The Western skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus) is a relatively common and widespread lizard in Southern California. It is more secretive and prefers more grassy habitat than the Western fence lizard or the side-blotched lizard, yet USGS and National Park Service biologists are finding signs of genetic isolation in all these species.
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) images.
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Western Skink
The Western skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus) is a relatively common and widespread lizard in Southern California. It is more secretive and prefers more grassy habitat than the Western fence lizard or the side-blotched lizard, yet USGS and National Park Service biologists are finding signs of genetic isolation in all these species.
Closed lodgepole pinecone
A closed lodgepole pinecone on a tree in the Sierra Nevada.
A closed lodgepole pinecone on a tree in the Sierra Nevada.
Lodgepole pine cone in the Sierra
Open lodgepole pine cone in the Sierra
Open lodgepole pine cone in the Sierra
Lodgepole pines on the edge of a mountain meadow
Lodgepole pines on the edge of a mountain meadow
Juvenile Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
Juvenile mountain yellow-legged frog in San Bernardino County, California.
Juvenile mountain yellow-legged frog in San Bernardino County, California.
Releasing Endangered Tadpoles into Stream
USGS scientist, Adam Backlins, prepares to make the first-ever release of endangered mountain yellow-legged frog tadpoles into a mountain stream.
USGS scientist, Adam Backlins, prepares to make the first-ever release of endangered mountain yellow-legged frog tadpoles into a mountain stream.
Whitebark stands at Evelyn Lake
Whitebark stands at Evelyn Lake
Forster's Tern Chick With Two Eggs
A Forster's tern chick next to eggs near San Francisco Bay.
A Forster's tern chick next to eggs near San Francisco Bay.
Forster's Tern Chick With Eggs
A Forster's tern chick with eggs near San Francisco Bay.
A Forster's tern chick with eggs near San Francisco Bay.
Forster's Tern Chick With Egg
A Forster's tern chick near an egg near San Francisco Bay.
A Forster's tern chick near an egg near San Francisco Bay.
Forster's Tern Chick With Egg
A Forster's tern nest with eggs near San Francisco Bay.
A Forster's tern nest with eggs near San Francisco Bay.
Conservation Canine alerts his handler that Pacific pocket mouse scent
Conservation Canine alerts his handler that Pacific pocket mouse scentConservation Canine alerts his handler that Pacific pocket mouse scent
Conservation Canine alerts his handler that Pacific pocket mouse scent
Conservation Canine alerts his handler that Pacific pocket mouse scentConservation Canine alerts his handler that Pacific pocket mouse scent
Annie Schultz and Kathy Baumberger Process Forster's Terns Chicks
Annie Schultz and Kathy Baumberger Process Forster's Terns ChicksScientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Annie Schultz and Kathy Baumberger Process Forster's Terns Chicks
Annie Schultz and Kathy Baumberger Process Forster's Terns ChicksScientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Sampling Forster’s Tern Chicks for Avian Influenza Study
Sampling Forster’s Tern Chicks for Avian Influenza StudyScientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Sampling Forster’s Tern Chicks for Avian Influenza Study
Sampling Forster’s Tern Chicks for Avian Influenza StudyScientists sampling Forster's Tern chicks for avain influenza during salt pond restoration work in south San Francisco Bay salt ponds.
Scientist Prepares to Release Forster’s Tern Chicks
Scientist Prepares to Release Forster’s Tern ChicksScientist prepares to release Forster's Tern chicks.
Scientist Prepares to Release Forster’s Tern Chicks
Scientist Prepares to Release Forster’s Tern ChicksScientist prepares to release Forster's Tern chicks.
Scientists Collect Forster's Tern Chicks.
Scientists heading out to collect Forster's Tern chicks.
Scientists heading out to collect Forster's Tern chicks.
Releasing Forster’s Tern Chicks after Sampling for Avian Flu
Releasing Forster’s Tern Chicks after Sampling for Avian FluScientists prepare to release Forster's Tern chicks following sampling for avian influenza study.
Releasing Forster’s Tern Chicks after Sampling for Avian Flu
Releasing Forster’s Tern Chicks after Sampling for Avian FluScientists prepare to release Forster's Tern chicks following sampling for avian influenza study.
Lodgepole pine in a mountain meadow
Lodgepole pine in a mountain meadow
USGS scientist collecting water samples from an amphibian monitoring
USGS scientist collecting water samples from an amphibian monitoringUSGS scientist collecting water samples from an amphibian monitoring site in Livermore, California.
USGS scientist collecting water samples from an amphibian monitoring
USGS scientist collecting water samples from an amphibian monitoringUSGS scientist collecting water samples from an amphibian monitoring site in Livermore, California.
Pacific pocket mouse in Sherman trap
Pacific pocket mouse in Sherman trap
Pacific pocket mouse
Pacific pocket mouse