Which group, *Aspidoscelis* or *Cnemidophorus*, often favors more sparsely vegetated, rocky slopes in northern ranges like Utah, aligning with modern generic grouping?
Answer
Aspidoscelis
There are observable correlations between the updated generic grouping and the preferred microhabitats of whiptails. The group placed within *Aspidoscelis*, such as *A. neomexicana* found in Utah, tends to favor environments characterized by sparsely vegetated, rocky slopes or open desert scrub. Conversely, lineages sometimes retained in *Cnemidophorus*, while still inhabiting arid lands, may exhibit a slightly broader tolerance, sometimes including riparian edges or grassland areas. This correlation between finer ecological niches and revised genetic groupings reinforces the utility of the *Aspidoscelis* classification for these more northern species.
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