Description of new andean species of the genus <i>Phymaturus</i> (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Northwestern Argentina

Abstract

As a result of several field trips and studies of collections of Phymaturus samples from Andean areas of central western Argentina (San Juan province), we discovered two populations that exhibit a particular character combination not seen in other species formally recognized in the literature. Based on a detailed analysis of an extended list of morphological characters (93), including scalation, color pattern, gular and nuchal folds, precloacal pores, and morphometric data, we conclude that these populations represent independent lineages that deserve to be considered as new species. According to the most recent revision of the genus and considering the descriptions made in another recent contribution, the taxo-nomic composition of the genus was increased to 38 species. In this study we provide the formal description of two addi-tional new taxa, including their diagnosis and detailed comparisons with other members of their species group. The two new species belong to the palluma group, and can be assigned to the Puna subclade because they present the typical dorsal “spray” pattern. Other characters described in this study suggest their close phylogenetic relationship with other species of this subclade inhabiting the southern Puna region of Argentina, such as Phymaturus punae. Within the Puna subclade, Phymaturus aguanegra sp. nov. differs from all other members (P. antofagastensis, P. denotatus, P. laurenti, P. punae, P. extrilidus, P. mallimaccii and P. paihuanense) exhibiting the following combination of diagnostic characters: a complete melanism over the dorsum of neck, the presence of enlarged scales at the base of tail in males, having strongly keeled tarsal scales, lacking enlarged scales on the anterior margin of the antehumeral fold and centre of chest, females without flank coloration, a vertebral dark gray stripe usually present on the dorsum, females exhibiting a tricolor dorsal pattern, with two types of brown and scattered ferriferous oxide spots, and the absence of a scapular spot. Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. differs from all other members of the Puna clade because: exhibits an “aggregate” dorsal pattern, unlike the ho-mogeneous spray of most Puna species, lacks enlarged scales on the anterior margin of the antehumeral fold and in the centre of chest, flank coloration in females is absent, females of Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. lack white transversal stripes on the dorsal pattern, preocular scale in contact with canthal scale in Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov., rostral scale can be divided in Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. and shows the largest number of scales counted around midbody within the Puna subclade (x= 213.4; 186-235).

Gut microbial ecology of lizards: insights into diversity in the wild, effects of captivity, variation across gut regions and transmission

“…The gut microbial communities of wild mice vary seasonally due to changes in diet, reproductive status and other physiological parameters (Maurice et al 2015). The lizard species studied here exhibit seasonal variation in diet composition (Castro 2013;Lobo et al 2013;P erez Mecado 2016), which may drive the species-specific seasonal changes in relative abundances of microbial taxa. Moreover, the lizards studied here live in the high Andes and thus undergo periods of winter hibernation (Cartes et al 2010).…”

“…The lizard species studied here exhibit seasonal variation in diet composition (Castro ; Lobo et al . ; Pérez Mecado ), which may drive the species‐specific seasonal changes in relative abundances of microbial taxa. Moreover, the lizards studied here live in the high Andes and thus undergo periods of winter hibernation (Cartes et al .…”

On the evolution and diversification of an Andean clade of reptiles: combining morphology and DNA sequences of thepallumagroup (Liolaemidae:Phymaturus)

“…Updated species list of Lobo et al . (). Original descriptions and type locality are indicated for each case.…”

“…Phymaturus querque is the southernmost distributed species of the palluma group in Argentina, inhabiting the region of Laguna Blanca in Neuquén Province (39°08′S, 70°25′W). Recent studies made on samples of Phymaturus from northern Argentina resulted in the formal description of new taxa: Phymaturus extrilidus Lobo, Espinoza, Sanabria & Quiroga, 2012b endemic of Sierra La Invernada, San Juan Province; Phymaturus denotatus Lobo, Nenda & Slodki, 2012c, from Laguna Blanca of Catamarca Province; Phymaturus aguanegra Lobo, Laspiur & Acosta, and Phymaturus williamsi Lobo, Laspiur & Acosta, , from the Andean massif of San Juan Province; and Phymaturus tromen Lobo & Nenda, , from Neuquen Province. The richness of Phymaturus species from the Chilean side of the Andes was underestimated until recently.…”

Análisis trófico de Phymaturus punae (Iguania: Liolaemidae): variación estacional y sexual en la región más austral de la puna Argentina

“…Pertenece al grupo Palluma, subclado Puna y se encuentra emparentado con P. aguanegra y P. williamsi. El género de lagartos Phymaturus comprende un total de 36 especies de acuerdo con las publicaciones taxonómicas más recientes (Abdala y Quintero, 2014;Etheridge, 1995;Lobo y Quinteros, 2005;Lobo, Laspiur y Acosta, 2013).…”