UTA researchers begin quest for rare lizard

Team will determine if West Texas lizard is a new species worthy of conservation efforts

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University of Texas at Arlington

 

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In the Chinati Mountains of western Texas lives a rare lizard. Commonly known as Dixon’s whiptail, the fast-moving reptile measures about 8 to 12 inches in length, is gray in color with white or yellow stripes, is most active during the day, and survives on a diet of insects. It’s also extremely rare—in fact, it might be endangered.

 

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Credit: Photo courtesy Toby Hibbitts

In the Chinati Mountains of western Texas lives a rare lizard. Commonly known as Dixon’s whiptail, the fast-moving reptile measures about 8 to 12 inches in length, is gray in color with white or yellow stripes, is most active during the day, and survives on a diet of insects. It’s also extremely rare—in fact, it might be endangered.

The uncertainty over its status is due to the similarity between the Dixon’s whiptail and a slightly smaller and less rare reptile called the common checkered whiptail. Until now, researchers have been unable to tell if the animals are the same genetically, but that may soon change. A group of biologists from The University of Texas at Arlington has begun a project to sample the DNA of the two types of lizards. If they prove to be different species, then Dixon’s whiptail may be eligible for protections as an endangered species.

“Thanks to a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, we will be going to the mountains in far West Texas to capture and sample DNA from these critters,” said Corey Roelke, a professor of instruction in biology at UT Arlington. He and biology Professor Matthew Fujita are the lead investigators on the project. “It’s not easy to catch them. They’re all female, blend in well to their surroundings, and are very fast. We will rely on lizard lassos (basically fishing poles with tiny lassos on the top) and sticky traps to catch animals for sampling their DNA.”

Once the team obtains genetic samples of both Dixon’s whiptail and the common checkered whiptail, they will analyze them using a variety of genetic sequencing tools, including UT Arlington’s new next-generation genetic sequencer. The researchers will also compare these current samples to previously sequenced samples from these lizards to see if the animals are genetically the same.

“By examining thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms distributed across the genomes, we will be able to tell once and for all if Dixon’s whiptail is a different species,” said Roelke. “If it is distinct, then it is rarer than the common checkered whiptail and it will qualify for both state and federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.”

If the researchers do not find evidence that the two species are distinct, evidence from the project would be sufficient to lump both lizards under the same name.

“Although collecting the specimens is always a challenge, it will be exciting to be able to use modern genetic science to finally solve this mystery,” said Roelke.

The team plans to start their project in January 2025, with the goal of wrapping up their findings by the end of the year.

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of approximately 41,000 students, UT Arlington is the second-largest institution in the UT System. UTA’s combination of outstanding academics and innovative research contributes to its designation as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution, a significant milestone of excellence. The University is designated as a Hispanic Serving-Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and has earned the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to accelerating Latino student success. The University ranks as the No. 1 national public university in the U.S. for veterans (Military Times, 2024), No. 4 in Texas for advancing social mobility (U.S. News & World Report, 2025), and No. 6 in the United States for its undergraduate ethnic diversity (U.S. News & World Report, 2025). UT Arlington’s approximately 270,000 alumni occupy leadership positions at many of the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas and contribute to the University’s $28.8 billion annual economic impact on Texas.