Panolopus emys ( Schwartz 1971b )

Schools, Molly & Hedges, Blair, 2024, A new forest lizard fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Diploglossidae, Celestinae), Zootaxa 5554 (1), pp. 1-306 : 161-165

Panolopus emys ( Schwartz 1971b)

Tortue Smooth-scaled Forest Lizard

(Fig. 60)

Diploglossus costatus emys Schwartz, 1971b:163 . Holotype: USNM 167300 , collected from Palmiste , Tortue Island, Nord-Ouest department, Haiti on 4–5 September 1968 (20.018, -72.725; 320 m).

Celestus costatus emys — Schwartz & Henderson, 1988:95.

Celestus costatus emys — Schwartz & Henderson, 1991:267.

Celestus costatus emys — Hedges et al., 2019:16.

Celestus costatus emys — Schools & Hedges, 2021:231.

Material examined (n=20). HAITI. Nord-Ouest. Tortue Island . KU 225005–6 , November 1968 ; KU 225008–17 , ca Palmiste , 1970 ; MCZ R-119382, Cecil R. Warren, Palmiste, 4–5 September 1970 ; MCZ, R-119396–8, Cecil R. Warren, Palmiste, 15–17 August 1970 ; USNM 167300 , Palmiste, 4–5 September 1968 ; USNM 167316–18 , Palmiste, 15–17 August 1970 .

Diagnosis. Panolopus emys 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 present, (5) an adult SVL of 99.0– 113 mm, (6) ventral scale rows, 89–104, (7) midbody scale rows, 34–40, (8) total lamellae on one hand, 39–54, (9) total strigae on ten scales, 238–311, (10) relative length of all digits on one hindlimb, 28.9– 35.2 %, (11) relative distance between the angled subocular and mouth, 0.533 –0.826 %, (12) relative eye length, 2.87–3.40 %, (13) relative forelimb length, 18.5–23.4 %, (14) relative ear width, 0.756–1.75 %, (15) relative rostral height, 2.10–2.37 %, (16) relative head length, 14.5–18.6 %, (17) relative mental width, 1.49–2.01 %, (18) relative postmental width, 2.20–2.87 %, (19) relative cloacal width, 8.24–8.96 %, (20) relative prefrontal width, 3.99–4.36 %, (21) relative largest supraocular width, 2.01–2.89 %, (22) relative longest finger length, 5.15–5.83 %, (23) relative distance between the ear and eye, 7.03–8.44 %, (24) relative head width, 71.1–78.7 %, (25) relative frontal width, 67.7–74.5 %, (26) relative nasal height, 0.963–1.10 %, (27) relative angled subocular height, 0.696 –0.981 %, (28) relative distance between the eye and naris, 4.37–5.19 %, (29) relative canthal iii length, 1.54–2.01 %, (30) relative angled subocular width, 2.12–2.20 %, and (31) relative nasal length, 1.23–1.58 %. No data are available to estimate the species stem or crown time.

