Sceloporus nelsoni, also known commonly as Nelson's lizard, Nelson's spiny lizard, and la espinosa de Nelson in Mexican Spanish, is a species of lizard in the subfamily Sceloporinae of the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is endemic to Mexico, and contains two recognized subspecies: Sceloporus nelsoni barrancarum and Sceloporus nelsoni nelsoni.
Etymology The specific name, nelsoni, is in honor of American ornithologist Edward William Nelson.
Geographic distribution Sceloporus nelsoni is endemic to Mexico, being distributed in western Mexico in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Its distribution extends from southern Sonora, southwestern Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and central Jalisco. The type locality of the subspecies S. n. barrancarum is in Urique, Chihuahua. The type locality of the subspecies S. n. nelsoni is in Plomosas, Sinaloa.
Habitat Sceloporus nelsoni occurs in habitats of lowlands with tropical deciduous and semi-deciduous forests on rocks, often being associated with rocky slopes.
Reproduction Sceloporus nelsoni is oviparous.
Subspecies The following two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. Sceloporus nelsoni barrancarum – northern Nelson's lizard, espinosa boreal de Nelson Sceloporus nelsoni nelsoni – southern Nelson's lizard, espinosa austral de Nelson
Conservation The IUCN Red List has assessed Seloporus nelsoni as "Least Concern" in 2007, due to its wide distribution, presumed large population, and lack of any known major threats. It also occurs in at least one protected area.
References
Further reading (Sceloporus nelsoni, new species). ("Sceloporus nelsoni barrancorum [sic]", new name).