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New Mexico whiptail lizard: Difference between revisions
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'''''Cnemidophorus | '''''Cnemidophorus neomexicanus'''''<ref name=species/> | ||
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|[[image:Tiny whiptail.jpg|center|250px]] | |[[image:Tiny whiptail.jpg|center|250px]] | ||
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! {{animal header}} | '''Size of a Whiptail''' | ! {{animal header}} | '''Size of a Whiptail''' | ||
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'''New Mexico whiptail lizard''' is a species of [[lizard]] known by the scientific name '''''Cnemidophorus neomexicanus'''''. They are perhaps best known as an ''all female'' species that relies strictly on auto-reproduction (parthenogenesis, which is the development of an egg without fertilization). They get their name from their long, whiplike tails.<ref name=State_Symbols>[http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/New_Mexico/reptilewhiptaillizard.html New Mexico Whiptail Lizard] ''State Symbols USA''. Web. Accessed February 4, 2015. Unknown Author.</ref> | |||
It is found in the Southern United States (Arizona and New Mexico) and parts of northern Mexico (Chahuahua)<ref name=WikiTail> [http://www.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_whiptail New Mexico whiptail] “Wikipedia”. Web. Accessed January 27, 2015. Unknown Author. </ref>. They were made the official state reptile of New Mexico in 2003.<ref name=State_Symbols/> Prior to 1998, the whiptail lizard had not been known to occur in Arizona. Discovery of this unique and small population occurred near the Puerco Ruins at Petrified Forest National Park <ref name=lizardm> Brennan, Thomas. [http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-Subpages/h-a-neomexicana.html New Mexico Whiptail] ''The Reptiles and Amphibians of Arizona''. Web. January 27, 2015.</ref>. | |||
== Body Design == | == Body Design == | ||
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== Life Cycle == | == Life Cycle == | ||
[[Image: Whiptail.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Adult Whiptail]] | [[Image: Whiptail.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Adult Whiptail]] | ||
The New Mexico Whiptail lizard cannot sexually reproduce because they are all females.<ref name=Hiskey>Hiskey, D. [http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/05/the-new-mexico-whiptail-lizard-is-made-up-entirely-of-females/ New Mexico Whiptail Lizards are All Females] ''Today I Found Out''. Web. Accessed February 4, 2015.</ref> <ref name=WikiTail/> <ref name=lizardm/> <ref name=State_Symbols/>. However, these lizards, simulate reproduction by way of pseudocopulation (which is when they act out sexual intercourse). The whiptails of the genus Aspidocelis <ref name=YE> Young, Edward.[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2010/02/21/extra-chromosomes-allow-all-female-lizards-to-reproduce-without-males/#.VNrmAF4TLY8 Extra chromosomes allow all-female lizards to reproduce without males] | The New Mexico Whiptail lizard cannot sexually reproduce because they are all females.<ref name=Hiskey>Hiskey, D. [http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/05/the-new-mexico-whiptail-lizard-is-made-up-entirely-of-females/ New Mexico Whiptail Lizards are All Females] ''Today I Found Out''. Web. Accessed February 4, 2015.</ref> <ref name=WikiTail/> <ref name=lizardm/> <ref name=State_Symbols/>. However, these lizards, simulate reproduction by way of pseudocopulation (which is when they act out sexual intercourse). The whiptails of the genus Aspidocelis <ref name=YE> Young, Edward.[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2010/02/21/extra-chromosomes-allow-all-female-lizards-to-reproduce-without-males/#.VNrmAF4TLY8 Extra chromosomes allow all-female lizards to reproduce without males] ''Discover Magazine''. Web. Accessed January 27, 2015. </ref> <ref name=nature> . Lutes, Aracely; Neaves William; Baumann Diana; Wiegraebe Winfried; Baumann Peter. | ||
[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v464/n7286/abs/nature08818.html Sister chromosome pairing maintains heterozygosity in parthenogenetic lizards] “Nature”. Web. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref> are lizards, created by a hybridization of the western whiptail (A. Inornatus) <ref name=lizardm/> <ref name=State_Symbols/> and the little striped whiptail (A. tigris). Generally, crossbred species (like the mule) are typically sterile. However, the New Mexico Whiptail reproduces by a complex series of events (that appear like cloning) where it's eggs require no fertilization, and its offspring are nearly a genetic duplicate of the mother.<ref name=Hiskey/> <ref name=YE/> <ref name=nature/> | [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v464/n7286/abs/nature08818.html Sister chromosome pairing maintains heterozygosity in parthenogenetic lizards] “Nature”. Web. Accessed January 27, 2015.</ref> are lizards, created by a hybridization of the western whiptail (A. Inornatus) <ref name=lizardm/> <ref name=State_Symbols/> and the little striped whiptail (A. tigris). Generally, crossbred species (like the mule) are typically sterile. However, the New Mexico Whiptail reproduces by a complex series of events (that appear like cloning) where it's eggs require no fertilization, and its offspring are nearly a genetic duplicate of the mother.<ref name=Hiskey/> <ref name=YE/> <ref name=nature/> | ||
