Description and Phylogenetic Relationships of a New Genus and Species of Lizard (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) from the Amazonian Rainforest of Northern Brazil

Pedro L.V Peloso,Teresa C.S Ávila-Pires,Miguel T Rodrigues,Katia C M Pellegrino

doi:10.1206/3713.2

Abstract

Marinussaurus curupira, a new genus and species of Gymnophthalmidae lizard is described from Iranduba, state of Amazonas, Brazil. The genus is characterized by an elongate body; short and stout pentadactyl limbs; all digits clawed; single frontonasal; two prefrontals; absence of frontoparietals; interparietal and parietals forming a straight posterior margin, with interparietal shorter than parietals; distinctive ear opening and eyelid; few temporals; three pairs of chin shields; nasal divided; a distinct collar; smooth, mainly hexagonal, dorsal scales; smooth quadrangular ventral scales; two precloacal and three femoral pores on each side in males; pores between three or four scales. Parsimony (PAR) and partitioned Bayesian (BA) phylogenetic analyses with morphological and molecular data recovered the new genus as a member of the Ecpleopodini radiation of the Cercosaurinae. A close relationship of the new genus with Arthrosaura is postulated.

Highlights

Convergence in many morphological characters in different lineages of the lizard family Gymnophthalmidae, broadly known as microteiids, has yielded a rather complicated taxonomy to the group
Lateral scales narrower than dorsals, laterally imbricate, with round or straight posterior margin
We analyzed overall morphology of the new taxon, described above, and conducted a phylogenetic analysis to determine the placement of the new genus and test its relationships with representatives of the Alopoglossinae, Gymnophthalminae, and Cercosaurinae

Summary

Introduction

Convergence in many morphological characters in different lineages of the lizard family Gymnophthalmidae, broadly known as microteiids, has yielded a rather complicated taxonomy to the group. Characters such as head scales, degree of body elongation and limb development, presence or absence of eyelid, and external ear opening are commonly used to define many gymnophthalmid genera, but have proven to be convergent with the “way of life” of these lizards (Presch, 1980; Rodrigues et al, 2007). New genera are commonly described to accommodate single species (Myers and Donnelly, 2001; Kok, 2005, 2009; Rodrigues et al, 2005, 2007, 2009; Rodrigues and Santos, 2008), rendering a rather large number of monotypic taxa within the family

Methods

Results

Conclusion