We distinguish Panolopus emys from the other species of Panolopus based on a complex of traits. From Panolopus aenetergum , we distinguish P. emys by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots), the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 83.0–92.0), the ventral scale rows (89–104 versus 80–86), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (28.9–35.2 versus 26.8), the relative rostral height (2.10–2.37 versus 2.09), the relative cloacal width (8.24–8.96 versus 7.60), the relative longest finger length (5.15–5.83 versus 4.83), the relative frontal width (67.7–74.5 versus 88.2), the relative nasal height (0.963–1.10 versus 1.15), the relative angled subocular height (0.696 –0.981 versus 1.08), and the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.37–5.19 versus 4.35). From P. aporus , we distinguish P. emys by the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 150–235) and the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.32–2.73). From P. chalcorhabdus , we distinguish P. emys by the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 71.9–95.4), the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 184–233), the relative prefrontal width (3.99–4.36 versus 4.37–4.93), the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.36–2.71), and the relative nasal width (1.23–1.58 versus 1.70–2.01). From P. costatus , we distinguish P. emys by the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 158–217), the relative frontal width (67.7–74.5 versus 56.2–67.4), and the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.36–2.81). From P. curtissi , we distinguish P. emys by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (present versus absent), the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 64.1–85.5), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (28.9–35.2 versus 20.8–28.1), the relative longest finger length (5.15–5.83 versus 3.59–4.54), and the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.26–2.76). From P. diastatus , we distinguish P. emys by the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 66.1–83.7), the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 169–234), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (28.9–35.2 versus 21.5–27.4), the relative cloacal width (8.24–8.96 versus 7.15–8.06), and the relative longest finger length (5.15–5.83 versus 3.48–4.87). From P. hylonomus , we distinguish P. emys by the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (present versus absent), the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 59.3–76.5), the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 169–222), and the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (28.9–35.2 versus 22.8–28.2). From P. lanceolatus sp. nov., we distinguish P. emys by the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 186–234) and the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.38–3.09). From P. lapierrae sp. nov., we distinguish P. emys by the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 72.6–88.3), the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 228–231), the relative rostral height (2.10–2.37 versus 1.86–2.06), the relative prefrontal width (3.99–4.36 versus 4.73–4.75), the relative longest finger length (5.15–5.83 versus 4.49–4.55), the relative frontal width (67.7–74.5 versus 77.6–79.0), and the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.37–5.19 versus 5.21). From P. leionotus , we distinguish P. emys by the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.48–2.95) and the relative nasal width (1.23–1.58 versus 1.59–2.01). From P. marcanoi , we distinguish P. emys by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots/dots in chevrons), the head markings (absent versus present), the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 64.6–85.8), and the relative nasal width (1.23–1.58 versus 1.64–1.96). From P. melanchrous , we distinguish P. emys by the relative nasal height (0.963–1.10 versus 0.897 –0.952) and the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.28–2.82). From P. neiba , we distinguish P. emys by the relative prefrontal width (3.99–4.36 versus 4.41–5.49), the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.34–2.83), and the relative nasal width (1.23–1.58 versus 1.67–1.92). From P. nesobous , we distinguish P. emys by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots/dots in series), the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 155–222), the relative eye length (2.87–3.40 versus 3.41–3.63), the relative cloacal width (8.24–8.96 versus 8.11–8.21), the relative prefrontal width (3.99–4.36 versus 4.74–4.81), the relative longest finger length (5.15–5.83 versus 6.19–6.33), the relative frontal width (67.7–74.5 versus 60.8–63.5), the relative nasal height (0.963–1.10 versus 1.12–1.14), the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.37–5.19 versus 5.62–5.73), the relative angled subocular width (2.12–2.20 versus 2.61–2.82), and the relative nasal width (1.23–1.58 versus 1.69–1.71). From P. oreistes , we distinguish P. emys by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots/dots in series/dots in chevrons). From P. psychonothes , we distinguish P. emys by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular flecks versus irregular dots/dots in series/dots in chevrons), the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 70.9–97.2), the relative nasal height (0.963–1.10 versus 1.12–1.32), and the relative nasal width (1.23–1.58 versus 1.68–1.94). From P. saonae , we distinguish P. emys by the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 90.9–98.3), the relative cloacal width (8.24–8.96 versus 8.2), the relative longest finger length (5.15–5.83 versus 5.01), and the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.37–5.19 versus 6.43). From P. semitaeniatus sp. nov., we distinguish Panolopus emys by the SVL (99.0–113 versus 77.4–84.1), the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 174–204), the relative ear width (0.756–1.75 versus 1.90–2.30), the relative rostral height (2.10–2.37 versus 2.41–2.63), the relative cloacal width (8.24–8.96 versus 8.08–8.23), the relative prefrontal width (3.99–4.36 versus 4.38–4.94), the relative head width (71.1–78.7 versus 58.8–63.8), and the relative angled subocular height (0.696 –0.981 versus 0.654). From P. unicolor sp. nov., we distinguish P. emys by the adult SVL (99.0–113 versus 67.6), the total strigae on ten scales (238–311 versus 144), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (28.9–35.2 versus 36.8), the relative forelimb length (18.5–23.4 versus 23.5), the relative cloacal width (8.24–8.96 versus 7.61), the relative prefrontal width (3.99–4.36 versus 4.69), the relative largest supraocular width (2.01–2.89 versus 3.12), the relative longest finger length (5.15–5.83 versus 6.65), the relative head width (71.1–78.7 versus 70.8), the relative frontal width (67.7–74.5 versus 58.2), the relative nasal height (0.963–1.10 versus 1.15), and the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.37–5.19 versus 5.52).

