Species New to Science

Echinosaura sulcarostrum

We describe  a new species  of riparian gymnophthalmid from Guyana characterized by striated rostral and mental scales, three rows of scales of subequal size between the rostral and frontal scales,  and the absence  of  a unpaired median postmental. The new taxon  shares derived  features  with species in Echinosaura, Neusticurus, Potamites, and Teuchocercus, including  heterogeneous and  heavily  keeled  body  squamation, an elongate  snout,  and gracile limbs.

Etymology.- The  specific  epithet,  sulcarostrum,  is a  noun  in  apposition  and  a  conflation  of  the Latin  words  sulcus, meaning  furrow  or  groove, and  rostrum, meaning  snout. 

Donnelly, M.A.; MacCulloch, R.D., Ugarte, C.A. & Kizirian, D. 2006. A New Riparian Gymnophthalmid (Squamata) from Guyana. Copeia. 2006 (3): 396-403 http://jstor.org/stable/4098703

FIG. 2.  Head of holotype of Echinosaura  brachycephala (MHNG 2359.77). (A) Lateral view; (B) dorsal view; (C) ventral view. Scale bars equal 5.0 mm. 

A new species of Echinosaura, Echinosaura brachycephala, is described from two localities on the Pacific versant of the Ecuadorian Andes. The new species differs from all other species of the genus by its conspicuously short head with a high domed snout in lateral profile and various scalation characteristics including the number of ventral scales per caudal segment, the arrangement of  dorsal body scales, and a reduced or absent postmental scale. A key to the species of Echinosaura and Teuchocercus  is provided.

Etymology.- The  species  name  is  derived  the Greek  brachy, meaning  "short"  and  the  Greek cephal, meaning  "head" in  reference to the  conspicuously short head  of this species.

FIG. 6. Distribution of the Ecuadorian species of Echinosaura. Echinosaura brachycephala (triangles; typelocality encircled), Echinosaura horrida (circles), Echinosaura orcesi (squares), and Teuchocercus keyi (inverted triangles).

FIG. 4.  Lateral view  of head. (A) Echinosaura horrida (ZFMK 43768); (B) Echinosaura brachycephala (ZFMK 46371); (C) Teuchocercus keyi (MHNG 2284.59); (D) Echinosaura palmeri (BMNH 1923.10.12.14); (E) Echinosaura panamensis (ZFMK 49107); (F) Echinosaura orcesi (NMW F 3087). Drawings  by Mathias Giinther. 

Köhler, G.; Böhme, W. & Schmitz, A. 2004. A new species of Echinosaura (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Ecuador. Journal of Herpetology 38 (1): 52-60

http://jstor.org/stable/1566086

Echinosaura orcesi

Abstract

A new  species  of  the  genus  Echinosaura  is  described  from  the  Pacific drainages  of  northern Ecuador  and  adjacent  Colombia.  Evaluation  of  variation  among  congeners  justifies  their  recognition  as distinct  species  instead  of  subspecies  as  previously  proposed.  The  new  lizard  occurs  in  close  proximity  to Echinosaura  horrida  and Teuchocercus keyi. 

Fritts, Thomas H., Ana Almendáriz and Sissi Samec 2002. A new species of Echinosaura (Gymnophthalmidae) from Ecuador and Colombia with comments on other members of the genus and Teuchocercus keyi. Journal of Herpetology. 36 (3): 349-355: http://jstor.org/stable/1566177

A male Potamites montanicola, a new species of lizard discovered in the Peruvian Andes. 

Photo: German Chávez.

Abstract

We describe a new lizard species of the genus Potamites from the montane forests of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba (Cusco region) and Apurimac River valley (Ayacucho region), between 1500 and 2000 meters of elevation, in southern Peru. The new species is distinguishable from all other species of the genus mainly byhighly keeled scattered scales on dorsum and females lacking femoral pores.

Keywords: Potamites, Cusco, Ayacucho, Peru

Figure 1. Potamites montanicola, new species from southern Peru. 

