Panolopus curtissi ( Grant 1951 )

Schools, Molly & Hedges, Blair, 2024, A new forest lizard fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Diploglossidae, Celestinae), Zootaxa 5554 (1), pp. 1-306 : 152-156

Panolopus curtissi ( Grant 1951)

Hispaniolan Khaki Forest Lizard

(Fig. 57–58)

Celestus curtissi Grant, 1951:68 . Holotype: USNM 11733 , a juvenile female, collected by Anthony Curtiss from Trou Forban on 19 April 1943 (18.921, -72.654).

Diploglossus curtissi curtissi — Schwartz, 1964:40.

Celestus curtissi curtissi — Schwartz & Henderson, 1988:97.

Celestus curtissi curtissi — Schwartz & Henderson, 1991:371.

Celestus curtissi curtissi — Hedges et al., 2019:16.

Panolopus curtissi — Schools & Hedges, 2021:230 (part).

Panolopus curtissi — Landestoy et al., 2022: 205 (part).

Material examined (n=18). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Independencia. ANSP 38632 , S. Blair Hedges, Kristin Nastase, Renee Sharp, and Patrick Parker, La Descubierta , 5.1 km NW of, 30 May 1996 ; KU 226253 , 2 km E Boca de Cachon , 5 August 1974 ; SBH 194494 , S. Blair Hedges, Kristin Nastase, Renee Sharp, and Patrick Parker, 5.1 km NW of La Descubierta , 30 May 1996 . HAITI. Artibonite. ANSP 38633–5 , S. Blair Hedges and Miguel Landestoy, La Gonave, near Richard , along coast road, 2 April 2011 ; KU 226192 , Pierre Payen, 9 mi S St Marc , 13 July 1974 . Ouest. KU 226242–3 , 10.1 km SE Montrouis , 13 July 1974 ; KU 226248 , 0.3 mi S Terre Rouge , 26 May 1974 ; USNM 117265 , Trou Caiman, 16 February 1943 ; USNM 117266 , Trou Forban, 12 December 1942 ; USNM 117267–8 , Trou Forban, 31 August 1942 ; USNM 117337–8 , Trou Forban, 19 April 1943 ; USNM 129399 , Trou Forban . Gonave Island. MCZ R-80800, George Whiteman, Pointe-a-Roquettes, 1 January 1964 – 31 December 1964 .

Diagnosis. Panolopus curtissi has (1) a dorsal pattern of absent/irregular flecks, (2) head markings absent, (3) markings in the longitudinal paramedian area absent/present, (4) dots arranged in bars in the lateral band absent, (5) an adult SVL of 64.1–85.5 mm, (6) ventral scale rows, 90–103, (7) midbody scale rows, 32–38, (8) total lamellae on one hand, 32–39, (9) total strigae on ten scales, 165–260, (10) relative length of all digits on one hindlimb, 20.8– 28.1 %, (11) relative distance between the angled subocular and mouth, 0.393 –0.587 %, (12) relative eye length, 2.66–4.01 %, (13) relative forelimb length, 15.1–20.5 %, (14) relative ear width, 0.827–2.09 %, (15) relative rostral height, 1.77–2.66 %, (16) relative head length, 13.6–17.9 %, (17) relative mental width, 1.60–2.09 %, (18) relative postmental width, 2.07–2.72 %, (19) relative cloacal width, 7.49–8.61 %, (20) relative prefrontal width, 3.96–4.68 %, (21) relative largest supraocular width, 1.88–2.98 %, (22) relative longest finger length, 3.59–4.54 %, (23) relative distance between the ear and eye, 5.36–7.71 %, (24) relative head width, 68.3–78.1 %, (25) relative frontal width, 65.4–83.1 %, (26) relative nasal height, 1.04–1.25 %, (27) relative angled subocular height, 0.708–1.19 %, (28) relative distance between the eye and naris, 4.02–5.03 %, (29) relative canthal iii length, 1.75–1.93 %, (30) relative angled subocular width, 2.26–2.76 %, and (31) relative nasal length, 1.44–1.82 %. The species stem time is 2.04 Ma and the species crown time is 0.64 Ma (Fig. 4).

