Sceloporus taeniocnemis

Sceloporus taeniocnemis, also known commonly as the Guatemalan emerald spiny lizard and la chachapaja in Spanish, is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.^[2] The species is native to Guatemala and adjacent southeastern Mexico. There are two recognized subspecies.^[2]

Sceloporus taeniocnemis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Phrynosomatidae
Genus:	Sceloporus
Species:	S. taeniocnemis
Binomial name
Sceloporus taeniocnemis Cope, 1885
Synonyms[2]
Sceloporus taeniocnemis Cope, 1885 Sceloporus malachiticus taeniocnemis — H.M. Smith & Taylor, 1950 Sceloporus taeniocnemis — Liner, 1994

Geographic range

S. taeniocnemis is found in central Guatemala and in the Mexican state of Chiapas.^[1][2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of S. taeniocnemis is forest, at altitudes of 1,200–2,500 m (3,900–8,200 ft).^[1]

Reproduction

S. taeniocnemis is viviparous.^[2]

Subspecies

The following two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.^[2]

• Sceloporus taeniocnemis taeniocnemis Cope, 1885
• Sceloporus taeniocnemis hartwegi Stuart, 1971

Etymology

The subspecific name, hartwegi, is in honor of American herpetologist Norman Edouard Hartweg.^[3]