A: Holotype male (CORBIDI 08322); B: female (CORBIDI 08328); C: uncollected juvenile; D: ventral view of males of the type series, from left to right: CORBIDI 08324, CORBIDI 08322 (holotype), CORBIDI 08325, CORBIDI 08326, CORBIDI 08335

A female Potamites montanicola, a new species of lizard discovered in the Peruvian Andes.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘montanicola’ is a compound from the spanish word “montano”, adjective to describe something from a mountain, and the latin suffix “-icola” for “inhabitant” and refers to the montane forests where this species lives.

Distribution and natural history: Potamites montanicola is known from two localities in the Andes in southern Peru (Fig. 5), both separated by 64 km air line and located at the Cordillera de Vilcabamba and Apurimac river valley, the known altitudinal range is between elevations 1570 and 2100 m. The holotype and most of the specimens of the type series were found on the sides of a stream, which were 3 meters wide with stones and rocks as substrate. The vegetation in the area was riverside vegetation mainly composed of: Miconia sp., Gordonia sp. and Guarea sp. and herbs from the family Rubiaceae and Melastomataceae. Climbers (vines and lianas) were diverse and relatively common and include species of the family Celatraceae, Polygalaceae and Campanulaceae. All individuals were found perching on rocks and stones at sides of the stream at night. In some cases, individuals were observed swimming in the middle of the stream, or using the stream to escape. No other lizard species were recorded at the type locality, but on the same stream we observed the vipers Bothriopsis taeniata and Lachesis muta. Amphibians also reported here include Hypsiboas balzani, Hyalinobatrachium bergeri, Osteocephalus mimeticus, Pristimantis rhabdolaemus and Pristimantis mendax. The second locality where Potamites montanicola was collected (specimen CORBIDI 06957) is a secondary forest, close to the Chiquintirca – Cajadela road. In this site, arboreal vegetation includes species of Cecropia sp., and abundant bushes. The specimen CORBIDI 06957 was found during the day near a creek with substrate mainly composed of leaf litter and fallen trunks. In this locality, Potamites montanicola is sympatric with the tropidurid lizard Stenocercus torquatus and the anurans Hyalinobatrachium bergeri, Hypsiboas balzani, Pristimantis mendax and Pristimantis rhabdolaemus. No snakes were reported.

 Potamites species from Peru:

A. Potamites montanicola (CORBIDI, 08324); B. Potamites strangulatus strangulatus from Cordillera de Kampankis, Amazonas, northern Peru (not collected individual). Photo by Alessandro Catenazzi; C. Potamites ecpleopus from Cordillera de Kampankis, Amazonas, northern Peru (CORBIDI 09516). Photo by Alessandro Catenazzi; D. Potamites strangulatus trachodus from Cordillera Escalera, San Martin, northern Peru (CORBIDI 06368). Photo by Pablo J. Venegas.

Chávez, G.; Vásquez, D. 2012: A new species of Andean semiaquatic lizard of the genus Potamites (Sauria, Gymnophtalmidae) from southern Peru. ZooKeys, 168: 31-43. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.168.2048/

Photo: new blue, red, yellow lizard discovered in the Andes 

http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0213-hance_newlizard_andes.html 

Abstract

Two new species of lizards assigned to the genus Euspondylus from the montane forests of the Peruvian Andes in the Pasco Department (central Peru) and Ayacucho Department (southern Peru) both at elevations of 2550 and 3450 m, respectively, are described. The new species are distinguishable from all other Peruvian and Ecuadorian species of Euspondylus by a unique combination of morphometric, scalation and color pattern characteristics. Natural history data for the new species and for Euspondylus spinalis are also provided.

Keywords: Euspondylus, Gymnophthalmidae, Peru, new species

Euspondylus chasqui

Etymology: The specific epithet is based on the Quechua word “chasqui”, which refers to the messengers of the Incan empire, men who, on foot, carried the messages throughout the imperial territory in the Cordillera de los Andes where these lizards are found.

Figure 1: Euspondylus chasqui, new species, from southeastern Peru. Holotype male (CORBIDI 06963, a); female (CORBIDI 06961, b); and male (CORBIDI 06969, c, d).

