Liolaemus carlosgarini and Liolaemus riodamas (Squamata: Liolaemidae), two new species of lizards lacking precloacal pores, from Andean areas of central Chile

Abstract

Most of the lizards of the Liolaemus genus present precloacal pores in males, with few exceptions in species of the lineomaculatus and neuquensis groups, and in the elongatus-kriegi complex. The elongatus-kriegi complex, belonging to the Liolaemus (sensu stricto) subgenus, is composed of medium sized, saxicolous, viviparous and insectivorous or omnivorous lizards, distributed between the Andean and Patagonian zones of Chile and Argentina. We reviewed the taxonomic history of this group, and we describe two new species, Liolaemus carlosgarini, found in the vicinity of the Maule Lagoon, in the Maule Region, Chile, and Liolaemus riodamas, described from the population that was originally designated as Liolaemus cf. ceii, from Las Damas River, near the Termas del Flaco locality, in the Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins Region, thereby based on this research L. ceii is eliminated from the species belonging to Chile.Both species have as a diagnostic character the absence of precloacal pores, and we suggest here their presumptive systematic relationships in Liolaemus. We analyzed ten species of Liolaemus, in order to perform a phylogenetic analysis based on external morphology, using mostly squamation and morphometric characters. The analysis was performed using PAUP, with the Maximum Parsimony criterion. In addition, through diaphanisation, we studied and described the osteology of the new species. We conclude that species lacking precloacal pores do not form a monophyletic group, and that constructing a phylogeny using only external morphology, at least for this group of reptiles, is insufficient to establish solid phyletic relationships. Other sort of characters should complement the morphological ones.

A new species of Liolaemus related to L. nigroviridis from the Andean highlands of Central Chile (Iguania, Liolaemidae)

“…Two described species (Quinteros 2012, Troncoso-Palacios et al 2015a), Liolaemus abdalai and Liolaemus zabalai , are supported in regards to DNA features by previously published phylogenetic works. Nine species ( Liolaemus aparicioi , Liolaemus carlosgarini , Liolaemus choique , Liolaemus chungara , Liolaemus nigrocoeruleus , Liolaemus pyriphlogos , Liolaemus riodamas , Liolaemus scorialis and Liolaemus smaug ) have been described without the support of molecular data (Abdala et al 2010, Esquerré et al 2013, Marambio-Alfaro and Troncoso-Palacios 2014, Ocampo et al 2012, Quinteros 2012, Quinteros et al 2014, Troncoso-Palacios et al 2015a). Finally, one species, Liolaemus shitan , was described (Abdala et al 2010) despite that no molecular differentiation was previously noted (Morando et al 2003).…”

Two new species of the Liolaemus elongatus-kriegi complex (Iguania, Liolaemidae) from Andean highlands of southern Chile

“…Currently, the elongatus - kriegi complex (Avila et al 2012, Esquerré et al 2014, Morando et al 2003) or elongatus , kriegi and leopardinus groups (Lobo 2005, Lobo et al 2010b) includes the following species: Liolaemus antumalguen Avila et al, 2010, Liolaemus austromendocinus Cei, 1974, Liolaemus buergeri Werner 1907, Liolaemus burmeisteri Avila et al 2012, Liolaemus carlosgarini Esquerré et al 2013, Liolaemus capillitas Hulse, 1979, Liolaemus choique Abdala et al 2010, Liolaemus cristiani Núñez et al 1991, Liolaemus dicktracyi Espinoza & Lobo, 2003, Liolaemus elongatus Koslowsky, 1896, Liolaemus flavipiceus Cei & Videla, 2003, Liolaemus frassinettii Núñez, 2007, Liolaemus gununakuna Avila et al 2004, Liolaemus heliodermis Espinoza et al 2000, Liolaemus kriegi Müller & Hellmich, 1939, Liolaemus leopardinus Müller & Hellmich, 1932, Liolaemus parvus Quinteros et al 2008, Liolaemus petrophilus Donoso-Barros & Cei, 1971, Liolaemus punmahuida Avila et al 2003, Liolaemus ramonensis Müller & Hellmich, 1932, Liolaemus shitan Abdala et al 2010, Liolaemus smaug Abdala et al 2010, Liolaemus talampaya Avila et al 2004, Liolaemus thermarum...…”

Liolaemus riodamas Esquerré, Núñez & Scolaro, 2013 (Reptilia: Squamata: Liolaemidae): new record for the Maule Region in Chile

“…These structures could be more accurately described as pheromone secreting glands, and they are found in the anterior edge of the cloacal opening of most males of the Liolaemidae (Labra et al 2002). Liolaemus riodamas Esquerré, Núñez & Scolaro, 2013 (Figure 1), is a recently described viviparous and saxicolous species that was previously considered as Liolaemus cf. ceii (Núñez and Torres-Mura 1992), belonging to the Liolaemus subgenus and one of the few known liolaemids to completely lack precloacal pores (Esquerré et al 2013).…”

“…Liolaemus riodamas Esquerré, Núñez & Scolaro, 2013 (Figure 1), is a recently described viviparous and saxicolous species that was previously considered as Liolaemus cf. ceii (Núñez and Torres-Mura 1992), belonging to the Liolaemus subgenus and one of the few known liolaemids to completely lack precloacal pores (Esquerré et al 2013). Until now, this species was only known to inhabit a very narrow canyon of the Las Damas River (34°56ʹ S, 070°23ʹ W), located in the Andes of the southern end of the O'Higgins Region in Chile, between 2,012 and 2,057 m above sea level (a.s.l.).…”

“…Until now, this species was only known to inhabit a very narrow canyon of the Las Damas River (34°56ʹ S, 070°23ʹ W), located in the Andes of the southern end of the O'Higgins Region in Chile, between 2,012 and 2,057 m above sea level (a.s.l.). Given the small area where these lizards occur and the apparent low population density (Esquerré et al 2013) the conservation status of this species is of some concern.…”