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We investigated the phylogenetic relationships of western North American side-blotched lizards, genusUta,using mitochondrial DNA partial gene sequences from cytochromeband ATPase 6.Uta stejnegeriappeared basal in our tree followed byU. palmeri. Uta stansburianafrom the islands of Angel de la Guarda, Mejia, and Raza formed the next clade, followed byU. antiquaand other populations ofU. stansburiana.These relationships suggest that the populations on the Angel de la Guarda island block should be recognized as a distinct species. Remaining populations ofU. stansburianaformed two clades, corresponding to the northern and southern Baja California peninsula.Uta stellataandU. squamataoccurred within the northern and southern clades, respectively. The discontinuity requires a long-lasting isolation, the only reasonable explanation being a former midpeninsular seaway. Correlations between our …