Distribution and natural history: Euspondylus chasqui is known from two localities within a studied area of approximately 12 km² in the Río Apurímac valley (Fig 4). It inhabits secondary forests and human settlements. The individuals observed were mostly found at midday under the rocks or foraging between stones, always near medium-sized rocks that they use for hiding. The soil under these rocks is generally more damp compared to the rest of the soil around. A clutch with two eggs was found under the litter, as well as several gravid females (CORBIDI 06955, 06966, 06968–69, 08417, 08420–21, 08424, 08431–32) from the dry and wet season (August and December, 2010) containing two eggs inside the abdominal cavity. This suggests that the maximum clutch size is two and that the reproductive cycle and birth of neonates can be at least twice a year. The egg length range is 3.4–14.1 mm (x- = 8.3 mm, n= 20) and width range is 2.8–5.9 mm (x- = 4.5 mm, n=20), SVL range of gravid females is 48.5–72.7 mm. We did not see nests sharing the same area. Euspondylus chasqui does not occur sympatrically with any other species of Euspondylus or Proctoporus; however, a marsupial frog, Gastrotheca rebeccae, was found at the same location. Euspondylus chasqui was the most abundant species in the type locality, where 35 individuals were found in four hours by four surveyers.

Euspondylus oreades

Figure 3. Euspondylus oreades, new species, from central Peru. Holotype male (CORBIDI 07219, a, b) and female (CORBIDI 07216, c, d).

Distribution and natural history: Euspondylus oreades is known only from the type locality, an isolated hill at an elevation of 3400 m in the Cordillera Oriental in central Peru, inside Yanachaga-Chemillen National Park (Oxapampa Bioesphere Reserve) (Fig. 4). Individuals were found in grassland (Puna habitat) under rocks, fallen trunks, moss, and under the base of terrestrial spiny bromeliad (Puya sp.) by the day. Only the marsupial frog Gastrotheca griswoldi was found sympatric with Euspondylus oreades. A total of 33 individuals of Euspondylus oreades were found in seven hours of survey by four herpetologists. Four nests of the new species of Euspondylus were found under the rocks and the number of eggs found per nest vary from two to 15. Two eggs of Euspondylus oreades hatched during the surveys and the new hatchlings ran to hide immediately after leaving the egg shell. One of these hatchlings was collected (CORBIDI 07223) and measured (SVL = 23.0 mm). Six females were collected, five of them contained eggs in their oviducts, only CORBIDI 07216 contained one egg, the rest of mature females contained two eggs, SVL range of these specimens was 53.0–61.0 mm. Egg length ranged from 3.2–13.2 mm (x- = 8.6 mm, n= 9) and width ranged from 3.6–5.7 mm (x-= 3.7 mm, n=9). The ornithological team in Santa Barbara collected one Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma (CORBIDI/FHC 245) that contained three whole Euspondylus oreades individuals in the crop and the remains of three other individuals in the stomach. Furthermore, the team collected one Andean Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus (CORBIDI/WV 315) with remains of an unassigned Euspondylus species in its stomach. These findings could suggest that these lizards can be found in the open, but for Euspondylus oreades we did not have such observations. However, one of us (GC) found Euspondylus chasqui running between stones when sampling, which might be a behavior that could occur in Euspondylus oreades as well.

Figure 4. Map showing distributions of the new Euspondylus species. The filled-in squares represent records for both new species. Red filled-in squares correspond to Euspondylus chasqui and yellow filled-in square corresponds to Euspondylus oreades. Purple empty squares correspond to Euspondylus spinalis.

Chávez, Germán;, Karen Siu-Ting, Vilma Duran,, Pablo J Venegas 2011. Two new species of Andean gymnophthalmid lizards of the genus Euspondylus (Reptilia, Squamata) from central and southern Peru. ZooKeys. 109: 1–17: [Fulltext]

 Euspondylus auyanensis, the male Holotype

Abstract

Names are provided for two montane gymnophthalmid lizards that have been long known from the Venezuelan Guayana, but that were not described by other workers because specimens had been lost.

