Common Side-blotched Lizards
The common side-blotched lizard (''Uta stansburiana'') is a species of side-blotched lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to dry regions of the western United States and northern Mexico. It is notable for having a unique form of polymorphism wherein each of the three different male morphs utilizes a different strategy in acquiring mates. The three morphs compete against each other following a pattern of rock paper scissors, where one morph has advantages over another but is outcompeted by the third. Etymology The specific epithet, ''stansburiana'', is in honor of Captain Howard Stansbury of the US Corps of Topographical Engineers, who collected the first specimens while leading the 1849-1851 expedition to explore and survey the Great Salt Lake of Utah. Taxonomy The systematics and taxonomy of the widespread and variable lizards of the genus '' Uta'' is much disputed. Countless forms and morphs have been described as subspecies or even distinct species. ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Spencer Fullerton Baird
Spencer Fullerton Baird (; February 3, 1823 – August 19, 1887) was an American naturalist, ornithologist, ichthyologist, Herpetology, herpetologist, and museum curator. Baird was the first curator to be named at the Smithsonian Institution. He eventually served as assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian from 1850 to 1878, and as Secretary from 1878 until 1887. He was dedicated to expanding the natural history collections of the Smithsonian which he increased from 6,000 specimens in 1850 to over 2 million by the time of his death. He published over 1,000 works during his lifetime. Early life and education Spencer Fullerton Baird was born in Reading, Pennsylvania in 1823. His mother was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family; he was a nephew of Speaker of the Pennsylvania Senate Charles B. Penrose and a first cousin, once removed, of U.S. Senator Boies Penrose and his distinguished brothers, R. A. F. Penrose Jr., Richard, Spencer Penrose, Spencer, and Charles Bingham ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Taxonomy (biology)
In biology, taxonomy () is the scientific study of naming, defining ( circumscribing) and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics. Organisms are grouped into taxa (singular: taxon) and these groups are given a taxonomic rank; groups of a given rank can be aggregated to form a more inclusive group of higher rank, thus creating a taxonomic hierarchy. The principal ranks in modern use are domain, kingdom, phylum (''division'' is sometimes used in botany in place of ''phylum''), class, order, family, genus, and species. The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus is regarded as the founder of the current system of taxonomy, as he developed a ranked system known as Linnaean taxonomy for categorizing organisms and binomial nomenclature for naming organisms. With advances in the theory, data and analytical technology of biological systematics, the Linnaean system has transformed into a system of modern biological classification intended to reflect the evolu ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Angel De La Guarda Side-blotched Lizard
In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles include protectors and guides for humans, and servants of God. Abrahamic religions describe angelic hierarchies, which vary by religion and sect. Some angels have specific names (such as Gabriel or Michael) or titles (such as seraph or archangel). Those expelled from Heaven are called fallen angels, distinct from the heavenly host. Angels in art are usually shaped like humans of extraordinary beauty. They are often identified in Christian artwork with bird wings, halos, and divine light. Etymology The word ''angel'' arrives in modern English from Old English ''engel'' (with a hard ''g'') and the Old French ''angele''. Both of these derive from Late Latin ''angelus'', which in turn was borrowed from Late Greek ''angelos'' (literally "messenge ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Isla Rasa
Isla Rasa is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality. The 0.21 sq./mi island has three small ponds and has small shed located in the center of the island. Biology Isla Rasa has three species of reptiles: ''Phyllodactylus nocticolus'' (peninsular leaf-toed gecko), ''Sauromalus hispidus'' (spiny chuckwalla), and ''Uta stansburiana'' (common side-blotched lizard). Isla Rasa is also the primary nesting site for about 95% of the world's Heermann's gulls and elegant tern The elegant tern (''Thalasseus elegans'') is a tern in the family Laridae. It breeds on the Pacific coasts of the southern United States and Mexico and winters south to Peru, Ecuador and Chile. This species breeds in very dense colonies on coa ...s. References *{{cite book , last1 = Williams , first1 = J.H. , title = Baja Boaters Guide II: Sea of Cortez. , publisher = H.J. Williams Publications , page ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Isla Mejia
Isla Mejia is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality. Biology Isla Mejia has six species of reptiles: '' Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha'' (coast night snake), ''Lichanura trivirgata'' (rosy boa), '' Petrosaurus slevini'' (Slevin's banded rock lizard), ''Phyllodactylus nocticolus'' (peninsular leaf-toed gecko), ''Sauromalus hispidus'' (spiny chuckwalla), and ''Uta stansburiana The common side-blotched lizard (''Uta stansburiana'') is a species of side-blotched lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to dry regions of the western United States and northern Mexico. It is notable for having a unique fo ...'' (common side-blotched lizard). References *{{cite book , last1 = Williams , first1 = J.H. , title = Baja Boaters Guide II: Sea of Cortez. , publisher = H.J. Williams Publications , pages = 214-215 , date = August 1996 , isbn = 0-9616843-8-0 Islan ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Isla Ángel De La Guarda
Isla Ángel de la Guarda, (Guardian Angel Island) also called Archangel Island, is a large island in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) east of Bahía de los Ángeles in northwestern Mexico, separated from the Baja California Peninsula by the Canal de Ballenas (Whales Channel). It is the second largest of the eleven Midriff Islands or Islas Grandes. It is part of the state of Baja California, located northwest of Tiburón Island. It is a biological reserve called Isla Angel de la Guarda National Park. The island is part of the Mexicali municipality. The geologically active Ballenas Fault runs along the seabed of the linear Canal de Ballenas. A 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred on this fault in 2009. Geography The island is extremely dry, with no sources of freshwater other than washes following rainfall. It has an area of and a chain of mountains runs along its 69 km length, reaching a maximum of above sea level. It runs northwest to southeast. The west coast is r ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Salsipuedes Side-blotched Lizard
{{disambiguation ...
