In a place that I frequently go to photograph wildlife I often see many lizards of the genus Sceleporus. Some have the classic markings of the Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus). (For a discussion of whether or not the Prairie Lizard is a distinct species or a subspecies of the Eastern Fence Lizard (Scelorporus undulates) see this old thread I started several years ago: Sceloporus undulatus consobrinus or Sceleporus consobrinus (Fence Lizard or Prairie Lizard)?). Some have the classic markings of the Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus). And some have the classic markings of the Plateau Fence Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus). However, many of them have markings that appear to be intermediate among the three species. Could these be hybrids and what I am observing is some sort of species complex involving the three species? All three species are known to inhabit this area. There have been documented cases of Sceloporus hybrids but not among these three species. The place where I see them is a wildlife sanctuary so I shouldn’t be collecting specimens for further examination.
I think the only reasonable answer to this is yes, they could be. Barring further exploration with genetic markers that’s likely as far you’re going to go. Note that paper seemed to disprove a putative hybrid juvenile based on morphology. Fence lizards are simultaneously unmistakable but just so freaking variable as individuals that I don’t think it is ever an easy task separating out edge cases in areas with multiple similar species. If gross morphology won’t easily do it, range doesn’t work and ecology/habit seems iffy, I think you just have to shrug and say ‘well, maybe.’
Dad collected them in college - he spent a couple summers doing this for his degree - so I asked him, and his vote is no, for what it’s worth.
His major professor - Hobart Smith - wrote a paper or article on Mexican sceloporuses, if you’re interested.