Guayabo; Jazmin; La Playa; La Salada (3); Nueva Italia (7); Rancho Nuevo; Rio Cancita, 14 km. E of Apatzingan (5); Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2); Rio Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia (3); San Salvador (2); Santa Ana; Tepalcatepec; Volcan Jorullo (3); Zicuiran (2); Ziracuaretiro.

Although individuals of this species have been collected at elevations slightly exceeding 1200 meters on Volcan Jorullo and at 1100 meters at Ziracuaretiro on the southern slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica, for the most part these lizards are found at elevations of less than 800 meters, where they inhabit the open arid scrub forest of the Tepalcatepec Valley, a region to which this species is endemic (Duellman, 1958b:49). These small lizards usually are found on the trunks and main branches of the small trees in the scrub forest; in this habitat they are associated with _Sceloporus horridus oligoporus_, a much larger species.

Males have a pale orange spot on the throat and a pale blue belly; females have immaculate venters.

A specimen from Guayabo on the northern slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman was referred to _Urosaurus irregularis_ (Fischer) by Peters (1954:15). I have studied this specimen (BMNH 1914.1.28.110), a female having a snout-vent length of 46 mm., and agree with Peters that it closely resembles Fischer's description and figure (1882: pl. 17, fig. 1). This specimen and those seen of _Urosaurus gadowi_ all have pavementlike enlarged dorsal scales that are complete across the vertical line. In _U. gadowi_ the enlarged dorsals usually are in four to six irregular rows; in the specimen from Guayabo the dorsals are in two rows. Although none of the other specimens of _U. gadowi_ examined has only two rows of enlarged dorsals, I prefer to consider the specimen from Guayabo as an aberrant individual of that species, rather than _U. irregularis_. Guayabo is in the known range of _U. gadowi_. _Urosaurus irregularis_ is known only from the type specimen in the Bremen Museum; the type locality, according to Fischer (1882:232), is "Aus dem Hochlande von Mexico." If an examination of the type specimen of _U. irregularis_ shows it to be identical with _U. gadowi_, then _U. irregularis_ would be the name for the lizards here referred to _U. gadowi_.

~Mabuya brachypoda~ Taylor

_Mabuya brachypoda_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 38 (1):308, December 20, 1956.--Four kilometers east-southeast of Los Angeles de Tilaran, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

El Sabino (42); La Placita; Playa Azul; Tzitzio (3).

Previously this species has been reported from La Placita as _Mabuya mabouya alliacea_ by Peters (1954:15). Webb (1958:1311) provided evidence that Mexican specimens were conspecific with _Mabuya brachypoda_, as described from Costa Rica by Taylor (1956:308). The large series in the Taylor collection studied by Webb and listed by him as being from Uruapan actually is part of a series collected by Hobart M. Smith at El Sabino at an elevation of 1050 meters, 30 kilometers south of Uruapan.

This species probably ranges throughout the coastal region of the state; individuals from La Placita and Playa Azul were taken in dense scrub forest near sea level.

~Scincella assata taylori~ (Oliver)

_Leiolopisma assatum taylori_ Oliver, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 360:12, November 20, 1937.--Santiago, Colima, Mexico.

_Scincella assata taylori_, Mittleman, Herpetologica, 6:20, June 5, 1950.

Twenty-one km. S of Arteaga; Ostula.

The specimen from Ostula was obtained in semi-deciduous broad-leaf forest at an elevation of 120 meters; that from 21 kilometers south of Arteaga was taken in oak forest at an elevation of 830 meters. Both localities are on the coastal slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman. Probably the species inhabits the heavy forests on the lower slopes of these mountains. The specimen from south of Arteaga (UMMZ 119117) in life had a tan dorsum and a bright orange-pink tail.

~Eumeces altamirani~ Duges

_Eumeces altamirani_ Duges, La Naturaleza, ser. 2, 1:485, 1891.--Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico.

Twelve km. E of Apatzingan; El Sabino (4).

One specimen of this rare species was found beneath a rock in the open scrub forest 12 kilometers east of Apatzingan on July 3, 1955. Another skink, presumably of this species, was seen at Capirio. The specimen from east of Apatzingan is a male having a snout-vent length of 97 mm. and an incomplete tail. In most respects it compares favorably with accounts of the species given by Taylor (1936b:55 and 1936c:102). The frontal is divided by a transverse suture; the enlarged dorsal scales are arranged in 11 pairs anteriorly, followed by 48 unpaired enlarged scales. The head and middorsal area are brown; there is a pale tan stripe on the edges of the vertebral and paravertebral rows, bordered by a dark brown stripe on the paravertebral row, which, in turn, is bordered by a pale tan stripe on the lateral edge of the paravertebral scale row and the median edge of the adjacent scale row. The stripes extend from the neck to the base of the tail. The flanks are mottled with brown and cream-color; the labials are cream-color barred by brown; the venter is a pale cream-color.

Duges (1891:485) described _Eumeces altamirani_ from "las regiones calidas del Estado de Michoacan" and subsequently (1896:480) gave Apatzingan as a locality for the species. Presumably he had only one specimen. In 1935 Hobart M. Smith collected the species at El Sabino on the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica bordering the Tepalcatepec Valley. All of the known specimens are from this valley and the adjacent slopes, an area to which the species apparently is endemic.

~Eumeces colimensis~ Taylor

_Eumeces colimensis_ Taylor, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser., 20:77, May 15, 1935.--Colima, Colima, Mexico.

Coalcoman; Salitre de Estopila.

The species was reported by Peters (1954:16); no additional material has been discovered. The species is known only from foothills and low mountains at elevations between 130 and 950 meters in Michoacan and Colima.

~Eumeces copei~ Taylor

_Eumeces copei_ Taylor, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 46:133, June 5, 1933.--10 miles southeast of Asuncion, Mexico, Mexico. Cerro Tancitaro (3); Zacapu.

This member of the _Eumeces brevirostris_-group has been found only in pine or pine-fir forests at elevations from 1800 to 2700 meters. It probably ranges throughout the high mountains of the state north of the Tepalcatepec Valley; its apparent absence in other parts of the Cordillera Volcanica, other than on Cerro Tancitaro, is surprising. The species has been taken near Asuncion in the state of Mexico and at Lagunas de Zempoala in Morelos.

In this species the lateral pale yellow stripe, which is bordered below by dark brown, extends to the groin and onto the base of the tail. The dorsolateral stripe is separated from the copper-colored middorsum by a narrow brown stripe.

~Eumeces dugesi~ Thominot

_Eumeces Dugesii_ Thominot, Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris, ser. 7, 7:138, 1883.--Guanajuato. Type locality restricted to Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:169).

Carapan (6); Cheran (5); Opopeo (2); 17 km. S of Patzcuaro (3); San Jose de la Cumbre (2); Tancitaro (2); Tangancicuaro; Uruapan; Zacapu.

Individuals of this species frequently have been found beneath rocks and logs in pine-oak, pine, or fir forests from elevations of 1550 to 1850 meters. To judge from specimens available, _E. dugesi_ probably is the most abundant and widespread species of skink in the state.

In this species the lateral yellow stripe is indistinct and is persistent only in the axilla; the dorsolateral stripes terminate anterior to the hind limbs and are not separated from the tan dorsum.

~Eumeces indubitus~ Taylor

_Eumeces indubitus_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 21:257, November 27, 1934.--Near Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

Puerto Hondo.

The one specimen of this species from Michoacan was collected by Edward H. Taylor in pine forest at Puerto Hondo, near Zitacuaro, at an elevation of about 2750 meters (Taylor, 1935:466). The species is known from the high mountains of eastern Michoacan, western Mexico, and northern Morelos.

~Eumeces parvulus~ Taylor

_Eumeces parvulus_ Taylor, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 46:175, October 26, 1933.--Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.

El Ticuiz; La Placita; Pomaro (2); San Pedro Naranjestila (3).

Aside from the specimens reported by Peters (1954:17), one other specimen was obtained at El Ticuiz. It has 22 scale rows, 3 supraoculars in contact with the frontal, 2 postlabials, and a unicolored olive-tan dorsum. In life the anterior dorsolateral stripes were pale pinkish tan, the labials cream color, the throat white, and the tail pale blue. All specimens were found in semi-deciduous broad-leaf forest at elevations of less than 500 meters on the seaward slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman.

~Ameiva undulata sinistra~ Smith and Laufe

_Ameiva undulata sinistra_ Smith and Laufe, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 31 (1):59, May 1, 1946.--Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico.

Apatzingan (9); 19 km. S of Arteaga (3); Barranca de Bejuco (2); Coahuayana (6); Coalcoman (3); El Ticuiz (10); La Placita (2); Limoncito (3); Ostula (2); Playa Azul; Salitre de Estopila; San Juan de Lima (2); San Pedro Naranjestila (4).

Six males and six females from the Tepalcatepec Valley have more femoral pores than do 16 males and nine females from the coastal lowlands; the ranges and average number of femoral pores in the former are 40-50 (44.8) for males and 38-40 (38.6) for females; males from the coast have 34-44 (39.2), and females have 32-40 (36.2) femoral pores. In all specimens the number of lamellae beneath the fourth toe varies from 26 to 33 (29.7). In life juveniles have a pale olive-tan dorsum and a dorsolateral dark band, superimposed on which is a row of darker brown spots. The dorsolateral band is bordered below by a narrow cream-colored stripe. The tail is tan above and grayish white below; the belly is pale bluish white. Adult males are brilliantly colored in life. A male having a snout-vent length of 108 mm. had a rusty brown dorsum and bright blue bars on the flanks separated by dark brown interspaces. The side of the head was pale green, and the chin and throat were golden yellow. In some specimens the throat is orange. Juveniles and subadults have dark flecks on the brown or tan middorsal area, but these are absent in the largest males.

This species inhabits the heavily wooded areas in the lowlands to elevations of about 950 meters. In the Tepalcatepec Valley it has been found only in gallery forests along streams. In both the Tepalcatepec Valley and the coastal lowlands there is a noticeable absence of large adults in the dry season.

~Cnemidophorus calidipes~ Duellman

_Cnemidophorus calidipes_ Duellman, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 574:1, December 23, 1955.--Capirio, Michoacan, Mexico.

Apatzingan (56); 12-20 km. S of Apatzingan (5); 19 km. E of Apatzingan (5); 25 km. S of Arteaga; Capirio (57); El Espinal (13); Jazmin (9); 11 km. S of Lombardia; Nueva Italia.

This small, distinctive species of the _sexlineatus_-group of _Cnemidophorus_ was discovered in the Tepalcatepec Valley in 1955 (Duellman, 1955); subsequent field studies showed it to be widespread in the valley (Duellman, 1960c). One specimen (KU 29747) is from the relatively arid, low Pacific slope of the Sierra de Coalcoman, 25 kilometers south of Arteaga. All other specimens have been taken at elevations of 200 to 650 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley, where the species characteristically inhabits the open scrub forests of the valley floor, especially the _Cercidium-Prosopis-Apoplanesia_ associations, where there is a sparse growth of grasses. In this habitat it is most frequently seen in association with _Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli_ and _C. deppei infernalis_.

Aside from the characters given in Table 5, _Cnemidophorus calidipes_ differs from other species of _Cnemidophorus_ in Michoacan by possessing a complete (or nearly so) supraorbital semicircle-series of granules; in other species the granules seldom extend anteriorly beyond the posterior border of the frontal.

~Cnemidophorus communis communis~ Cope

_Cnemidophorus communis_ Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:95, 1877.--No type locality given; type locality restricted to Colima, Colima, Mexico, by Zweifel (1959a:74).

_Cnemidophorus communis communis_, Zweifel, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 117:74, April 27, 1959.

Aguililla (2); Apatzingan (6); 13 km. S of Arteaga (2); 19 km. S of Arteaga (3); Capirio (3); Coahuayana (3); Coalcoman (44); El Ticuiz; between El Ticuiz and Ojos de Agua de San Telmo; La Placita (6); Pomaro (2); Rio Cachan; Salitre de Estopila; San Juan de Lima.

The specimens from Coalcoman and the coastal localities were referred to _Cnemidophorus sacki copei_ by Peters (1954:18) and Duellman (1954b:12). Zweifel (1959a) referred these specimens to _Cnemidophorus communis communis_ and pointed out the probable sympatry of _C. communis_ and _C. costatus_ (= _sacki_ of Zweifel) in the Tepalcatepec Valley.

There is considerable geographic variation in the number of dorsal granules around the midbody. Sixteen specimens from the coastal regions of Michoacan have 129-146 (136.3) granules; nine from the Tepalcatepec Valley have 124-137 (128.3), and 44 from Coalcoman at an elevation of 950 meters in the Sierra de Coalcoman, intermediate geographically between the coast and the Tepalcatepec Valley, have 105-144 (119.7). The number of granules in specimens from the coast of Michoacan compares favorably with the range of 118-154 (137.8) for 34 specimens from Colima, Colima (Zweifel, 1959a:107). Aside from the characters given in Table 5, _C. communis communis_ can be distinguished from other members of the _Cnemidophorus sexlineatus_-group (_calidipes_, _costatus_, and _scarlaris_) by its relatively small post-antebrachial scales.

TABLE 5.--COMPARISON OF THE TEN SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF CNEMIDOPHORUS IN MICHOACAN (SCALE COUNTS ARE FOR SPECIMENS FROM MICHOACAN ONLY)

+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- |Dorsal |Femoral| Adult color | Throat | Maximum Species |granules| pores | pattern | color |snout-vent | | | | | length ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _calidipes_ | 66-86 |31-47 |Light brown dorsum| Pink | 79 mm. | (75) |(39) |with vertical blue| | | | |bars and spots | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _communis |105-146 | 38-52 |Green dorsum with | Pink | 135 mm. communis_ |(124) | (44) |six rows of yellow| | | | |spots | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _costatus | 97-102 |37-43 |Cross-bars | Pink | 126 mm. occidentalis_ | (99) |(39) |anteriorly and | | | | |pale spots | | | | |posteriorly | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _costatus |91-117 |32-49 |Lateral and |Pink with | 132 mm. zweifeli_ |(106) |(41) |dorsolateral rows |blue spot | | | |of spots; | | | | |paravertebrals | | | | |fused with pale | | | | |green middorsum | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _deppei deppei_ |116-117 |37-38 |Green | Black | 93 mm. |(116) |(37) |paravertebral and | | | | |dorsolateral | | | | |stripes; lateral | | | | |stripe broken into| | | | |row of bluish | | | | |spots | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _deppei |91-120 |31-43 |Green | Black | 84 mm. infernalis_ |(101) |(36) |paravertebral and | | | | |dorsolateral | | | | |stripes; broad | | | | |cream lateral | | | | |stripe; reddish | | | | |flanks | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _lineatissimus |108-140 |32-47 |Paravertebral |Pink and | 98 mm. exoristus_ |(122) |(39) |stripes fused with|black | | | |yellow middorsal| | | | |stripe; vertical | | | | |bars on flanks | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _lineatissimus |117-126 |32-37 |Eight distinct |Bluish-pink| 96 mm. lineatissimus_ |(121) |(35) |stripes plus |and black | | | |partially fused | | | | |vertebrals | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _lineatissimus |126-164 |32-48 |Broad middorsal |Pink and | 106 mm. lividus_ |(148) |(38) |stripe; |black | | | |paravertebrals | | | | |distinct; blue | | | | |lateral spots | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+---------- _scalaris_ | 80-92 |32-41 |Six distinct cream|Orange-pink| 95 mm. | (86) |(35) |stripes; tan spots| | | | |in dark fields | | ----------------+--------+-------+------------------+-----------+----------

Although this is the largest species of _Cnemidophorus_ in Michoacan (adult males attain a snout-vent length of 135 mm.), it is neither widespread nor abundant. On the coastal lowlands it occurs primarily with _Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus_. In the coastal lowlands there is little open scrub forest, a type of habitat that seems to be preferred by _C. communis communis_. In the Tepalcatepec Valley, _C. communis communis_ occurs in the open scrub forest with the more abundant large species _C. costatus_ (subspecies _zweifeli_). Only in the scrub forest in the Coalcoman Valley, where no other species of _Cnemidophorus_ occurs, is _C. communis communis_ abundant.