Panolopus curtissi has a smaller relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54) than most species of the genus. From Panolopus aenetergum , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots), the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the ventral scale rows (90–103 versus 80–86), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 40), the total strigae on ten scales (165–260 versus 267), the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.393 –0.587 versus 0.717), the relative forelimb length (15.1–20.5 versus 20.6), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 4.83), the relative distance between the ear and eye (5.36–7.71 versus 8.40), the relative frontal width (65.4–83.1 versus 88.2), the relative angled subocular width (2.26–2.76 versus 2.07), and the relative nasal width (1.44–1.82 versus 1.92). From P. aporus , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present) and the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 4.57–5.72). From P. chalcorhabdus , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 40–52), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 31.3–36.0), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 5.29– 6.97), and the relative width of canthal iii (1.75–1.93 versus 1.98–2.05). From P. costatus , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the midbody scale rows (32–38 versus 39– 43), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 49–58), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 31.5–37.8), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 5.53–6.66), and the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.02–5.03 versus 5.08–5.50). From P. diastatus , we distinguish P. curtissi by the nasal length by the nasal height (1.21–1.46 versus 1.47–1.73) (see Remarks). From P. emys , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the adult SVL (64.1–85.5 versus 99.0–113), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 28.9–35.2), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 5.15–5.83), and the relative angled subocular width (2.26–2.76 versus 2.12–2.20). From P. hylonomus , we distinguish P. curtissi by the relative width of canthal iii (1.75–1.93 versus 1.95–2.03). From P. lanceolatus sp. nov., we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 41–52), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 28.4–35.9), and the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 4.76–6.36). From P. lapierrae sp. nov., we distinguish P. curtissi by the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.393 –0.587 versus 0.620 –0.725), the relative prefrontal width (3.96–4.68 versus 4.73–4.75), the relative distance between the ear and eye (5.36–7.71 versus 7.78–8.43), and the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.02–5.03 versus 5.21). From P. leionotus , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the adult SVL (64.1– 85.5 versus 86.3–105), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 43–48), and the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 4.58–6.10). From P. marcanoi , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots/dots in chevrons), the head markings (absent versus present), the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), and the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 4.75–6.68). From P. melanchrous , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the adult SVL (64.1–85.5 versus 93.2–124), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 47–58), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 30.7–41.3), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 5.76–7.09), and the relative nasal height (1.04–1.25 versus 0.897 –0.952). From P. neiba , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 45–49), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 29.5–36.6), the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.393 –0.587 versus 0.670 –0.747), and the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 5.61–6.66). From P. nesobous , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots/dots in series), the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 50–59), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 35.1), the relative forelimb length (15.1–20.5 versus 23.3–25.1), the relative postmental width (2.07–2.72 versus 2.82–3.02), the relative prefrontal width (3.96–4.68 versus 4.74–4.81), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 6.19–6.33), the relative distance between the ear and eye (5.36–7.71 versus 7.91–10.0), the relative frontal width (65.4–83.1 versus 60.8–63.5), the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.02–5.03 versus 5.62–5.73), and the relative width of canthal iii (1.75–1.93 versus 2.01–2.12). From P. oreistes , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots/dots in series/dots in chevrons), the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 31.2– 40.1), and the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 5.27–7.23). From P. psychonothes , we distinguish P. curtissi by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots/dots in series/dots in chevrons) and the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 4.89–5.81). From P. saonae , we distinguish P. curtissi by the adult SVL (64.1–85.5 versus 90.9–98.3), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 40–42), the relative mental width (1.60–2.09 versus 1.52), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 5.01), the relative nasal height (1.04–1.25 versus 1.01), the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.02–5.03 versus 6.43), and the relative width of canthal iii (1.75–1.93 versus 1.99). From P. semitaeniatus sp. nov., we distinguish P. curtissi by the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 30.4–34.6), the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.393 –0.587 versus 0.666 –0.808), the relative forelimb length (15.1–20.5 versus 21.3–23.8), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 5.17–6.05), the relative head width (68.3–78.1 versus 58.8–63.8), and the relative angled subocular height (0.708–1.19 versus 0.654). From P. unicolor sp. nov., we distinguish P. curtissi by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the midbody scale rows (32–38 versus 40), the total lamellae on one hand (32–39 versus 48), the total strigae on ten scales (165–260 versus 144), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (20.8–28.1 versus 36.8), the relative forelimb length (15.1–20.5 versus 23.5), the relative postmental width (2.07–2.72 versus 2.80), the relative prefrontal width (3.96–4.68 versus 4.69), the relative largest supraocular width (1.88–2.98 versus 3.12), the relative longest finger length (3.59–4.54 versus 6.65), the relative frontal width (65.4–83.1 versus 58.2), the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.02–5.03 versus 5.52), the relative angled subocular width (2.26–2.76 versus 2.90), and the relative nasal width (1.44–1.82 versus 2.00).

