[Herpetology • 2024] Diploderma daduense • A New Species of Diploderma (Squamata: Agamidae) from the Valley of Dadu River in Sichuan Province, with a Redescription of Topotypes of D. splendidum from Hubei Province, China

 Diploderma daduense Cai, Liu & Chang,  

in Cai, Liu, Liang, Hou, Zhou, Zhong, Li et Chang, 2024. 

Dadu Mountain Lizard | 大渡攀蜥  ||  DOI: 10.3390/ani14091344  

Abstract

This study describes a novel species of Diploderma (Squamata, Agamidae) from the lower valley of the Dadu River of the Sichuan Province of Western China based on its distinct morphological features and molecular evidence. D. daduense sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by its tympanum concealed; head mainly green-yellow, supplemented by black; skin folds under the nuchal and dorsal crest obviously present in adult males only, its vertebral crest discontinuous between nuchal and dorsal sections with a distinct gap; transverse gular fold present but not obvious in some individuals; gular spot absent in both sexes; dorsolateral stripes green-yellow anteriorly, cyan in the center and blurry off-white posteriorly in adult males, the upper edge of dorsolateral stripes strongly jagged in adult males; no radial stripes around the eyes; inner-lip coloration smoky-white, and the coloration of the tongue and oral cavity as a light-flesh color in life; bright green-yellow transverse stripes on dorsal body in males; black patches are evenly distributed along the vertebral line between the dorsolateral stripes from the neck to the base of the tail in males; beech-brown or gray-brown line along the vertebral line with heart-shaped or diamond-shaped black patches on the dorsal body in females; and supratemporals fewer than four on at least one side. The phylogenetic tree based on mitochondrial ND2 sequences indicates that D. daduense sp. nov. forms an independent clade with strong support 1/100 in ML bootstrap/Bayesian posterior probability and is the sister group to D. splendidum. At the inter-species level, the p-distance is at least 6.95%, further confirming that an independent species had been identified. Our work raises the number of species within the genus Diploderma to 47.

Keywords: Eastern Tibetan Plateau; Hengduan Mountain Region; Xiling Gorge; Ichang City; dry valley

 Types of Diploderma daduense sp. nov. in life.
Holotype CIB119354 (male) lateral view (A), dorsal view (B), and ventral view (C);
allotype YBU−GP9889 (female) lateral view (D), dorsal view (E);
 habitats of new species (F).

  Diploderma daduense sp. nov. Cai, Liu, and Chang 

Diagnosis. Diploderma daduense sp. nov. can be diagnosed from other Diploderma species by the following unique combination of characters: (1) body size large, SVL 74.7–95.0 (average 86.5) mm in adult males, 52.6–80.2 (average 70.5) mm in adult females; (2) head relatively larger, HW/HL 0.61–0.79 (average 0.80) in adult males, 0.60–0.67 (average 0.64) in adult females; (3) finger IV subdigital lamellae 17–23 (average 19.2), toe IV subdigital lamellae 21–31 (average 25.3); (4) tympanum concealed; (5) head mainly green-yellow, supplemented by black; (6) skin folds under nuchal and dorsal crest obviously present in adult males only, vertebral crest discontinuous between nuchal and dorsal sections with a distinct gap; (7) transverse gular fold present but not ... 

Etymology. The Latin specific epithet daduense is derived from the Dadu River, where the new species was discovered. The genus Diploderma is Greek neuter, and that -ense of this new species name is the Latin neuter combinatorial suffix denoting “pertaining to” or “originating in”. And we suggest Dadu Mountain Lizard as its English common name and 大渡攀蜥 (Chinese phonetic alphabet: dà dù pān xī) as its Chinese common name. 

Bo Cai, Fengjing Liu, Dong Liang, Mian Hou, Huaming Zhou, Jiayun Zhong, Jing Li and Jiang Chang. 2024. A New Species of Diploderma (Squamata, Agamidae) from the Valley of Dadu River in Sichuan Province, with a Redescription of Topotypes of D. splendidum from Hubei Province, China. Animals. 14(9), 1344; DOI: 10.3390/ani14091344  

 

Simple Summary: The genus Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Squamata, Agamidae), currently consists of 46 species, which are distributed across East Asia (inclusive of Japan) and the northern part of the Indochinese Peninsula, primarily inhabiting dry valley regions in Western China. This article introduces a novel species of Diploderma based on its unique morphological features and molecular evidence, discovered in the lower valley of the Dadu River in Sichuan Province, Western China. Phylogenetic analysis using ND2 data suggests that this new taxon is distinct from its congeners. Morphologically, the new species can be differentiated from other Diploderma species by an assemblage of 46 specific characteristics. Principal component analysis (PCA) further demonstrates that this new species is clearly distinguishable from its closest relative, D. splendidum. Given these multiple lines of evidence, we describe this species from the lower Dadu River valley as a newly identified species, D. daduense sp. nov. This discovery brings the total number of recognized species within the genus Diploderma to 47.

