New Species Of Liolaemus Research Articles

A new species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the hot deserts of northern Patagonia, Argentina

A new species of Liolaemus is described from southwest of the town of Añelo, Neuquén Province, Argentina. Integrative evidence methodology of external morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (cyt-b) is used to place the new species to the species group of Liolaemus boulengeri. The new species is phenotypically close to L. mapuche. The new Liolaemus is medium to large in size (males 77.64–83.98 mm, females 72.88–78.58 mm), with evident sexual dichromatism. Genetic distances of the mtDNA (cyt-b) between the new species and its closest relative species are greater than 3% (L. cuyanus 7.48–12.02%; L. josei 7.56–9.60%; L. puelche 8.23–9.93%; L. mapuche 8.51–9.79%). Molecular and morphological phylogenetic results show L. mapuche as the sister species of the new one. The new species is larger than L. mapuche. Dorsal and ventral scales are more numerous in the new species than in L. mapuche, precloacal pores in females are present in L. mapuche and absent in the new species. It has strict psammophilic habits, using sand mounds and sheltering, under Alpataco (Neltuma alpataco) bushes. The L. boulengeri group now contains 75 species distributed in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

Redescription of Liolaemus robertmertensi, Hellmich 1964 (Iguania: Liolaemidae) with description of a new species

We redescribe Liolaemus robertmertensi and describe a new species of Liolaemus, the secondmost speciose lizard genus. These species belong to the L. robertmertensi group of the subgenusLiolaemus sensu stricto. In recent years, some newly identified populations were assignedto Liolaemus robertmertensi. We applied an integrative approach using morphological andphylogenetic evidence to determine the relationships among these populations and found oneto belong to a new species described here. We performed statistical analyses to differentiate L.robertmertensi and the new species from other species of the alticolor-bibronii group. The newspecies shows a set of character states that allows it to be distinguished from L. robertmertensiand from all other species of Liolaemus. Despite the description of this new species, the taxonomicstatus of many populations still remain unknown.

Description and phylogeny of a new species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) endemic to the south of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

The Liolaemus montanus group is a diverse group of lizards that ranges from central Peru to southwestern Mendoza, Argentina, including much of the Plurinational State of Bolivia (“Bolivia”) and Chile. The species of this group mainly inhabit high elevation areas with cold temperatures. In the last years, several species of this group have been described, mostly in Argentina and Chile. In Bolivia, there are at least thirteen valid species belonging to the L. montanus group. In this study, we describe a new species of the L. montanus group with a marked endemism in the Cordillera de Sama of the Tarija Department, Bolivia, and a combination of unique character states that allows its formal description as a new species. The phylogenetic relationships based on analysis of 159 morphological characters suggest that it belongs to the L. montanus group, and that it is closest to Liolaemus pulcherrimus, which is found allopatrically in a small area of the Jujuy Province, Argentina. The multivariate analyses of 66 morphological characters support the phylogenetic relationships. Statistical analyses of inter-species comparisons of morphological characters are not considered the only methods due to the non-independence of some characters states among species; thus, a phylogenetic analysis is recommended. The detailed revision of specimens of the L. montanus group held in the collections of Bolivia is filling major geographic gaps and improving our understanding of the phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships of this widely distributed group of South American lizards.

Solving the Liolaemus bibronii puzzle, an integrative taxonomy approach: redescription of L. bibronii and description of three new species (Iguania: Liolaemidae)

AbstractWe redescribe Liolaemus bibronii and describe three new species of Liolaemus, a genus of lizards distributed across South America. These species belong to the L. alticolor–bibronii group, which are included in the subgenus Liolaemus s.s. Liolaemus bibronii was previously proposed as a species complex, but many populations initially assigned to this complex were described as valid species. The three new species described here were populations denominated under L. bibronii. In order to validate the new species, we apply an integrative approach, including molecular and morphological evidence. Also, we perform phylogenetic analyses applying parsimony and Bayesian inference. The three new species described here show a set of character states that allow them to be distinguished from L. bibronii, from each other and from all other species of Liolaemus. Our phylogenies show that the newly described species are more related to other species than to L. bibronii. With this study, we are closer to solving the taxonomic puzzle that L. bibronii represents.

Three New Lizard Species of the Liolaemus montanus Group from Perú

Three new species of Liolaemus belonging to the L. montanus group are described from Perú. Two new species are restricted to the Ica and Moquegua departments on the Pacific coast, and one new species is only known from an isolated highland in Ayacucho department. These three new species differ from closely related species in their coloration patterns and head shape. We comment on the conservation issues of the new species and other Peruvian species of the L. montanus group.