Description of holotype. USNM 11733. A juvenile female; SVL 75.0 mm; tail nearly cylindrical, broken in life near tip, regenerated, 96.2 mm (128% SVL); axilla-to-groin distance 44.7 mm (59.6% SVL); forelimb length 14.1 mm (18.8% SVL); hindlimb length 22.3 mm (29.7% SVL); head length 13.0 mm (17.3% SVL); head width 8.88 mm (11.8% SVL); head width 68.3% head length; diameter of orbit 3.01 mm (4.01% SVL); horizontal diameter of ear opening 1.33 mm (1.77% SVL); vertical diameter of ear opening 1.30 mm (1.73% SVL); length of all toes on one foot 20.3 mm (27.1% SVL); shortest distance between angled subocular and lip 0.44 mm (0.587% SVL); shortest distance between the ocular and auricular openings 5.78 mm (7.71% SVL); longest finger length 3.02 mm (4.03% SVL); largest supraocular width 1.95 mm (2.60% SVL); cloacal width 5.94 mm (7.92% SVL); mental width 1.57 mm (2.09% SVL); postmental width 2.04 mm (2.72% SVL); prefrontal width 3.38 mm (4.51% SVL); frontal width 70.4% frontal length; nasal height 0.91 mm (1.21% SVL); angled subocular height 0.89 mm (1.19% SVL); shortest distance between the eye and naris 3.50 mm (4.67% SVL); canthal iii width 1.44 mm (1.92% SVL); angled subocular width 2.03 mm (2.71% SVL); nasal width 1.10 mm (1.47% SVL); rostral 2.15X as wide as high, visible from above, not in contact with nasals, in contact with 1 st supralabial and anterior internasal (left)/(right); anterior internasals are narrower than posterior ones; frontonasals and prefrontal fused into a single large plate with a straight posterior margin, much wider than long, bordered by posterior internasals, 1 st loreals, 1 st (and 2 nd on the right) median ocular(s), and the frontal; frontal longer than wide; a pair of frontoparietals, separated by the posterior prolongation of the frontal and the interparietal plate; interparietal plate much smaller than parietals and separating them, posteriorly touching the interoccipital, which is much wider than long; parietal separated from supraoculars by 1 st and 2 nd temporals and frontoparietal (left)/(right); nasal single; nostril above suture between 1 st and 2 nd supralabials (left)/just posterior to suture between 1 st and 2 nd supralabials (right); 1 postnasal (left)/(right); 2 loreals (left)/(right); 1 st loreal higher than wide (left)/(right), in contact with postnasal, posterior internasal, prefrontal/frontonasal complex, 1 st median ocular, canthal iii, 2 nd loreal, and 3 rd –4 th supralabials (left)/(right); 2 nd loreal shorter than 1 st, approximately as high as wide (left)/(right), excluded from contact with supraocular by canthal iii (left)/(right); final loreal posteriorly bordering the upper and lower preoculars (left)/lower preocular (right); canthal iii wider than high (left)/(right), contacting 1 st median ocular, anterior supraciliary, upper and lower preoculars, and 1 st and 2 nd loreals (left)/(right); 10 median oculars (left)/(right), 1 st (left)/1 st and 2 nd (right) contacting the prefrontal; 1 upper preocular (left)/(right); an irregular (left)/fused to first lateral ocular (right) anterior supraciliary; 6 lateral oculars (left)/(right); 5 temporals (left)/(right); 2 suboculars (left)/(right); posterior subocular large and elongate (left)/(right); anterior subocular small (left)/(right); 9 supralabials (left)/(right), 6 to level below center of eye (left)/(right); 8 infralabials (left)/(right), 5 to level below center of eye (left)/(right); mental small, followed by a single, larger postmental; 4 pairs of enlarged chin shields; 1 st pair in contact with one another; 2 nd –4 th pairs separated by 1–2 scales; 99 transverse rows of dorsal scales from interoccipital to base of tail; 94 transverse rows of ventral scales from mental to vent; 37 scales around midbody; 5 digits; finger lengths 3>4>2>5>1; 10 (left)/9 (right) lamellae under longest finger; 36 total lamellae on one hand; toe lengths 4>3>5>2>1; 16 lamellae under longest toe (left)/(right); keelless and striate dorsal body and caudal scales; smooth ventral scales; 188 total strigae counted on ten scales.

