Stenocercus crassicaudatus (Tschudi)

Torres-Carvajal, Omar, 2007, A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF SOUTH AMERICAN STENOCERCUS (SQUAMATA: IGUANIA) LIZARDS, Herpetological Monographs 21 (1), pp. 76-178 : 101-103

Stenocercus crassicaudatus (Tschudi)

( Fig. 14 )

Scelotrema crassicaudatum Tschudi, 1845: 155 . Lectotype ( Ortiz, 1989): MHNN 2267 , a juvenile from ‘‘mountains in central Peru, Urubamba.̕̕ (restricted to surroundings of Río Perené , 10 ° 55'S, 75 ° 13'W, Peru, by Ortiz [1989]; restricted to Urubamba [Departamento Cusco], Peru, by Torres-Carvajal et al. [2005]).

Stenocercus torquatus Boulenger, 1885 a:133 . Holotype: BMNH 61.5.22.4 from ‘‘ Peru.̕̕ Synonymy fide Burt and Burt, 1930:22.

Urocentrum meyeri Werner, 1901 b:4 . Holotype: MTD D 1764 , from ‘‘Lima [Departamento Lima], Peru.̕̕ Synonymy fide Etheridge, 1968:58.

Stenocercus ervingi Stejneger, 1913:545 . Holotype: USNM 49550 , a juvenile from ‘‘ Huadquinia , 5000 ft [Departamento Cuzco], Peru.̕̕ Synonymy fide Burt and Burt, 1930: 22.

Stenocercus crassicaudatus Roux, 1907:299 ; Burt and Burt, 1930:22; Burt and Burt, 1931:287; Etheridge, in Peters and Donoso-Barros, 1970:256; Fritts, 1974:45.

Diagnosis.— Stenocercus crassicaudatus differs from all other species of Stenocercus except S. bolivarensis , S. carrioni , S. chlorostictus, S. empetrus , S. eunetopsis , S. simonsii , and S. torquatus in having granular scales on the posterior surface of thighs, two caudal whorls per autotomic segment, mucronate caudal scales, and a distinct longitudinal row of enlarged vertebral scales. Of these species, only S. crassicaudatus , S. simonsii , and S. torquatus have granular dorsal scales on neck (imbricate, and smooth or keeled in remaining species). S. crassicaudatus differs from S. simonsii and S. torquatus by lacking a distinct black antehumeral collar (collar middorsally incomplete in S. simonsii and complete in S. torquatus ), and by having 97–121 (X = 108.87) scales around midbody (79–102, X = 94.20 in S. simonsii ; 102–137, X = 116.96 in S. torquatus ), and 83–97 (X = 89.80) vertebrals (59–98, X = 73.75 in S. simonsii ; 83–115, X = 98.86 in S. torquatus ).

Description.—(1) Maximum SVL in males 95 mm (n = 16); (2) maximum SVL in females 85 mm (n = 14); (3) vertebrals 83–97; (4) paravertebrals 107–166; (5) scales around midbody 97–121; (6) supraoculars 6–8; (7) internasals 4–7; (8) postrostrals 6–8; (9) loreals 3–4; (10) gulars 44–55; (11) subdigitals on Finger IV 23–32; (12) subdigitals on Toe IV 26–38; (13) posthumeral mite pocket present as one or more vertical folds or ridges; (14) postfemoral mite pocket distinct with slit-like opening; (15) parietal eye not visible through interparietal cornea; (16) scales on occipitoparietal region small, smooth, juxtaposed; (17) projecting angulate temporals absent; (18) row of enlarged supraoculars occupying most of supraocular region absent; (19) scales on frontonasal region weakly imbricate anteriorly; (20) preauricular fringe present; (21) antegular (continuous medially), antehumeral, gular, longitudinal, oblique, and postauricular neck folds present; (22) lateral and dorsal nuchals similar in size; (23) posterior gulars cycloid, smooth, slightly imbricate, not notched; (24) lateral scales reduced in size, approximately half the size of dorsal body scales closer to vertebral line; (25) vertebrals larger than adjacent paravertebrals; (26) dorsolateral crest absent; (27) ventrals smooth, imbricate; (28) scales on posterior surfaces of thighs granular; (29) inguinal granular pocket present; (30) inguinal groove present; (31) preanals not projected; (32) tail not compressed laterally in adult males; (33) tail length 57–62% of total length; (34) caudal whorls per autotomic segment two; (35) caudals spinose; (36) dark brown stripe extending anterodorsally from subocular region to supraciliaries absent; (37) dark patch extensively covering gular region of females absent; (38) dark patch extensively covering gular region of adult males absent; (39) black patch on ventral surface of neck in adult males absent; (40) dark midventral longitudinal mark such as faint line, conspicuous stripe, or extensive patch in adult males absent; (41) dark patches on ventral surface of thighs in adult males absent; (42) postxiphisternal inscriptional ribs not in contact midventrally (AMNH 23132, 23143–44, 23146 and MCZ 29303, 45882 identified as S. crassicaudatus in Torres-Carvajal [2004 a] correspond to S. torquatus .)

Color in life.—Dorsum gray or brown with numerous black spots ( Fritts, 1974).

Natural History.—This species has been found on large rock piles and rocky cliffs ( Fritts, 1974).

Distribution.— Stenocercus crassicaudatus occurs in the eastern Cordillera of Peru (central Andes) between 14 ° S–12 ° S ( Fig. 10 ). It is known from the upper valley of Río Urubamba (Atlantic drainage) in Departamento Cusco at elevations of 1060–2404 m. This species occurs in sympatry with S. ochoai .

Figures

FIG. 14.—Eight species of Stenocercus. (A) S. chota (LAC); (B) S. chrŋsopŋgus (MLU); (C) S. crassicaudatus (WED); (D) S. cupreus (MLU); (E) S. doellojuradoi (JAS); (F) S. dumerilii (TAP); (G) S. empetrus (RON); (H) S. festae (OTC).

FIG. 10.—Distribution of six species of Stenocercus in Peru.