Stenocercus scapularis (Boulenger)

Torres-Carvajal, Omar, 2007, A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF SOUTH AMERICAN STENOCERCUS (SQUAMATA: IGUANIA) LIZARDS, Herpetological Monographs 21 (1), pp. 76-178 : 153-154

Stenocercus scapularis (Boulenger)

Liocephalus scapularis Boulenger, 1901:548 . Holotype: BMNH 1900.11.27.26 (RR 1946.8.12.37), a male from ‘‘ Perené [Departamento Junín], 2600 ft, Peru.̕̕

Leiocephalus scapularis Burt and Burt, 1931:273 ; Burt and Burt, 1933:29.

Ophryoessoides scapularis Etheridge, 1966:89 ; Etheridge, in Peters and Donoso-Barros, 1970:214.

Stenocercus scapularis Frost, 1992:43 ; Cadle, 2001:184.

Diagnosis.—Among species of Stenocercus , S. dumerilii , S. quinarius , S. scapularis , S. sinesaccus , S. squarrosus , and S. tricristatus are unique in lacking caudal fracture planes. Of these species, S. scapularis is unique in having posthumeral and postfemoral mite pockets (mite pockets absent in remaining species).

Description.—(1) Maximum SVL in males 92 mm (n = 10); (2) maximum SVL in females 92 mm ( Cadle, 2001); (3) vertebrals 43–53; (4) paravertebrals 59–77; (5) scales around midbody 52–70; (6) supraoculars 3–5; (7) internasals 4–7; (8) postrostrals 4–7; (9) loreals 2–5; (10) gulars 19–27; (11) subdigitals on Finger IV 18–23; (12) subdigitals on Toe IV 25–30; (13) posthumeral mite pocket present as a deep depression; (14) postfemoral mite pocket distinct with slit-like opening; (15) parietal eye not visible through interparietal cornea; (16) scales on occipitoparietal region small or large, wrinkled, juxtaposed; (17) projecting angulate temporals 3–4; (18) enlarged supraoculars occupying most of supraocular region in one row; (19) scales on frontonasal region weakly imbricate anteriorly; (20) preauricular fringe inconspicuous or absent; (21) neck folds absent; (22) lateral and dorsal nuchals similar in size; (23) posterior gulars rhomboidal, projected posteriorly, strongly keeled and imbricate, not notched; (24) lateral and dorsal body scales similar in size; (25) vertebrals larger than adjacent paravertebrals; (26) dorsolateral crest present; (27) ventrals keeled, imbricate; (28) scales on posterior surfaces of thighs keeled, imbricate, mucronate; (29) inguinal granular pocket absent; (30) inguinal groove absent; (31) preanals projected; (32) tail not compressed laterally in adult males; (33) tail length 67– 72% of total length; (34) caudal autotomic segments absent; (35) caudals not spinose; (36) dark brown stripe extending anterodorsally from subocular region to supraciliaries present; (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, Pattern 2B.

Color in preservative.—A series of dark chevrons longitudinally arranged over vertebral line; a white longitudinal line extending from dorsal border of tympanum to shoulder, where it curves downwards to reach behind insertion of fore limb; a ventrally expanded dark brown stripe across eye extending from subocular region to supraciliaries; a wide, dark interorbital bar in most females and juveniles; a pink tint on gular region and venter in some males.

Distribution.— Stenocercus scapularis is known from the central Andes in the eastern Cordillera of Peru between 1000–1800 m ( Fig. 13 ). This species occurs in Departamentos Junín and Puno (14 ° S–10 ° S). S. scapularis is sympatric with S. boettgeri , S. formosus , and S. torquatus at María Teresa, 10 ° 42'05"S, 75 ° 27'22"W, 1470 m, Departamento Pasco ( Torres-Carvajal et al., 2005).

Figures

FIG. 13.—Distribution of seven species of Stenocercus in South America. Question mark indicates possible distribution of S. tricristatus.