Color (in alcohol): dorsal surface of head gray-brown, patternless; lateral surfaces of head grading from gray-brown to cream with darker brown eye masks and other darker brown areas on the labial scales; dorsal surfaces of the body are gray-brown, patternless; dorsal surface of tail gray-brown, patternless, faded yellow on regenerated portion of tail; lateral areas grade from dark brown to cream; dorsal surfaces of the limbs are dark red-brown; lateral and ventral areas of the limbs fade to cream; ventral surfaces of the head, body, and tail are yellow-cream that is darker under the tail.

Variation. The examined material resembles the holotype in dorsal pattern. All specimens examined lack a patterned head, longitudinal paramedian lines, and dots arranged in bars in the lateral band. Measurements and other morphological data for the holotype and other examined material are presented in Table 1.

Distribution. Panolopus curtissi is distributed in south-central Haiti and adjacent Dominican Republic at elevations of 20–910 m (Fig. 50). It mostly occupies the trough separating the north and south paleo islands of Hispaniola, called the Plaine du Cul de Sac in Haiti and the Valle de Neiba in the Dominican Republic, including areas below sea level. The range also extends along the dry coast west of the Chaine des Matheux of Haiti, Gonave, and south to Jacmel. It has an extent of occurrence of ~ 3,710 km 2.

Ecology and conservation. Past literature accounts of ecological data for this species conflate multiple species and therefore cannot be used. We consider the conservation status of Panolopus curtissi to be Least Concern, based on IUCN Redlist criteria ( IUCN 2023). It is likely a common species tolerant of some habitat disturbance, based on what is known of most species of Panolopus . However, it faces a primary threat of habitat destruction resulting from deforestation. A secondary threat is predation from introduced mammals, including the mongoose and black rats. Studies are needed to determine the health and extent of remaining populations and better understand the threats to the survival of the species.

Reproduction. Past literature accounts of ecological data for this species conflate multiple species and therefore cannot be used.

Etymology. The species name refers to Mr. Anthony Curtiss, the collector of the type specimen.

Remarks. Prior to this work, Panolopus curtissi was reported to have four subspecies: P. c. curtissi , P. c. aporus , P. c. diastatus , and P. c. hylonomus . We elevate all of them to species level. Further analyses of museum specimens that have been recorded as P. curtissi should be undertaken to assign all individuals to the correct species.

Panolopus curtissi and P. diastatus cannot be morphologically separated based on our standard suite of characters, however, they can be separated by the nasal length by the nasal height (1.21–1.46 [n=5] versus 1.47–1.73 [n=10]).

Panolopus curtissi was included in our genetic dataset and has significant support in both Bayesian and ML likelihood analyses at the crown node. The stem node that places P. curtissi as the closest relative to P. aporus had a support value of 58% in our ML analysis and was not supported in our Bayesian analysis. Schools et al. (2021) places P. curtissi and P. aporus as closest relatives with significant support in the ML analysis and a support value of 80% in the Bayesian analysis. Based on our timetree (Fig. 4), P. curtissi diverged from its closest relative 2.04 Ma, consistent with typical species of vertebrates (> 0.7 Ma; Hedges et al. 2015). Panolopus curtissi was recognized as a distinct species by our ASAP analysis.

FIGURE 57. (A–F) Panolopus curtissi (USNM 11733, holotype), SVL 75.0 mm. FIGURE 58. Panolopus curtissi (ANSP 38634, SBH 269347), SVL 77.5 mm, in life. From near Richard, Gonave Island, Ouest Department, Haiti. Photo by SBH.