~Cnemidophorus costatus occidentalis~ Gadow

_Cnemidophorus communis occidentalis_ Gadow, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1906, 1:339, August 23, 1906.--Type locality restricted to Ixtlan, Nayarit, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:182).

_Cnemidophorus costatus occidentalis_, Zweifel, Copeia, No. 1:98; March 17, 1961.

Jiquilpan (4).

Only four specimens from the extreme northwestern part of the state are referable to this subspecies. These have 97 to 102 dorsal granules at midbody and lack the blue gular band or spot characteristic of the subspecies in the Tepalcatepec Valley. Probably _C. costatus occidentalis_ ranges throughout the Chapala depression, but to the east it is replaced by _Cnemidophorus scalaris scalaris_.

~Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli~ Duellman

_Cnemidophorus sacki zweifeli_ Duellman, Univ. Kansas Publ. Mus. Nat. Hist., 10:589, May 2, 1960.--Capirio, Michoacan, Mexico.

Apatzingan (107); Buenavista (3); Capirio (31); Charapendo (12); Chinapa (2); 19 km. S of Corralito (3); Jazmin (2); between La Playa and Volcan Jorullo (2); Limoncito (3); 14 km. S of Lombardia (11); Nueva Italia (15); Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2); Rio Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia; Tafetan (18); 14 km. E of Tepalcatepec (2); Tzitzio (11); 19 km. S of Tzitzio; Volcan Jorullo (5); Ziracuaretiro; Zirimicuaro.

These lizards were referred to _Cnemidophorus sacki copei_ by Duellman (1954b:12 and 1955:6); Duellman (1960a) described the subspecies _zweifeli_ and assigned it to _Cnemidophorus sacki_. Zweifel (1961:98) used the specific name C. _costatus_ for the whiptails on the southwestern part of the Mexican Plateau (_C. c. occidentalis_). Since _occidentalis_ and _zweifeli_ are conspecific, the combination _C. costatus zweifeli_ is used here for the population inhabiting the Tepalcatepec Valley.

This lizard is abundant in the Tepalcatepec Valley, where it lives in open and dense scrub forest, usually at elevations of less than 1000 meters. Throughout the valley it is found in association with _Cnemidophorus deppei infernalis_, and in the lower parts of the valley it also is associated with _Cnemidophorus calidipes_. Observations made in the dry season indicate that large adults are not active at that time.

On the coastal lowlands and in the valleys in the Sierra de Coalcoman _Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli_ is replaced by _C. communis communis_. To the east in the Balsas Basin _C. costatus zweifeli_ intergrades with _C. costatus costatus_.

~Cnemidophorus deppei deppei~ Wiegmann

_Cnemidophorus deppei_ Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 29, 1834.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:179).

_Cnemidophorus deppei deppei_, Cope, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:31, 1892.

Salitre de Estopila; San Pedro Naranjestila.

This small species, which is extremely abundant on the coastal lowlands of Guerrero, seems to be rare on the coast of Michoacan, where it has been taken at elevations of 130 and 500 meters in open situations in otherwise forested areas. Duellman and Wellman (1960:25) discussed these specimens in relation to their subspecific assignment. They were referred to _Cnemidophorus deppei lineatissimus_ by Peters (1954:18).

~Cnemidophorus deppei infernalis~ Duellman and Wellman

_Cnemidophorus deppei infernalis_ Duellman and Wellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 111:32, February 10, 1960.--Mexcala, Guerrero, Mexico.

Acahuato; Apatzingan (227); Capirio (3); El Sabino; Jazmin; La Playa (6); Lombardia (6); Nueva Italia (4); Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (6); Rio Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia (10); south of Tancitaro; Volcan Jorullo (3).

This is one of the most abundant and widespread lizards in the Tepalcatepec Valley. Throughout its range it is ecologically associated with _Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli_, which ranges to elevations somewhat higher than the 1050 meters known for _C. deppei infernalis_. This small lizard reaches its greatest abundance in grassy areas on the floor of the Tepalcatepec Valley, where in the _Cercidium-Prosopis-Apoplanesia_ associations it occurs with _Cnemidophorus calidipes_.

Duellman and Wellman (1960) discussed the variation and relationships of _Cnemidophorus deppei_, of which the subspecies _infernalis_ is restricted to the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin.

~Cnemidophorus lineatissimus exoristus~ Duellman and Wellman

_Cnemidophorus lineatissimus exoristus_ Duellman and Wellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 111:44, February 10, 1960.--Rancho Santa Ana, four kilometers northeast of San Salvador, Michoacan, Mexico.

Thirteen to 25 km. S of Arteaga (18); Capirio (19); Limoncito (13); Santa Ana (22).

As in _Cnemidophorus calidipes_, the distribution of this subspecies seems to be restricted to the Tepalcatepec Valley, except in the vicinity of Arteaga, where it occurs on the southern slope of the Sierra de Coalcoman. As pointed out by Duellman and Wellman (1960:46), the specimens from south of Arteaga are like those from the Tepalcatepec Valley in scutellation and coloration, and not like _Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus_ from the geographically closer coastal lowlands.

In the Tepalcatepec Valley _Cnemidophorus lineatissimus exoristus_ inhabits gallery forests along the larger streams; in this habitat it is associated with _Ameiva undulata sinistra_. From the other species of _Cnemidophorus_ in Michoacan, _C. lineatissimus exoristus_ can be distinguished by the possession of seven longitudinal stripes in adults and by the characters of scutellation given in Table 5.

~Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lineatissimus~ Cope

_Cnemidophorus lineatissimus_ Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:94, 1877.--Colima and Guadalajara. Type locality restricted to Colima, Colima, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:179).

_Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lineatissimus_, Duellman and Wellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 111:41, February 10, 1960.

Boca de Apiza (4).

These specimens have 117 to 126 dorsal granules at midbody, a noticeably lower count than that for _Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus_ on the coast of Michoacan, which has 126 to 164 (148). Apparently these specimens represent immature _C. lineatissimus lineatissimus_; the differences between these and _C. lineatissimus lividus_ from nearby localities indicate that possibly the populations are distinct species and not subspecies, as suggested by Duellman and Wellman (1960:41).

~Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus~ Duellman and Wellman

_Cnemidophorus lineatissimus lividus_ Duellman and Wellman, Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 111:50, February 10, 1960.--Maruata, Michoacan, Mexico.

Barranca de Bejuco (4); Boca de Apiza (2); Coahuayana (6); El Ticuiz (7); La Placita (11); Maruata (7); Motin del Oro; Ostula (5); Playa Azul (4); Playa Cuilala (2); Pomaro (2); Salitre de Estopila (2); San Pedro Naranjestila.

This is the most abundant and widespread species of _Cnemidophorus_ on the coastal lowlands of Michoacan, where it ranges from sea level to elevations of about 500 meters. In this area it inhabits dense arid scrub forest and semi-deciduous broad-leafed forest. Both of these habitats are continuous, or nearly so, along the lowlands and foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman. This in itself may explain the abundance of _Cnemidophorus lineatissimus_ and the relative scarcity of _C. deppei_ and _C. communis_ in the coastal area, for _C. deppei_ and _C. communis_ usually inhabit more open arid scrub forest, as occurs in the Tepalcatepec Valley. Living in the dense scrub forest with _C. lineatissimus_ is _Ameiva undulata sinistra_.

~Cnemidophorus scalaris~ Cope

_Cnemidophorus gularis scalaris_ Cope, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., 17:47, 1892.--Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.

_Cnemidophorus scalaris_, Zweifel, Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist., 117:72, 1959.

Araro (2); Jacona; Lago de Cuitzeo (42); Morelia; 21 km. N of Morelia (4).

Zweifel (1959a:72) assigned the small species of _Cnemidophorus_ having a relatively low number of dorsal granules and inhabiting the southern part of the Mexican Plateau to _C. scalaris_, which he diagnosed as rarely exceeding 100 mm. in snout-vent length and always having an average of less than 100 dorsal granules at midbody and usually less than 90. Forty-two specimens from the south shore of Lago de Cuitzeo (UMMZ 119558) have 80-91 (85.8) dorsal granules. Four specimens from 21 kilometers north of Norelia (UIMNH 6952 and UMMZ 104743) have 89, 78, 92, and 84 granules; one from Morelia (UMMZ 104742) has 78; two from Araro (UMMZ 119522) have 80 and 87; one from Jacona (UIMNH 24703) has 88.

Since no large adult males are present in the series from Michoacan, an adequate comparison of coloration between these and populations on the northern part of the Mexican Plateau cannot be made. _Cnemidophorus scalaris_ is a name applied to the lizards inhabiting the Mexican Plateau from Chihuahua south to Puebla by Zweifel (1959a:72). It is doubtful if all of the populations assigned to this subspecies belong there; possibly more than one species is involved, but the paucity of material prevents further analysis at this time.

~Heloderma horridum horridum~ (Wiegmann)

_Trachyderma horridum_ Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 22:421, 1829.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Huajintlan, Guerrero, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:193).

_Heloderma horridum horridum_, Bogert and Martin del Campo, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 109:20, April 16, 1956.

Apatzingan; Coalcoman; La Placita; Oropeo; Paracuaro.

This species is known from elevations of less than 1000 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley, the Sierra de Coalcoman, and the coastal lowlands. Specimens from Coalcoman, La Placita, and Paracuaro came from areas of dense woods; those from Apatzingan and Oropeo might have come from patches of dense woods in the otherwise open scrub forest of the Tepalcatepec Valley.

~Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus~ Wiegmann

_Gerrhonotus imbricatus_ Wiegmann, Isis von Oken, 21:379, 1828.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Mexico, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:201).

_Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus_, Dunn, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 88:475, October 20, 1936.

Acuaro de las Lleguas (9); Cerro Barolosa (4); Cerro Tancitaro (36); Dos Aguas (22); Paracho; Sierra Patamba; Tinguidin; Zacapu.

Specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman are noticeably different from those inhabiting the mountains rising from the Mexican Plateau. Of 45 specimens from Cerro Tancitaro and adjacent areas on the Mexican Plateau and in the Cordillera Volcanica, 15 have twelve longitudinal rows of dorsal scales and 30 have fourteen rows. Of seven specimens from the state of Mexico, 5 have twelve rows and 2 have fourteen; of nine specimens from central Veracruz, 8 have twelve rows and one has fourteen; of six specimens from Hidalgo, 5 have twelve rows and one has sixteen; of two specimens from Guanajuata, one has fourteen and the other has sixteen rows. All of the 35 specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman have sixteen rows. Furthermore, these specimens have the superciliary row extended anteriorly, so that the anterior superciliary is in broad contact with the loreal. Specimens from Cerro Tancitaro have a shorter superciliary row, so that the anterior superciliary is not in broad contact with the loreal. These characters were used by Tihen (1949:220) to distinguish _Gerrhonotus imbricatus ciliaris_ from _G. imbricatus imbricatus_. According to Tihen, the subspecies _G. imbricatus ciliaris_ ranges from Guanajuato and Hidalgo northward to Chihuahua and Coahuila, whereas the nominal subspecies occurs from Michoacan and Hidalgo southward to Oaxaca. Specimens from the Sierra de Autlan in Jalisco are like those from Cerro Tancitaro; consequently, there seems to be no connection between the populations of _G. imbricatus ciliaris_ in the mountains of the northern part of the Mexican Plateau with the _ciliaris_-like individuals found in the Sierra de Coalcoman. The acquisition and study of additional material from throughout the range of the species is necessary to clarify the picture of geographic variation. Until then, I prefer to consider all of the specimens from Michoacan as _Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus_.

The largest specimen is a male having a snout-vent length of 136 mm. Two juveniles collected in July 24, 1960, have snout-vent lengths of 36 and 42 mm. A specimen having a snout-vent length of 127 mm. and a tail length of 145 mm. was regurgitated by a _Crotalus pusillus_, which had a body length of 550 mm.

_Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus_ is an inhabitant of coniferous forests. In the Cordillera Volcanica it occurs from 1500 to 3500 meters at the top of Cerro Tancitaro. In the Sierra de Coalcoman it occurs from 2100 to 2700 meters. On July 4, 1955, a pair was found in copulation beneath a pine log at 2700 meters on Cerro Barolosa. The male was lying on top of the female and was holding her head firmly in his jaws; the male's tail was curled under the female's tail, so that the cloacae were in contact.

Serpentes

~Typhlops braminus~ (Daudin)

_Eryx braminus_ Daudin, Hist.... des reptiles, 7:279, 1803.--Vazagapatam, India.

_Typhlops braminus_, Cuvier, Regne animal, ed. 2, 2:73, 1829.

Apatzingan; Arteaga.

Both specimens known from Michoacan were collected by Gadow in 1908. Peters (1954:20) remarked that the specimen from Arteaga probably does not indicate a rapid spreading of the species, which most likely was introduced into Mexico at the time that vessels were stopping at Acapulco from the Philippines (Taylor, 1940b:444), but instead may indicate that pack trains from Acapulco passed through the Sierra de Coalcoman. The occurrence of this snake along a long-used _camino_ substantiates this belief.

~Leptotyphlops bressoni~ Taylor

_Leptotyphlops bressoni_ Taylor, Copeia, No. 1:5, March 9, 1939.--Hacienda El Sabino, Michoacan, Mexico.

El Sabino.

This species still is known definitely only from the type specimen collected on the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica at the northern edge of the Tepalcatepec Valley. A specimen (now lost) reported from Aguililla by Cope (1887:63) possibly represents this species (see Smith and Taylor, 1945:21, and Peters, 1954:20).

~Leptotyphlops gadowi~ Duellman

_Leptotyphlops gadowi_ Duellman, Copeia, No. 2:93, May 29, 1956.--Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico.

Apatzingan.

No additional specimens of this species have been collected since the species was described by Duellman (1956b:93). Data given with the specimen by Gadow indicate that it came from his camp above Apatzingan at an elevation of about 800 meters. Although the exact position of this camp is unknown, the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica above Apatzingan usually support arid scrub forest at elevations below 1000 meters. Therefore, this species probably is an inhabitant of the arid scrub forest.

~Leptotyphlops phenops bakewelli~ Oliver

_Leptotyphlops bakewelli_ Oliver, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 360:16, November 20, 1937.--Paso del Rio, Colima, Mexico.

_Leptotyphlops phenops bakewelli_, Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 93:445, October 29, 1943.

La Placita (4); La Salada; Ostula.

The five specimens from the coastal lowlands are from elevations of less than 150 meters; these were collected by Peters (1954:20); the specimen from La Salada is from an elevation of 580 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley. Peters (_loc. cit._) remarked that the rostral and the tip of the tail that were described as white by Oliver (1937:17) actually are sulphur-yellow in life.

~Loxocemus bicolor~ Cope

_Loxocemus bicolor_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 13:77, June 30, 1861.--La Union, El Salvador.

_Loxocemus sumichrasti_ Bocourt, Ann. Sci. Nat., ser. 6, 4:1, 1876.--Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Apatzingan (6); La Orilla; Lombardia.

As noted by Peters (1954:21), this species was not recorded from Michoacan by Smith and Taylor (1945:27), but Gadow (1930:30) collected a specimen at La Orilla in 1908. This specimen (BMNH 1914.1.28.124) is a male having 235 ventrals and 47 caudals, a dark brown dorsum, and cream-colored labials and venter. The anterior chin-shields are considerably longer than the scales bordering the chin-shields. In these characters this specimen agrees with the diagnosis of _Loxocemus bicolor_ given by Taylor (1940c:447), who revived _Loxocemus sumichrasti_ Bocourt. Of the six specimens from Apatzingan in the Tepalcatepec Valley, three males have 243 to 253 (246.6) ventrals and 44 to 45 (44.3) caudals; three females have 238 to 247 (244.0) ventrals and 42 to 44 (43.0) caudals. Certain characters of scutellation utilized by Taylor for separating _L. bicolor_ and _L. sumichrasti_ are inconsistent in this series. The chin-shields are longer than the adjacent scales, like those illustrated in _L. bicolor_ by Taylor (_op. cit._, fig. 1). The relative lengths of the prefrontal and internasal sutures are subequal, or the prefrontal suture is slightly longer. Thus, in these characters of scutellation these snakes are like _L. bicolor_, but in coloration they are like _L. sumichrasti_; the dorsal color in life was an iridescent dark bluish gray, and the belly was pale gray or bluish gray.

