Reptiles of the mesquite grasslands of southwest Oklahoma

Abstract

Scope of Study: This is a distributional study of reptiles in the mesquite grasslands district of extreme southwestern Oklahoma. Field studies, museum records, and literature update the distribution of species known from the area. It also considers the possibility of other species, fauna] relationships, barriers, significant records, and venomous species.

Findings and Conclusions: Thirty-nine species of reptiles are known from the mesquite grassland. Five turtles, nine lizards, and twenty-five snakes have been recorded from the area. This is a transitional faunal region with the majority of the reptiles having western faunal relationships. Of 39 species, 14 (36%) have eastern fauna] affinities and 25 (64%) have western fauna] affinities. Twelve or more reptiles could be added to a list of species possibly occurring. Specimens collected during field study verify 10 new county records for the area. Specimens representing six additional county records were observed, but specimens were not collected. The Red River and a less defined ecological barrier function to separate reptiles north and south of the Red River. Three rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox, Crotalus viridis viridis, and Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus) are the only dangerously venomous reptiles.