A new species of Lepidophyma (Squamata: Xantusiidae) from San Luis Potosí, México, with notes on its physiological ecology

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increase in the descriptions of members of the lizard genus Lepidophyma. Herein, we describe a new species of Lepidophyma from the Huasteca Potosina region of Mexico, previously confused with L. gaigeae, from which it differs in lacking parietal spot, among other characteristics. We inferred its phylogenetic position and provide information on its thermal and hydric physiology, as well as on some other aspects of natural history. Molecular and morphological data supported the independent taxonomic status of the new species, indicating its placement as the sister taxon of L. gaigeae and a wide morphological separation between these species. Lepidophyma lusca sp. nov. has a diurnal-crepuscular activity period and occurs at lower elevations than L. gaigeae. Also, the new species differ from its sister taxon in its physiology, as reflected by its tendency toward higher thermal parameters and water loss rates. With the description of L. lusca sp. nov., the number of species in the genus Lepidophyma rises to 21.

Herpetofauna of the “El Mineral De Nuestra Señora De La Candelaria” Reserve: A Biological Treasure in Sinaloa, Mexico

“…In this regard, Mexico ranks as one of the top countries worldwide, with approximately 1 421 species recorded in total (Flores-Villela & García-Vázquez, 2014;Parra-Olea et al, 2014;Ramírez-Bautista et al, 2023). This number has steadly increased due to new descriptions in both groups (e.g., López-Luna et al, 2018;Jiménez-Arcos et al, 2019;Arenas-Moreno et al, 2021;Ramirez-Bautista et al, 2023). Additionally, there is a significant percentage of species that are distributed exclusively within the country's borders (Flores-Villela & García-Vázquez, 2014;Ochoa-Ochoa & Villela-Flores, 2006).…”

ESFUERZO REPRODUCTOR Y ASPECTOS DEL CUIDADO PARENTAL DE LA LAGARTIJA CAIMÁN Gerrhonotus infernalis (SQUAMATA: ANGUIDAE)

“…Gerrhonotus infernalis es una lagartija de tamaño relativamente grande cuyas hembras invierten más del 60% de su peso en la ovoposición con nidos con un peso de 15g y donde su MRN es incluso el doble de lo que invierten lagartijas vivíparas como es el caso de especies del género Plestiodon y Lepidophyma, pero similar al documentado para varias especies de lagartijas vivíparas del género Sceloporus que no presenta cuidado parental (Arenas-Moreno et al, 2021;Muñoz et al, 2023;Rodríguez-Romero et al, 2005). No obstante, observamos ciertas diferencias en cuanto al cuidado parental, y cabe recalcar que Green y colaboradores (2006) registraron observaciones de cuidado parental en una sola hembra de G. infernalis, en condiciones de laboratorio, sin compararlo con algún otro ejemplar cautivo de la misma especie.…”