Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard (Uma inornata) Capture Data (2017 and 2018)

This dataset includes location, field measurements, and descriptions of 330 Uma inornata sampled for the research study entitled "Sampling Across 20 Years (1996-2017) Reveals Loss of Diversity and Genetic Connectivity in the Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard (Uma inornata)". Field sampling occurred between March and September of 2017 and between April and June of 2018. Lizards were located by visually searching dune habitat in all major populations. Sites included Windy Point, Willow Hole, Train Station, Whitewater, and the South Coachella Valley Preserve. In addition, satellite populations in the Indio Hills and individuals salvaged from Section 24 and translocated to Stebbin's Dune were also sampled. Lizards were captured by hand or noose. Each individual was weighed, snout-vent length was measured, and sex, breeding and other body conditions were noted. Individuals were photographed with a standard color palette against a standard black background board. Finally, a small tail-clip was taken and stored in 95 percent ethanol for future genetic analysis. Individuals were released at the point of capture, with the exception that those collected in Section 24 were moved to Stebbins Dune.

This data supports the following publication:
Vandergast, A.G., Wood, D.A., Fisher, M., Barrows, C., Mitelberg, A., and Smith, J.G., 2019, Sampling across 20 years (1996-2017) reveals loss of diversity and genetic connectivity in the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard (Uma inornata): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019-1105, 20 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191105.

As the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard is a federally listed species, location data are considered sensitive and have been removed from this dataset at the request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.