A New Troglodytic Lizard (Reptilia, Lacertilia, Xantusiidae) from Mexico

Abstract

Lepidophyma lipetzi n. sp. is described from 30 km N Cintalapa, Chiapas, Mexico. The single known specimen is in the Univ. Colorado Mus. It resembles L. sylvaticum more than any other species; both approach the subgenus Gaigeia more than any other species of the subgenus Lepidophyma. The holotype was found in a cave. Among specimens recently collected by the junior author in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, is a Lepidophyma found in a cave in the walls of the canyon of Rio de la Venta north of Cintalapa. Several others were seen there but escaped into crevices in the walls of the cave. All were light in color, resembling geckos. The site is remote and difficult to reach. It is situated in a rainforest, 600 m altitude, dominating an area known as Lago de Mal Paso (Fig. 1). The example collected conforms in structure with no known species of the genus, and is therefore regarded as representative of a new species we name Lepidophyma lipetzi n. sp. (Figs. 2,3,4) Holotype.-University of Colorado Museum of Natural History 514259, from Lago de Mal Paso, headwaters of Rio de,La Venta, 30 km N Cintalapa (straight line), Chiapas, Mexico, taken 20 March 1973, by Miguel Alvarez del Toro. Diagnosis.-A member of the subgenus Lepidophyma, having 2-3 complete and 1-2 incomplete whorls/caudal segment, a maximum of about 3 rows of dorsal or lateral tubercles/ body segment, and tail 1.6 times S-V length; enlarged lateral tubercles arranged in vertical rows, but not greatly different in size from intervening granules (2-4 times); 12 rows of ventrals. Description of holotype.-Head scales normal for subgenus; a large median prefrontal; interparietal parallel< sided, parietal organ distinctly more than 1/3 distance from posterior to anterior tip; anterior loreal somewhat higher than long, less than half as long as posterior loreal; latter not subdivided; frenocular less than 1/3 size of anterior loreal; 2 anterior temporals, lower 1/5 size of upper; 6th supralabial much larger than 7th, separated from upper /Soo.44 anterior and medial temporals by one row of small scales; 2 scales between FIGURE 1. Map indicating the location (x) of the cave medial temporal and 7th supralabial. where L. lipetzi was found.