A new genus and species of eyelid-less and limb reduced gymnophthalmid lizard from northeastern Brazil (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae)

Abstract

Scriptosaura catimbau, a new genus and species of elongate, fossorial, sand swimming eyelid-less gymnophthalmid lizard is described on the basis of specimens obtained at Fazenda Porto Seguro, municipality of Buíque, State of Pernambuco, in the Caatingas of northeastern Brazil. The type locality is entirely included within the area of the recently created Parque Nacional do Catimbau. The new lizard lacks external forelimbs, has rudimentary styliform hindlimbs and is further characterized by the absence of prefrontal, frontal, frontoparietal and supraocular scales, and by having one pair of chin shields. A member of the Gymnophthalmini radiation, the new genus is considered to be sister to Calyptommatus from which it differs externally by the absence of an ocular scale and absence of an enlarged temporal scale.