Posted by Les4toads on May 14, 2003 at 10:43:19:
In Reply to: Question for Lester or Jeff posted by Jeff Judd on May 13, 2003 at 08:27:30:
::The hl just outside Ojai calif., is that a coastal? it's been 6-7 years, but when i was camping up in the mountains we saw several very orange animals that looked as if they may be integrade coastal/desert animals. I don't know if this happens with hls as it does with other herps, but they were big suckers!! Next question, I assume they are coastals, if so, can I go catch one with a cal. fishing license?
::Chuck
:
:Hey Chuck,
: From the location you describe they were more than likely coast horned lizards although I have been told deserts and coastals do hybridize. To collect any coastals you need a scientific collecting permit. For hybrids their aren't any restrictions as far as I know.Jeff
:Scientific collection permits are required for the Coast Horned Lizard and a Memorandom of Understanding with the Department of Fish and Game. The question of "hybrids" is not a legal way around the status issue. How and who is going to confirm the "hybrid" status? It takes DNA testing to determine "hybrid" status. Morphological variation maybe just that, genetic and geographic variation. Do "hybrids" of P. coronatum and P. platyrhinos occur? The answer is yes. Two of my study sites had "interbreed zones" cofirmed. Lester G. Milroy III