Euspondylus auyanensis, new species (= Anadia sp. auctorum), is known only from the summit of Auyantepui, where it was originally discovered by S. Gorzula in 1984; a later specimen, the holotype, was collected by Renaud Boistel in 1998. The monophyly of Euspondylus has not been established and the generic assignment is tentative.

Anadia escalerae, new species, is based on a specimen obtained by John Cadle in 1980, in the region of La Escalera, to the east of Auyantepui. It agrees with Anadia sensu stricto in being a slender attenuate lizard, but is unusual in having weakly keeled (vs. smooth) dorsal scales and in having the prefrontals separated by an azygous scale. The last condition also occurs in the holotype of A. pariaensis from the Penı´nsula de Paria, about 500 km NNW of La Escalera; although differing in several characters, they may be sister species.

A new specimen of the rare Anadia blakei (from Cerro Humo, Penı´nsula de Paria), is described and illustrated. It is a robust lizard, markedly different in habitus from Anadia sensu stricto.

HOLOTYPE: Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) 1999.4799, an adult male from the summit of Auyantepui, [near] ‘‘El Libertador,’’4 2325 m, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela, collected by Renaud Boistel in November or December, 1998.

ETYMOLOGY: From the tepui Auya´n + -ensis (-e), a Latin adjectival suffix indicating

origin or place.

Myers, Charles W.Rivas Fuenmayor, Gilson; Jadin, Robert C. 2009. New species of lizards from Auyantepui and La Escalera in the Venezuelan Guayana, with notes on "microteiid" hemipenes (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae). American Museum Novitates (3660): 1-32: 

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1206/657.1

Euspondylus nellycarmlla

Abstract

We describe two new species of Proctoporus and a new species of Euspondylus (all from central Peru, Departamento de Huanuco, 2545 to 3010 m elevation). The new species are distinguished from all species presently assigned to Proctoporus and Euspondylus by unique characteristics of pholidosis, morphometrics, and color pattern. A key to the Peruvian species of Proctoporus and Euspondylus is provided. The current allocation of species to Proctoporus and Euspondylus may not reflect the phylogenetic relationships of the species  under consideration. Based on the  available data there  appears to  be  no  evidence to justify the separation of these genera. However, because of nomenclatural problems that would arise from synonymizing the two genera (e.g., producing a secondary homonymy in the case of Proctoporus guentheri Boettger and Ecpleopus guentheri O'Shaughnessy), we  chose to  retain the two genera until phylogenetic information is available. 

Key words:  Euspondylus; Gymnophthalmidae; New species; Peru; Proctoporus; Squamata

Köhler, G.; Lehr, E. 2004. Comments on Euspondylus and Proctoporus (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Peru, with the description of three new species and a key to the Peruvian species. Herpetologica 60 (4): 501-518. doi: 10.1655/03-93

The genus Proctoporus sensu stricto is a poorly known gymnophthalmid lizard clade distributed across the Andes  of  southern Peru  and  Bolivia. Recent  collecting  efforts in  central and southeru Peru  recovered specimens and tissues of all known members of the genus, enabling the first complete phylogeny of the genus to be constructed. In addition, a new species was found in Puno, Peru and is described herein. We analyzed  DNA sequences of three mitochondrial genes using maximum parsimony and Bayesian MCMC methods to reconstruct a phylogeny of the group. The phylogeny suggests an ancient split between a newly discovered lineage from Puno and the remaining species that coincides geographically with its isolated range. Proctoporus pachyurus and P. sucullucu form sister species; P. bolivianus forms a clade with P. unsaacae + P. guentheri. The elevationally restricted ranges of all known Proctoporus species likely have contributed to the high species diversity found in southerm Peru. Both allopatric and parapatric modes of speciation are proposed to explain the diversification of Proctoporus species. 

Keywords:  Andes;  Gymnophthalmidae; New  species;  Peru;  Phylogeny; Proctoporus; Puno;  South America; Squamata; Taxonomy

Proctoporus subsolanus  sp. nov. 

Holotype.-UTA  R-52944 (Fig. 3), a gravid adult  female,  from  the  town  of  Sandia (14.342750  S,  69.462740  W),  Province  of Sandia, Department of  Puno, Peru; 2100  m; collected on 19 June 2003 by Tiffany M. Doan.