A new species of the Liolaemus elongatus group (Iguania: Liolaemidae)from Neuquén Province, Argentina, with comments on its genital morphology

The genus Liolaemus includes small and medium size lizards distributed in South America. It is the second-most diverse iguanian group in the world. The genus is divided in two subgenera, and many taxonomic subgroups have been proposed within these. Here, we describe a new species of Liolaemus , of the L. elongatus group. The new taxon is distributed in the vicinity of L. burmeisteri , L. crandalli , L. gununakuna , L. punmahuida and L. tregenzai , but it can be distinguished from them and from all other species of the group by a combination of lepidosis and morphometrical character states. The morphological evidence shows strong support that the population under study corresponds to a new taxon. With the description of the new species, the number of members of the L. elongatus group rises to twenty-two, but many populations still correspond to undescribed species.

A new species of the Liolaemus alticolor-bibronii group (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from East-central Argentina.

We describe a new species of Liolaemus of the L. alticolor-bibronii group of the subgenus Liolaemus sensu stricto. We studied meristic, morphometric and qualitative pattern characters. Statistical tests were performed in order to evaluate morphological differences among the candidate species and the most closely geographically distributed species. Molecular analyses of Cyt-b mitochondrial gene were performed in order to estimate the position of the new species in relation to other taxa. We also recorded natural history data such as habitat, behavior, reproductive state, diet, and body temperature. Liolaemus absconditus sp. nov. differs from other species of Liolaemus in presenting a distinct combination of morphological character states of lepidosis and color pattern, being phylogenetically close to Liolaemus tandiliensis, Liolaemus gracilis and Liolaemus saxatilis. The new species is a saxicolous and endemic lizard of the Tandilia Mountain Range System of Buenos Aires Province.

A New Species ofLiolaemusof theLiolaemus alticolor-bibroniiGroup (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Mendoza, Argentina

Abstract. We describe a new species of Liolaemus of the L. alticolor-bibronii group of the subgenus Liolaemus sensu stricto. Liolaemus bibronii has a large geographic distribution; however, preliminary studies suggest that it comprises a species complex. The new species is phenetically similar to L. bibronii and was confused with this taxon for many years. Nevertheless, the new species presents a combination of character states that clearly differentiate it. Also, the new taxon is distributed far from L. bibronii type locality (ca. 1,600 km). It differs from other species of Liolaemus in presenting a unique color pattern and a combination of morphological character states from lepidosis and morphometry. The new species inhabits pre-Andean localities in Uspallata, Las Heras department, northwest Mendoza Province, and is an insectivorous and oviparous species. With the description of this new taxon, the number of species of the L. alticolor-bibronii group rises to 30, but many populations still remain undes...

Una nueva especie de Liolaemus del grupo de L. nigromaculatus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) para la Región de Atacama, Chile

Here, we describe a new species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the coastal desert of Atacama in the vicinity of Barranquilla, Chile. This new species belongs to the L. nigromaculatus group and can be distinguished from the other species of the group and the remaining species of the genus Liolaemus, by the striking color pattern of the male, with black head and dorsum, and light blue thighs and tail, as well as other scalation features that allow its diagnosis. With this new species, the L. nigromaculatus group increases to 13 species

A New Species ofLiolaemus(Iguania: Liolaemidae) of theAlticolorGroup from La Paz, Bolivia

Abstract We describe a new species of Liolaemus, belonging to the alticolor group, that was previously confused with L. walkeri. The new species inhabits the inter-Andean dry valleys at two localities in the department of La Paz (Ananta and Jupapina), Bolivia. We compared the new species with 11 morphologically similar taxa classified as part of the alticolor group. Our comparisons were based on external morphology and included lepidosis, morphometry, meristic characters, and color patterns. Liolaemus sp. nov. differs from other species of the same group by unique dorsal coloration and lepidosis characteristics.

A new species of Liolaemus (Squamata, Iguania, Liolaemini) endemic to the Auca Mahuida volcano, northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

A new species of Liolaemus (Squamata, Iguania, Liolaemini) endemic to the Auca Mahuida volcano, northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

Three new species of the Liolaemus elongatus group (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Argentina

We describe three new species of Liolaemus from Southern Argentina.These new species belong to the monophyletic Liolaemus elongatus group, included within thesubgenus Liolaemus sensu stricto. Two of the new species inhabits in southern MendozaProvince and the other one inhabits in central west Rio Negro Province. The new speciesexhibit character states that distinguish they from all other members of the L. elongatus group.Those character states include color pattern, number of scales in dorsum, shape of temporalscales, and size (among others). Although with those new species we clarify the taxonomicstatus of several populations which belongs to the L. elongatus group, many remain unknown.

