On the identity of Liolaemus nigromaculatus Wiegmann, 1834 (Iguania, Liolaemidae) and correction of its type locality

Abstract

In the current study, we review the taxonomic status of Liolaemus nigromaculatus. Despite being the nominal species of the nigromaculatus group and being the second species of the genus Liolaemus that was described, this species is of uncertain type locality and its true identification is a matter of discussion. After carefully analyzing several digital pictures of the holotype (juvenile male), reviewing all of the literature concerning the issue, examining specimens of nearly all recognized species of the nigromaculatus group, and determining the locations visited by the specimen collector, we are able to point out the following: 1) Liolaemus nigromaculatus was collected between Puerto Viejo and Copiapó of the Atacama region in Chile, and not in Huasco 2) Liolaemus bisignatus is a nomen nudum, and populations attributed to Liolaemus bisignatus should be referred to as Liolaemus nigromaculatus. 3) There is agreement that Liolaemus copiapoensis is indistinguishable from populations currently referred to as Liolaemus bisignatus (= Liolaemus nigromaculatus), 4) Populations found in Huasco (currently considered the type locality of Liolaemus nigromaculatus) are very similar to those found in Caldera (currently considered Liolaemus bisignatus) and should be designated as Liolaemus nigromaculatus, and 5) Liolaemus oxycephalus and Liolaemus inconspicuus are not synonymous with Liolaemus nigromaculatus, although their true identities are difficult to determine. We also detail several characteristic based on the holotype of Liolaemus nigromaculatus, in addition to drawing diagnostic comparisons between this species and others belonging to the nigromaculatus group.

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

“…In regards to previous works, Torres-Pérez et al (2009) performed three phylogenetic analysis (Bayesian inference, ML and maximum parsimony) and found that Liolaemus nigroviridis is the basalmost species of a clade also composed of Liolaemus pseudolemniscatus + Liolaemus nigromaculatus + Liolaemus platei and that this clade is closely related to Liolaemus monticola + Liolaemus nitidus clade. Our results are very similar with the nigroviridis and monticola clades as sister groups, but we did not want to include “ Liolaemus nigromaculatus ” from GenBank (Torres-Pérez et al 2009) because the true identity of this species was only recently clarified (Troncoso-Palacios and Garín 2013) and although a specimen voucher is indicated (CUCH-3143), no locality data is provided. Since we have not seen this specimen we are not sure if it belongs to the true Liolaemus nigromaculatus or to Liolaemus atacamensis .…”

Phylogenomic analysis of the Chilean clade ofLiolaemuslizards (Squamata: Liolaemidae) based on sequence capture data

“…This clade is sister to a clade comprising L. isabelae , L. pseudolemniscatus (not included in this study) and species from the “ platei group” ( L. velosoi + L. platei ). In our study, L. zapallarensis and L. nigromaculatus are sister species, which are in turn sister of the aforementioned grouping (which is consistent with previous studies; e.g., Troncoso-Palacios & Garin, 2013 ). Nevertheless, and as previously mentioned, L. atacamensis is supported as sister to L. isabelae and not closely related to the “ platei ” group.…”

“…Therefore, although we recovered most of the species of this group forming a clade, the nigromaculatus species group is polyphyletic. This result is unexpected since previous analyses based on mitochondrial DNA have always found that L. atacamensis and L. nigromaculatus are sister species, and morphologically, these species are highly similar ( Troncoso-Palacios & Garin, 2013 ). Nevertheless, is not unlikely that inferences based on a single marker of mitochondrial marker versus >500 nuclear markers support a different tree (e.g., Moore, 1995 ).…”

“…Most of the species from the nigromaculatus species group included in our study occur in sympatry. Liolaemus nigromaculatus and L. velosoi are found in the Atacama Region ( Troncoso-Palacios & Garin, 2013 ; Troncoso-Palacios, 2014 ), while L. platei and L. atacamensis are present in the Atacama and Coquimbo Regions ( Pincheira-Donoso & Núñez, 2005 ), and L. zapallarensis occurs in the Valparaíso and Coquimbo Regions ( Pincheira-Donoso & Núñez, 2005 ). Liolaemus atacamensis and L. zapallarensis were first described as subspecies of L. nigromaculatus ( Müller & Hellmich, 1933 ).…”

“…Moreover, most Liolaemus species present taxonomic problems due to high levels of within species morphological and coloration variation (e.g., Liolaemus nigromaculatus , Troncoso-Palacios & Garin, 2013 ), or to the presence of convergence of morphological traits coupled with genetically divergent lineages (e.g., Liolaemus monticola , Torres-Pérez et al, 2009 ). This scenario has led to some subspecies being recently elevated to species (e.g., L. nigromaculatus atacamensis , now L. atacamensis ; Simonetti et al, 1995 ; Valladares, 2011 ; Troncoso-Palacios & Garin, 2013 ), others becoming synonyms (e.g., L. josephorum under L. velosoi , Núñez, Schulte II & Garín, 2001 ; L. lonquimayensis under L. elongatus , Troncoso-Palacios et al, 2016a ), and several candidate species proposed (e.g., Cianferoni et al, 2013 ; Troncoso-Palacios et al, 2015 ). Therefore, it is necessary to infer a reliable phylogeny to clarify the evolutionary relationships of the group in order to establish a straightforward taxonomy.…”