Baja California Lyresnake (Trimorphodon biscutatus lyrophanes)

Created: January 30th, 2009 - 11:20 PM
Last Modified: January 26th, 2015 - 11:45 AM Entered by: Jeff Teel
Record 21853

Comments

With the thought that the lambda at Riverside Mtns are hybrids, i think i'll shift location to the eastern Clark Mtns near Primm to search for them. Stebbins (1972) mentions Sonoran Lyre near Ivanpah, i noticed there is an orginal, old Ivanpah site in the Clark Mtns. There is also a "newer" Ivanpah in the New York Mtns. I'm not sure which Ivanpah Stebbins is referring too, but i suspect it could be the orginal, old site in the Clark Range.
Are you aware of the rumor of Chilomeniscus and Crotalus scutulatus in extreme southeast Imperial County? The late, Jerry Feldner emailed me regarding his finding of those snakes. If your interested in searching for them and need details, shot me an email at [email protected]/. I have done about 3 quick searches around Pilot Knob, but have come up empty, with both Chilo and Chionactis.

I'll get the info for you. I saw the regalis...VERY cool you guys got live one, that's such a neat find. When you mention the Whipples, good place to keep trying. Corals could be there-(along with other low desert ranges along the River) the Whipples just seem like a good spot for them.

Yes, could I have Brian's email, I'd like to follow up on that Riverside Mtn Lyre. The Riverside Mtns are suppose to be lambda according to old (1937) museum record. It is the only specimen of lambda recorded in California. Very well could be an intergrade, since that record is so old. There have been some Lyre Snakes turning up in Nevada, but no one has taken the time needed to correctly identify them as actually being lambda, they just assume because of published range maps. Perhaps i should focus efforts on the California mountain chains connected to Nevada where those supposed lambda were found. The lyre Snake we found in the Providence mountains turned out as lyrophanes. I think the Chemehuevi Mtns are worth searching. I've stayed away from the Whipples because there is a road through the mountain that people have night-drove and found just about everything, but lyre. Last month a Regal was found in California, its now logged into H.E.R.P.

I've never done the Riverside Mtns. My buddy Dave Long found a trimorph in the Riverside Mtns. He collected it and gave it, I think and could be wrong, but Brian McGurty? Who was doing some sort of research on them and found it to be a mix "lambdaXlyrophanes"? I could give you Dave's number or email if you want to follow up on that? I have spent 2 full night in the Big Maria Mtns. Both nights in different areas. I have only seen mitchellii and cerastes in there so far. I really think the best place to look for lambda in a CA range is the Chemehuevi Mtns. I spent quite a few nights hoping for them-(and other stuff) but never had luck on lyres there.

I wonder if both lambda and lyrophanes occupy Black Mtn. I searched the Riverside Mtns last month and only found two long-dead mitchellii inside Alice Mine. I'm planing a return search for lambda pretty soon, either again to Riverside Mtns or Big Maria Mtns. Have you searched those mtns?

I do think the trimorphs at Black Mtns. are lyrophanes. Although, some do have a divided anal plate, then again I have found one in the Little Chuckwalla Mtns. with a divided anal plate, and a few feet away one with a single anal plate. I know some think it's an "intergrade area"-(Black Mtn.) but to me, phenotypically they look more like lyrophanes, but I do see the poss influence of lambda in some.

What are your thoughts about this specimen, do you it is lambda? The dorsal-saddle count is really low, i counted around 26.