[Herpetology • 2024] Phrynocephalus kangsuensis • Species Divergence in Valleys: the Phylogeny of Phrynocephalus forsythii complex (Squamata: Agamidae) and Description of A New Species

Phrynocephalus kangsuensis

Liang & Shi, 2024

  

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17175

Abstract 

Background: Geographic isolation caused by high-altitude valleys promotes the formation of geographic segregation of species, leading to species differentiation. The subgenus Oreosaura contains viviparous species from the Tibetan Plateau and the vicinity of the Tarim Basin, which can be divided into three species complexes according to their geographical distribution: Phrynocephalus vlangalii, Phrynocephalus theobaldi, and Phrynocephalus forsythii. However, molecular data for the P. forsythii complex are limited and the diversity of this species complex has been greatly underestimated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the species diversity of Oreosaura and species differentiation within the P. forsythii complex.

Methods: We analysed the species diversity of Oreosaura by combining previous data, constructed a phylogenetic tree of the subgenus based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S sequences, and estimated the divergence time.

Results: The results suggest significant genetic differences between the Tarim Basin populations and adjacent mountain valley populations of the P. forsythii complex and that the combination of deep valley landscapes in the high mountains and ice-age events have contributed to the differentiation of the viviparous toad-headed agama lizard, which is a key factor in the phylogenetics of the P. forsythii complex. Furthermore, we identified a population collected from Wuqia County, Xinjiang, as a new species, Phrynocephalus kangsuensis sp. nov. The results will provide data for phylogenetic studies following the P. forsythii complex and help demonstrate that valleys promote the formation of Phrynocephalus species.

Pictures of Phrynocephalus kangsuensis sp. nov.
CX09246 and CX09247.

Phrynocephalus kangsuensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: No axillary spots, two nasal scales, upper nasal scale bulging, nostril opening between two nasal scales; three inter-nasal scales, middle one largest, and bulging. Five to seven pairs of orange-red spots along the centre of the dorsal spine and a distinct orange-red spot on the dorsal surface of the caudal base. Dark transverse stripes on the dorsal surface of the tail, white ventral surface of the tail, and black tip.

Qianru Liang and Lei Shi​. 2024. Species Divergence in Valleys: the Phylogeny of Phrynocephalus forsythii complex and Description of A New Species. PeerJ. 12:e17175. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17175

 

[Herpetology • 2024] Enyalioides cyanocephalus & E. dickinsoni • Two New Species of Wood Lizards (Iguania: Hoplocercidae: Enyalioides) from Cordillera de Colán in north-eastern Peru

Enyalioides cyanocephalus
Enyalioides dickinsoni

Venegas, García-Ayachi, Chávez-Arribasplata, Marchelie, Bullard, Quispe, Valencia, Odar & Torres-Carvajal, 2024

DOI: 10.25225/jvb.23074 

  Researchgate.net/publication/377844225

 

Abstract

Based on morphological features, genetic distances, and phylogenetic relationships, we report the discovery of two new species of Enyalioides from the montane forest of Cordillera de Colán in northern Peru. The first new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: scales immediately posterior to superciliaries on lateral edge of skull conical, slightly higher than adjacent scales; gular scales heterogeneous in size; scales on neck mostly large and conical; dorsal scales between dorsolateral crests covered by large, keeled, mucronate scales; scales on flanks tiny, tuberculate or granular, with scattered enlarged conical or tuberculate scales; ventral scales keeled or feebly keeled; caudal scales heterogeneous, increasing in size posteriorly on each segment; and marked sexual dichromatism. Among other features, the second new species differs from other Enyalioides in having a distinctively low vertebral crest; scales immediately posterior to superciliaries on lateral edge of skull barely projected and similar in height to adjacent scales; 56-71 vertebral scales from occiput to base of tail; dorsal scales feebly keeled and heterogeneous in size; ventral scales keeled; and caudal scales heterogeneous, increasing in size posteriorly on each segment. In addition, we present an updated identification key for species of Hoplocercinae.

KEYWORDS: Andes, Enyalioides anisolepis, Huancabamba Depression, Lizards, River Marañón, Peruvian Yungas, systematics

Male specimens of Enyalioides cyanocephalus sp. nov.:
(A-C) adult male holotype CORBIDI 20781, SVL = 121 mm;
(D) adult male CORBIDI 22501, SVL = 106 mm; (E-G) adult male CORBIDI 22499, SVL = 114 mm; (H-I) adult male CORBIDI 22500, SVL = 100 mm;
and (J-L) juvenile male CORBIDI 22497, SVL = 65 mm

 (photo Axel Marchelie).

Enyalioides cyanocephalus sp. nov.

Proposed common name in English: blue-headed wood lizards

Proposed common name in Spanish: lagartijas de palo de cabeza azul

Diagnosis: Enyalioides cyanocephalus can be distinguished from other species of Enyalioides, except its sister species E. anisolepis Torres-Carvajal, Venegas & de Queiroz, 2015 (Torres-Carvajal et al. 2023), by the combination of the following characters: 1) scales immediately posterior to superciliaries, on the lateral edge of skull, conical, slightly higher than adjacent scales; 2) gular scales heterogeneous in size; 3) scales on neck conical dorsally and conspicuously larger than the granular scales on the sides; 4) dorsal scales between dorsolateral crests covered by strongly carinate projected scales surrounded by tiny granular scales; 5) scales on flanks tiny, tuberculate or granular, with scattered enlarged conical or tuberculate scales; 6) ventral scales keeled or feebly keeled; 7) tail laterally compressed; 8) caudal scales heterogeneous, increasing in size posteriorly on each segment; 9) venter immaculate in adult males; and 10) marked sexual dichromatism with background dorsal colouration green in males (Fig. 1) and brown or greenish brown in females (Fig. 2).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Greek words ‘kyanos’, an adjective meaning blue, and ‘cephalus’, a noun meaning head. This specific name is used as a noun in apposition and refers to the bluish head of the holotype specimen. Although only two adult males in the type series possessed a distinctive bluish head, the males of this species are commonly known by the local people in Cordillera de Colán as blue-headed chameleon, which leads us to think that males of E. cyanocephalus with bluish heads are not uncommon.

