Jaime Troncoso-Palacios

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

Abstract The Liolaemus nigroviridis group is a clade of highland lizards endemic to Chile. These species are distributed from northern to central Chile, and currently there are no cases of sympatric distribution. This study describes a new species, Liolaemus uniformis sp. n., from this group, and provides a detailed morphological characterization and mitochondrial phylogeny using cytochrome-b. Liolaemus uniformis was found in sympatry with Liolaemus nigroviridis but noticeably differed in size, scalation, and markedly in the color pattern, without sexual dichromatism. This new species has probably been confused with Liolaemus monticola and Liolaemus bellii, both of which do not belong to the nigroviridis group. The taxonomic issues of this group that remain uncertain are also discussed.

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

Abstract The elongatus-kriegi complex is one of the most diverse clades of the Liolaemus (sensu stricto) subgenus of lizards. There are currently 29 species recognized in this group distributed between Chile and Argentina. Based on molecular evidence, there seem to be five main clades nested within this complex: the elongatus, leopardinus, kriegi, petrophilus and punmahuida clades. Liolaemus buergeri and Liolaemus kriegi, both of the kriegi clade, were believed to inhabit the surroundings of the Laja Lagoon, in the Biobío Region of Chile. Moreover, this Chilean population of Liolaemus kriegi was recently recognized as an undescribed taxon called “Liolaemus sp. A” based on molecular phylogenetics. In this work, we studied these two populations of the Laja Lagoon and provided the morphological diagnosis to describe them as two new species: Liolaemus scorialis sp. n. and Liolaemus zabalai sp. n., previously considered Liolaemus buergeri and “Liolaemus kriegi/Liolaemus sp. A” respectively. Additionally, we identified another population of Liolaemus scorialis in the vicinity of La Mula Lagoon in the Araucanía Region of Chile. Liolaemus scorialis differs from almost all of the species of the elongatus-kriegi complex by its considerably smaller size. Nevertheless, without molecular data we cannot assign it to any particular subclade. Liolaemus zabalai belongs to the kriegi clade based on published molecular phylogenies. Finally, we provide some natural history data on both species and we document for the first time the presence of Liolaemus neuquensis in Chile from a museum specimen from La Mula Lagoon.

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 Phymaturus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) of the palluma group from Central Chile

We examined specimens of Phymaturus from four locations in central Chile, between 34o50´S and 36o00´S (from Termas del Flaco and from Lircay and its surroundings), where the only recognized species is P. maulense. We found several differences in the scalation and in the color pattern among them. The samples from Lircay and its surroundings correspond to topotypes of P. maulense and two more populations assignable to this species (Termas del Campanario and Laguna del Maule, new records), but the specimens from Termas del Flaco are a new species: P. damasense. It is characterized by: dorsal pattern of the male formed by a thin reticulation over greenish background color with yellowish-brown tail, subocular scale fragmented in three or four scales, scales in the anterior border of the auditory meatus are projected posteriorly, females have dark bars on the flanks (formed by small spots), enlarged scales in the center of the gular fold and may have precloacar pores. Also, we call attention to some Chilean populations of the genus Phymaturus referred in the literature which need to be assigned.

Two new Liolaemus lizards from the Andean highlands of Southern Chile (Squamata, Iguania, Liolaemidae)

Abstract Liolaemus is a diverse genus of lizards, subdivided into two subgenera: Liolaemus (sensu stricto) and Eulaemus, distributed mainly in Chile and Argentina. The Liolaemus elongatus-kriegi complex is the most diverse group within Liolaemus (sensu stricto), especially the species closely related to Liolaemus elongatus, which form a clade currently comprising nine species. Several Chilean species of this group have been recently described, mainly from volcanoes and poorly explored mountains. Here molecular and morphological evidence are provided for a new species of the Liolaemus elongatus clade, which is characterized by its small size and lack of dorsal pattern, unusual features for the species of this group of lizards. Additionally, the lack of precloacal pores in males of Liolaemus (sensu stricto) is a trait found in few species, which do not constitute a monophyletic group. A second new southern Chilean species is also described, without precloacal pores and supported by molecular phylogenetics to be related to Liolaemus villaricensis. Both new species were found in the same locality, near a lake located in a pre-Andean zone with Araucaria and Nothofagus forest. The two species are dedicated to prominent Lonkos (tribal chiefs) of the Mapuche and Pehuenche people: Janequeo and Leftraru. Additionally, the phylogenetic results suggest that Liolaemus lonquimayensis is a synonym of Liolaemus elongatus.

Revisión del estatus taxonómico de Liolaemus filiorum Pincheira-Donoso y Ramírez, 2005 (Iguania: Liolaemidae)

Aqui se revisa el estatus taxonomico de Liolaemus filiorum (grupo de L . montanus , subgenero Eulaemus ), especie pobremente conocida y descrita solo con dos especimenes. Por medio del estudio de su descripcion y de su holotipo, se concluye que L. filiorum es un sinonimo menor de L. puritamensis . Adicionalmente, se provee una comparacion entre L. puritamensis y algunas especies relacionadas

An updated phylogeny and morphological study of the Phymaturus vociferator clade (Iguania: Liolaemidae)

Species delimitation in Phymaturus has been a difficult task due to the highly conserved morphological and ecological features present in this genus. Almost all species of Phymaturus have been described without DNA data or lacking statistical analyses which makes even more difficult to compare species. Although two molecular phylogenetic studies have been recently published, here we provide the first multilocus phylogenetic reconstruction including all Chilean species, with samples from all type localities and some previously unsampled populations. We also estimate pairwise distances among the Chilean species of Phymaturus (P. vociferator and P. mallimaccii clades) and compare our results with the P. payuniae clade, where previous studies have used multiple lines of evidence. Additionally, we performed univariate and multivariate morphological analyses and skeletal comparisons (clavicle) for the species of the P. vociferator clade. As a result of this integrative approach, we describe a new species.

Phymaturus vociferator Pincheira-Donoso, 2004 (Squamata: Liolaemidae): new records and updated geographic distribution

Phymaturus vociferator Pincheira-Donoso 2004 was known until now only from type locality, Laguna del Laja, Biobio Region, Chile. Here, we report new records in the vicinity of Termas de Chillan and extend this species’ distribution 58.3 km north of its type locality.

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

Liolaemus riodamas is a recently described lizard, only known from a very restricted river canyon in the Andes of the O’Higgins Region in Chile. The species is particular for being one of the few Liolaemus lacking the pheromone secreting glands known as precloacal pores. Here we document a second locality for this species located 30 km southwest of the type locality. This is also 500 m higher than the type locality, therefore a considerable altitudinal extension. This is a very positive discovery since the type locality of L. riodamas is intervened by a hydroelectric project, and gives hope to the conservation of this unique taxon.

Revision of the geographic distribution of three species of the montanus group of Liolaemus Wiegmann, 1834 (Reptilia: Squamata: Liolaemidae)

Here I review the distribution of three Liolaemus species of the montanus group. I conclude that L. signifer has been recorded in Peru (Puno, Tacna and Moquegua, departments), Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba and Oruro departments) and northern Chile (Arica and Parinacota Region). Liolaemus multicolor and L. andinus should be restricted to Argentina.