An interesting fact that is a part of the process: two females will act out having sex as if one was a male. This is believed to increase the fertility of these lizards as it assists in producing more eggs than in females who don’t go through this act. The lizard who acts in the traditional female role assumes an inferior position while the other female lizard who assumes a superior position (hence the term pseudocopulation). Remarkably, the Whiptail lizards who assume the "female role" end up producing larger eggs than the lizard acting out the male role.<ref name=Hiskey/> | An interesting fact that is a part of the process: two females will act out having sex as if one was a male. This is believed to increase the fertility of these lizards as it assists in producing more eggs than in females who don’t go through this act. The lizard who acts in the traditional female role assumes an inferior position while the other female lizard who assumes a superior position (hence the term pseudocopulation). Remarkably, the Whiptail lizards who assume the "female role" end up producing larger eggs than the lizard acting out the male role.<ref name=Hiskey/> | ||
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Generally, sperm and egg cells are created through a process called meiosis, (where a cell’s chromosomes are copied before the cell divides twice). This produces four daughter cells, meaning that the egg cells only contain half the amount of chromosomes of other cells. The joining of egg and sperm, that contain half the genes, this helps balance out the chromosomes, to create the next generation <ref name=YE/><ref name=nature/>. | Generally, sperm and egg cells are created through a process called meiosis, (where a cell’s chromosomes are copied before the cell divides twice). This produces four daughter cells, meaning that the egg cells only contain half the amount of chromosomes of other cells. The joining of egg and sperm, that contain half the genes, this helps balance out the chromosomes, to create the next generation <ref name=YE/><ref name=nature/>. | ||
But the Whiptails are unique because they begin the process with two times as many chromosomes. Lutes, proved that these all-female whiptails have a slightly different type of meiosis. They double their chromosomes two times initially in the process, this results in the making of eight copies for each chromosome. In the normal two cycles of cell division, those copies are separated two each among the four daughter cells <ref name=YE/> <ref name=nature/>. | But the Whiptails are unique because they begin the process with two times as many chromosomes. Lutes, proved that these all-female whiptails have a slightly different type of meiosis. They double their chromosomes two times initially in the process, this results in the making of eight copies for each chromosome. In the normal two cycles of cell division, those copies are separated two each among the four daughter cells <ref name=YE/> <ref name=nature/>. | ||
She measured the amount of DNA in the egg cells of two closely related whiptails, just prior to the first cycle of meiosis. She discovered in this stage, the chromosomes of the asexual checkered whiptail (A. tesselatus) make up two times as much as the sexual Texan spotted whiptail (A. gularis), despite the fact that both types have similarly sized genes. Microscopically, Lutes counted two times the usual number of chromosomes in the egg cells of the checkered whiptails <ref name=YE/> <ref name=nature/>. | She measured the amount of DNA in the egg cells of two closely related whiptails, just prior to the first cycle of meiosis. She discovered in this stage, the chromosomes of the asexual checkered whiptail (''A. tesselatus'') make up two times as much as the sexual Texan spotted whiptail (''A. gularis''), despite the fact that both types have similarly sized genes. Microscopically, Lutes counted two times the usual number of chromosomes in the egg cells of the checkered whiptails <ref name=YE/> <ref name=nature/>. | ||
Surprisingly enough, possessing eight sets of chromosomes instead of four is an easier process; as they do not require a lot for this to occur. This is the result of two processes. First, a cell can double its DNA but fail to divide into two, or two cells can fuse together <ref name=YE/> <ref name=nature/>. | Surprisingly enough, possessing eight sets of chromosomes instead of four is an easier process; as they do not require a lot for this to occur. This is the result of two processes. First, a cell can double its DNA but fail to divide into two, or two cells can fuse together <ref name=YE/> <ref name=nature/>. | ||
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== Protection from Predators == | == Protection from Predators == | ||
The alertness, agility and speed of this lizard,help it outsmart predators such as roadrunners, thrashers, snakes ,and Gila monsters. These tiny sneaky lizards can sprint up to 15 miles per hour(as fast as a roadrunner). Whiptail lizards are known for escaping capture by sacrificing their tails. Their tail is designed, when grasped, to break off along a fracture plane in the vertebrae. The dismembered tail wriggles violently, which startles and distracts the predator while the lizard dashes to safety.<ref name=State_Symbols/> | The alertness, agility and speed of this lizard, help it outsmart predators such as roadrunners, thrashers, snakes ,and Gila monsters. These tiny sneaky lizards can sprint up to 15 miles per hour(as fast as a roadrunner). Whiptail lizards are known for escaping capture by sacrificing their tails. Their tail is designed, when grasped, to break off along a fracture plane in the vertebrae. The dismembered tail wriggles violently, which startles and distracts the predator while the lizard dashes to safety.<ref name=State_Symbols/> | ||
== Video == | == Video == | ||
{{#ev:youtube|PfvFk1bU4x4}} | {{#ev:youtube|PfvFk1bU4x4}} | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