Salsipuedes may refer to: *'' Salsipuedes: a Tale of Love, War and Anchovies'', a 2004 opera by Daniel Catán * ''Salsipuedes'' (film), a 2016 Panamanian film directed by Ricardo Aguilar Navarro * Salsipuedes Massacre, an 1831 killing in Uruguay *Isla Salsipuedes, an island in the Gulf of California See also * Salsipuedes Creek (other) Salsipuedes Creek is the name of several streams in California. "Salsipuedes" means "leave if you can" in Spanish language, Spanish. Waterways in the United States *Salsipuedes Creek (Pajaro River), a tributary of the Pajaro River in Santa Cruz C ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Santa Catalina Side-blotched Lizard
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve of toys and candy or coal or nothing, depending on whether they are "naughty or nice". In the legend, he accomplishes this with the aid of Christmas elves, who make the toys in his workshop, often said to be at the North Pole, and flying reindeer who pull his sleigh through the air. The modern figure of Santa is based on folklore traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas, the English figure of Father Christmas and the Dutch figure of ''Sinterklaas''. Santa is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white-bearded man, often with spectacles, wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, red hat with white fur, and black leather belt and boots, carrying a bag full of gifts for childr ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Isla Salsipuedes
Isla Salsipuedes is an island in the Gulf of California off the coast of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality. Biology Isla Salsipuedes has six species of reptiles: '' Aspidoscelis cana'' (Isla Salsipuedes whiptail), ''Crotalus mitchellii'' (speckled rattlesnake), '' Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha'' (coast night snake), ''Lampropeltis californiae'' (California kingsnake), ''Phyllodactylus nocticolus The peninsula leaf-toed gecko (''Phyllodactylus nocticolus'') is a medium-sized gecko. It is found in southern California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico), including many islands in Gulf of California as well as Islas Magdalena and Santa Marg ...'' (peninsular leaf-toed gecko), and '' Uta antiqua'' (San Lorenzo Islands side-blotched lizard). References *{{cite book , last1 = Williams , first1 = J.H. , title = Baja Boaters Guide II: Sea of Cortez. , publisher = H.J. Williams Publications , pages = 194-195 , date ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Isla Santa Catalina
Isla Santa Catalina, officially known as Isla Catalana, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja Peninsula, Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Loreto Municipality, Baja California Sur, Loreto Municipality. The island is located south of the Gulf of California and is located 25 km from the peninsula of Baja California. It has about 13 km long and 4 km wide maximum with total area of 39.273 square kilometers. ''Isla Catalana'', being uninhabited, is separated by the sea from the nearest town, Loreto, which lies about 60 km away. Official name The official and traditional name of the island is “Isla Catalana”. The confusion was caused by some documents of cartographic service of the United States, that wrote in a chart the name “Isla Santa Catalina”.In some scientific papers, authors use both names. The official Mexican name of Isla catalana, and the one that became internationally spread by error. ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Cedros Island
Cedros Island (''Isla de Cedros'', "island of cedars" in Spanish) is an island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to the state of Baja California, Mexico. The dry and rocky island had a population of 1,350 in 2005 and has an area of which includes the area of several small nearby islands. Cedros Island is mountainous, reaching a maximum elevation of . The economy is based on commercial fishing and salt production. Cedros has a distinctive flora and the traces of some of the earliest human beings in the New World. The ocean around the island is popular with sport fishermen. There was human presence of the island already about 11,000 years ago. The American Indian inhabitants when the island was first visited by Spanish explorers in the 16th century called it Huamalgua, the "Island of Fogs." The Indian inhabitants have been given the name Huamalgueños by modern day scholars. They were relocated to the mainland of Baja California by Jesuit missionaries in 1732 and ceased to exist a ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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San Benito Island
The Islas San Benito lie in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the Mexican state of Baja California, 25 km west of Cedros Island. They are part of the Cedros Island ''delegación'', a subdivision of Ensenada (municipality), Baja California. The group consists of three barren islands, with a total area of 3.899 km2, and is surrounded by rocks and patches of kelp. The census of 2001 recorded a population of two on ''Benito del Oeste'' (West Benito); the other islands are uninhabited. Geography and ecology ''Benito del Oeste'' (West Benito, 2.6 km2) is the westernmost and largest island of the group. It appears as a plateau with a mound rising 600 ft (202 m) high near the center. A lighthouse tower, 4 m high, stands in the southern part of the island. The main lighthouse, a prominent, 17 m high tower with a dwelling, stands near the northwest extremity of the island. Rocas Pinaculo, two steep-to rocks, lie 1.6 km west of Benito del Oeste. ''Benito del ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |