From November 1995 to March 1997, six surveys of reptiles and amphibians were conducted on the James Reserve. During that period, 113 individuals representing 10 of the 18 species known to be on the reserve were captured (Figure 1). Seven of these species were lizard species (7 of the 10 known species).
The most frequently captured species were the Monterey Salamander (ENES), Sagebrush Lizard (SCGR), and the Granite Spiny Lizard (SCOR) (Figure 1). Determining the factors that result in these differences in abundance is an open and potentially exciting research topic waiting to be explored here at the James. In all cases, common or rare, the herpetological fauna of the James and Oasis de los Osos, present ample research possibilities.
Figure 1. Results of herpetological surveys conducted at the James Reserve. There were 10 species captured. The species codes are the first letters of the genus and species and are as follows: ENES: Monterey Salamander (Ensatina eschsholtzi), ELMU: Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata), PLSK: Western Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus), ASTI: Western Whiptail Lizard (Aspidoscelis tigris), SCGR: Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus), SCOC: Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), SCOR: Granite Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus orcutti), UTST: Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), DIPU: Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus), COLA: California Whiptail Snake (Coluber lateralis). One salamander species (ENES) and two lizard species (SCGR and SCOC) made up 72% of the captures.