Two adult male specimens of Enyalioides dickinsoni sp. n.:
(A-C) holotype CORBIDI 21351, SVL = 113 mm; (D-F) CORBIDI 21703, SVL = 92 mm

(photo Axel Marchelie).

Enyalioides dickinsoni sp. nov.  

 

Proposed common name in English: Dickinson's wood lizards 

Proposed common name in Spanish: lagartijas de palo de Dickinson

 

Diagnosis: Enyalioides dickinsoni can be distinguished from all known species of Enyalioides, except E. azulae, by the combination of the following characters: 1) a distinctively low vertebral crest, with the crest on neck at most twice as high as the crest between hind limbs; 2) scales immediately posterior to superciliaries on lateral edge of skull barely projected and similar in height to adjacent scales; 3) 56-71 vertebral scales from occiput to base of tail; 4) dorsal scales feebly keeled and heterogeneous in size; 5) ventral scales keeled; 6) tail circular in cross-section; and 7) caudal scales heterogeneous, increasing in size posteriorly on each segment.

Etymology: The specific name is a noun in the genitive form and is a patronym honouring Paul Bruce Dickinson (born 7 August 1958), who is best known as the lead singer of the legendary heavy metal band Iron Maiden, though he is also a music producer, entrepreneur, competitive fencer, novelist, aviator, broadcaster and the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards. In 2016, he flew a loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, that washed up on a Jersey beach to the Canary Islands in his private plane, thus contributing to the awareness and protection of this vulnerable species. We also highlight that Iron Maiden is a popular band among taxonomists and museum curators who appreciate rock music.

 

Pablo J. Venegas, Luis A. García-Ayachi, Juan C. Chávez-Arribasplata, Axel Marchelie, Santiago Bullard, Eduardo Quispe, Juan D. Valencia, Jasmín Odar and Omar Torres-Carvajal. 2024. Two New Species of Wood Lizards (Hoplocercinae: Enyalioides) from Cordillera de Colán in north-eastern Peru. J. of Vertebrate Biology, 73(23074); 1-17. DOI: 10.25225/jvb.23074  

 Researchgate.net/publication/377844225_Two_new_species_Enyalioides_from_Cordillera_de_Colan_in_north-eastern_Peru

  facebook.com/100064548225275/posts/798799382281662

[Herpetology • 2023] Tropidurus madeiramamore • A highly polymorphic South American Collared Lizard (Tropiduridae: Tropidurus) reveals that Open–dry Refugia from South-western Amazonia staged Allopatric Speciation

 

[A-E] Tropidurus madeiramamore 

 Carvalho, Paredero, Villalobos-Chaves, Ferreira, Rodrigues & Curcio, 2023

[F] T. oreadicus

 DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad138 

  Researchgate.net/publication/375525630

Abstract

Research on Pleistocene Amazonian refugia has predominantly targeted forest-dwelling taxa, although evidence suggests that endemic species have also evolved in peripheral Amazonian enclaves of open–dry habitats. In Rondônia, Brazil, Tropidurus lizards are restricted to savannah relicts that were once connected to the core Cerrado biome. These populations are currently allocated under Tropidurus oreadicus but hypothesized to comprise allopatric species that evolved in response to landscape changes induced by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of populations from savannah enclaves from Rondônia but place them as distantly related to T. oreadicus. We describe these populations as a new species with unprecedented levels of chromatic polymorphism. A pre-Pleistocene origin is inferred for this new taxon, and dating analysis indicates that Tropidurus species endemic to savannah enclaves diverged from relatives distributed in core open–dry biomes in a non-temporally overlapping fashion. Species distribution models estimate vast climatically suitable areas for the new species during the Last Interglacial, followed by significant contraction during the Last Glacial Maximum, and subsequent expansion and northward displacement towards the Holocene and the present. We conclude that landscape transformations played an important role in the evolution of lizards from enclaves, but their speciation history is temporally deeper than previously thought.

Cerrado, chromatic polymorphism, endemism, lizards, new species, Pleistocene glaciations, Rondônia, savannah enclaves, Tropidurus torquatus species group

Tropidurus madeiramamore and Tropidurus oreadicus in life.
A, B, general and ventral views of the holotype of T. madeiramamore (MZUSP 107155). C, D, general and ventral views of the allotype of T. madeiramamore (MZUSP 107158). E, juvenile of T. madeiramamore (MZUSP 107267) from the margin of the Madeira River near the Museu da Estrada de Ferro Madeira-Mamoré (EFMM), Porto Velho.
F, general view of a topotype of T. oreadicus (MTR 33325) from Primeira Cachoeira do Rio Urucuia, Buritis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Photograph F is by courtesy of M. A. Sena. 

