Stenocercus simonsii Boulenger (Fig. 21)

Stenocercus simonsii Boulenger, 1899:454 . Syntypes: BM 1946.8.11.73–74, from ‘‘ Oña, 6500 ft (= 1981.2 m), [Provincia Azuay] Ecuador ̕̕; Burt and Burt, 1933:44; Peters, 1967:35; Etheridge, in Peters and Donoso-Barros, 1970:257; Fritts, 1974:64; Torres-Carvajal, 2000:31.

Diagnosis.— Stenocercus simonsii differs from all other species of Stenocercus except S. bolivarensis, S. carrioni, S. chlorostictus, S. crassicaudatus, S. empetrus, S. eunetopsis, 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. simonsii differs from S. crassicaudatus (character states in parentheses) by having a distinct black antehumeral collar that is incomplete middorsally (collar absent or faint). It is distinguished from S. crassicaudatus and S. torquatus by having fewer scales (79–102, X = 94.20) around midbody (97– 121, X = 108.87 in S. crassicaudatus; 102– 137, X = 116.96 in S. torquatus), and fewer (59–98, X = 73.75) vertebrals (83–97, X = 89.80 in S. crassicaudatus; 83–115, X = 98.86 in S. torquatus).

Description.—(1) Maximum SVL in males 88 mm (Cadle, 1991); (2) maximum SVL in females 79 mm (Cadle, 1991); (3) vertebrals 59–98; (4) paravertebrals 94–118; (5) scales around midbody 79–102; (6) supraoculars 6–9; (7) internasals four; (8) postrostrals 5–7; (9) loreals 2–4; (10) gulars 36–57; (11) subdigitals on Finger IV 24–28; (12) subdigitals on Toe IV 28–37; (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 juxtaposed anteriorly; (20) preauricular fringe present; (21) antegular (continuous medially), antehumeral, gular, longitudinal, oblique, postauricular, and supra-auricular 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; (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 57–63% 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, Patterns 1A, 1B, and 2B.

Color in life.—Dorsum grayish-green, light gray, or greenish brown with black transverse blotches; antehumeral region with black vertical bar; white stripe from subocular region to shoulder in some specimens; limbs and tail with alternating black and white transverse bars in some specimens; chin and gular region pale yellowish green in males, with scattered brown or black spots in females; gular fold black interiorly in males; ventral surfaces of body, limbs, and base of tail orange-yellow in males, yellowish beige in females (Fritts, 1974; Torres-Carvajal, 2000).

Natural History.—This species is confined to rock piles and rock walls (Fritts, 1974).

Distribution.— Stenocercus simonsii is known from the northern Andes in the western Cordillera and Saraguro inter-Andean basin in southern Ecuador (Fig. 9). This species inhabits the upper valley of Río Jubones (Pacific drainage) at elevations of 1980–2500 m in Provincias Azuay and Loja (4 ° S–3 ° S). S. simonsii is sympatric with S. festae and S. rhodomelas in Azuay.