Abstract
Euspondylus excelsum was described from 8 specimens from the Region Huánuco in central Peru. We obtained an adult female from the Region Junín and a subadult male (photo vouchers only) from the Region Madre de Dios. Our new records of E. excelsum extend the range of this species by 592 km to the south and increase the previously known elevational range from 1023–1159 m a.s.l. to 550–1550 m a.s.l. The adult female is the largest known specimen extending the maximum SVL to 90.1 mm. Our findings indicate that E. excelsum is relatively widely distributed in the montane forests and foothills of the eastern Andes. Its arboreal mode of life is probably one reason for its rarity and limited records during traditional field surveys.
Highlights
Herpetological surveys of the Pui Pui Protected Forest (PPPF hereafter) and its surroundings conducted by some of us between 2012 and 2014 resulted in the discovery of 6 new species of amphibians (Lehr and Moravec 2017, Lehr and von May 2017, Lehr et al 2017a, b) and 1 new genus of reptiles (Moravec et al 2018)
Euspondylus excelsum was described from 8 specimens from the Region Huánuco in central Peru
Our findings indicate that E. excelsum is relatively widely distributed in the montane forests and foothills of the eastern Andes
Summary
Herpetological surveys of the Pui Pui Protected Forest (PPPF hereafter) and its surroundings conducted by some of us between 2012 and 2014 resulted in the discovery of 6 new species of amphibians (Lehr and Moravec 2017, Lehr and von May 2017, Lehr et al 2017a, b) and 1 new genus of reptiles (Moravec et al 2018). In 2013 we found 1 specimen of an arboreal lizard that appeared to be a new species of Gymnophthalmidae, but we were uncertain of its generic affiliation. The work on an extensive phylogeny of Gymnopthalmidae by Moravec et al (2018), including tissues of our specimen from PPPF, revealed that our lizard specimen is Euspondylus excelsum Chávez, Catenazzi & Venegas 2017. We provide new data on the geographic distribution and morphology of Euspondylus excelsum.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
