Phylogenetic taxonomy of the Cercosaurini (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae), with new genera for species of Neusticurus and Proctoporus

Abstract

The tribe Cercosaurini is one of the most poorly studied groups of the lizard family Gymnophthalmidae. Recent studies have suggested that two cercosauriine genera, Neusticurus and Proctoporus, are polyphyletic. The aim of the current study was to rectify the polyphyletic relationships and construct a phylogenetic taxonomy of the Cercosaurini that is congruent with evolutionary history. Neusticurus is divided into two genera, one of them new (Potamites), based on the clades recovered by molecular studies and previously discussed morphological data. Proctoporus is divided into three genera, one of which is new (Petracola), while an older name (Riama) is resurrected for another. All five genera are described and defined and taxonomic keys are presented. This study represents an important advance in rectifying the taxonomy of the Cercosaurini. Many other para‐ and polyphyletic genera remain in the Gymnophthalmidae and much future work on this group is warranted. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 143, 405–416.

Description and Phylogenetic Relationships of a New Genus and Species of Lizard (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) from the Amazonian Rainforest of Northern Brazil

“…Such advance is partially the result of cumulative efforts to reconstruct supraspecific phylogenetic relationships among microteiid taxa. Understanding of microteiid relationships has improved with the use of molecular (Pellegrino et al, 2001;Castoe et al, 2004;Doan and Castoe, 2005) or a combination of molecular and morphological approaches (Rodrigues et al, , 2009). In the present study, we analyzed overall morphology of the new taxon, described above, and conducted a phylogenetic analysis to determine the placement of the new genus and test its relationships with representatives of the Alopoglossinae, Gymnophthalminae, and Cercosaurinae (especially with those from the Ecpleopodini tribe sensu Pellegrino et al, 2001).…”

“…Recent molecular analyses have shed light on the relationships among gymnophthalmid genera and species, and on their evolution (Pellegrino et al, 2001;Castoe et al, 2004;Doan and Castoe 2005;Wagner, 2006, Kohlsdorf et al, 2010). However, despite major improvements in the knowledge of relationships, geographic distribution, variation, ecology, and evolution of microteiids, several aspects of their systematics remain controversial.…”

Ecology of Alopoglossus angulatus and A. atriventris (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in western Amazonia

“…For example, the tiny leaflitter geckos Coleodactylus amazonicus, C. septentrionalis, Lepidoblepharis xanthostigma, and Pseudogonatodes guianensis feed primarily on springtails, homopterans, termites, insect larvae, and small spiders . The most similar diets are found in some gymnophthalmids of the genus Cercosaura (formerly in Prionodactylus; Doan and Castoe 2005). For this discussion, we do not accept Doan's (2003) synonomy of C. oshaughnessyi and C. argulus (see Vitt et al 2003b).…”

Diferenciação geográfica de Ecpleopus gaudichaudii (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) baseada em caracteres morfológicos e moleculares, e considerações sobre a descrição osteológica

“…Finalmente o reconhecimento de uma família independente, os Gymnophthalmidae, foi feito também de forma independente por Presch (1983Presch ( , 1988, Estes (1983) e (Estes et al, 1988) e tem sido seguido nos trabalhos sistemáticos mais recentes do grupo. (Estes et al, 1988;Schwenk, 1988;Evans & Barbadillo, 1997Evans & Chure, 1998;Lee, 1998;Caldwell, 1999, Pellegrino et al, 2001, Castoe et al, 2004, Doan & Castoe, 2005.…”

“…Ocorrem do Sul do México à Argentina, no Caribe e em ilhas continentais das América Central e do Sul. Apresentam atualmente aproximadamente 190 espécies descritas, distribuídas em 41 gêneros (Pellegrino et al, 2001, Castoe et al, 2004, Doan & Castoe, 2005e 2007, sendo a maioria exclusivos da América do Sul. Os Há poucos estudos detalhados sobre os Gymnophthalmidae em relação a sua anatomia.…”