A new species of Liolaemus (Squamata, Iguania, Liolaemini) endemic to the Auca Mahuida volcano, northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

We describe a new species of the Liolaemus bibronii complex. The new species differs from other members of the bibronii-alticolor group in color pattern, coloration and squamation. Liolaemus cyaneinotatus is endemic to the Auca Mahuida volcano in northwestern Patagonia.

A new species of Liolaemus of the Liolaemus montanus section (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Northwestern Argentina

We provide evidence for a new species of Liolaemus, which can be included in the L. dorbignyi group within the montanus series. Liolaemus vulcanus sp. nov. was previously confused with L. dorbignyi, but it exhibits states of character which allow us to differentiate the two taxa. The main differences with L. dorbignyi are in the color pattern and in the dorsal scales. Liolaemus vulcanus sp. nov. is saxicolous and it inhabits in rocky hills in the Puna regions of Northwestern Argentina. It is distributed in localities in Antofagasta de la Sierra department in Catamarca Province, Argentina .

A new species of Liolaemus (Reptilia: Squamata) from southwestern Rio Negro province, northern Patagonia, Argentina

A new species of Liolaemus (Reptilia: Squamata) from southwestern Rio Negro province, northern Patagonia, Argentina

A new species of Liolaemus (Reptilia: Squamata) from southwestern Rio Negro province, northern Patagonia, Argentina

A new species of lizard of the genus Liolaemus from southwestern Rio Negro Province, central Patagonia is described. The new species is a member of the Liolaemus fitzingerii group, and molecular data show it as sister taxon of L. martorii, but it differs in size, squamation, coloration, and sexual dimorphism. Liolaemus casamiquelai sp. nov. is terrestrial, dwelling on loose sandy soil in a shrubby landscape, and seems to be oviparous and insectivorous.

Two New Species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the Puna of Northwestern Argentina

Abstract We describe two new species of Liolaemus belonging to the montanus series. The new species are closely related to L. dorbignyi, but are disjunctly distributed with respect to this taxon. Both new species exhibit unique color patterns, which, along with differences in squamation, differentiate the two new taxa from the other species in the series. Both new species are saxicolous and inhabit rocky hills in the Puna regions of northwestern Argentina. One occurs in the Cerro de la Virgen, Nevados de Cachi and Nevados de Palermo of Salta Province. The other is known only from its type locality in the Cerro El Pichao of Tucuman Province.

Redescription of Liolaemus dorbignyi Koslowsky, 1898 and description of a new species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae)

Liolaemus dorbignyi is re-described, and its type locality restricted to the Sierra de Fiambalá, Catamarca Province, Argentina. Also, Liolaemus scrocchii sp. nov., a new species of Liolaemus belonging to the L. montanus series, previously confused with L. dorbignyi , is described. This new species inhabits the phytogeographic region of Puna in Argentina at 3500 m. and is distributed in Jujuy and northwestern Salta provinces. Diagnostic characters include the color pattern, (composed of transverse paravertebral spots, that are band shaped and never reach the lateral region, and never contact the vertebral zone), and the number of scales around midbody. Several populations from different localities were considered L. dorbignyi because of their color pattern and squamation. Even though part of this confusion is clarified in this contribution, some populations still require further study.

A new species of Liolaemus (Reptilia: Squamata: Liolaemini) from southern Mendoza province, Argentina

A new species of Liolaemus (Reptilia: Squamata: Liolaemini) from southern Mendoza province, Argentina

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE LIOLAEMUS ALTICOLOR GROUP (IGUANIA: LIOLAEMIDAE) FROM CUZCO, PERÚ

We describe a new species of Liolaemus from the alticolor group that was previously confused with L. alticolor. Populations of this new taxon are distributed in the area of Cuzco and Sicuani, in southeastern Peru (Peruvian province of Cuzco). This new species is disjunct with respect to other members of the alticolor group. We analyzed 82 characters of external morphology, including external squamation, neck folds, precloacal pores, and dorsal and ventral patterns. These characters were compared between the new taxon and 17 morphologically similar species belonging to the more-inclusive chiliensis group. The new species is characterized by a unique combination of throat color pattern, smooth dorsal head scales, and well developed neck folds. This evidence, together with its geographic isolation, supports this taxon as a new species of Liolaemus.