Liolaemus scrocchii, Quinteros, Andrés Sebastián, Abdala, Cristian Simón & Lobo, Fernando José, 2008

Quinteros, Andrés Sebastián, Abdala, Cristian Simón & Lobo, Fernando José, 2008, Redescription of Liolaemus dorbignyi Koslowsky, 1898 and description of a new species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae), Zootaxa 1717, pp. 51-67 : 59-62

Liolaemus scrocchii sp. nov.

( Fig. 7–8 )

Liolaemus dorbignyi (non Koslowsky, 1898): Laurent (1991), Núñez (1992), Núñez and Jacksic (1992), Laurent (1995), Etheridge (1995), Laurent (1998), Schulte et al. (2000), Valladares et al. (2002), Espinoza et al. (2004), Pincheira- Donoso and Núñez (2005), Cruz et al. (2005), and Abdala (2007).

Holotype— FML 17228. Male. Two Km SE of Susques on National road 52. Dto. Susques, Jujuy, Argentina. Abdala, C., Barrionuevo, S., Quinteros, S., and G., Scrocchi , Cols. 25-Feb-05.

Paratypes —FML 17229. Male, MCN 2136–2137, male and female; same data as the holotype. FML 0 1763, 5 females, 4 males; Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes. Dto. Los Andes, Salta. O. Pagaburo col. 06- May-86. FML 0 1759 male and female; Agua de los Sapos. (Puesto de Cruz Soriano), 20 Km from Mina Tincalayo. Dto. Los Andes , Salta; O.Pagaburo, col. 06-May-86. FML 0 1817. Male, El Quemado, Abra de Pives. Dto. Tumbaya, Jujuy, 4000 m. E. Lavilla, A. Marcus, and R. Montero cols. 20-Feb-87. FML 0 6481. Male. La Mesada, 64 km from La Poma to Abra del Acay. Dto. La Poma, Salta. 4665 m. S. Torres col. 21-Jul-97. FML 0 0 992. male and 2 females. Around base of the Paño mountain. Serranía de Chañi. 4200–4300 m. Dto. Belgrano, Jujuy. G. Scrocchi col. MCN 714; MCN 898; MCN 961. Females. Casa Mocha, climbing from NW of the Nevado del Chañi. 4500–4700 m. C. Bracamonte col. 29-Mar-2002. MCN 899. Male. Abra del Cerro Toro. Sierra de Aguilar. R. Seggiaro col. 10-Oct-2002. MCN 964. Male. Road to Abra del Acay from national road 51. Near 4900 m. I. Martínez Oliver, S. Lobo and F. Lobo cols. 19-Jan-03. MCN 1922–1925. Female and 2 males. Km 210, Nacional road 51. 0.6 Km from nacional road 51. 6.4 Km to S of Olacapato. 24.2411475 S; 66.69711 W. 4070 m. B. Casimiro, Espinoza, R., Lobo, F. and S. Quinteros cols. 17-Jan-06.

Diagnosis— Liolaemus scrochii belongs to the L. montanus group ( Etheridge, 1995), diagnosed by a blade-like process on posterior distal tibia, associated with a greatly hypertrophied M. tibialis anticus ( Abdala, et al. 2006). It has scales of equal size on the posterior face of the femur, distinguishing it from the L. boulengeri group ( Abdala, 2007). Within the L. montanus group, L. scrocchii is a robust lizard, with a large size (max. SVL 95 mm) which distinguishes it from L. andinus , L. audituvelatus , L. disjunctus , L. eleodori , L. erroneus , L. etheridgei , L. fabiani , L. famatinae , L. fittkaui , L. griseus , L. huacahuasicus , L. insolitus , L. islugensis , L. molinai , L. montanus , L. multicolor , L. ortizi , L. pantherinus , L. poconchilensis , L. poecilochromus , L. pulcherrimus , L. rechei , L. rosenmanni , L. ruibali , L. signifier , and L. vallecurensis , which are smaller (SVL 50– 76 mm). Liolaemus scrocchii has flat, imbricated and slightly keeled dorsal scales which distinguish it form L. andinus , L. audituvelatus , L. erguetae , L. erroneus , L. forsteri , L. insolitus , L. islugensis , L.molinai , L. patriciaiturrae , L. poecilochromus L. robertoi , L. rosenmanni , and L. schmidti , (smooth and juxtaposed dorsal scales) and from L. aymararum , L. disjunctus , L. etheridgei , L. fittkaui , L. huacahuasicus , L. montanus , L. ortizi , L. polystictus , L. stolzmanni , L. thomasi , and L. williamsi (imbricate and strongly keeled scales). Liolaemus chlorostictus , L. jamesi , L. orientalis , L. poconchilensis , L. robustus , L. signifer and L. stolzmanni have slightly keeled but juxtaposed scales. The number of scales around midbody in L. scrocchii is 55–68, distinguishing it from L. andinus , L. disjunctus , L. duellmani , L. eleodori , L. erguetae , L. foxi , L. islugensis , L. molinai , L. multicolor , L. nigriceps , L. patriciaiturrae L. pleopholis ,, L. poecilochromus , L. pulcherrimus , L. robertoi , L. rosenmanni , L. ruibali , L. signifer , and L. vallecurensis (between 64 and 110). The females of L. scrocchii have precloacal pores 54.14% (eight of fourteen females), differing from L. andinus , L. duellmani , L. fabiani , L. islugensis , L. jamesi , L. melanogaster , L. pantherinus , L. puritamensis , L. robertoi , L. rosenmanni , L. signifer , L. stolzmanni , and L vallecurensis in which females lack precloacal pores.

