Stenocercus limitaris Cadle, 1998

Torres-Carvajal, Omar, 2007, A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF SOUTH AMERICAN STENOCERCUS (SQUAMATA: IGUANIA) LIZARDS, Herpetological Monographs 21 (1), pp. 76-178 : 132-133

Stenocercus limitaris Cadle

( Fig. 18 )

Stenocercus limitaris Cadle, 1998:261 . Holotype: AMNH 22183 , a male from ‘‘ Alamor , 04 ° 02'S, 80 ° 02'W, 1325 m, Provincia Loja, Ecuador ̕̕; Torres-Carvajal, 2000:27; Cadle, 2001:184.

Diagnosis.— Stenocercus limitaris can be distinguished from other species of Stenocercus except S. erythrogaster , S. huancabambae , S. iridescens , S. puyango and S. santander by having imbricate scales on posterior aspect of thighs, nostrils medial to canthal ridge, and a longitudinal row of enlarged supraoculars occupying most of the supraocular region. Of these species, only S. huancabambae , S. limitaris , S. puyango , and S. santander have a postfemoral mite pocket. S. limitaris differs from S. huancabambae (character states in parentheses) by lacking projected angulate temporals (2–3 dorsally-projected angulate temporals), and by having two canthals (canthal single). From S. puyango it differs by having keeled dorsal head scales and keeled ventrals (smooth in S. puyango ). S. limitaris is different from S. santander in color patterns (e.g., males of S. santander lack a distinct black mark on the ventral surface of neck, which is characteristic of S. limitaris ); moreover, males of S. santander have a more prominent vertebral crest.

Description.—(1) Maximum SVL in males 97 mm ( Cadle, 1998); (2) maximum SVL in females 82 mm ( Cadle, 1998); (3) vertebrals 40–52; (4) paravertebrals 48–60; (5) scales around midbody 39–54; (6) supraoculars 3–5; (7) internasals 4–5; (8) postrostrals 2–5; (9) loreals 2–3; (10) gulars 17–23; (11) subdigitals on Finger IV 17–23; (12) subdigitals on Toe IV 24–32; (13) posthumeral mite pocket present as a deep depression; (14) postfemoral mite pocket distinct with slit-like opening; (15) parietal eye visible through interparietal cornea in 78% of specimens; (16) scales on occipitoparietal region large, keeled, subimbricate; (17) projecting angulate temporals absent; (18) one row of enlarged supraoculars occupying most of supraocular region present; (19) scales on frontonasal region imbricate anteriorly; (20) preauricular fringe present; (21) neck folds absent; (22) lateral and dorsal nuchals similar in size; (23) posterior gulars rhomboidal, smooth or slightly keeled, imbricate, not notched; (24) lateral and dorsal body scales similar in size; (25) vertebrals larger than adjacent paravertebrals; (26) dorsolateral crest absent; (27) ventrals keeled, imbricate, mucronate; (28) scales on posterior surfaces of thighs keeled, imbricate; (29) inguinal granular pocket absent; (30) inguinal groove absent; (31) preanals projected; (32) tail strongly compressed laterally in adult males; (33) tail length 69–72% of total length; (34) caudal whorls per autotomic segment three; (35) caudals not spinose; (36) dark brown stripe extending anterodorsally from subocular region to supraciliaries always present; (37) dark patch extensively covering gular region in 40% of females; (38) dark patch extensively covering gular region of adult males absent; (39) black patch on ventral surface of neck in adult males always present; (40) dark midventral longitudinal mark such as faint line, conspicuous stripe, or extensive patch in adult males always present; (41) dark patches on ventral surface of thighs in adult males absent; (42) postxiphisternal inscriptional ribs continuous midventrally, Pattern 6A.

Color in life.—Dorsum brown with a longitudinal series of dark chevrons (more distinct in subadults); side of neck and flanks yellowish brown in females; loreal and supralabial regions dull yellowish white; light yellow vertical stripe on shoulder; throat and pectoral region grayish white with yellow tint in females; ventral surfaces of body, limbs, and tail grayish tan in females; upper edge of posterior surface of thigh with light yellowish-brown stripe in females and subadults ( Cadle, 1998).

Natural History.—Although some specimens were collected in humid deciduous forest, S. limitaris has been mostly observed among thickets and fencerows in disturbed areas including pastures, agricultural land, and secondary forest ( Cadle, 1998).

Distribution.— Stenocercus limitaris occurs in the western slopes of the western Cordillera of the northern Andes between 5 ° S–3 ° S ( Fig. 17 ). This species is known at elevations of 600–2200 m in the upper valley of Río Chira (Pacific drainage) in southern Ecuador (Provincias El Oro and Loja) and northern Peru (Departamentos Piura and Tumbes). S. limitaris is sympatric with S. carrioni (Ecuador: Loja), S. festae (Ecuador: El Oro), and S. puyango (Peru: Tumbes).

Figures

FIG. 18.—Eight species of Stenocercus. (A) S. fimbriatus (JCA); (B) S. formosus (MLU); (C) S. guentheri (LAC); (D) S. humeralis (OTC); (E) S. imitator (PVE); (F) S. iridescens (RWM); (G) S. lache (JMR); (H) S. limitaris (PVE).

FIG. 17.—Distribution of four species of Stenocercus in Ecuador and Peru.