The supposed differences in scutellation between _L. bicolor_ and _L. sumichrasti_ have been questioned by Woodbury and Woodbury (1944:360); these authors treated _L. sumichrasti_ as a subspecies of _L. bicolor_. As pointed out by Zweifel (1959b:5), such an arrangement is not tenable, for, although individuals with each kind of color pattern have not been collected together at any one locality, the over-all geographic picture is one of sympatric distribution. Only snakes having the coloration of _L. sumichrasti_ have been collected in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin. I agree with Zweifel (_loc. cit._) that on the basis of morphological similarities and sympatric distribution, _L. bicolor_ and _L. sumichrasti_ seem to be dimorphic phases of the same species, showing no more striking differences in coloration than _Lampropeltis getulus californiae_, a now classical example of pattern dimorphism in snakes.

In Michoacan, as in other parts of its range, _Loxocemus bicolor_ inhabits arid scrub forest environments at low elevations.

~Boa constrictor imperator~ Daudin

_Boa imperator_ Daudin, Hist. nat.... des reptiles, 5:150, 1803.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Cordoba, Veracruz, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:347).

_Boa constrictor imperator_, Forcart, Herpetologica, 7:199, December 31, 1951.

Apatzingan (4); Coalcoman; El Sabino (2); La Placita; La Playa (2); Lombardia; Nueva Italia (2); Rio Cachan; Rio Marquez, 13 km. SE of Nueva Italia; Rio Nexpa; Volcan Jorullo.

These specimens have come from a variety of habitats from elevations of less than 1,000 meters. The species seems to be equally abundant in the broad-leafed semi-deciduous forests of the coastal foothills and in the arid Tepalcatepec Valley. In the latter area most of the specimens were collected at night.

~Coniophanes fissidens dispersus~ Smith

_Coniophanes fissidens dispersus_ Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 91:106, November 13, 1941.--El Limoncito, Guerrero, Mexico.

Arteaga.

Further collecting in southern Michoacan has failed to add additional material of this species, which is known in the state from the one specimen collected by Gadow in 1908. The species possibly ranges throughout the coastal foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman. Peters (1954:21) described the specimen from Arteaga.

~Coniophanes lateritius lateritius~ Cope

_Coniophanes lateritius_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 13:524, March 31, 1862.--Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

_Coniophanes lateritius lateritius_, Smith and Grant, Herpetologica, 14:20, April 25, 1958.

Nineteen km. S of Arteaga.

The one specimen available from Michoacan of this apparently rare species was discussed by Wellman (1959:127), who pointed out that although the specimen was geographically intermediate between the subspecies _C. l. lateritius_ (Jalisco and Nayarit) and _C. l. melanocephalus_ (Morelos and Puebla), the specimen (UMMZ 118954) was like _C. l. lateritius_ in scutellation and in color pattern differed from other known specimens of the species in having had in life a pale orange, instead of a brick-red, dorsum. Additional specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman will be required in order to determine whether this specimen is a representative of an orange-colored population or merely is aberrant in coloration.

The present specimen is from an elevation of 900 meters in oak forest on the southern slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman; other locality records for the species indicate that it inhabits broad-leafed forest in foothills from Nayarit to Puebla.

~Conophis vittatus vittatus~ Peters

_Conophis vittatus_ Peters, Monats. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 519, 1860.--No type locality given. Type locality restricted to Laguna Coyuca, Guerrero, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:331).

_Conophis vittatus vittatus_, Smith, Jour. Washington Acad. Sci., 31:119, March 17, 1941.

Arteaga; Coalcoman (4); La Playa; 19 km. S of Tzitzio.

All specimens of this terrestrial snake have been collected in areas of scrub forest between 800 and 1100 meters above sea level. Since the species is known from the coastal regions of Guerrero and Colima, its absence from the cost of Michoacan is unexplainable; probably the lack of specimens from these areas is due solely to inadequate collecting.

~Conopsis biserialis~ Taylor and Smith

_Conopsis biserialis_ Taylor and Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 28 (2):333, November 12, 1942.--Ten miles west of Villa Victoria, Mexico, Mexico.

Capacuaro (5); Cerro San Andres; Cheran; Ciudad Hidalgo; Macho de Agua (4): Patzcuaro (8); Tancitaro (24); Uruapan (9); 24 km. SE of Zitacuaro (14).

This species is abundant in the coniferous forests at elevations from 1550 to 2800 meters throughout the Cordillera Volcanica; apparently it does not occur in the Sierra de Coalcoman.

On August 1, 1956, a copulating pair was found beneath a rock at Capacuaro.

One of the best characters to distinguish this species from _Toluca lineata_, which occurs with _Conopsis_ throughout its range in Michoacan, is the presence of large, black ventral blotches in _Conopsis biserialis_, as contrasted with the two rows of small black spots in _Toluca lineata_.

~Conopsis nasus~ Guenther

_Conopsis nasus_ Guenther, Catalogue... snakes... British Museum, p. 6, 1858.--California (in error). Type locality restricted to Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:330).

Carapan (2); Erongaricuaro; Maravatio (3); Morelia (2); Nahuatzen; Patzcuaro (7); Tacicuaro (8); Tancitaro.

This species has been collected in oak, pine-oak, and fir forests at elevations of 1900 to 2450 meters on the mountains rising from the Mexican Plateau. It does not seem to be so abundant as _Conopsis biserialis_. Sufficient ecological data to determine differences in habitat between the two species have not been compiled.

~Diadophis dugesi~ Villada

_Diadophis punctatus dougesii_ Villada, La Naturaleza, 3:226, 1875.--Potreros de Balbuena, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

_Diadophis dugesii_, Blanchard, Bull. Chicago Acad. Sci., 7:51, December 30, 1942.

Morelia (2); Patzcuaro; Quiroga.

Apparently this snake is uncommon in Michoacan. It has been found only at elevations of 1900 to 2200 meters in pine and pine-oak forests on the mountains rising from the Mexican Plateau.

~Dryadophis melanolomus stuarti~ Smith

_Dryadophis melanolomus stuarti_ Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 93:418, October 29, 1943.--Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.

Coahuayana; El Ticuiz; La Placita (3); Punto San Juan de Lima; Punto San Telmo.

The few specimens indicate that in Michoacan, as elsewhere on the Pacific coast of Mexico, this species is restricted to forested regions on the coastal plain. It does not occur in the Tepalcatepec Valley.

The coloration, in life, of a juvenile (UMMZ 114604) is as follows: The dorsum is uniform pale grayish tan on posterior one-third of body and on tail; anteriorly there are pale grayish tan middorsal blotches separated by grayish white interspaces, which are about one-half the length of the blotches. Posteriorly the blotches are less distinct, fading into the uniform grayish tan ground color of the posterior part of the body. The blotches extend laterally onto the fourth and fifth scale rows. Large squarish lateral intercalary blotches of darker brown interconnect with the dorsal blotches. The top of the head is pale olive-brown; a dark brown postorbital stripe extends from the eye to the posterior edge of the last upper labial. The labials, chin, and ventrals 1-30 are creamy white, changing to a dusty cream-color posteriorly; the chin and ventrals 1-30 are heavily spotted with dark brown. The iris is a cream-color above and chocolate brown below; the tongue is blue.

~Drymarchon corais rubidus~ Smith

_Drymarchon corais rubidus_ Smith, Jour. Washington Acad. Sci., 31:474, November 11, 1941.--Rosario, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Apatzingan (5); Arroyo El Salto; Arteaga; Capirio; El Sabino (7); La Palma; La Placita; Ostula; San Juan de Lima.

Not all of the specimens from Michoacan are typical in color pattern of this subspecies, as defined by Smith (1941a:475). All specimens from the Tepalcatepec Valley are uniformly black above; they have reddish or cream-colored chins and the anterior two-thirds of the belly salmon-pink or reddish buff. Individuals from the Sierra de Coalcoman (Arteaga and Arroyo El Salto) are like those from the Tepalcatepec Valley. Three specimens from the coastal lowlands differ noticeably in color pattern:

UMMZ 104504, adult male (Ostula).--Pale brown above flecked with black anteriorly; at midbody, flecks form narrow transverse bands that become progressively wider posteriorly, until on tail no brown pigment evident, all ventrals reddish buff, except last eight, which are black.

UMMZ 104602, adult female (La Placita).--Black above, reddish cross-bands and flecks on all of body; dorsal and ventral surfaces of tail black; chin cream-color and entire belly reddish buff.

UMMZ 114626, adult male (San Juan de Lima).--Black above; dull rust-colored cross-bands on anterior half of body; chin white; belly rust-colored on anterior two-thirds of body and black posteriorly.

One specimen from La Palma on the Mexican Plateau (KU 29275) has the top of the head an olive-color, the entire dorsum black, the chin and ventrals 1-42 a cream-color, remainder of venter black, and all of the labials heavily barred with black. A juvenile from Capirio in the Tepalcatepec Valley (UMMZ 114627) is black above and has pale olive-colored flecks on the anterior one-third of the body; the top of the head is dark olive-brown, and the sides of the head are somewhat paler. Anteriorly the belly is a cream-color; posteriorly it is black.

The specimens from the Tepalcatepec Valley are typical of _Drymarchon corais rubidus_. Those from the coastal lowlands differ in having large areas of brown or red pigment on the dorsum, a condition not mentioned by Smith in his description of the subspecies. The specimen from La Palma, like many others from various localities on the Mexican Plateau, resembles in certain characters _D. corais orizabensis_ (Smith, _op. cit._: 477). Our knowledge of the geographical variation in coloration in this species is incomplete; many populations have been assigned to subspecific rank without justification.

In Michoacan this species is found from sea level to 1350 meters in the Sierra de Coalcoman and to 1300 meters at La Palma on Lago de Chapala. It has been collected in scrub forest, semi-deciduous broad-leafed forest, and oak forest.

~Drymobius margaritiferus fistulosus~ Smith

_Drymobius margaritiferus fistulosus_ Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 92:383, November 5, 1942.--Miramar, Nayarit, Mexico.

Apatzingan (3); Coahuayana; Coalcoman (3); El Sabino (3); El Ticuiz; 12 km. S of Tzitzio.

This snake is abundant in the lowlands of the state; the few specimens listed above are indicative not of the rarity, but rather of the speed and agility, of this diurnal snake. It most frequently is found near water, where there is a dense growth of vegetation. One individual was observed in a large pool inhabited by several small _Rana pipiens_, and another was seen along the bank of a hyacinth-choked river channel. A third individual was captured while it was in pursuit of a _Cnemidophorus_.

This species has been collected on the coastal lowlands and seaward foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman and in the Tepalcatepec Valley to elevations of 1150 meters.

~Elaphe triaspis intermedia~ (Boettger)

_Pityophis intermedius_ Boettger, Ber. Offen. Vereins. Naturk., 22:148, 1883.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Hacienda El Sabino, Michoacan, Mexico, by Dowling (1960:74).

_Elaphe triaspis intermedia_, Mertens and Dowling, Senckenbergiana, 33:201, November 15, 1952.

Twenty-four km. E of Apatzingan; Chupio; El Sabino (4); 11 km. E of Emiliano Zapata.

Dowling (1960) has shown that specimens from the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin have fewer ventrals and caudals than those from the Sierra del Sur or the coast. All specimens from Michoacan were collected in open forest, either scrub or oak forest. They were found in drier situations than those described for the species in southern Tamaulipas by Martin (1958:69). In Michoacan _Elaphe triaspis intermedia_ is known from the Tepalcatepec Valley, the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica, and the western edge of the Mexican Plateau at an elevation of 1350 meters. It probably occurs in the lower parts of the Sierra de Coalcoman and along the Pacific coast, for it is known from the coastal lowlands of Guerrero and Colima. In August, 1951, I saw a snake that probably was this species in Barranca de Bejuco.

~Enulius unicolor~ (Fischer)

_Geophis unicolor_ Fischer, Abh. Nat. Ver. Bremen, 7:227, 1882.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:331).

_Enulius unicolor_, Taylor and Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 25:247, July 10, 1939.

Between Ario de Rosales and La Playa; Coalcoman; Jungapeo (4); between Zitacuaro and Tuxpan.

This small snake has been collected from beneath rocks in brushy areas and broad-leafed forest between 900 and 1800 meters; it has not been found in coniferous forest. The limited ecological data suggest that the species inhabits the transition zone between the tropical scrub forest and the temperate hardwood forest.

All of the specimens have 17 rows of scales; four males have 169-178 (174.2) ventrals and 102-111 (106.8) caudals; two females have 192 and 195 ventrals and 96 and 87 caudals. Three individuals have one postocular on one side and two on the other; in the other specimens there are two postoculars on each side. The largest male has a body length of 232 mm. and a tail length of 130 mm.; the largest female has a body length of 274 mm. and a tail length of 119 mm.

~Geagras redimitus~ Cope

_Geagras redimitus_ Cope, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, ser. 2, 8:141, 1876.

San Juan de Lima (2).

Previously this species was known definitely only from the Plains of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. _Sphenocalamus lineolatus_ was described by Fischer (1883:5) from Mazatlan; this name has been placed in the synonymy of _Geagras redimitus_ Cope. Although Fischer gave the type locality only as "Mazatlan" and did not designate the state, it is probable that the type originated from Mazatlan, Sinaloa. The present specimens are from a locality almost midway between Tehuantepec and Mazatlan and support the possibility that _Geagras_ ranges along the Pacific coast of Mexico from Oaxaca to Sinaloa.

The two specimens from Michoacan (UMMZ 114446-7), both males, have 118 and 122 ventrals, 31 and 33 caudals, body lengths of 108 and 81 mm., and tail lengths of 20 and 15 mm. Both have 1-1 preoculars, 1-1 postoculars, 1-2 temporals, 6-6 upper labials, and 5-5 lower labials. In life, the dorsum was pale tan; the top of the head and the middorsal and lateral stripes were dark brown; the belly was white. The occipital spots were pale pinkish tan. Both specimens were found beneath rocks in tropical semi-deciduous forest at an elevation of 15 meters on the coastal plain.

~Geophis dugesi~ Bocourt

_Geophis dugesii_ Bocourt, Miss. Scientifique au Mexique et dans l'Amerique Centrale, Rept., livr. 9:573, 1883.--Tangancicuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.

Carapan; Tangancicuaro; Zacapu.

Aside from the three specimens listed above, there are two (SU 4407-8) bearing the data "Michoacan." Bocourt (1883:574) stated that the type specimen from Tangancicuaro had six or seven pale cross-bands on the anterior part of the body. An illustration, presumably of the same specimen, by Duges (1884:Pl. 9) shows five distinct and one indistinct cross-bands. Of the four specimens that I have examined, none has more than three pale cross-bands, and one has only one indistinct cross-band. Two females have 154 and 158 ventrals and 38 and 37 caudals; two males have 150 and 151 ventrals and 43 and 42 caudals.

This species is known only from elevations between 1750 and 2050 meters on the southwestern edge of the Mexican Plateau in the state of Michoacan.

~Geophis incomptus~ Duellman

_Geophis incomptus_ Duellman, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 605:3, May 29, 1959.--Dos Aguas, Michoacan, Mexico.

Dos Aguas (15).

This species, which seems to be related to _Geophis maculiferus_, is known only from the pine-oak forest in the vicinity of Dos Aguas (elevation 2100 meters) in the Sierra de Coalcoman. Aside from the five specimens comprising the type series, there are ten other specimens in the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan collected by Floyd L. Downs in July, 1960. Data from these specimens and those comprising the type series show that in this sample seven males have 146-153 (149.3) ventrals and 35-37 (36.0) caudals; eight females have 150-154 (152.4) ventrals and 29-34 (32.5) caudals. The largest specimen is a female with a body length of 344 mm. and a tail length of 53 mm.