The dorsal color pattern is composed of transverse paravertebral spots. These spots are band-shaped, never reach the lateral region, and are never in contact in the vertebral zone ( Fig. 7 ). This is the main difference between L. dorbignyi , L. griseus and other members of the L. montanus group. Also, the number of scales around midbody in L. scrocchi is generally higher 55–68 (x = 61.8) than L. dorbignyi 48–59 (x = 54.5). The presence of juxtaposed or subjuxtaposed dorsal scales and the absence of keeled or slightly keeled dorsal scales further differentiate L. scrocchii from L. dorbignyi .

Description of the Holotype —Snout-vent-length 87.3 mm. Trunk length 41.7. Head larger (19.2 mm) than wider (17.2 mm). Head height 11.1 mm. Eye diameter 7.1 mm. Interorbital distance 11 mm. Orbit-auditory meatus distance 7.1 mm. Auditory meatus height 2.8 mm, wide 0.9 mm. Orbit-comisure of mouth distance 3.1 mm. Internares 3 mm. Sub-ocular scale 4.3 mm long. Femur length 14.6, tibia 17.3, and foot 25.8 mm. Humerus length 11.8 mm.

Dorsal surface of the head smooth, with 14 dorsal scales. Rostral wider than high, bordered by six scales. Mental larger than rostral, bordered by four scales, trapezoidal. Nasals do not contact rostral. Two internasal scales. Seven scales surrounding nasal separated from canthal by two scales. Five scales between rostral and supercilliaries, six between rostral and frontal. Frontal scale divided. Two postrostrals. Interparietal smaller than parietals, in contact with five scales. Fourteen upper cilliaries. Supraorbital semicircles incomplete. Preocular scale separated from lorilabials by one scale. Two scales on anterior margin of auditory meatus and three on upper margin. Six smooth temporals (from upper margin of the auditory meatus to postocular scale) Three lorilabials contact subocular. Seven supralabials, the fourth of equal in size to others, without scales organs, and not in contact with the subocular. Six supraoculars. Eight lorilabials. Six infralabials, the second ventrally in contact with two scales. Five chinshields, the second separated by two scales.

Fifty seven scales around midbody. Forty eight, rounded, sub-juxtaposed, smooth dorsals, from occiput to hindlimbs. Twenty nine scale rows on dorsum. Ventrals scales same size as dorsals, flat and juxtaposed. Forty eight sub-juxtaposed and smooth gulars. Five precloacal pores. Antehumeral scales flat, larger or equal to dorsals. Postauricular, rictal and longitudinal folds present. Scales on the longitudinal fold, granular and smooth. Fourth finger with 17 subdigital lamellae and 26 on fourth toe. Flank scales, rounded, smooth with some small granular intercalated scales. Without femoral patch. Flat, imbricate and triphid infracarpal scales. imbricated and keeled infratarsal scales.

Color in ethanol— Head dorsally dark brown, with scattered dark gray scales. Head darker than rest of body. Trunk reddish-brown, with seven conspicuous, rhomboidal, black paravertebral spots, arranged transverse to body axis; posteriorly spots in contact in vertebral zone. A black spot present on posterior region of trunk, owing, probably, to scale damage. Fore and hind limbs same color as trunk, but without dark spots. Vertebral line, scapular spots and dorsolateral stripes absent. Lateral region of body with same color trunk, but light gray in ventrolateral zone. Iridescent or brightly colored scales, absents. Dorsally tail with same color as trunk. Cloacal region gray. Ventrally, from mental to cloacal region light gray, variegated with dark and light spots. On thighs a light yellow color. Tail exhibits a light gray, ringed pattern.

