A new species of Leposoma (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) from the remnant Atlantic forests of the state of Bahia, Brazil

Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues,Vanessa Kruth Verdade,Dante Pavan,Marianna Dixo

doi:10.1590/s0031-10492002001400001

Abstract

Leposoma puk, a new species of the scincoides group is described from the Atlantic forests of southern state of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is characterized by a single frontonasal; elongate dorsal and lanceolate ventral scales arranged in diagonal rows; weakly striated or smooth scales on top of head; a longer than wide interparietal, with almost straight lateral margins; 17-18 pores; third supraocular the largest one, wider than long and clearly rectangular in shape; a suture between frontal and frontoparietal scales coincident with the middle of the third supraocular; and, a black pigmentation in the venter or along venter margins in males. The discovery of this new species, sympatric with Leposoma annectans, L. nanodactylus, and L. scincoides ranks the Atlantic Rainforest region of Southern Bahia first in species diversity for the genus. Zoogeography and speciation of Leposoma of the scincoides group are discussed.

Highlights

The Atlantic rainforests and their highly diverse and endemic biota are one of the top five threatened hotspots of the world (Mittermeier et al, 1997, 1999; Myers et al, 2000)
The highest species diversity in Leposoma was concentrated in the species of parietale group which ranges from Amazonia to Costa Rica
Diagnosis: A Leposoma of the scincoides group characterized by a single frontonasal, elongate dorsal and lanceolate ventral scales arranged in diagonal rows and having: 1) weakly striated to smooth scales on top of head; 2) interparietal longer than wide, with almost straight lateral margins; 3) parietals longer than wide; 4) 17-18 pores; 4) third supraocular the largest one, wider than long and clearly rectangular in shape; 5) a suture between frontal and frontoparietal scales that coincides with the middle of the third supraocular, and, 6) a black pigmentation in the venter or along venter margins in males

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The Atlantic rainforests and their highly diverse and endemic biota are one of the top five threatened hotspots of the world (Mittermeier et al, 1997, 1999; Myers et al, 2000). Diagnosis: A Leposoma of the scincoides group characterized by a single frontonasal, elongate dorsal and lanceolate ventral scales arranged in diagonal rows and having: 1) weakly striated to smooth scales on top of head; 2) interparietal longer than wide, with almost straight lateral margins; 3) parietals longer than wide; 4) 17-18 pores; 4) third supraocular the largest one, wider than long and clearly rectangular in shape; 5) a suture between frontal and frontoparietal scales that coincides with the middle of the third supraocular, and, 6) a black pigmentation in the venter or along venter margins in males. Species of the scincoides group (annectans, scincoides, nanodactylus and baturitensis) have elongate dorsal and lanceolate ventral scales that are characteristically arranged in diagonal rather than in longitudinal rows.

DISCUSSION

Findings

Finger