Distribution.- Proctoporus  subsolanus  is known only from the type locality in northern Puno, in the  Sandia Province. This area lies within the Cordillera de Apolobamba, on the easternmost  flank  of  the  central  Andes  of southern Peru. Specimens of this species were found between  2100  and 2221 m. This slope abruptly drops into the  lowland rainforest of the Tambopata National Reserve. 

Habitat and ecology.- Specimens  of  this species  were  found  within  and  around the town of  Sandia often on agricultural terraces where maize and other crops were being cultivated. These areas were probably once covered in cloud forest before human occupation of the area by the Incan civilization. All specimens  were  found  beneath  stones  on  the ground. Stomach contents were  analyzed in four specimens and consisted of coleopterans, hymenopterans (adult and larval ants), isopods, and some unknown arthropod legs. Two gravid females were found to contain two eggs each. 

Etymology.- The  specific epithet 'subsolanus ' is a Latin adjective meaning eastern. This name refers to the species occurring on the easternmost flank of the Andes Mountains in southern Peru. The Cordillera de Apolobamba is the final mountain range before the mountains descend into the Amazon Basin.

Doan, T.F.; Castoe, T.A. & Arizábal Arriaga, W. 2005. Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Proctoporus sensu stricto (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae), with a new species from Puno, Southeastern Peru. Herpetologica 61 (3): 325-336 http://www.jstor.org/stable/3893478

Abstract

Proctoporus bolivianus is a gymnophthalmid lizard species that occurs at high elevations in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru and Bolivia. Extensive morphological variation in populations collected in the  Department of  Cusco, Peru, suggested the  presence  of  cryptic species. To  assess this possibility, we reconstructed morphological and molecular phylogenies of  13 populations of  this species  and also used a character-based approach to examine the morphology in more detail. We found P. bolivianus to be composed of three distinct lineages that are separated by substantial genetic distances. We  erect two new species to contain unnamed lineages within the P. bolivianus complex. These three species are found within a small geographic area and are likely differentiated because of historical geographic barriers in the extreme landscape of the central Andes. 

Key words:  Andes;  Cryptic  species;  Cusco;  Gymnophthalmidae; New  species;  Peru;  Proctoporus 

bolivianus; Proctoporus sucullucu; Proctoporus unsaacae; South America; Squamata; Taxonomy 

Proctoporus sucullucu  sp. nov. 

Proctoporus sp. 1: Doan, 2003b 

Holotype.- UTA  R-51496 (Fig. 5), a female from Piscacucho (130  12.213'  S,  720 22.533' W),  a small village near the  town of  Chilca, Province of Urubamba, Department of Cusco, Peru; 3191  m; collected  on  4  June 2001  by Wilfredo Arizabal Arriaga.

Etymology.- The  specific epithet, sucullucu,  an  indeclinable  noun,  is  the  name  of Proctoporus  lizards  in the  local  Quechua language. 

Distribution.- Proctoporus  sucullucu  is known only from the  Department  of  Cusco in southern Peru (Fig. 6). We have collected this species  from Piscacucho in  the  west  to Kusilluchayoc in the east. It has been recorded from  3048  m  at  Piscacucho  to  3660  m  at Kusilluchayoc. 

Habitat and ecology.- This  diurnal species was  most  often  found  under  flat stones  in disturbed grassland or pastureland. Little is known  about  its  ecology,  but,  like  other members  of  the  genus,  it  is  probably  insectivorous  and  lays  two  eggs  per  clutch (Uzzell,  1970).  At  Piscacucho,  a  communal nest was found that contained 23  eggs  of P. sucullucu. Several of the eggs had been broken and the embryos were being preyed upon by a  scorpion. When  found,  UTA  R-51497, a  neonate,  was  dead  and  being  eaten  by a scorpion. 

Remarks.- Proctoporus sucullucu occurs on one  of  the  same mountains as P.  bolivianus (Piscacucho), with  P.  sucullucu  consistently occurring at  lower  elevations (3048-3300  m  at  Piscacucho  Low)  than  P.  bolivianus (3590-3600  m at Piscacucho High). Although they  occur  in  close  proximity (within  290  vertical  m),  it  does  not  appear  that  these species come into direct contact. 

