Evolutionary History of the South American Microteiid Lizards (Teiidae: Gymnophthalminae)

Abstract

The evolutionary relationships of 28 genera of microteiid lizards were examined. Osteological and myological characters described here and taken from the literature were used to form a data set. Hennig's methodology was employed to analyze the relationships of 20 genera for which complete character data were available. The most parsimonious tree techniques for Prim, Wiss and Wagner algorithms were generated. Six groups of genera were recognized: 1) Alopoglossus, Prionodactylus, Proctoporus (=Opipeuter) and Ptychoglossus; 2) Euspondylus and Pholidobolus; 3) Anadia, Ecpleopus and Placosoma; 4) Arthrosaura, Cercosaura, Echinosaura, Leposoma and Neusticurus; 5) Pantodactylus; 6) Bachia, Gymnophthalmus, Heterodactylus, Iphisa and Tretioscincus. Seven genera that lack complete data sets were tentatively assigned to these groups. Anotosaura was placed with BachiaHeterodactylus. Riolama was placed in group 1. Colobosaura and Colobodactylus were placed with the skink-like genera (6) as were Amapasaura, Micrablepharus and Stenolepis. Teuchocercus was assigned to group 4. The distributional patterns of the microteiids are examined in light of the geologic history of the South American continent. Four major areas of association are postulated with recurrent dispersal into available habitat.