Which genus typically encompasses many North American whiptail species, such as the Arizona Whiptail (*A. arizonae*), post-taxonomic split?
Answer
Aspidoscelis
Following the modern consensus driven by genetic data, many whiptail species found in the United States, which were previously clustered under the very broad genus *Cnemidophorus*, have been reclassified into the genus *Aspidoscelis*. For instance, the Arizona Whiptail is now recognized as *Aspidoscelis arizonae*, and the New Mexico Whiptail as *Aspidoscelis neomexicana*. This segregation often groups species that exhibit tendencies like being diplosporous and favoring northern ranges or specific arid microhabitats like sparsely vegetated, rocky slopes, distinguishing them ecologically and genetically from many species retained in *Cnemidophorus*, which often have a greater South American distribution.
Related Questions
To which Family do whiptail lizards, celebrated for their speed and long tails, generally belong?What scientific advancement drove the splitting of the formerly massive genus *Cnemidophorus* into smaller genera like *Aspidoscelis*?What unique reproductive method characterizes some populations of the Desert Grassland Whiptail Lizard (*Cnemidophorus uniparens*)?What characteristics distinguish Suborder Lacertilia (Sauria) lizards, including the whiptails, from snakes?Which Kingdom classification signifies that whiptails are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms sharing fundamental animal life characteristics?Which genus typically encompasses many North American whiptail species, such as the Arizona Whiptail (*A. arizonae*), post-taxonomic split?What is the Global Conservation Status Rank (G-Rank) assigned to *Aspidoscelis gularis* (Texas Spotted Whiptail) by NatureServe?Which Phylum classification signifies that whiptails are connected to vertebrates because they possess a notochord at some developmental stage?What is the taxonomic distinction between the Order Squamata and the Suborder Lacertilia regarding reptile groups?Which group, *Aspidoscelis* or *Cnemidophorus*, often favors more sparsely vegetated, rocky slopes in northern ranges like Utah, aligning with modern generic grouping?