Proctoporus sp. 2: Doan, 2003b 

Holotype.- UTA  R-51488 (Fig. 7), a female from Quello Uno  (13? 21.887'  S, 71? 58.215' W), a village near the town of Calca, Province of Calca, Department of Cusco, Peru; 3253 m; collected on 31 May 2001 by Tiffany M. Doan.

Habitat and  ecology.- This  lizard species was  found  exclusively  in  human-disturbed areas and often  in Incan ruins. This diurnal species was most often found under flat stones or  in  human-made  piles  of  small  pebbles. Little  is  known  about  the  ecology  of  this species but, like other members of its genus, it is probably insectivorous and lays two eggs per clutch (Uzzell, 1970). 

Etymology.- The  specific  epithet  is  an indeclinable noun in honor of the herpetological research group at the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad de Cusco, a university in  Cusco,  Peru,  commonly  referred  to  as UNSAAC. The  students  and  research associates of that group have contributed much to 

the knowledge of Andean herpetofauna. Many of  them  have  assisted us  in  our studies and collected some of the paratypes and referred specimens of this species. 

FIG. 6.- Elevational  contour map, including the localities  of the  Proctoporus bolivianus complex in southern Peru. Sampling localities are marked with circles; the city of  Cusco  is  indicated  by  a  square.  The locality  of Piscacucho is  composed  of  both  Piscacucho High  and Piscacucho  Low  sites,  separated  by  300-550  m  in elevation. 

Doan, T. M. & Castoe, T.A. 2003. Using morphological and molecular evidence to infer species boundaries within Proctoporus bolivianus Werner (Squamata: Gymnopthalmidae). Herpetologica 59 (3): 432–449

http://www.jstor.org/stable/3893617

Petracola ventrimaculatus

photo from http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/

Abstract

We describe Petracola waka sp. nov. and re-describe the poorly known P. ventrimaculatus, both high-Andean gymnophthalmids from northern Peru. The new species is diagnosed by gracile habitus, smooth dorsal scales, an anterior superciliary that extends onto the dorsum, absence of loreal, three genials, 36–49 transverse dorsal scale rows, 23–28 transverse ventral scale rows, 0–7 femoral pores, absence of subocular-labial fusion, and a color pattern consisting of dark spots or fine lines or bands on a pale brown background. Petracola waka is known from the middle Río Marañon and Cajamara Cajabamba basin (Río Crisnejos drainage) from small isolated syngamic systems at 2650–2900 m and is parapatrically distributed with respect to P. ventrimaculatus, which occurs at higher elevations.

Key words: Andes, lizard, new species, Peru, Reptilia

Kizirian, D.; Bayefsky-Anand, S.; Eriksson, A.; Le, M.; Donnelly, M.A. 2008: A new Petracola and re-description of P. ventrimaculatus (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae). Zootaxa, 1700: 53-62.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/z01700p062f.pdf

Petracola labioocularis (Köhler & Lehr, 2004)

Type locality: Peru, Departamento de Huánuco, Chaglla, 2980 m elevation

Holotype: MHNSM 20092

Basonym: Proctoporus labioocularis Köhler & Lehr, 2004

Etymology.- The  name labioocularis is  an  adjective and is formed from the Latin words labium  (lip)  and oculus (eye). The name is used in reference to the distinctive supralabial-subocular fusion found in all specimens of this species.

Abstract

We describe two new species of Proctoporus and a new species of Euspondylus (all from central Peru, Departamento de Huanuco, 2545 to 3010 m elevation). The new species are distinguished from all species presently assigned to Proctoporus and Euspondylus by unique characteristics of pholidosis, morphometrics, and color pattern. A key to the Peruvian species of Proctoporus and Euspondylus is provided. The current allocation of species to Proctoporus and Euspondylus may not reflect the phylogenetic relationships of the species  under consideration. Based on the  available data there  appears to  be  no  evidence to justify the separation of these genera. However, because of nomenclatural problems that would arise from synonymizing the two genera (e.g., producing a secondary homonymy in the case of Proctoporus guentheri Boettger and Ecpleopus guentheri O'Shaughnessy), we  chose to  retain the two genera until phylogenetic information is available. 

