Dead side-blotched lizard

The dead side-blotched lizard (Uta lowei), also known commonly as the El Muerto side-blotched lizard and la mancha lateral muerta in Mexican Spanish, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Sceloporinae of the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is endemic to Isla El Muerto, an island in the Gulf of California, Mexico.^[1][2]

Dead side-blotched lizard
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Phrynosomatidae
Genus:	Uta
Species:	U. lowei
Binomial name
Uta lowei L. Grismer, 1994

Etymology

The specific name, lowei, is in honor of American herpetologist Charles Herbert Lowe.^[3]

Description

Uta lowei has strongly keeled dorsal scales, and is light gray to off-white ventrally. Adult males have a dorsal pattern of offset paravertebral dark blotches, with a dense network of turquoise spots.^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Uta lowei is rocky areas of the marine intertidal zone, but it has also been found in rocky areas of inland desert.^[1]

Diet

Uta lowei preys predominately upon isopods.^[2]

Reproduction

Uta lowei is oviparous.^[2]