Tropidurus madeiramamore

André L. G. Carvalho, Rafael C. B. Paredero, David Villalobos-Chaves, Elaine Ferreira, Miguel T. Rodrigues and Felipe F. Curcio. 2023. A highly polymorphic South American Collared Lizard (Tropiduridae: Tropidurus) reveals that Open–dry Refugia from South-western Amazonia staged Allopatric Speciation. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlad138. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad138 

  Researchgate.net/publication/375525630_A_highly_polymorphic_Tropidurus_from_SW_Amazonia

[Herpetology • 2023] Liolaemus kulinko • A New Species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the hot deserts of northern Patagonia, Argentina

 Liolaemus kulinko 

Abdala, Chafrat, Chaparro, Procheret, Valdes, Lannutti, Perez & Quinteros, 2023

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.890.2257

ABSTRACT

A new species of Liolaemus is described from southwest of the town of Añelo, Neuquén Province, Argentina. Integrative evidence methodology of external morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (cyt-b) is used to place the new species to the species group of Liolaemus boulengeri. The new species is phenotypically close to L. mapuche. The new Liolaemus is medium to large in size (males 77.64–83.98 mm, females 72.88–78.58 mm), with evident sexual dichromatism. Genetic distances of the mtDNA (cyt-b) between the new species and its closest relative species are greater than 3% (L. cuyanus 7.48–12.02%; L. josei 7.56–9.60%; L. puelche 8.23–9.93%; L. mapuche 8.51–9.79%). Molecular and morphological phylogenetic results show L. mapuche as the sister species of the new one. The new species is larger than L. mapuche. Dorsal and ventral scales are more numerous in the new species than in L. mapuche, precloacal pores in females are present in L. mapuche and absent in the new species. It has strict psammophilic habits, using sand mounds and sheltering, under Alpataco (Neltuma alpataco) bushes. The L. boulengeri group now contains 75 species distributed in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

 

Keywords: Boulengeri group, Liolaemus, Neuquén, Phylogeny, Taxonomy

Details of Liolaemus kulinko sp. nov., holotype (MPCN-H-469) (SVL 79.93 mm, tail 112.35 mm).
A,  C.  Dorsal  and  ventral  views  of  the  body.  B,  E–F.  Lateral,  ventral  and  dorsal  views  of  the  head.  D.  Ventral view of precloacal pores.

Photographs: P. Chafrat

 

Liolaemus kulinko sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Liolaemus kulinko sp. nov. belongs to the section of Liolaemus montanus Koslowsky, 1898 of the Liolaemus boulengeri group (Abdala 2007; Abdala et al. 2021c) because it has a patch of enlarged scales on the posterior aspect of the thigh (Etheridge 1995; Abdala 2007) (Fig. 1D). Within the group of L. boulengeri it belongs to the clade of L. melanops, subclade of L. goetschi, and L. cuyanus complex because it has light blue scales on the flanks of the body and tail, a black margin on the posterior border of the paravertebral spots, four to six scales in contact with mental scale (Fig. 1E), presence of a melanic gular ring, evident scapular spots, and the same body shape and similar lepidosis (Abdala 2007; Abdala et al. 2012b, 2021c). It differs from the species of the clades of L. anomalus and L. darwinii by having posterior teeth with crowns of expanded edges and four to six scales in contact with mental scale. It also differs from the species of the clade L. anomalus (Abdala & Juárez Heredia, 2013) (Liolaemus acostai Abdala & Juárez-Heredia, 2013, L. anomalus, L. ditatadi Cei, 1983, L. lentus Gallardo, 1966, L. millcayac Abdala & Juárez-Heredia, 2013, L. pipanaco Abdala & Juárez-Heredia, 2013 and L. pseudoanomalus Cei, 1981) by having less developed palpebral strap or ‘comb’, males with a greater number of precloacal pores, a greater relationship between snout–vent length (SVL) and the tail length (TL). ...

  

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘kulinko’ means ‘aguada’ in the language of the Mapuche, a group of indigenous inhabitants of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina, including parts of Patagonia, and refers to the place where the species lives, “Aguada Pichana”.

Cristian S. Abdala, Pablo Anselmo Chafrat, Juan C. Chaparro, Iván Ezequiel Procheret, Julián Valdes, Vanina Lannutti, Laura Perez and Sebastián Quinteros. 2023. A New Species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the hot deserts of northern Patagonia, Argentina. European Journal of Taxonomy. 890(1), 136–164. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.890.2257

[Herpetology • 2023] Liolaemus attenboroughi • A New Lizard Species of the Liolaemus kingii group (Squamata: Liolaemidae) from northwestern Chubut Province, Argentina

Liolaemus attenboroughi 

Sánchez, Morando & Avila, 2023

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5264.2.5

 twitter.com/Kevin_I_Sanchez

Abstract

We describe Liolaemus attenboroughi sp. nov., a lizard distributed in the northwestern Patagonian Steppe of Chubut province (Argentina) previously confused with L. kingii (Bell 1843). Recent studies based on molecular evidence supports its evolutionary independence. Here we provide a morphological diagnosis of this lineage, comparisons between three molecular species delimitation methods, and an updated phylogeny of the L. kingii group. Based on current knowledge of its distribution, this new species is allopatric with geographically close species of the L. kingii group.