~Geophis maculiferus~ Taylor

_Geophis maculiferus_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 27:119, December 30, 1941.--Near Cicio [_sic_] = Tzitzio, Michoacan, Mexico.

Tzitzio.

The type and only known specimen of _Geophis maculiferus_ (UIMNH 25078) is a female having 140 ventrals and 30 caudals, dorsal scales in 15 rows, one postocular, and an anterior temporal. Only one other species in Mexico has dorsal scales in 15 rows and has an anterior temporal; that species is _G. incomptus_, which differs from _G. maculiferus_ in having six or seven lower labials, instead of five, and in having the edges of the ventrals dark, instead of a uniformly cream-colored belly.

The locality from which the specimen was obtained lies at an elevation of 1630 meters on the southern slope of the Cordillera Volcanica. At that elevation there is an interdigitation of arid tropical scrub forest and pine-oak forest; probably _Geophis maculiferus_ inhabits the pine-oak forest.

~Geophis nigrocinctus~ Duellman

_Geophis nigrocinctus_ Duellman, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 605:1, May 29, 1959.--Dos Aguas, Michoacan, Mexico.

Dos Aguas (3).

The three specimens comprising the type series of the species were found beneath logs and in a stump in pine-oak forest at an elevation of 2100 meters. A discussion of the variation in these specimens and of probable relationships of the species was given by Duellman (1959). Floyd Downs spent several days at Dos Aguas in July, 1960; although he found ten specimens of _Geophis incomptus_, no further specimens of _G. nigrocinctus_ were obtained.

~Geophis petersi~ Boulenger

_Geophis petersii_ Boulenger, Catalogue Snakes... British Museum, 2:321, September 23, 1894.--Mexico City. Type locality restricted to Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:335).

Cheran; Coalcoman; Morelia; Patzcuaro (6).

This seems to be the most widespread species of _Geophis_ in Michoacan. It has been found at elevations between 950 and 2350 meters, chiefly in pine or pine-oak forest. Boulenger (1894:321) described _Geophis petersi_ from a specimen stated to be from Mexico City, a locality which probably is in error. The only localities from which the species is definitely known are those listed in this account.

Three males and five females from the Mexican Plateau and the Cordillera Volcanica have respectively 140-144 (141.7) and 143-151 (146.0) ventrals and 39-41 (40.0) and 29-35 (33.2) caudals. All have dorsal scales in 15 rows, 1 postocular, no anterior temporal, and a relatively small triangular supraocular. The specimen from Coalcoman (UMMZ 104698) was referred to _Geophis nasalis_ by Peters (1954:22). This specimen is abnormal in several characters; in five places there is a fusion and separation of the vertebral and paravertebral scale rows, producing a change from 17 to 15 rows of dorsal scales. Fusion of the three rows takes place at the level of the 8th, 41st, 47th, 54th, and 65th ventrals. Furthermore, there is a small secondary postocular on each side of the head. In other characters the specimen is like _G. petersi_; the resemblances to that species are greater than to _G. nasalis_, which has been recorded from Guatemala and southern Chiapas.

~Geophis tarascae~ Hartweg

_Geophis tarascae_ Hartweg, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 601:1, May 4, 1959.--Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico.

Uruapan (3).

A female of this species was collected in the Parque Nacional at the north edge of Uruapan in 1899, and a male was taken there in 1947; these specimens were used by Hartweg in his description of the species. Floyd L. Downs obtained another specimen in the Parque Nacional on July 19, 1960. It has 164 ventrals and 46 caudals; in life, the ground color of the neck was brown with a purplish tint; the dorsal markings were black; the chin was a cream-color, and the belly was white. This specimen is distinguished from those of all other species of _Geophis_ in Michoacan in that it has dark irregular cross-bars on the dorsum and a row of dark spots on the venter.

~Hypsiglena torquata ochrorhyncha~ Cope

_Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 12:246, November 15, 1860.--Cape San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico.

_Hypsiglena torquata ochrorhyncha_, Bogert and Oliver, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 83:378, March 30, 1945.

Tupataro.

The systematic status of the geographic variants of _Hypsiglena_ in Mexico and southwestern United States has been commented on by several authors. Tanner (1944) considered _H. torquata_ and _H. ochrorhyncha_ to be distinct species; Bogert and Oliver (1945:379) and Duellman (1957b:238) presented evidence indicating that _H. torquata_ and _H. ochrorhyncha_ intergrade in Sinaloa and southern Sonora. In _Hypsiglena_ the scutellation, including the numbers of labials, dorsals, ventrals, and caudals, seem to vary in a clinal manner. Nevertheless, these snakes can be divided into two distinct populations on the basis of the nuchal color pattern, consisting of an _ochrorhyncha_-type (a broad dark nape-band, the lateral edges of which extend anteriorly and fuse with a postorbital stripe, and a narrow nape stripe extending from the posteromedian edges of the parietals to the dark nape band) and a _torquata_-type (a somewhat narrower dark nape-band bordered anteriorly by a pale nuchal area, and no dark nape stripe). Snakes having the _ochrorhyncha_-type of nuchal pattern are found on the Mexican Plateau from Michoacan northward into the desert regions of Sonora and the southwestern United States. Snakes having the _torquata_-type of pattern are found on the coastal lowlands and adjacent slopes of the Sierra Madre Occidental from southern Sinaloa to Colima and thence inland in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin to Morelos and Guerrero. An exception is _Hypsiglena torquata dunklei_ from Forlon and San Fernando, Tamaulipas; it has the _torquata_-type of nuchal pattern. The distributional picture is somewhat complicated because some individuals having the _torquata_-type of nuchal pattern also have a faint nape stripe. If these are taken as exceptions, the general picture of distribution in Mexico is _H. t. torquata_ on the Pacific lowlands from Sinaloa southward to the Balsas Basin and _H. t. ochrorhyncha_ on the Mexican Plateau.

Smith (1943:433) resurrected _Hypsiglena jani_ Duges for the snakes of the _ochrorhyncha_-type on the southern part of the Mexican Plateau. He stated that the southern specimens differed from northern ones in having a nuchal spot 9 or 10 scales in length, as compared with a spot 2 to 6 scales in length in northern specimens. A cursory examination of specimens from the areas between Arizona and Michoacan showed that there is a gradual increase in the size of the spot from north to south. If no other characters can be found to distinguish the populations, they should be considered as a single subspecies.

_Hypsiglena affinis_ differs from _H. torquata_ in possessing 19 instead of 21 rows of dorsal scales. Additional material is needed from the western slopes of Jalisco and the Barrancas in Zacatecas and Durango, before definite allocation of _affinis_ can be made.

Bogert and Oliver (1945:379) discussed the status of certain named populations in Baja California and concluded that only one species occurs there, and that the species probably is conspecific with _H. torquata_. A careful review of the genus _Hypsiglena_ might show that there is only one species.

The one specimen from Michoacan (USNM 46513) is from an elevation of about 2300 meters near the southern edge of the Mexican Plateau.

~Hypsiglena torquata torquata~ (Guenther)

_Leptodeira torquata_ Guenther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 3, 5:170.--Laguna Island, Nicaragua (in error).

_Hypsiglena torquata torquata_, Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 25:371, July 10, 1939.

Apatzingan; Capirio; Cofradia.

Specimens from the three mentioned localities have the dark nuchal spot bordered anteriorly by a pale blotch. In life the specimen from Capirio (UMMZ 114424) had rich reddish brown dorsal spots; the dorsal ground color was grayish white above and somewhat more gray laterally. The pale nuchal area was a cream-color, and the iris was grayish red.

All of the specimens were found in the arid scrub forest in the Tepalcatepec Valley at elevations between 200 and 350 meters.

~Imantodes gemmistratus gracillimus~ (Guenther)

_Dipsas gracillima_ Guenther, Biol. Centrali-Americana, Rept., p. 177, July, 1895.--southern Mexico. Type locality restricted to Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:331).

_Imantodes gemmistratus gracillimus_, Zweifel, Amer. Mus. Novitates, 1961:12, September 16, 1959.

La Orilla.

The specimen from La Orilla was reported by Peters (1954:23) as _Imantodes gemmistratus oliveri_; Zweifel (1959c) showed that _I. g. oliveri_ did not range west of Tehuantepec and that the snakes inhabiting the coastal lowlands of Guerrero, Michoacan, and Colima were assignable to the subspecies _gracillimus_. It may be assumed that this subspecies ranges throughout the coastal lowlands and foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman.

~Imantodes gemmistratus latistratus~ (Cope)

_Dipsas gemmistrata latistrata_ Cope, Bull. U. S. Natl. Mus., 32:68, 1887.--Southern Jalisco. Type locality restricted to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:334).

_Imantodes gemmistratus latistratus_, Zweifel, Amer. Mus. Novitates, 1961:3, September 16, 1959.

El Sabino.

The one specimen from Michoacan was collected near the upper limits of the scrub forest on the slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica. Zweifel (1959c:10) stated that in certain aspects of coloration this specimen was like _I. gemmistratus gracillimus_, but in scutellation and other features of coloration it was like _I. g. latistratus_. There are too few specimens of this species to define the ranges of the various subspecies with any degree of accuracy, but from the limited number of specimens available, it seems that _I. gemmistratus gracillimus_ occurs on the Pacific lowlands from Guerrero northward to Colima. Northward on the Pacific lowlands from Colima to Sinaloa and in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin is found _I. gemmistratus latistratus_.

~Lampropeltis doliata~ (Linnaeus)

_Coluber doliatus_ Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 12, 1:379, 1766.--Charleston, South Carolina.

_Lampropeltis doliata_, Klauber, Copeia, No. 1:11, April 15, 1948.

Coalcoman (3); El Sabino; 24 km. W of Morelia; Rio Nexpa; Uruapan.

The few specimens of this species from Michoacan show a wide range of variation; furthermore, the present systematic status of the subspecies of _Lampropeltis doliata_ portrays an incongruous pattern of distribution. Specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman have relatively narrow red bands that are not interrupted dorsally by extensions of the black rings; the scales in the red bands have black tips. The specimen from El Sabino (EHT-HMS 5253) and the one from the Rio Nexpa on the coast (USNM 31491) have broader red bands; the scales in the red bands do not have black tips. A specimen from 24 kilometers west of Morelia (UIMNH 17782) and one from Uruapan (UMMZ 121508) have the red bands interrupted dorsally by extensions from the black rings.

Specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman were referred to _L. doliata blanchardi_ by Peters (1954:24), who noted that in some characters these snakes were like _L. d. nelsoni_ and in others like _L. d. polyzona_. The individual from El Sabino was referred to _L. d. nelsoni_ by Taylor (1940c:465); the one from 24 kilometers west of Morelia was referred to _L. d. arcifera_ by Smith (1942c:198). If these assignments are correct, three subspecies of _Lampropeltis doliata_ occur in Michoacan: _blanchardi_ in the Sierra de Coalcoman, _nelsoni_ on the coast and in the Tepalcatepec Valley, and _arcifera_ on the Mexican Plateau and in the Cordillera Volcanica. Such a distribution is plausible, but the few specimens and our general lack of knowledge of the variation and relationships of the different populations do not permit a definite assignment at this time.

~Lampropeltis ruthveni~ Blanchard

_Lampropeltis ruthveni_ Blanchard, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 81:8, April 28, 1920.--Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.

Morelia; Patzcuaro; Tacicuaro.

At the present time this species is known definitely from only three localities on the Mexican Plateau in Michoacan. An incomplete skin from El Sabino (EHT-HMS 5438) was referred to this species by Taylor (1940c:465); the specimen cannot be found, so verification of the identification cannot be made at this time.

~Leptodeira latifasciata~ (Guenther)

_Hypsiglena latifasciata_ Guenther, Biologia Centrali-Americana, Reptilia, p. 138, October, 1894.--Southern Mexico. Type locality restricted to Huajintlan, Morelos, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:331).

_Leptodeira latifasciata_, Dunn, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 22:696, December, 1936.

Apatzingan; El Sabino; La Playa; 32 km. E of Nueva Italia.

This nocturnal snake apparently ranges throughout the arid Balsas-Tepalcatepec Valley to elevations of about 1050 meters. It has been collected only in the arid scrub forest. Aside from the specimens listed by Duellman (1958a:93), there is one (UMMZ 120223) having eight body blotches, a body length of 510 mm. and a tail length of 103 mm.

~Leptodeira maculata~ (Hallowell)

_Megalops maculatus_ Hallowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 13:488, March 31, 1862.--"Tahiti." Type locality restricted to Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico, by Duellman (1958a:54).

_Leptodeira maculata_, Duellman, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 114:53, February 24, 1958.

Aguililla (2); Apatzingan (24); Arteaga (2); Capirio (3); Charapendo (2); Coahuayana (3); Cofradia; Cuatro Caminos; La Placita (3); Lombardia (69); Nueva Italia (29); Pomaro; Rio Marquez, 10 km. S of Lombardia (2); Salitre de Estopila; Tafetan (2); Volcan Jorullo.

This snake is abundant in the arid Tepalcatepec Valley; most of the specimens have been collected in arid scrub forest at elevations of less than 500 meters. With the onset of the rains in late June and early July, large numbers of these snakes can be found around temporary pools, where they feed on small frogs and toads. In the dry season few individuals were found, and all of those were beneath cover. Specimens from the coast have more body-blotches than do those from the Tepalcatepec Valley (Duellman, 1958a:56); otherwise the snakes show little variation.

~Leptodeira splendida bressoni~ Taylor

_Leptodeira bressoni_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 25:321, July 10, 1939.--Hacienda El Sabino, Michoacan, Mexico.

_Leptodeira splendida bressoni_, Duellman, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 114:84, February 24, 1958.

Coalcoman (3); El Sabino (3); Uruapan (5).

The range of _Leptodeira splendida bressoni_ apparently does not overlap that of _Leptodeira maculata_; the latter is restricted to the lower reaches of the arid scrub forest, whereas _L. s. bressoni_ inhabits the upper limits of the arid scrub forest and the lower part of the pine-oak forest. Specimens have been collected between 950 and 1630 meters on the slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica and at 950 meters in the Sierra de Coalcoman. At Uruapan individuals were found beneath rocks along a stream and in a stone fence. _Leptodeira duellmani_, which was described from Coalcoman by Peters (1954:25), is an aberrant individual of _L. s. bressoni_ (Duellman, 1958a:56).

~Leptophis diplotropis~ (Guenther)

_Ahaetulla diplotropis_ Guenther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 4, 9:25, 1872.--Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico.

_Leptophis diplotropis_, Bocourt, Mission scientifique au Mexique et dans l'Amerique Centrale, Reptiles, livr. 15:835, 1897.

Between Aguililla and Dos Aguas; Arteaga; Coalcoman; El Diezmo; El Sabino (5); La Playa; Ocorla.

Most specimens of this species have been collected in tropical semi-deciduous forest at elevations of less than 1000 meters. In the Sierra de Coalcoman one was taken in pine-oak forest at an elevation of 1700 meters near Ocorla; another was found in broad-leafed forest between Aguililla and Dos Aguas at an elevation of 1600 meters. Most individuals have been seen in trees or bushes. The absence of broad-leafed forest in the Tepalcatepec Valley probably accounts for the absence of this snake in that area.

~Manolepis putnami~ (Jan)

_Dromicus putnami_ Jan, Elenco sistematico degli Ofidi, p. 67, 1863.--San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico.

_Manolepsis putnami_, Smith and Taylor, Bull. U. S. Natl. Mus., 187:92, October 5, 1945.

La Placita (3); Maquili; Ostula.

In Michoacan the species has been found only in tropical semi-deciduous forest on the lower slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman. From the observations made by Peters (1954:28), this snake is diurnal and feeds on teiid lizards.