Key words:  Euspondylus; Gymnophthalmidae; New species; Peru; Proctoporus; Squamata

Köhler, G.; Lehr, E. 2004. Comments on Euspondylus and Proctoporus (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Peru, with the description of three new species and a key to the Peruvian species. Herpetologica 60 (4): 501-518. doi: 10.1655/03-93

The tribe Cercosaurini is one of the most poorly studied groups of the lizard family Gymnophthalmidae. Recent studies have suggested that two cercosauriine genera, Neusticurus and Proctoporus, are polyphyletic. The aim of the current study was to rectify the polyphyletic relationships and construct a phylogenetic taxonomy of the Cercosaurini that is congruent with evolutionary history. Neusticurus is divided into two genera, one of them new (Potamites), based on the clades recovered by molecular studies and previously discussed morphological data. Proctoporus is divided into three genera, one of which is new (Petracola), while an older name (Riama) is resurrected for another. All five genera are described and defined and taxonomic keys are presented. This study represents an important advance in rectifying the taxonomy of the Cercosaurini. Many other para- and polyphyletic genera remain in the Gymnophthalmidae and much future work on this group is warranted. 

Keywords: lizards – phylogenetic systematics – Reptilia – taxonomy.

Doan, T. M. & Castoe, T.A. 2005. Phylogenetic taxonomy of the Cercosaurini (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae), with new genera for species of Neusticurus and Proctoporus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 143: 405–416.

http://www.evolutionarygenomics.com/Todd%20Castoe_files/Doan_and_Castoe_ZJLS_2005.pdf

Abstract

A new genus is erected for Pantepuisaurus rodriguesi gen. nov. sp. nov., collected at 2080 m elevation on Mount Maringma, a sandstone flat-topped table mountain (tepui) located in the eastern Pakaraima Mountains, at the Guyana - Brazil border. The new genus mainly differs from all other known gymnophthalmids by the following combination of characters: distinctive ear opening and moveable eyelids, limbs pentadactyl with all digits clawed, prefrontals present, interparietal and parietals forming a jagged, irregular posterior margin, three pairs of genials, second pair of genials in contact with only one infralabial, dorsal scales hexagonal, keeled, in transverse rows only, ventral scales imbricate, hexagonal, mucronate, broadly keeled, in transverse rows only, and hemipenis weakly bilobed with series of curved transverse plicae bearing mineralized spicules.

Key words: Pantepuisaurus rodriguesi gen. nov. sp. nov., endemism, Guiana Shield, microteiid, Pantepui, taxonomy, tepuis

Philippe J. R. Kok. 2009. Lizard in the clouds: a new highland genus and species of Gymnophthalmidae (Reptilia: Squamata) from Maringma tepui, western Guyana. Zootaxa 1992: 53-67

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/z01992p067f.pdf

Another new lizard genus!

http://www.naturalsciences.be/active/sciencenews/lizardgenus

Kaieteurosaurus hindsi

Abstract 

A new genus and species of gymnophthalmid are described from Kaieieur National Park, central western  Guyana, South America. The new genus mainly differs from all other known gymnophthalmids by the following combination of characters:  five fingers and toes. nilclawed; tongue with obliqueplicae  antcriorly and posterior1y, interrupted by a midsection of scale like papillae; dorsal scales keeled, hexagonal, forming transverse rows only; ventral scales smooth, hexagonal, forming transverse rows only; nasal divided;  frontonasal single; prefromals absent; complete supracihary series: interparietal heptagonal with a straight posterior  margin, not projecting posteriorly, 

K e y w o r d s: Gymnophthalmidae; New genus; New species; Kaiewimsastrus hindsi genus and species novum; Squamata; Taxonomy; Kaictcur National Park; Guyana; South America. 

New Amazon Species: "Bluetooth" Tarantula, Electric Fish http://on.natgeo.com/cAn8cM