Herpetofauna of White Sands National Monument: Review of Species List

Johnson, Jerry

The following is a taxonomically arranged list of White Sands National Monument (WHSA) amphibians and reptiles that was supplied to me by the National Park Service (Table 1), plus species added by me with reasons for the additions (indicated by ##). I understand that the original list was primarily developed by Texas Tech University personnel and from observational records from WHSA personnel or visitors. The ** indicate species records that I consider questionable or invalid and reasons why. The species accounts include common names (Collins and Taggart, 2002; subspecies name if applicable), scientific name in parentheses (some revised) and presently recognized subspecies designation in parentheses, general abundance estimates (RA=rare, MO=moderate abundance, CO=common, UN=unknown, OQ=occurrence on WHSA questioned, PD=probable or documented occurrence on WHSA). It should be pointed out that abundance estimates are hard to make without long-term data to support them and that different life history strategies affect estimates for different taxa (e.g., common lizards are more abundant than common snakes). Also presented in the species accounts is evidence for their occurrence on WHSA, and comments on other factors related to resident WHSA species. A literature cited section is also presented, as is a summary statement regarding the overall report. An appendix listing holdings of WHSA herpetofauna deposited in the collection of the Laboratory for Environmental Sciences, Centennial Museum, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is also included.