~Masticophis striolatus striolatus~ Mertens

_Coluber striolatus_ Mertens, Zoologica (Stuttgart), 32:190, 1934.--Substitute name for _Coluber lineatus_ Bocourt, a secondary homonym of _Coluber lineatus_ Linnaeus = _Lygophis lineatus_. Type locality restricted to Presidio de Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:343).

_Masticophis striolatus striolatus_, Zweifel and Norris, Amer. Midl. Nat., 54:242, July, 1955.

Apatzingan (4); Arteaga; Coalcoman (3); El Sabino; Jiquilpan; La Palma; La Playa (3); Lombardia; Nueva Italia; Rio Cachan; Santa Ana; Uruapan (2); Volcan Jorullo; Ziracuaretiro.

This large diurnal species inhabits open scrub forest and cultivated terrain from sea level to about 1650 meters. On the Mexican Plateau it is known from the area around Lago de Chapala, to which it possibly gained access through the valleys in the headwaters of the Tepalcatepec drainage. Specimens from southern Michoacan have been reported previously by Peters (1954:28) and Duellman (1954b:16) as _Masticophis flagellum lineatus_.

~Masticophis taeniatus australis~ Smith

_Masticophis taeniatus australis_ Smith, Jour. Washington Acad. Sci., 31:390, September 11, 1941.--Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Tacicuaro (2); Zamora.

This species reaches the southern limit of its distribution in the state of Michoacan. The limited ecological data available suggest that the species inhabits the open mesquite grassland of the Mexican Plateau.

~Oxybelis aeneus auratus~ (Bell)

_Dryinus auratus_ Bell, Zool. Jour., 2:324, 1825.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:340).

_Oxybelis aeneus auratus_, Bogert and Oliver, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 83:381, March 30, 1945.

Coahuayana; El Sabino (4); between Las Tecatas and Las Higuertas; between Los Pozos and La Cienega; Playa Azul; Pomaro (2); between Pomaro and Maruata (2); Punto San Telmo; Rio Tizupan.

On the basis of the number of specimens seen and collected on the seaward slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman, this is a common snake there. Most specimens were collected in tropical semi-deciduous forest; others were collected in oak forest to an elevation of 1700 meters. Apparently _Oxybelis_ does not inhabit the lower parts of the Tepalcatepec Valley; the only specimens from the inland area are four from El Sabino, which is situated at about 900 meters on the slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica. One individual was seen in gallery forest near Limoncito at an elevation of 730 meters on the northern slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman.

~Pituophis deppei deppei~ (Dumeril)

_Elaphis deppei_ Dumeril, Mem. Acad. Inst. France, 23:453, 1835.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:334).

_Pituophis deppei deppei_, Stull, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 250:1, October 12, 1932.

Carapan (2); Morelia; Tacambaro; Tacicuaro; Zacapu.

Duellman (1960b) showed that the widespread species _Pituophis deppei_ was composite and that the "lined subspecies" actually represented another species, _Pituophis lineaticollis_. _Pituophis deppei_ occurs only on the Mexican Plateau; in Michoacan it inhabits mesquite grassland and oak-bunch grass associations between 1900 and 2200 meters.

~Pituophis lineaticollis lineaticollis~ (Cope)

_Arizona lineaticollis_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 13:300, December 28, 1861.--Southern Mexican Plateau. Type locality restricted to 24 kilometers northwest of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico, by Duellman (1960b:607).

_Pituophis lineaticollis lineaticollis_, Duellman, Univ. Kansas Publ. Mus. Nat. Hist., 10:607, May 2, 1960.

Acuaro de las Lleguas; Dos Aguas (3); Morelia; Tancitaro (5).

This species reaches the northern limits of its range in the Sierra de Coalcoman and on the Mexican Plateau in Michoacan. On the plateau it has been collected in mesquite grassland at elevations between 1500 and 2000 meters. In the Sierra de Coalcoman individuals were found in open pine-oak forest at 2100 meters elevation and in a meadow surrounded by pine-oak forest at 2300 meters.

~Pseudoficimia frontalis~ (Cope)

_Toluca frontalis_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 16:167, September 30, 1864.--Colima, Colima, Mexico.

_Pseudoficimia frontalis_, Guenther, Biologia Centrali-Americana, Reptilia, p. 96, May, 1893.

Apatzingan; Coalcoman (6); El Sabino (2).

Most specimens were found beneath rocks in grassy areas near the upper limits of the arid scrub forest, both in the Sierra de Coalcoman and on the southern slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica; all are from elevations of less than 1100 meters. One specimen was found on a road at night near Apatzingan. This species has been found in similar habitats near Huajintlan, Guerrero, and in arid scrub forest at lower elevations in Colima. It is unknown from the coast of Michoacan.

~Pseudoficimia pulcherrima~ Taylor and Smith

_Pseudoficimia pulcherrima_ Taylor and Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 28:246, May 15, 1942.--Huajintlan, Guerrero, Mexico.

Apatzingan.

This specimen (CNHM 39208) was reported by Schmidt and Shannon (1947:81); they stated that it was a paratype of _P. pulcherrima_. However, Taylor and Smith (1942a:246) did not mention the specimen; aside from the type (EHT-HMS 5497), the only other specimen they designated as belonging to the type series was UMMZ 85711 from Chilpancingo, Guerrero.

The taxonomic validity of _Pseudoficimia pulcherrima_ remains doubtful, for only minor characters distinguish it from _P. frontalis_. Furthermore, all known specimens of _P. pulcherrima_ are from within the geographic range of _P. frontalis_.

~Rhadinaea hesperia hesperia~ Bailey

_Rhadinaea hesperia_ Bailey, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 412:8, May 6, 1940.--Omilteme and Sierra de Burro, Guerrero. Type locality restricted to Omilteme, Guerrero, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:332).

_Rhadinaea hesperia hesperia_, Smith, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 55:185, December 31, 1942.

Arteaga (3); Coalcoman; El Sabino (2); Uruapan; Volcan Jorullo (2).

One specimen from Volcan Jorullo (UMMZ 104494), three from Arteaga (UMMZ 119281), and one from Uruapan (UMMZ 92342) are typical of the subspecies _R. h. hesperia_ in possessing a lateral cream-colored line on the sixth and parts of the fifth and seventh dorsal scale rows and in lacking a dark line on the second scale row. The specimens from El Sabino (EHT-HMS 5441 and UIMNH 18933) and one from Coalcoman (UMMZ 104502) have the cream-colored line on the sixth and adjacent parts of the fifth and seventh scale rows and have a dark line on the second scale row. Another individual from Volcan Jorullo (UMMZ 104682) has cream-colored lines like the others, but it possesses two lateral dark lines, one on the second scale row, and one on the third.

Smith (1942d:186) diagnosed _Rhadinaea hesperia hesperioides_ as differing from the nominal subspecies in having the cream-colored line on the fourth and fifth scale rows and in possessing a dark line on the second scale row. The specimens seen all have the lateral cream-colored line centered on the sixth scale row, as is characteristic of _R. h. hesperia_. Although many of the specimens also possess a dark line on the second scale row, these specimens are here assigned to _R. h. hesperia_. Additional specimens are necessary to define accurately the subspecies and their ranges. Peters (1954:29) assigned the specimens from Coalcoman to _R. h. hesperioides_.

In life the specimens from Arteaga had bright cream-colored temporal stripes and dorsolateral stripes on the anterior part of the body. The chin and anterior one-sixth of the belly was white; posteriorly the venter was bright orange-red.

In Michoacan this snake has been found in tropical semi-deciduous forest, arid scrub forest, and pine-oak forest at elevations from 850 to 1500 meters.

~Rhadinaea laureata~ (Guenther)

_Dromicus laureatus_ Guenther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 4, 1:419, 1868.--Mexico City.

_Rhadinaea laureata_, Boulenger, Catalogue Snakes... British Museum, 2, p. 179, September 23, 1894.

Capacuaro; Carapan (8); Cheran (3); Paracho (2); Patzcuaro; Tancitaro (10).

This snake is abundant in the Cordillera Volcanica, but it is unknown in the mountains to the northeast of Morelia or in the Sierra de Coalcoman. Most specimens were found beneath volcanic rocks imbedded in the ashy soil in pine forest between 1800 and 2300 meters.

~Rhadinaea taeniata~ (Peters)

_Dromicus taeniatus_ Peters, Monats. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 275, 1863.--Mexico.

_Rhadinaea taeniata_, Bailey, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 412:14, May 6, 1940.

Tancitaro (2).

This species, which is known only from a small region in the mountains of Jalisco and central Michoacan, is represented by two specimens (CNHM 37130 and 39030) collected at Tancitaro (see Schmidt and Shannon, 1947:80).

~Salvadora bairdi~ Jan

_Salvadora Bairdii_ Jan. Icon. gener. ophid., livr. 2, pl. 3, fig. 2, 1860.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Acambaro, Guanajuato, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:330).

Barranca Seca; Carapan; Cerro San Andres; Cojumatlan (2); Jiquilpan; Morelia; Patzcuaro (4); Quiroga; Sahuayo (2); Tacicuaro (12); Tancitaro (56); Uruapan (2); Zacapu (2); between Zitacuaro and Tuxpan (3).

This species is abundant on the Mexican plateau, where it inhabits the more grassy areas in the mesquite grassland and cutover land in the pine forests from 1550 to 2500 meters. Davis and Dixon (1957:21) described a specimen from Zacapu as having two dark paravertebral stripes diverging on the temporals and extending through the eye onto the loreal, a characteristic of _Salvadora lineata_. On the basis of this specimen, Davis and Dixon suggested that _Salvadora bairdi_ and _S. lineata_ were subspecifically related. The examination of the large number of specimens from Michoacan has revealed this kind of coloration in only one other specimen, an individual from Tacicuaro, in which the stripes diverge, but do not extend through the eye onto the loreal. Data on scutellation for the large series from Tancitaro were given by Schmidt and Shannon (1947:78), and for the series from Tacicuaro by Smith (1943:466).

~Salvadora mexicana~ (Dumeril, Bibron, and Dumeril)

_Zamenis mexicanus_ Dumeril, Bibron, and Dumeril, Erpetologie generale, 7 (pt. 1), p. 695, 1854.--Cape Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico.

_Salvadora mexicana_ Guenther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 3, 12:349, 1863.

Apatzingan (12); Capirio (2); El Sabino (5); Huetamo; La Placita; La Playa (4); Lombardia; Nueva Italia; Ojos de Agua de San Telmo; Oropeo; Rio Cancita, 14 km. E of Apatzingan; Santa Ana.

This is one of the most abundant snakes in the arid lowlands of the Tepalcatepec Valley; observations indicate that it probably is equally abundant on the coastal lowlands. Near Apatzingan as many as five of these snakes have been seen in one-half hour. The snakes seem to be equally abundant and active in the dry season and in the rainy season. Most individuals were seen on the ground, but two were found in low trees. On several occasions _Salvadora mexicana_ was observed in pursuit of lizards on the ground. Captured individuals regurgitated _Cnemidophorus costatus zweifeli_, _Cnemidophorus deppei infernalis_, _Sceloporus horridus oligoporus_, _Sceloporus pyrocephalus_, and _Urosaurus gadowi_.

_Salvadora mexicana_ inhabits only the arid scrub forest at elevations from sea level to about 1000 meters.

~Sibon nebulatus~ (Linnaeus)

_Coluber nebulatus_ Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 10, 1, p. 222, 1758.--Africa (in error). Type locality restricted to Jicaltepec, Veracruz, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:349).

_Sibon nebulatus_, Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 26:473, November 27, 1940.

Aquila.

The one specimen from Michoacan was collected by Peters (1954:30) in tropical semi-deciduous forest on the coastal foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman. As presently known, the range of this species in western Mexico extends from Chiapas to Nayarit. Throughout this region the species avoids scrub forest; this may explain its absence in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Valley.

~Sonora michoacanensis michoacanensis~ (Duges)

_Contia michoacanensis_ Duges, _in_ Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 22:178, 1885.--Michoacan. Type locality restricted to Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:335).

_Sonora michoacanensis michoacanensis_, Stickel, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 56:116, October 19, 1943.

Apatzingan (3); Coalcoman (3); 12 km. S of Tzitzio.

These specimens, together with all known specimens from the Sierra del Sur in Guerrero (KU 23790-1, MVZ 45123) and the upper Balsas Basin in Puebla (UIMNH 41688), are referable to _S. m. michoacanensis_. The dorsal pattern consists of a highly variable number of cross-bands of red, white, and black. In the specimens from Michoacan there are as many as 17 red cross-bands on the body. One specimen from Apatzingan (CNHM 37141) has just behind the head a white band, bordered on either side by a narrow black band; posteriorly the body is uniform red. Two specimens from Coalcoman (UMMZ 109905-6) have respectively 11 and 13 red cross-bands and 20 and 17 white cross-bands, and the posterior part of the body is devoid of red color. Other specimens from these localities have red, black, and white cross-bands throughout the length of the body.

_Sonora michoacanensis michoacanensis_ is distinguished from _S. michoacanensis mutabilis_ by the presence of cross-bands on the tail in the latter (Stickel, 1943:116). One specimen from Coalcoman (UMMZ 109904) has one narrow band on the tail; all others from Michoacan have uniformly red tails.

Apparently _Sonora michoacanensis michoacanensis_ ranges in semi-arid and arid habitats from the upper Balsas Basin in Puebla westward to the lower slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman, whereas _S. m. mutabilis_ lives in foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental from southern Jalisco to Nayarit. Zweifel (1959b:6) presented evidence to show that specimens of _S. m. mutabilis_ supposedly from "Distrito Federal" probably bear erroneous locality data.

~Tantilla bocourti~ (Guenther)

_Homalocranium bocourti_ Guenther, Biologia Centrali-Americana, Reptilia, p. 149, 1895.--Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.

_Tantilla bocourti_, Cope, Amer. Nat., 30:1021, December, 1896.

Carapan; Patzcuaro (2); between Zitacuaro and Rio Tuxpan (11).

This small snake is an inhabitant of the coniferous forests and the pine-oak forests on the Cordillera Volcanica. Data on the series from between Zitacuaro and the Rio Tuxpan were given by Taylor (1940c:481).

~Tantilla calamarina~ Cope

_Tantilla calamarina_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 18:320, February 13, 1867.--Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Apatzingan; La Placita.

Although this snake has been collected at high elevations along the rim of the Mexican Plateau in Nayarit, Jalisco, Mexico, and Puebla, the specimens from Michoacan are from arid scrub forest at elevations of less than 400 meters. The species has been found in similar habitats in Colima (Oliver, 1937:24) and in Sinaloa and the Tres Marias Islands (Zweifel, 1960:110).

~Toluca lineata lineata~ Kennicott

_Toluca lineata_ Kennicott, _in_ Baird, Report on the United States and Mexican boundary survey, 2, Reptiles, p. 23, 1859.--Valley of Mexico.

_Toluca lineata lineata_, Taylor and Smith, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 28:343, May 15, 1942.

Capacuaro; Carapan (12); Cheran (23); Cojumatlan; Los Reyes; Morelia (2); Nahuatzen; Paracho (10); Patzcuaro (17); Uruapan (2).

This small snake is an inhabitant of the coniferous forests between elevations of about 1550 and 2800 meters. Not infrequently, individuals have been found in pine-oak forest within these elevations.

The generic status of _Toluca_ is unsettled. Taylor and Smith (1942b) separated _Toluca_ from _Conopsis_ by the presence of enlarged and grooved posterior maxillary teeth in _Toluca_ and their absence in _Conopsis_. Bogert and Oliver (1945:378) suggested synonymizing _Toluca_ with _Conopsis_. Smith and Laufe (1945:12) defined the generic position of _Toluca_. Actually, in deciding the generic position of these snakes, five genera (_Ficimia_, _Gyalopion_, _Pseudoficimia_, _Conopsis_, and _Toluca_) must be considered. Of these _Ficimia_ and _Gyalopion_ are closely related; they have been placed in one genus by some workers. _Pseudoficimia_ is intermediate between _Ficimia-Gyalopion_ and _Toluca-Conopsis_. A workable definition of the supraspecific classification of these snakes must await a thorough review of the species.

~Trimorphodon biscutatus biscutatus~ (Dumeril, Bibron, and Dumeril)

_Dipsas biscutata_ Dumeril, Bibron, and Dumeril, Erpetologie generale, 7 (pt. 2):1153, 1854.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:340).

_Trimorphodon biscutatus biscutatus_, Smith, Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., 91:159, November 10, 1941.

Apatzingan (11); Cofradia; Cuatro Caminos; El Sabino (2); La Placita; La Playa (2); Lombardia (2); Nueva Italia (2); Rio Tepalcatepec, 27 km. S of Apatzingan; Tafetan.

In the arid lowlands of the Tepalcatepec Valley and presumably also in the scrub forest of the coastal lowlands, this is an abundant snake, which is active only at night. Usually snakes of this species are found on the ground, but one large individual was observed at night in a low tree. That individual defied capture by widely opening its mouth and striking repeatedly at the collector. The excreta of one specimen contained feathers of an unidentified species of bird.

~Trimorphodon latifascia~ Peters

_Trimorphodon biscutata latifascia_ Peters, Monats. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 877, 1869.--Puebla, Mexico. Type locality restricted to Izucar de Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:341).

_Trimorphodon latifascia_. Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 25:364, July 10, 1939.

Apatzingan (5); Casada Tzararacua; Coalcoman (2); Lombardia; 14 km. S of Lombardia; Nueva Italia; San Salvador.

In Michoacan this species has been collected in semi-arid habitats at elevations from 300 to 1430 meters in the Tepalcatepec Valley and lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica. In this area it occurs sympatrically with _Trimorphodon biscutatus biscutatus_.

In life, adults have a pale tan dorsal ground color and rich chocolate brown cross-bands; the eye is pale grayish tan. A juvenile from Coalcoman has black cross-bands on a pale grayish tan ground color. As stated by Schmidt and Shannon (1947:83) and Peters (1954:32), the type specimen of _Trimorphodon fasciolata_ Smith from Cascada Tzararacua is indistinguishable from specimens of _Trimorphodon latifascia_.

Seven males have 209 to 223 (216.5) ventrals; one female has 227 ventrals. The number of dark cross-bands on the body varies from 12 to 16 (13.5). The relationships of this species are with _Trimorphodon tau_ on the Mexican Plateau. In fact, additional specimens from the headwaters of the Tepalcatepec Valley and the lower slopes of the Mexican Plateau in eastern Michoacan and adjacent Jalisco may show that the two are conspecific. _Trimorphodon latifascia_ differs from _tau_ in having fewer dark cross-bands on the body and in lacking an interocular bar.

~Trimorphodon tau~ Cope

_Trimorphodon tau_ Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 11:151, 1869.--Quiotepec, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Emiliano Zapata (2); between Morelia and Ciudad Hidalgo; Tacicuaro; Tangamandapio.

Two of the specimens from Michoacan (UMMZ 118948 from Tangamandapio and UIMNH 19138 from Tacicuaro) have cream-colored, Y-shaped marks on the head. These markings supposedly are characteristic of _Trimorphodon upsilon_. One specimen from Emiliano Zapata (UMMZ 118950) and one from between Morelia and Ciudad Hidalgo (EHT-HMS 21402) have a cream-colored line on the parietal suture; in another specimen from Emiliano Zapata (UMMZ 118949) the anterior end of this line is expanded, giving the appearance of an incipient "Y". Thus, the nature of the markings on the head in specimens from Michoacan is intermediate between the typical condition in _Trimorphodon tau_ and the usual condition in _T. upsilon_. Smith and Taylor (1945:148) gave the range of _Trimorphodon tau_ as: "Central Guerrero, in the Sierra Madre del Sur; central Oaxaca; and the edge of the plateau in central Michoacan." They gave the range of _Trimorphodon upsilon_ as: "Southern Chihuahua south to central Michoacan, east to central Hidalgo." Specimens referable to _T. tau_ have been found at La Joya de Salas, near Ciudad Victoria, and near Llera, Tamaulipas (see Smith and Darling, 1952:85, and Martin, 1958:74). Some of these specimens also show combinations of characteristics of _T. tau_ and _T. upsilon_. Smith and Darling (_loc. cit._) suggested that _T. tau_ and _T. upsilon_ be considered as subspecies. However, if _T. tau_ and _T. upsilon_ are subspecies, intergrades would be expected between the ranges of the two populations and not on the northeastern and southwestern periphery of their combined ranges. Instead, the limited evidence now available suggests that _T. tau_ and _T. upsilon_ are names based on a highly variable character of color pattern of the head, and that only one species is involved.

In Michoacan this species inhabits the mesquite grassland on the Mexican Plateau.

~Tropidodipsas occidentala~ Oliver

_Tropidodipsas occidentala_ Oliver, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 360:20, November 20, 1937.--Comala, Colima, Mexico.

Coalcoman.

This specimen was reported by Peters (1954:34), who found it beneath a rock at the mouth of a heavily wooded ravine near Coalcoman at an elevation of 950 meters. The only other known specimen is from Comala, Colima, a village, like Coalcoman, that is located near the upper limits of the arid scrub forest.

~Natrix valida isabelleae~ Conant

_Natrix valida isabelleae_ Conant, Nat. Hist. Misc., 126:7, September 15, 1953.--Pie de la Cuesta, Laguna Coyuca, Guerrero, Mexico.

Coahuayana; Playa Azul (2); Punto San Juan de Lima.

Three females and one male have, respectively, 133, 135, 135, and 131 ventrals, and 68, 68, 73, and 75 caudals. The grayish stippling on the posterior ventral surfaces mentioned by Conant (1953:9) is not visible on these specimens. In the small individuals from Punto San Juan de Lima and from Coahuayana there are four longitudinal rows of dark spots on the dorsum; in two large females from Playa Azul the spots are barely discernible.

All of the specimens from Michoacan were found in the coastal lowlands; those from Playa Azul were collected from a small brackish, mangrove-lined lagoon.

~Storeria storerioides~ (Cope)

_Tropidoclonium storerioides_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 17:190, December 26, 1865.--Mexican Plateau. Type locality restricted to Tres Cumbres, Morelos, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:336).

_Storeria storerioides_, Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool., 8(3):29, June, 1883.

Dos Aguas (11); Puerto de Garnica; Tancitaro (11); Tzitzio; Uruapan; 16 km. NW of Zacapu.

Three males and six females from the Sierra de Coalcoman have, respectively, 122-128 (125.3) and 126-136 (130.0) ventrals, and 46-47 (46.7) and 38-42 (39.1) caudals. Four males and eleven females from the Cordillera Volcanica have, respectively, 124-132 (128.5) and 127-139 (136.4) ventrals, and 43-48 (44.7) and 38-44 (40.2) caudals. These data show that, although there is little difference in the number of caudals, specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman have fewer ventrals than do specimens from the Cordillera Volcanica. Of eleven specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman, two have black bellies. Five others from the Sierra de Coalcoman and one from Puerto de Garnica in the Cordillera Volcanica have the bellies heavily stippled with black, giving a gray appearance. Melanistic tendencies in this species have been discussed by Anderson (1960:64), who examined the specimen from Tzitzio. In life, one specimen from Dos Aguas (UMMZ 119451) had a cream-colored belly; the edges of the ventrals were dark brick-red.

In Michoacan this snake inhabits pine-oak, pine, and fir forests at elevations between 1550 and 2800 meters in the Cordillera Volcanica and the Sierra de Coalcoman. Most specimens were found beneath rocks; the one from Tzitzio was removed from the stomach of a Mexican Motmot (Anderson, 1960:66).

~Thamnophis dorsalis cyclides~ Cope

_Thamnophis cyrtopsis cyclides_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 13:299, December 28, 1861.--Cape San Lucas, Baja California (in error). Type locality restricted to Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:330). Smith, Copeia, no. 2:140, June 8, 1951. Milstead, Texas Jour. Sci., 5:368, September, 1953.

_Thamnophis eques eques_ (_nec._ Reuss), Smith, Zoologica, 27:106, October 23, 1942. Bogert and Oliver, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 83:356, March 30, 1945.

_Thamnophis vicinus_ Smith, Zoologica, 27:104, October 23, 1942.--Temazcal, Michoacan, Mexico.

_Thamnophis dorsalis cyclides_, Fitch and Milstead, Copeia, no. 1:112, March 17, 1961.

Barolosa; Coalcoman; Dos Aguas (3); Los Reyes; Morelia (16); Opopeo; Pino Gordo; Tacicuaro (16); Tancitaro (14); Tangamandapio (2); Temazcal (2); Tzintzuntzan; Uruapan.

The snakes comprising the former _Thamnophis eques_-group have undergone extensive taxonomic and nomenclatural shuffling by Smith (1942 and 1951), Bogert and Oliver (1945), Milstead (1953), and Fitch and Milstead (1961). Smith recognized in Michoacan three members of the _T. eques_ (= _dorsalis_) complex: _eques eques_, _eques postremus_, and _vicinus_. Later, Smith (1951) showed that the specific name _eques_ had been misapplied, so that _T. eques eques_ became _T. cyrtopsis cyclides_, and _T. eques postremus_ became _T. cyrtopsis postremus_; under this arrangement _T. vicinus_ stood unchanged. In the meantime, Bogert and Oliver (1945:359) presented a reinterpretation of Smith's data and suggested that _T. vicinus_, which differs from _T. dorsalis cyclides_ only in lacking a middorsal stripe, "... is not a species, but only a pattern phase, possibly a simple mutant of _T. e. eques_" (= _T. dorsalis cyclides_, by present arrangement). Milstead (1953) agreed with Bogert and Oliver on the status of _T. vicinus_; furthermore, on the basis of only a few specimens, Milstead concluded that _T. cyrtopsis postremus_ was not subspecifically distinct from _T. cyrtopsis cyclides_. Recently, Fitch and Milstead (1961) showed that _Thamnophis dorsalis_ Baird and Girard (1853) was the correct name for the snakes that had been recognized as _Thamnophis cyrtopsis_ Kennicott (1860). Consequently, the snakes referred to _T. eques eques_ by Smith (1942) and to _T. cyrtopsis cyclides_ by Smith (1951) and Milstead (1953) are now _T. dorsalis cyclides_.

Aside from one specimen from Temazcal and nine from Morelia (paratypes of _T. vicinus_), only two other specimens completely lacking the middorsal stripe have been seen; one is a male (UMMZ 102510) having 161 ventrals and an incomplete tail from Pino Gordo, and the other is a male (CNHM 39060) from Tancitaro having 158 ventrals and an incomplete tail. A female from Tancitaro (CNHM 39061) having 153 ventrals and 77 caudals has no lateral stripes and only a narrow middorsal stripe on the anterior part of the body. Throughout the region where _T. vicinus_-like snakes have been found, typical _T. dorsalis cyclides_ occurs in much greater numbers. I concur with Bogert and Oliver in placing _T. vicinus_ as a synonym of _T. dorsalis cyclides_.

Milstead (1953) had available few specimens of _Thamnophis dorsalis_ from the Tepalcatepec Valley. The large series now in existence shows that the population in the Tepalcatepec Valley differs distinctly from that inhabiting the Mexican Plateau, Cordillera Volcanica, and Sierra de Coalcoman. Therefore the name _T. dorsalis postremus_ Smith (1942) is resurrected for the population in the Tepalcatepec Valley. _T. dorsalis cyclides_ and _T. dorsalis postremus_ differ in color pattern (Fig. 10) and in scutellation (Table 6). Specimens from the Mexican Plateau and mountain ranges have a distinct light stripe on the second and third scale rows, a dark brown dorsum having squarish black spots, and a row of dark spots on the first row of dorsal scales. Specimens from the Tepalcatepec Valley have a grayish brown dorsum having smaller and less distinct dark spots and no light stripe on the second and third scale rows; the first, second, and third rows of scales are colored like the venter. In some specimens there are small dark flecks on the first row of dorsal scales.

TABLE 6.--VARIATION IN SCUTELLATION IN THAMNOPHIS DORSALIS.

+---------------------------------+-------+---------+------------+ | Character |Mexican|Sierra de|Tepalcatepec| | |Plateau|Coalcoman| Valley | +------------------+--------------+-------+---------+------------+ | Ventrals | Female N | 31 | 2 | 32 | | | Mean | 164.0 | 156.5 | 144.6 | | | Range|153-171| 154-159 | 138-151 | | +--------------+-------+---------+------------+ | | Male N | 19 | 2 | 32 | | | Mean | 153.5 | 154.7 | 138.3 | | | Range|149-159| 149-159 | 131-141 | +------------------+--------------+-------+---------+------------+ | Caudals | Female N | 28 | 2 | 29 | | | Mean | 83.8 | 81.0 | 73.4 | | | Range|80-100 | 79-83 | 70-79 | | +--------------+-------+---------+------------+ | | Male N | 14 | 2 | 28 | | | Mean | 78.0 | 72.0 | 68.5 | | | Range| 71-87 | 72 | 63-73 | +------------------+--------------+-------+---------+------------+

One specimen from Uruapan (1550 meters) and one from Coalcoman (950 meters) are intermediate in color pattern between _T. dorsalis cyclides_ and _T. dorsalis postremus_. Both have indistinct lateral stripes and only small dark spots below the stripes. In scutellation these specimens are like _T. dorsalis cyclides_.

In Michoacan _Thamnophis dorsalis cyclides_ has been collected in a variety of habitats on the Mexican Plateau: pine-oak forest, fir forest, marshes, and cleared land from 1550 to 2800 meters. In the Sierra de Coalcoman one was taken in broad-leafed forest at 950 meters, three in pine-oak forest at 2100 meters, and one in pine forest at 2300 meters.

~Thamnophis dorsalis postremus~ Smith

_Thamnophis eques postremus_ Smith, Zoologica, 27:109, October 23, 1942.--El Sabino, Michoacan, Mexico.

_Thamnophis cyrtopsis postremus_ Smith, Copeia, no. 2:140, June 8, 1951.

_Thamnophis cyrtopsis cyclides_ (part), Milstead, Texas Jour. Sci., 5:368, September, 1953.

_Thamnophis dorsalis postremus_, Fitch and Milstead, Copeia, no. 1:112, March 17, 1961.

Apatzingan (31); Capirio (2); Charapendo; Cuatro Caminos (22); El Sabino; Lombardia (9); Nueva Italia (8); Uruapan (3).

The reasons for recognizing the population of _Thamnophis dorsalis_ in the Tepalcatepec Valley as distinct from that on the surrounding highlands are presented in the discussion of _Thamnophis dorsalis cyclides_. In certain features of coloration and in the low numbers of ventrals and caudals, _T. dorsalis postremus_ shows more resemblance to _T. dorsalis sumichrasti_ than to _T. dorsalis cyclides_. According to Milstead (1953:367), _T. dorsalis cyclides_ ranges southward from the Rio Balsas in southwestern Mexico. If specimens could be obtained from the upper Balsas Basin they might show that _T. dorsalis postremus_ inhabits that extensive basin.

In the Tepalcatepec Valley _T. dorsalis postremus_ is most frequently found at night in the rainy season, at which time the snakes are abundant near temporary pools where frogs are breeding. The absence of specimens from the coastal lowlands of Guerrero, Michoacan, and Colima indicate that, although the species inhabits the lowlands of the Tepalcatepec Valley, its range does not include the coastal lowlands.

A female (UMMZ 119402 from Cuatro Caminos) having 139 ventrals and a body length of 576 mm., on June 20, 1958, gave birth to 25 young, of which 18 (9 males and 9 females) were preserved. In body length the males varied from 132 to 141 (137.3) mm.; the females, 125 to 137 (133.1) mm. In tail length the males varied from 38 to 44 (42.4) mm.; females, 35 to 42 (39.7) mm. The males have 138 to 147 (142.2) ventrals and 70 to 75 (72.9) caudals; females have 131 to 140 (135.8) ventrals and 63 to 71 (67.0) caudals.

~Thamnophis eques eques~ (Reuss)

_Coluber eques_ Reuss, Zool. Misc., p. 152, 1834.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:334).