Keywords: Reptilia, Patagonia, Liolaemus attenboroughi sp. nov., Integrative Taxonomy,

Kevin I. Sánchez, Mariana Morando and Luciano J. Avila. 2023. A New Lizard Species of the Liolaemus kingii group (Squamata: Liolaemidae) from northwestern Chubut Province (Argentina). Zootaxa. 5264(2); 235-255. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5264.2.5

 twitter.com/Kevin_I_Sanchez/status/1647435087074435073

[Herpetology • 2020] Stenocercus diploauris & S. nigrobarbatus • Two New Sympatric Species of Stenocercus (Iguania: Tropiduridae) from the inter-Andean Valley of the Mantaro River, Peru

Stenocercus nigrobarbatus

Venegas, Echevarría, García-Ayachi & Landauro, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4858.4.5

 twitter.com/herps_peru

Abstract

We describe two new sympatric species of Stenocercus from the seasonally dry forest of the inter-Andean valley of the Mantaro River (Huancavelica department) in the Central Andes of central-southern Peru, at elevations of 1,693 to 2,920 m asl. Stenocercus diploauris sp. nov. is similar to S. formosus and S. ochoai, but differs in having a longitudinal neck fold and C-shaped nuchal mite pocket around the oblique fold and posteriorly limited by the antehumeral fold. Stenocercus nigrobarbatus sp. nov. is similar to S. frittsi and S. variabilis, however it can be distinguished by having a postfemoral mite pocket with one or more vertical folds or ridges and by the presence, in adult males, of a continuous black patch covering the infralabials, throat, chest, ventral surfaces of forelimbs, belly (as a midventral line), ventral surfaces of hind limbs, and pelvic region.

Keywords: Reptilia, Andes, Huancavelica department, lizard, mite pocket, morphology, seasonally dry forest

 

Pablo J. Venegas, Lourdes Y. Echevarría, Luis A. García-Ayachi and Caroll Z. Landauro. 2020. Two New Sympatric Species of Stenocercus (Squamata: Iguania) from the inter-Andean Valley of the Mantaro River, Peru. Zootaxa. 4858(4); 555–575. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4858.4.5

 twitter.com/herps_peru/status/1311844143673618432

 Researchgate.net/publication/346049580_Two_new_species_of_Stenocercus_from_the_inter-Andean_valley_Mantaro_River_Peru

[Herpetology • 2022] Stenocercus asenlignus, S. qalaywasi, etc. • Four New Species of Polychromatic Spiny-tailed Iguanian Lizards, Genus Stenocercus (Iguania: Tropiduridae), from Peru

Venegas, García-Ayachi, Chávez-Arribasplata & García-Bravo, 2022

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5115.1.1 

 facebook.com/114920030060835 

 Researchgate.net/publication/359173638

 

 

Abstract

The tropical Andes Mountains exhibit high levels of endemism and spatial turnover in the distribution of species. The lizard genus Stenocercus Duméril & Bibron, 1837, contains 76 species and most of them occur in the tropical Andes, reaching elevations up to 4,000 m. We describe four new species of Stenocercus based on the examination of newly collected material from the Amazonian slopes of the Peruvian Andes. Stenocercus asenlignus sp. nov. inhabits the premontane forest of northern and central Peru, departments of Amazonas, San Martín and Huánuco, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,036 m, in the basins of the Mayo, Huayabamba, and Huallaga rivers. Stenocercus leybachi sp. nov. inhabits the premontane forest of the upper Huallaga River, Huánuco department in central Peru, at elevations between 824 and 1,270 m. Stenocercus qalaywasi sp. nov. was collected in a small village at the headwaters of the Mantaro River, Junín department in central Peru, at an elevation of 2,587 m. Finally, S. nigrocaudatus sp. nov. inhabits the montane forest from extreme northern Peru, Cajamarca department, at elevations of 1,700 and 1,892 m. These species are characterized by having granular scales on the posterior surface of the thighs, relatively short tail, caudals spinose, two caudal whorls per autotomic segment, and the ability to change coloration from green to brown or gray; they differ from other species of Stenocercus in scutellation features and color pattern.

Keywords: Reptilia, Andes, arboreal, camouflage, caudal whorl, ecoregion, Peruvian Yungas, thermoregulation 

Pablo J. Venegas, Luis A. García-Ayachi, Juan C. Chávez-Arribasplata, and Antonio García-Bravo. 2022. Four New Species of Polychromatic Spiny-tailed Iguanian lizards, genus Stenocercus (Iguania: Tropiduridae), from Peru. Zootaxa. 5115(1); 1-28. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5115.1.1

 facebook.com/114920030060835/posts/530129075206593

  Researchgate.net/publication/359173638_Four_new_species_of_Stenocercus_from_Peru

[Herpetology • 2021] Liolaemus warjantay • A New Species of Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) from the Reserva Paisajística Subcuenca del Cotahuasi, southwestern Peru

Liolaemus warjantay  

Ubalde-Mamani, Gutiérrez, Chaparro, Aguilar-Kirigin, Cerdeña, Huanca-Mamani, Cárdenas-Ninasivincha, Lazo-Rivera &  Abdala, 2021

Abstract

The diversity of reptiles in the Andes of southwestern Peru is poorly documented. Despite the fact that studies on saurians have intensifed in recent years, mainly in the genus Liolaemus, information gaps on the biodiversity of this area remain. Such is the case of the Reserva Paisajística Subcuenca del Cotahuasi (RPSCC), Department of Arequipa, where populations of an undescribed species of the genus Liolaemus have been discovered recently. These individuals have morphological and molecular characteristics that are not assignable to any of the known species. Here, we describe this new species of Liolaemus, which inhabits the dry Puna of the RPSCC above 4,500 m asl. The combination of morphological and molecular characters differentiates this new species from its closest congeners. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species is part of the L. montanus group and is grouped in a clade alongside L. qalaywa, recently described from a site 133 km northwest of the type locality of this new species. 

Keywords. Andes, Arequipa, dry Puna, protected area, Reptilia, systematics, taxonomy 

Adult males of Liolaemus warjantay sp. nov. in dorsal, lateral, and ventral views:
(A–C) MUSA 5695 (SVL = 88.18 mm);
(D–F) MUSA 5700 (SVL = 89.56 mm, Tail = 123.3 mm);
(G–I) MUSA 5702 (SVL = 86.21 mm, Tail = 123.56 mm);
(J–L) MUBI 17684 (SVL = 86.21 mm, Tail = 123.56 mm);
(M–O) MUSA 5702 (SVL = 84.89 mm, Tail = 117.47 mm).

  Adult females of Liolaemus warjantay sp. nov. in dorsal, lateral, and ventral views:
(A–C) MUSA 5699 (SVL = 70.63 mm, Tail = 99.61 mm);
(D–F) MUSA 5696 (SVL = 88.14 mm);
(G–I) MUSA 5694 (SVL = 85.84 mm, Tail = 118.33 mm);
(J–L) MUBI 17683 (SVL = 92.31 mm, Tail = 107.14 mm).

Liolaemus warjantay sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name in the Quechua language (“warjantay”) refers to the local name in RPSCC and its surroundings assigned to the high Andean lizards of the genus Liolaemus.

 

Misshell D. Ubalde-Mamani, Roberto C. Gutiérrez, Juan C. Chaparro,Alvaro J. Aguilar-Kirigin, José Cerdeña, Wilson Huanca-Mamani, Stefanny Cárdenas-Ninasivincha, Ana Lazo-Rivera, and Cristian S. Abdala. 2021. A New Species of Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) from the Reserva Paisajística Subcuenca del Cotahuasi, southwestern Peru. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 15(2) [Taxonomy Section]: 172–197 (e287). 

http://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_15_no_2/ARC_15_2_[Taxonomy_Section]_172-197_e287.pdf

Resumen.— La diversidad de reptiles en los Andes del suroeste de Perú está poco documentada, a pesar que en los últimos años se han intensifcado los estudios en saurios, principalmente con el género Liolaemus, aún existen vacíos de información sobre la biodiversidad en esta área. Es el caso de la Reserva Paisajística Sub Cuenca del Cotahuasi (RPSCC), en el departamento de Arequipa, donde poblaciones de una especie no descrita del género Liolaemus, con características morfológicas y moleculares que no son asignables a ninguna de las especies conocidas. A continuación, describimos esta nueva especie de Liolaemus, que habita la Puna seca del RPSCC, por encima de los 4.500 m snm. La combinación de caracteres morfológicos y moleculares lo diferencia de sus congéneres más cercanos. Además, los análisis flogenéticos indican que la nueva especie es parte del grupo L. montanus y está agrupada en un clado junto a L. qalaywa, una especie recientemente descrita, ubicada a 133 km al noroeste de la localidad tipo de la nueva especie. 

Palabras clave. Andes, Arequipa, Área protegida, Puna seca, reptiles, sistemática, taxonomía 

[Herpetology • 2021] Stenocercus ica • A New Species of the Genus Stenocercus (Iguania: Tropiduridae) from the Peruvian Pacific Coast (Ica Region)

Stenocercus ica 

Mendoza, Ramírez, Barrera & Aguilar-Puntriano, 2021

SALAMANDRA. 57(1);

Photos by A. Mendoza.

Abstract

 A new species of the genus Stenocercus is described from the Peruvian coastal desert in the Ica region. The new species is similar in ecology and morphology to Stenocercus modestus, but differs from it in lacking an oblique neck fold, a distinct patch of small scales posterior to the lateral region of the neck, and bright yellow lateral dots on the head and body in males. The new species also has more subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe than S. modestus, and females exhibit a wide dark stripe between the subocular and antehumeral regions, as well as dark reticulations in the gular region. Distribution models of the new species and S. modestus suggest no geographical overlap. In conclusion, morphology and species distribution models strongly imply the new Stenocercus species to be an undescribed lineage and different from all other species of the genus. This new species is the most southerly distributed Stenocercus in the Pacific coastal desert of Peru thus far. We propose the new species be classified as ‘Endangered’ based on its area of occupancy and threat-defined locations. 

Key words. Squamata, new species, coastal desert, distribution model, taxonomy. 

 Coloration in life of Stenocercus ica sp. n.:
dorsolateral view of adult male holotype (MUSM 40418);
dorsolateral view of adult female paratype (MUSM 40415).

Photos by A. Mendoza.

 Stenocercus ica sp. n.
Adult male (MUSM 39364, SVL 81.5 mm) from Arrabales (Ica region).

Photos by A. Mendoza.

Stenocercus ica sp. n.

Diagnosis: (1) Maximum SVL in males 81.5 mm (N = 5); (2)  maximum SVL in females 62.3 mm (N = 4); (3) vertebrals 44–48 (N = 11); (4) paravertebrals 44–48 (N = 11); (5) scales around midbody 35–38 (N = 11); (6) supraoculars 5–6 (N = 11); (7) internasals 2–4 (N = 11); (8) postrostrals 2–5 (N = 11); (9) loreals 1–3 (N = 11); (10) gulars 15–19 (N = 11); (11) lamellae on Finger IV 20–23 (N = 11); (12) lamellae on Toe IV 28–32 (N = 11); (13) posthumeral mite pockets absent (Type I of Torres-Carvajal 2007b); (14) postfemoral mite pockets present (Type II de Torres-Carvajal 2007b); (15) parietal eye visible; (16) smooth, juxtaposed, or slightly imbricate occipital scales; (17) projecting angular temporals absent; (18) enlarged supraoculars occupying most of the supraocular region in one row absent; (19) scales in the frontonasal region smooth, weakly imbricate anteriorly or juxtaposed (20) preauricular fringe present; (21) antehumeral and longitudinal folds present; (22) lateral nuchals similar in size to dorsal nuchals; (23) posterior gulars smooth, cycloid, imbricate , with or without notches or apical pits; (24) a caudad notch on ventral scales; (25) lateral body scales similar in size to dorsal scales; (26) vertebrals similar in size to adjacent dorsals; (27) dorsolateral crests absent; (28) ventrals smooth, imbricate, sub-rhomboidal, similar in size to dorsals; (29) scales on the posterior faces of thighs granular; (30) prefemoral fold absent; (31) inguinal groove absent; (32) preanals not projected; (33) tail slightly compressed laterally in adult males; (34) tail length 70–73% of total length; (35) three caudal whorls per autotomic segment; (36) caudals not spinose; (37) dark stripe from the subocular region to superciliars absent; (38) colour pattern of dark reticulations in the gular region in adult females; (39) dark streaks that form a reticulum in the gular region in adult males absent; (40) black spot on ventral face of neck in adult males absent; (41) dark midventral stripe in adult males absent; (42) black patches on ventral faces of thighs in adult males absent; (43) background colour of dorsum olive yellowish to brown in life.

Etymology. The specific epithet ica is a noun in apposition and refers to the Ica region of Peru where all type specimens were collected. It also refers to Ica as being the southernmost distribution record for the genus on the Peruvian Pacific coast. 

Distribution: Stenocercus ica sp. n. is as yet only known from the valley of the Ica river basin, with the highest number of individuals recorded at two localities (Arrabales and Ocucaje) in the Ica region between 300 to 450 m a.s.l. on the Peruvian Pacific coast. Stenocercus ica sp. n. appears to be restricted to low altitudes (Figs 6–7). 

Natural history: Stenocercus ica sp. n. has been found in dense shrub vegetation close to riverside forest and the irrigation installations in agricultural areas in the Ica river basin (Fig. 5A). Specimens were observed basking at the edge of a bushy area, mainly on dry leaf litter, fallen branches, and on the, usually in dappled or diffused sunlight. Two specimens were observed escaping into holes at the base of bushes, under accumulations of leaf litter. This species probably utilizes these cavities as burrows and nests. 

Alejandro Mendoza, César Ramírez, Diego Barrera and César Aguilar-Puntriano. 2021. A New Species of the Genus Stenocercus (Iguania: Tropiduridae) from the Peruvian Pacific Coast (Ica Region). SALAMANDRA. 57(1); 1-14.

Resumen. Se describe una nueva especie del género Stenocercus del desierto costero peruano en el Departamento de Ica. La nueva especie es similar en ecología y morfología a Stenocercus modestus, pero difiere al carecer de un pliegue oblicuo en el cuello, un parche visible de pequeñas escamas posteriores a la región lateral del cuello y puntos amarillos brillantes sobre la cabeza y el cuerpo en los machos. La nueva especie también tiene un mayor número de lamelas subdigitales en el cuarto dedo de la pata posterior que S. modestus, y las hembras muestran una ancha franja oscura entre la región subocular y antehumeral, así como reticulaciones oscuras en la región gular. Los modelos de distribución de la nueva especie y S. modestus no muestran superposición en sus distribuciones potenciales. En conclusión, la morfología y los modelos de distribución de especies sugieren fuertemente que la nueva especie de Stenocercus es un linaje no descrito y diferente de otras especies del género. La nueva especie es el registro más sureño de su género en el desierto costero del pacifico en Perú. Así mismo, recomendamos que se clasifique como En peligro basado en el área de ocupación y localidades con amenazas.

Palabras clave. Squamata, desierto costero, modelo de distribución, taxonomía.

[Herpetology • 2021] Leiocephalus roquetus • Historical and Fossil Evidence of An Extinct Endemic Species of Leiocephalus (Squamata: Leiocephalidae) from the Guadeloupe Islands

Leiocephalus roquetus 

 Bochaton, Charles & Lenoble, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4927.3.4 

 twitter.com/PACEA_Bordeaux 

Abstract

Documenting recent extinction events against the backdrop of increasing human-induced environmental pressure is complicated by the lack of historical and subfossil evidence for most parts of the world. This paucity of data renders it particularly difficult to evaluate the human impact on fragile environments, such as small islands, that may have been heavily altered by historical human exploitation. Here we describe a new species of an extinct Leiocephalus lizard from Guadeloupe, Leiocephalus roquetus sp. nov. based on recent discoveries of both a previously undocumented historically taxidermy specimen and of a large assemblage of subfossil bone remains from La Désirade Island. This new species presents a primitive morphology compared to all extant species of its genus and provides evidence for the past existence of a Lesser Antillean clade of Leiocephalus lizards that was completely wiped out in the centuries following the European colonization of these islands. Our study demonstrates how paleontological approaches can help to better understand the history of human environmental impact as well as the degree of degradation of modern ecosystems.

Keywords: Reptilia, Curlytail lizard, Extinction, Human Impact, Lesser Antilles, Osteology

 Leiocephalus roquetus sp. nov.  

Corentin Bochaton, Laurent Charles and Arnaud Lenoble. 2021. Historical and Fossil Evidence of An Extinct Endemic Species of Leiocephalus (Squamata: Leiocephalidae) from the Guadeloupe Islands. Zootaxa. 4927(3); 383–409. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4927.3.4

  twitter.com/PACEA_Bordeaux/status/1361238775372935168

[Herpetology • 2021] Liolaemus kunza & L. salitrosus • Increasing Knowledge of the Denizens of Saline Environments through Integrative Taxonomy: New Argentinian Endemic Taxa of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) and their Evolutionary Relationships

 

Liolaemus kunza Abdala, Semhan & Paz sp. nov. &
 Liolaemus salitrosus Abdala & Paz sp. nov.

in Abdala, Paz, Semhan, ... et Langstroth, 2021.

DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2020.1844818   

 Researchgate.net/publication/348333033

Photographs: C.S. Abdala.

 

Abstract

The known diversity of the genus Liolaemus continues to increase, principally due to its great degree of endemism, the increasing number of researchers working on it, and advances in the taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge of the genus. This diversity positions Liolaemus as the second most species-rich tetrapod genus. The present work adds to evidence for the great diversity of Liolaemus through the description of two new species, endemic to saline environments in the Argentinian Puna. Both species are members of the Liolaemus montanus group within the subgenus Eulaemus. To determine the taxonomic status of these lizards, we used integrative taxonomy as a tool, incorporating phylogenetic, morphological, and molecular genetic evidence, as well as the anatomy of hemipenes, statistical morphological analysis, and ecological characteristics. Our analyses supported the conclusion that both sampled populations of lizards are species new to science. One of these is found along the margins of the Antofalla salt flats in the Catamarca Province and the Hombre Muerto salt flats in the Salta Province. The other new species inhabits saline habitats vegetated by Lycium humile, principally between the salt crusts of the Antofalla salt flats. Both species are small to medium sized and can be distinguished from all other species of the L. montanus group by unique combinations of morphological characters, primarily pholidosis and dorsal and ventral colour patterns.

Key words: Argentine, ecology, hemipenis, lizard, morphology, phylogeny, principal components analysis, puna, taxonomy, total evidence

Fig. 1. Specimens of Liolaemus kunza sp. nov.
Holotype (FML 30359), dorso-lateral and ventral view (a, b), yellow morph (FML 30422) (c), brown morph (FML 30464) (d), orange morph (FML 30460) (e), red morph (FML 30466) (f), female specimen from the type locality in dorso-lateral and ventral view (FML 30488) (g, h), difference of habitats that Liolaemus kunza sp. nov. use around the Antofalla and Hombre Muerto salt flats, Ojos de Campo (i), Loro Huasi (j).

Photographs: C. S. Abdala.

 

Liolaemus kunza Abdala, Semhan & Paz sp. nov.

Etymology. We dedicate the scientific name of this species to the extinct Kunza language, which was spoken until the XIX century by peoples of the Altiplano of Argentina, Plurinational State of Bolivia, and Chile.  

Fig. 5. Specimens of Liolaemus salitrosus sp. nov.
Holotype, dorso-lateral and ventral view (FML 30363) (a, b). Variation in dorsum colouration of males (FML 30379-80) (c, d). Female specimen from the type locality in dorso-lateral and ventral view (FML 30372) (e, f). Different habitats that Liolaemus salitrosus sp. nov. use around the lagoons of Antofalla salt flats, Pozo Bravo (g), Laguna Verde (h).

Photographs: C.S. Abdala.

Liolaemus salitrosus Abdala & Paz sp. nov.

 Etymology: The specific epithet salitrosus refers to the peculiar habitat of this species, closely associated with the salt flat, an extreme environment characterized by a hypersaline soil covered with thick saltpetre crusts. 

Cristian S. Abdala, Marcos M. Paz, Romina V. Semhan, Noelia García, Alvaro J. Aguilar-Kirigin, María E. Farías, Pablo Valladares, Roberto Gutiérrez Poblete, Matías A. Quipildor, Julián Valdes and Robert Langstroth. 2021. Increasing Knowledge of the Denizens of Saline Environments through Integrative Taxonomy: New Argentinian Endemic Taxa of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) and their Evolutionary Relationships. Systematics and Biodiversity.  19(2); 135-167. 10.1080/14772000.2020.1844818  

  Researchgate.net/publication/348333033_integrative_taxonomy_new_Argentinian_endemic_Liolaemus

  facebook.com/RomiSemhan/posts/10160458245804115

  facebook.com/HerpetosLaPaz/posts/2653121661666289