Variation— Based on 27 paratypes. Head larger (15.1–20.6 mm; x = 17,9 mm, than wider (13.0– 19.4 mm; x = 16.4 mm). Head height 9.1–12.3 mm (x = 10.8 mm). Neck wider than head. Snout-vent length, 2.1 times longer than trunk. Snout-vent length 72.8–94.5 mm (x = 83.9 mm). Tail length 85.1–101.3 mm, (x = 92.3 mm). Tail base width 8.9–14.1 mm, (x = 11.3 mm). Humerus length 5.5–12.7 mm, (x = 9.3 mm). Tibia length 12.2–18.5 mm, (x = 16.3 mm). Foot length 21.8–27.9 mm, (x = 24.0 mm). Fourth finger length 7.1– 10.1 mm, (x =9.0 mm) and fourth toe 11.1–17.3 mm, (x = 14.1 mm). Dorsal surface of head, slightly rugose, with 14–19 scales. Six to 7 supercilliaries. Twelve to 16 upper cilliaries. One row of lorilabials same size as supralabials. Seven to 10 lorilabials. Six to 8 supralabials. Frontal scale divided in two, three or four.

Interparietal scale larger, smaller or equal to parietals, and surrounded by 5–8 scales. Nasal scale surrounded by 5–8 scales. Four to 6 infraliabals. Mental in contact with 4 scales. Four to 8 smooth horizontal temporals. Up to 4 auriculars scales on anterior margin of auditory meatus. Neck folds present; horizontal fold is “Y” shaped between shoulder and auditory meatus. Scales around midbody 55–68 (x = 61.8). Gulars 34–46 and 36–48 scales on neck (from posterior margin of auditory meatus to shoulder, along horizontal fold). Dorsal scales between occiput and hind limbs 42–53 (x = 49.6). Ventrals 72–98 (x = 86.4). Males with 2–10 (x = 5.6) precloacal pores. Among fourteen females, eight exhibits 3–6 precloacal pores. Flat, juxtaposed or subjuxtaposed, smooth dorsal scales. Sixteen to 21 infradigital lamellae on fourth finger and 23–28 in fourth toe. Without femoral patch.

Color in life— ( Fig. 7–8 ) Without sexual dichromatism. Dorsal head design uniform, light brown or reddish-brown, with yellowish shades and dark or black scales. Body background light brown or reddish-brown, in some specimens orange tones are present. Large dark brown or black rhomboidal or rectangular paravertebral spots, always transverse to body axis ( Fig. 7 ). These spots never fused in vertebral zone of trunk, but are fused at base of tail. Lateral fields yellow, orange or reddish-brown, darker than dorsum. Light blue or white scales irregularly spread on laterals fields and on fore and hind limbs. Without vertebral line, dorsolateral bands, or scapulars spots. Tail light brown, white or yellow shaded. Paravertebral spots disappear toward end of tail.

Ventrally intense yellow from mental to cloacal region, variegated with dark and light brown scales ( Fig. 8). Some specimens with gular region orange or reddish. Tail pattern same as that of body.

Distribution— Liolaemus scrocchii occurs in the Puna region of Jujuy and in the northwest of Salta province ( Fig. 5 ). In Jujuy province it is known from Susques, Abra de Pives, Cerranías de Chañi, Chorcan, Abdón Castro Tolay, Sey and Sierra de Aguilar, and in Salta province it is found at Abra del Acay, Olacapato, Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes, Huaytiquina and Mina Tincalayo ( Fig 3).

Natural History— Liolaemus scrocchii , is known from localities in the phytogeographic region of the Puna ( Cabrera and Willink, 1980), always above the 3000 m. It is commonly found basking on rocks and on the sand banks nearby ( Fig. 9 ). It is viviparous, omnivorous with a high degree of plant material in its diet (Espinoza et al. 2004). It lives in sympatry with L. multicolor , L. ornatus Koslowsky and L. puna Lobo and Espinoza.

Etymology— We name this new taxon scrocchii to acknowledge our colleague and friend Gustavo Scrocchi for his extensive and dedicated work on the systematics and biology of Argentine reptiles, and in particular for his invaluable kindness and companionship.

Remarks— The species described here belongs to the L. montanus group ( Etheridge, 1995) within the subgenus Eulaemus ( Laurent, 1983) . The squamation and color pattern distinguish it from L. dorbignyi and the other species of the genus. The species here described inhabits many localities of the Puna in Jujuy Province and in northwestern Salta Province, between 23º–25º S and 65º–67º W. This species is viviparous, saxicolous and lives on rocky mountain slopes. Individuals of L. scrocchii from the Nevado del Chañi (Jujuy province) and from Abra del Acay (Salta, Province), in captivity, exhibit a particular behavior to stay, part of the day, in water.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Map of the Northwestern Argentina, showing known localities of L. dorbignyi (diamonds) and L. scrocchii (Black circles). The arrows indicate the restricted type locality of L. dorbignyi and the type locality of L. scrocchii. The white dots indicate the populated areas.

FIGURE 7. Dorsal view of a male specimen of L. scrocchii from the type locality, near Susques, Photo: G. Scrocchi.

FIGURE 9. Habitat of L. scrocchii from type locality, near Susques, Jujuy, Argentina. Photo: G. Scrocchi.