_Thamnophis macrostemma macrostemma_, Smith and Taylor, Bull. U. S. Natl. Mus., 187:163, October 5, 1945.

_Thamnophis subcarinata subcarinata_, Smith, Herpetologica, 5:63, May 31, 1949.

_Thamnophis eques eques_, Smith, Copeia, no. 2:139, June 8, 1951.

Jiquilpan; Lago de Cuitzeo; Lago de Patzcuaro (17); Patzcuaro (5); Tangancicuaro; Tupataro (2); Undameo; Zacapu.

Although this snake has been collected in open pine-oak forest and in oak-bunch grass associations, it seems to reach its greatest abundance in marshes on the Mexican Plateau at elevations of 1550 to 2300 meters.

~Thamnophis melanogaster canescens~ Smith

_Thamnophis melanogaster canescens_ Smith, Zoologica, 27:117, October 23, 1942.--Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.

Lago de Cuitzeo (5); Lago de Patzcuaro; Patzcuaro; Tacicuaro; Tangamandapio (2).

This species of garter snake seems to be most abundant in the marshes adjacent to the lakes on the Mexican Plateau in Michoacan and Jalisco. At these elevations (1550 to 2200 meters) it often is found in association with _Thamnophis eques eques_ and sometimes with _Thamnophis dorsalis cyclides_. On June 11, 1958, individuals of this species were found in a hyacinth-choked marsh at Tangamandapio at night.

One specimen from Tangamandapio (UMMZ 119414) had, in life, a dark chocolate brown dorsum, reddish brown sides, and cream-colored belly, chin, and labials. There were no longitudinal dorsal stripes.

~Thamnophis scalaris scaliger~ (Jan)

_Tropidonotus scaliger_ Jan, Elenco sistematico degli Ofidi, p. 70, 1863.--No type locality designated. Type locality restricted to Mexico City, Distrito Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:329).

_Thamnophis scalaris scaliger_, Smith, Zoologica, 27:103, October 23, 1942.

Cerro Tancitaro (2); Nahuatzen; Opopeo; 26 km. S of Patzcuaro.

The few specimens of this species from Michoacan have been collected at elevations from 1800 to 3400 meters in pine or fir forest in the Cordillera Volcanica.

~Micrurus distans michoacanensis~ (Duges)

_Elaps diastema michoacanensis_ Duges, La Naturaleza, ser. 2, 1:487, 1891.--Michoacan. Type locality restricted to Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:335).

_Micrurus distans michoacanensis_, Zweifel, Amer. Mus. Novitates, 1953:11, June 26, 1959.

Apatzingan (6).

All specimens were collected in the arid scrub forest of the Tepalcatepec Valley. The number of black rings on the body varies from six to eleven. In this respect they agree with the diagnosis of this subspecies presented by Zweifel (1959b:9).

~Micrurus laticollaris~ (Peters)

_Elaps marcgravii laticollaris_ Peters, Monats. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 877, 1869.--Izucar de Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico.

_Micrurus laticollaris_, Schmidt, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser., 20:39, December 11, 1933.

El Sabino (2); Lombardia.

This species ranges throughout the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin westward into Colima; specimens from Michoacan were collected in arid scrub forest at elevations from 500 to 1050 meters. The limited observations on _Micrurus distans michoacanensis_ and _M. laticollaris_ indicate that, at least in the Tepalcatepec Valley, _M. laticollaris_ seems to inhabit slightly more mesic areas than does _M. distans michoacanensis_.

~Pelamis platurus~ (Linnaeus)

_Anguis platura_ Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 12, 1:391, 1766.--Pine Island, Pacific Ocean.

_Pelamis platurus_, Gray, Ann. Philos., p. 15, 1825.

Boca de Apiza.

In November, 1955, Alfonzo Gonzales, a geographer from the University of Texas, observed sea snakes on the beaches of Michoacan. In May, 1956, Donald D. Brand of the University of Texas gave me one specimen of _Pelamis platurus_ that he obtained on March 2, 1956, at Boca de Apiza. Furthermore, he supplied me with the following observations based on his field work along the coast of Michoacan from the Rio Coahuayana to Maruata from March 1, to April 15, 1956. At that time many sea snakes were observed; in some places living and dead individuals were seen on the beaches; innumerable snakes were seen in the surf. When live individuals were taken from the beach and thrown into the ocean, they usually swam to shore. Many partially eaten individuals were seen protruding from crab holes. Inquiries among the natives resulted in the following information: Sea snakes are frequently seen between November and April, but most commonly in March and April, at which time the water is cold. The natives referred to the sea snakes as "culebra del mar." Most natives said that the snakes were not poisonous; others did not know of any venomous properties. In May, 1956, I worked the coastal region from the Rio Coahuayana to La Placita and saw no sea snakes. In the summer of 1950 James A. Peters, and in the summer of 1951 I worked nearly the entire coastal region of Michoacan; during that time no _Pelamis_ were seen. Insofar as I know, this is the first report of such seasonal activity in _Pelamis platurus_ in the Americas.

~Agkistrodon bilineatus bilineatus~ Guenther

_Ancisdrodon bilineatus_ Guenther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 3, 12:364, 1863.--Pacific coast of Guatemala.

_Agkistrodon bilineatus bilineatus_, Burger and Robertson, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 34 (1):213, October 1, 1951.

Apatzingan; El Sabino; La Playa; Los Reyes.

All specimens from Michoacan are from inland localities between 300 and 1500 meters. The one from Los Reyes (USNM 46416) was collected by Nelson and Goldman on February 13, 1903. The elevation of Los Reyes (1500 meters) seems unusually high for this species, but otherwise there is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the record. Goldman (1951:192) in his description of Los Reyes stated: "Los Reyes is near the boundary between the Lower Austral and Arid Upper Tropical Zones but is preponderantly tropical in zonal character. The regular crops are mainly sugar cane, rice, and corn." Thus the biotic features of the area are not noticeably different from those at El Sabino and La Playa at lower elevations. The development of extensive agriculture through irrigation in the Tepalcatepec Valley and planting of rice and sugar-cane in that area may produce a more widespread habitat for this snake.

The absence of specimens from the coastal lowlands is due solely to inadequate collecting; the natives there know the snake and report that it is not uncommon in certain areas.

~Crotalus basiliscus basiliscus~ (Cope)

_Caudisonia basilisca_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, September 30, 1864.--Colima. Type locality restricted to Colima, Colima, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:328).

_Crotalus basiliscus basiliscus_, Gloyd, Nat. Hist. Misc., 17:1, April 23, 1948.

Apatzingan (4); Camachines; Coalcoman; El Ticuiz.

Specimens from southern Michoacan have fewer ventrals and caudals than do those from the northern part of the range; three males and three females have, respectively, 178, 182, 182, 185, 186, and 188 ventrals, and 27, 28, 29, 22, 29, and 29 caudals. Klauber (1952:81) gave the following data for _Crotalus basiliscus_ (based on specimens from the entire range, except Oaxaca): ventrals in males, 179-201 (191.4), in females, 185-206 (197.6); caudals in males, 26-36 (30.7), in females, 21-29 (24.4). Klauber (1952:84) remarked that the one specimen that he had seen from Apatzingan had fewer ventrals and caudals than most other specimens. The low numbers of ventrals and caudals in specimens from Michoacan, as compared with more northern populations, may be indicative of a trend in the reduction of the numbers of these scutes from north to south. The southernmost examples of _Crotalus basiliscus_ (_Crotalus basiliscus oaxacus_ from Oaxaca) have 172-175 ventrals and 21 caudals (Gloyd, 1948).

In Michoacan _Crotalus basiliscus basiliscus_ has been found in arid habitats on the coast, in the Tepalcatepec Valley, and in the lower parts of the Sierra de Coalcoman. All specimens are from localities below 1070 meters in elevation.

~Crotalus durissus culminatus~ Klauber

_Crotalus durissus culminatus_ Klauber, Bull. Zool. Soc. San Diego, 26:65, August 8, 1952.--El Sabino, Michoacan, Mexico.

El Sabino (18).

These specimens are part of the type series and were collected by Hobart M. Smith near the upper limits of the arid scrub forest at an elevation of about 1050 meters on the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica at the northern edge of the Tepalcatepec Valley. They were discussed in detail by Klauber (1952:66-70).

~Crotalus intermedius intermedius~ Troschel

_Crotalus intermedius_ Troschel, _in_ von Mueller, Reisen in Vereiningten Staaten, Canada und Mexico, vol. 3, p. 613, 1865.--Type locality unknown.

_Crotalus intermedius intermedius_, Klauber, Bull. Zool. Soc. San Diego, 26:9, August 8, 1952.

Cerro Tancitaro.

The one specimen is from the pine forests on the Cordillera Volcanica. At the present time this species is known from scattered localities in west-central Veracruz, Oaxaca, Michoacan, and as _Crotalus intermedius omiltemanus_ in Central Guerrero. Apparently it is restricted to montane environments.

~Crotalus molossus nigrescens~ Gloyd

_Crotalus molossus nigrescens_ Gloyd, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 325:2, January 28, 1936.--Four miles west of La Colorada, Zacatecas, Mexico.

Carapan; Los Conejos; Patzcuaro; Tacicuaro (5).

In Michoacan this species has been found in pine forests between 1550 and 2300 meters in the Cordillera Volcanica. I expected to find it in the Sierra de Coalcoman, but inquiries among the natives living in the pine forests of that mountain range revealed that the people there have no knowledge of a large species of rattlesnake.

~Crotalus polystictus~ (Cope)

_Caudisonia polysticta_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 17:191, December 26, 1865.--Tableland of Mexico. Type locality restricted to Tupataro, Guanajuata, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:330).

_Crotalus polystictus_ Cope, _in_ Yarrow, Wheeler's Rept. Geog. Geol. Expl. Surv. W. 100th. Mer., vol. 5, p. 533, 1875.

Tacicuaro (4); Tupataro (2).

Formerly this species was abundant in the marshes around Lago de Chapala. The draining of these marshes probably resulted in reducing the numbers of these rattlesnakes. The species is known only from the Mexican Plateau at elevations of 1450 to 2400 meters.

~Crotalus pusillus~ Klauber

_Crotalus pusillus_ Klauber, Bull. Zool. Soc. San Diego, 26:34, August 8, 1952.--Tancitaro, Michoacan, Mexico.

Acuaro de las Lleguas (2); Carapan; Cerro Tancitaro (16); Dos Aguas (12).

Aside from the type series of _Crotalus pusillus_ from Cerro Tancitaro and one specimen from Carapan referred to the species by Klauber (1952:38), there are fourteen specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman. These specimens (UMMZ 112566-7, 118591-9, 118601, 121512-3) are like _Crotalus pusillus_ from Cerro Tancitaro in having the prefrontals paired, a black proximal rattle, and the underside of the tail black. The prefrontals are bordered posteriorly by one scale in two specimens, by two scales in three specimens, and by three scales in the other nine. The snakes from the Sierra de Coalcoman have 40 to 46 (42) dorsal body blotches. Ten males have 150-158 (154.4) ventrals and 29-33 (31.0) caudals; two females have 157 and 160 ventrals, and 25 and 27 caudals. The largest specimen is a male having a body length of 545 mm. and a tail length of 63 mm. The only noticeable difference between the specimens from the Sierra de Coalcoman and the topotypic series is that the latter have fewer dorsal blotches; the range of variation is 33 to 46 (39.8).

Most specimens of this species have a grayish brown dorsum and dark brown dorsal blotches. Two specimens from Dos Aguas (UMMZ 118596 and 118599) are pale brown above and have indistinct blotches.

One specimen from Dos Aguas regurgitated a large _Gerrhonotus imbricatus imbricatus_; of two others from the same locality, one regurgitated a _Sceloporus bulleri_ and an _Eptesicus fuscus_. The latter specimen was collected at the entrance of a small cave, where it probably had captured the bat.

In the Cordillera Volcanica _Crotalus pusillus_ has been obtained in pine-oak forest at elevations between 1550 and 1800 meters. In the Sierra de Coalcoman two specimens were taken in pine forest at an elevation of 2300 meters; ten other were found beneath rocks and logs in pine-oak forest at an elevation of 2100 meters.

~Crotalus triseriatus aquilus~ Klauber

_Crotalus triseriatus aquilus_ Klauber, Bull. Zool. Soc. San Diego, 26:24, August 8, 1952.--Alvarez, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Morelia (10); Tacicuaro (2).

I am following Klauber (1952) in assigning some of the specimens of this species from Michoacan to the subspecies _aquilus_ and others to _C. t. triseriatus_. The distinguishing characters of these subspecies are given by Klauber (1952:28). On the basis of the few localities from which the species is known in Michoacan it seems as though _C. t. aquilus_ inhabits the open grassy areas on the Mexican Plateau and the associated open pine-oak or oak-bunch grass habitats to the north and east of the Cordillera Volcanica. _Crotalus triseriatus aquilus_ has been collected at elevations from 1600 to 2000 meters in Michoacan.

~Crotalus triseriatus triseriatus~ (Wagler)

_Uropsophus triseriatus_ Wagler, Natuerliches System der Amphibien, p. 176, 1830.--Mexico. (Probably Mexico City.)

_Crotalus triseriatus triseriatus_, Klauber, Bull. Zool. Soc. San Diego, 26:19, August 8, 1952.

Cerro Tancitaro (36); Opopeo; Patzcuaro.

This small rattlesnake inhabits rocky areas in pine and pine-oak forests above 1600 meters in the Cordillera Volcanica; it has been collected at 3270 meters on Cerro Tancitaro. The series reported by Schmidt and Shannon (1947:84) is a mixture of specimens of _Crotalus triseriatus_ and _Crotalus pusillus_. The two species are found together on Cerro Tancitaro, but only _Crotalus pusillus_ inhabits the coniferous forests of the Sierra de Coalcoman. Klauber (1952:30) stated that despite the proximity of _Crotalus triseriatus triseriatus_ and _Crotalus triseriatus aquilus_ in Michoacan, there is no evidence of intergradation. He went on to suggest that additional material might show that the two named populations actually are distinct species. The specimens that have been studied since Klauber's investigations also show no evidence of intergradation, but there still is no known sympatry of the populations.

The small montane rattlesnakes belonging to the species _C. pricei_, _C. pusillus_, and _C. triseriatus_ present a problem in systematics and distribution worthy of intensive investigation. A knowledge of the distribution and relationships of the various populations of these snakes, together with other species also living in isolated populations on the higher mountains in Mexico, probably will be of great significance in understanding dispersal and differentiation of animals during the Pleistocene.

SPECIES OF QUESTIONABLE OCCURRENCE

Some species for which there are no authentic records from Michoacan can be expected there on zoogeographic probability. Other species have been recorded from Michoacan, but these records are doubtful for any one of several reasons. Fifteen species of such questionable occurrence are discussed below:

~Syrrhophus modestus modestus~ Taylor

_Syrrhophus modestus_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 28:304, May 15, 1942.--Hacienda Paso del Rio, Colima, Mexico.

_Syrrhophus modestus modestus_, Duellman, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 594:5, June 6, 1958.

This small terrestrial frog is not uncommon on the coastal lowlands and foothills in Nayarit and in Colima, where it has been collected within a few kilometers of the Michoacan border. At Tecolapa, Colima, on August 9, 1956, _Syrrhophus modestus modestus_ was found with _Tomodactylus nitidus orarius_, _Bufo marinus_, _Bufo marmoreus_, _Hyla baudini_, _Hyla smithi_, and _Phyllomedusa dacnicolor_, all of which occur on the coastal lowlands of Michoacan. Because of its solitary and secretive habits, _Syrrhophus modestus modestus_ is not common in collections. Additional field work on the coast of Michoacan should reveal the presence of the species there.

~Hyla microcephala sartori~ Smith

_Hyla microcephala sartori_ Smith, Herpetologica, 7:186, December 31, 1951.--1 mi. N of Organos, S of El Triente, Guerrero, Mexico.

On August 28, 1960, J. R. Dixon obtained a series of this species from a temporary pond 6 kilometers northeast of La Resolana, Jalisco. Previously, _Hyla microcephala sartori_ had been known only from the lowlands of Guerrero and Oaxaca. The existence of the species in Jalisco provides evidence that this frog also occurs in Michoacan and Colima.

~Gastrophryne usta usta~ (Cope)

_Engystoma ustum_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 18:131, 1866.--Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

_Gastrophryne usta usta_, Carvalho, Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, 555:13, July 16, 1954.

Smith and Taylor (1948:93-4) listed specimens of this species from Organos and El Treinta, Guerrero, and from Paso del Rio, Queseria, Santiago, and Tecoman, Colima. The species occurs from Sinaloa and central Veracruz southward at low elevations to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and thence along the Pacific lowlands into Central America. Almost certainly it occurs on the coastal lowlands in Michoacan. Since the amphibian fauna of the Tepalcatepec Valley has been better sampled than that of the coast, I suspect that if _Gastrophryne_ occurred in the Tepalcatepec Valley, I would have found it there.

~Lepidochelys olivacea~ (Eschscholtz)

_Chelonia olivacea_ Eschscholtz, Zool. Atlas, pt. 1, p. 2, 1829.--Manila Bay, Philippine Islands.

_Lepidochelys olivacea_, Girard, United States Exploring Expedition..., vol. 20, Herpetology, p. 435, 1858.

According to Smith and Taylor (1950b: 15), this sea turtle is known from the entire Pacific coast of Mexico; these authors reported the species from Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Colima, and Sonora. Although the only sea turtle that I observed in Michoacan is _Chelonia mydas_, others probably do use the sheltered beaches for nesting. The scanty records of sea turtles along the Pacific coast of Mexico indicate that _Chelonia mydas_ and _Lepidochelys olivacea_ are the most abundant species in that region. There are scattered records of _Dermochelys coriacea_, _Caretta caretta_, and _Eretmochelys imbricata_ along the Pacific coast. The occurrence of any of these along the coast of Michoacan is probable.

~Geoemyda pulcherrima pulcherrima~ (Gray)

_Emys pulcherrima_ Gray, Catalogue of the Shield Reptiles in British Museum, vol. 1, p. 25.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Presidio de Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:30).

_Geoemyda pulcherrima pulcherrima_, Wettstein, Sitzb. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 143:18, 1934.

Smith and Taylor (1950b:30) recorded this species from Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Colima, and Guerrero; these records indicate that the species probably is distributed along the Pacific coast of Mexico southward from southern Sonora. It unquestionably occurs on the coast of Michoacan. Natives of the coastal lowlands tell of another "tortuga de la tierra" besides _Geoemyda rubida_. In the collections of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Illinois is a specimen of _Geoemyda pulcherrima_ from Mexcala in the Balsas Basin in northern Guerrero. On the basis of this specimen it is highly probable that the species also inhabits the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin in Michoacan.

~Pseudemys scripta ornata~ (Gray)

_Emys ornata_ Gray, Synopsis reptilium, p. 30, 1831.--Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

_Pseudemys scripta ornata_, Carr, Herpetologica, 1:135, December 30, 1938.

The systematics and distribution of _Pseudemys scripta_ in Mexico and Central America are poorly understood. Smith and Taylor (1950b:32) recorded this turtle from the Pacific lowlands of Sinaloa, Jalisco, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. This species is represented by vicarious populations throughout the Atlantic lowlands of Mexico, northwestern Mexico, over much of the United States, and also in Baja California. Along the Pacific coast of Mexico the species seems to be extremely rare, or, at least, only locally abundant. Since the species has such a wide distribution, and since it occurs on the Pacific lowlands both to the north and to the south of Michoacan, it is reasonable to expect its presence on the coast of Michoacan. Inquiries among the natives living in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin produced only negative evidence about the occurrence of _Pseudemys_ in the Rio Tepalcatepec and Rio Balsas. I suspect that the best place to search for these turtles on the coast of Michoacan is in the numerous fresh-water lagoons on the coastal plain.

~Caiman crocodilus fuscus~ (Cope)

_Perosuchus fuscus_ Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 20:203, November 9, 1868.--Rio Magdalena, Columbia.

_Caiman crocodilus fuscus_, Mertens, Senckenbergiana, 26:275, December 22, 1943.

Gadow (1930:50) reported that _Caiman sclerops_ (= _Caiman crocodilus fuscus_) inhabited the "tierra caliente" in Michoacan. Smith and Taylor (1950b:212) accepted Gadow's record for the State, although otherwise the species is unknown north of Oaxaca. Peters (1954:10) refuted Gadow's record on the basis that Gadow's collections contained no specimens of _Caiman_. The local name "caiman" refers to both _Crocodylus_ and to _Caiman_, for, in general, the natives do not distinguish between the two. "Caimanes" are reported from along the coast of Michoacan, where the name presumably refers to _Crocodylus acutus acutus_, and in the Balsas-Tepalcatepec Basin (Gadow, 1930:50; Webber, 1946:267). I have seen no specimens of either _Crocodylus_ or _Caiman_ from the Balsas Basin. If crocodilians do occur in the basin, they probably are _Crocodylus acutus acutus_. There is no basis, whatsoever, for including Michoacan in the range of _Caiman crocodilus fuscus_.

~Bipes canaliculatus~ Bonnaterre

_Bipes canaliculatus_ Bonnaterre, Encyclopedie methodique, Erpetologie, p. 68, 1789.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Mexcala, Guerrero, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:39).

Duges (1896:480) reported this species from Morelia, Michoacan. Smith and Taylor (1950b:39), who recorded the species from three localities in the Balsas Basin in Guerrero, rejected Duges' record. I, too, am unwilling to accept Duges' record. Nevertheless, the species probably occurs throughout much of the Balsas Basin. This idea is strengthened by comments made by Storm (1939:342): "The last hard drop, that afternoon, was down the great Cerro de los Cajones [southwest of Tacambaro], and here in the upper forest we came upon... a lizard with front legs and none behind ... the animal with hands and no feet that senor Smith [Hobart M. Smith] was seeking!... They're named _Bipes caniculatus_ (_sic._)."

~Coleonyx elegans nemoralis~ Klauber

_Coleonyx elegans nemoralis_ Klauber, Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist., 10:195, March 9, 1949.--Paso del Rio, Colima, Mexico.

Klauber (1945:199) and Smith and Taylor (1950b:43) reported this lizard from the coastal lowlands of Colima and Guerrero. Davis and Smith (1953:101) reported it from 8 kilometers northeast of Temilpa, Morelos, in the upper Balsas Basin. Specimens of this lizard have been collected infrequently; the few locality records and limited ecological data indicate that it inhabits dense scrub forest and tropical semi-deciduous forest. _Coleonyx elegans nemoralis_ is to be expected on the coastal lowlands, the seaward foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman, and on the lower slopes of the Cordillera Volcanica along the northern edge of the Tepalcatepec Valley.

~Phrynosoma orbiculare orbiculare~ (Linnaeus)

_Lacerta obricularis_ Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 12, 1:1062, 1789.--Mexico (by inference). Type locality restricted to Mexico, Districto Federal, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:97).

_Phrynosoma orbiculare orbiculare_, Smith, Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci., 37:290, 1934.

Gadow (1905:213) inferred that _Phrynosoma orbiculare_ occurred at elevations of more than 3000 feet in Michoacan. There are no specimens of this species known from Gadow's collections made in Michoacan. Smith and Taylor (1950b:98) apparently accepted Gadow's statement and recorded the species from Michoacan: "above 3000 feet (Jorullo?)." Reeve (1952:940) somehow misconstrued this statement to read "Jorullo, above Zumpango (Smith and Taylor, 1950b)." Reeve did not indicate on his map (1952:939) that the species occurred in Michoacan. In the most recent review of the species (Horowitz, 1955), no localities are given in Michoacan. Since _Phrynosoma orbiculare_ is known from central Jalisco, Guanajuato, Queretaro, and Mexico, its presence at least in northeastern Michoacan is to be expected, although at the present time there are no specimens known from the state.

~Eumeces brevirostris~ (Guenther)

_Mabouia brevirostris_ Guenther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 316, August, 1860.--Oaxaca. Type locality restricted to Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950b:168).

_Eumeces brevirostris_, Bocourt, Mission scientifique au Mexique et dans l'Amerique Centrale. Reptiles, livr. 6, p. 439, 1879.

Smith and Taylor (1950b:168) Listed this species: "_Michoacan_: No specific record." I am unaware of any specimen of this skink from the state. As presently recognized, this species contains two subspecies. One of these occurs in the mountains of Oaxaca northward into central Veracruz; the other, _Eumeces brevirostris bilineatus_, occurs in Durango southward to Jalisco, where it inhabits the Sierra Madre Occidental. Possibly the species occurs in the Sierra de los Tarascos in Michoacan.

~Eumeces callicephalus~ Bocourt

_Eumeces callacephalus_ Bocourt, Mission scientifique au Mexique et dans l'Amerique Centrale. Reptiles, livr. 6, p. 431, 1879.--Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Duges (1896) in a paper in which he listed several species of _Eumeces_ in Mexico, reported _Eumeces callicephalus_ from Michoacan, but he gave no specific locality within the state. Michoacan was included in the range of the species by Taylor (1936:298) and by Smith and Taylor (1950b:164). The species definitely is known from southeastern Arizona southward to Guanajuato. It may occur in Michoacan, but, since there are three rather widespread species of _Eumeces_ inhabiting the Mexican Plateau and associated mountain ranges in the northern and northeastern part of Michoacan, interspecific competition might be a reason for the absence of _Eumeces callicephalus_ there.

~Leptodeira septentrionalis polysticta~ Guenther

_Leptodeira polysticta_ Guenther, Biologia Centrali-Americana, Reptilia, p. 172, May, 1895.--Belice, British Honduras.

_Leptodeira septentrionalis polysticta_, Duellman, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 114:72, February 24, 1958.

Although this species occurs from sea level to elevations of about 2000 meters from Nayarit southward into Central America, no specimens are known from Michoacan. Smith and Taylor (1945:87) listed the species as occurring in Michoacan, but they had no record on which to base this report. Probably, the species occurs on the coastal lowlands and seaward slopes of the Sierra de Coalcoman.

~Tropidodipsas fasciata guerreroensis~ Taylor

_Tropidodipsas guerreroensis_ Taylor, Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull., 26:470; November 27, 1940.--Buena Vista, Guerrero, Mexico.

_Tropidodipsas fasciata guerreroensis_, Alvarez del Toro and Smith, Herpetologica, 12:16, March 6, 1956.

Duges (1896:480) reported a snake, questionably of this species, from Uruapan, Michoacan. Taylor (1940c) suggested that on geographic grounds Duges' record might refer to _T. f. guerreroensis_, which is known definitely only from the type locality. _Tropidodipsas occidentala_ is known from Comala, Colima, and Coalcoman, Michoacan. On zoogeopraphic grounds that species might be found at Uruapan. Since the specimen apparently no longer is extant, the identification cannot be ascertained.

~Micrurus fitzingeri fitzingeri~ (Jan)

_Elaps fitzingeri_ Jan, Rev. Mag. Zool., p. 521, 1858.--Mexico. Type locality restricted to Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, by Smith and Taylor (1950a:330).

_Micrurus fitzingeri fitzingeri_, Brown and Smith, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 55:63, June 25, 1942.

Smith and Taylor (1945:174) recorded the species from Zamora, Michoacan. Hobart M. Smith (_in litt._) stated that this record was based on a report of _Elaps fulvius_ from Zamora by Duges (1896:482). Smith guessed that the report was based on a specimen of _Micrurus fitzingeri_. The specimen has not been seen. Although the species is known from Guanajuato and Mexico, until a specimen is available from Michoacan, the species should not be considered part of the herpetofauna of Michoacan.

GAZETTEER

The localities in Michoacan here listed are those from which specimens were examined as well as other localities mentioned in the text. The localities are arranged alphabetically according to the most definitive word or words in the total name. For example, Lago de Chapala is listed as "Chapala (Lago de)" and Cerro de Tancitaro is listed as "Tancitaro (Cerro de)." Insofar as has been possible, the following information is given for each locality: geographical co-ordinates to the nearest minute of north latitude and west longitude, elevation in meters above mean sea level, a description of its geographical location, type of dominant vegetation, and in some cases comments concerning collecting sites in the vicinity. Distances are in kilometers; all are map (air line) distances, unless otherwise indicated. Many localities visited on mule trips are given as being a certain number of "mule hours" in a general direction from another town or village. In order to reach most of these localities today, one would have to go by mule, and this is the way the muleteers determine their distances. Some of the elevations are taken from maps, but most of them were obtained from one or more readings of altimeters that we carried in the field. The terms used for describing the vegetation are those defined in the section of the natural landscape.

My primary cartographic sources have been: the provisional edition of maps published by the American Geographic Society (Colima, Guadalajara, Mexico, and San Luis Potosi sheets published between 1933 and 1940), scale 1:1,000,000; the preliminary sheets (Colima, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and Mexico) published in 1949 with a scale of 1:500,000 of the Carta Geografica de la Republica Mexicana (Direccion de Geografia y Meterologia, Secretaria de Agricultura y Ganaderia); and the Carta de Cuenca Tepalcatepec (Scale 1:250,000) prepared in 1958 by the Comision del Tepalcatepec, Secretaria de Recursos Hidraulicos. I have visited most of the 181 localities and have gathered data pertaining to vegetation, altitude, and location. I think, nevertheless, that the accuracy of some of the locations and elevations as given in the gazetteer is questionable. This situation can be rectified only by detailed geographic studies.

Most of the important towns, villages, rivers, and high mountains are shown on the accompanying map (Fig. 11). Places not shown on this map can be located from directions given in the gazetteer.

Acahuata.--Lat. 19 deg. 10', long. 102 deg. 21', elev. 1040 m. A village north of Apatzingan and on the southern slope of Cerro de Tancitaro; transition between arid tropical scrub forest and pine-oak forest; tropical semi-deciduous forest in barrancas.

Agua Cerca.--Lat. 19 deg. 06', long. 101 deg. 45', elev. 1550 m. A ranch south-southwest of Ario de Rosales on the road to La Huacana; pine-oak forest.

Aguililla.--Lat. 18 deg. 45', long. 102 deg. 47', elev. 860 m.; a town in a low valley in the Sierra de Coalcoman; arid tropical scrub forest.

Alamo (El).--Lat. 19 deg. 42', long. 100 deg. 55', elev. 2300 m. A ranch 5 kilometers by road east of El Temazcal; pine-oak forest.

Angahuan.--Lat. 19 deg. 33', long. 102 deg. 14', elev. 2440 m. A Tarascan village about 27 kilometers northwest of Uruapan; pine forest. Much of the land is still covered by a deep layer of ashes from the nearby Volcan Paricutin.

Apatzingan.--Lat. 19 deg. 06', long. 102 deg. 22', elev. 335 m. The largest town in the Tepalcatepec Valley; arid tropical scrub forest.

Apiza (Boca de).--Lat. 18 deg. 42', long. 103 deg. 44', sea level. The name of the mouth of the Rio Coahuayana; sandy beach and coco palms.

Apo.--Lat. 19 deg. 25', long. 102 deg. 25', elev. 2160 m. A village on the western slope of Cerro de Tancitaro; pine-oak forest.

Aquila.--Lat. 18 deg. 32', long. 103 deg. 30', elev. 150 m. A small village on the Rio Aquila in the seaward foothills of the Sierra de Coalcoman; tropical semi-deciduous forest.

Araparicuaro.--Lat. 19 deg. 22', long. 102 deg. 12', elev. 1525 m. A village 19 kilometers west-southwest of Uruapan on the trail to Tancitaro; pine-oak forest.

Araro.--Lat. 19 deg. 54', long. 100 deg. 50', elev. 1830 m. A small village at the eastern end of the Lago de Cuitzeo lakebed; mesquite-grassland.

Ario de Rosales.--Lat. 19 deg. 12', long. 101 deg. 42', elev. 1980