Description of holotype. USNM 167300. An adult female; SVL 107 mm; tail nearly cylindrical, 80.6 mm (75.3% SVL); axilla-to-groin distance 61.7 mm (57.7% SVL); forelimb length 21.3 mm (19.9% SVL); hindlimb length 33.5 mm (31.3% SVL); head length 16.4 mm (15.3% SVL); head width 12.9 mm (12.1% SVL); head width 78.7% head length; diameter of orbit 3.57 mm (3.34% SVL); horizontal diameter of ear opening 1.46 mm (1.36% SVL); vertical diameter of ear opening 1.43 mm (1.34% SVL); length of all toes on one foot 32.3 mm (30.2% SVL); shortest distance between angled subocular and lip 0.57 mm (0.533% SVL); shortest distance between the ocular and auricular openings 7.83 mm (7.32% SVL); longest finger length 5.91 mm (5.52% SVL); largest supraocular width 2.15 mm (2.01% SVL); postmental width 2.35 mm (2.20% SVL); postmental width 2.35 mm (2.20% SVL); prefrontal width 4.27 mm (3.99% SVL); frontal width 73.0% frontal length; nasal height 1.12 mm (1.05% SVL); angled subocular height 1.05 mm (0.981% SVL); shortest distance between the eye and naris 4.82 mm (4.50% SVL); canthal iii width 1.65 mm (1.54% SVL); angled subocular width 2.35 mm (2.20% SVL); nasal width 1.32 mm (1.23% SVL); rostral 2.35X 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 concave posterior margin, wider than long, bordered by posterior internasals, 1 st loreals, canthal iii (left), 1 st median oculars, 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 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)/(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, canthal iii, 2 nd loreal, and 3 rd –4 th supralabials (left)/postnasal, posterior internasal, prefrontal/frontonasal complex, 1 st median ocular, canthal iii, 2 nd loreal, and 3 rd –4 th supralabials (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 lower preocular (left)/(right); canthal iii wider than high (left)/(right), contacting 1 st median ocular, anterior supraciliary, upper preocular, prefrontal/frontonasal complex, and 1 st and 2 nd loreals (left)/1 st median ocular, anterior supraciliary, upper preocular, and 1 st and 2 nd loreals (right); 10 median oculars (left)/(right), 1 st contacting the prefrontal (left)/(right); 2 upper preoculars (left)/(right); an irregular anterior supraciliary (left)/(right); 7 (left)/6 (right) lateral oculars; 5 temporals (left)/(right); 2 suboculars (left)/(right); posterior subocular large and elongate (left)/(right); anterior subocular small (left)/(right); 10 (left)/9 (right) supralabials, 6 to level below center of eye (left)/(right); 10 infralabials (left)/(right), 6 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 1–3 scales; 94 transverse rows of dorsal scales from interoccipital to base of tail; 96 transverse rows of ventral scales from mental to vent; 37 scales around midbody; 5 digits; finger lengths 4>3>2>5>1; 11 lamellae under longest finger (left)/(right); 44 total lamellae on one hand; toe lengths 4>3>5>2>1; 17 (left)/18 (right) lamellae under longest toe; keelless and striate dorsal body and caudal scales; smooth ventral scales; 272 total strigae counted on ten scales.

Color (in alcohol): dorsal surface of head golden brown, patternless; lateral surfaces of head grading from golden brown to cream with darker brown eye masks and other darker brown areas on the supralabial, infralabial, and throat scales; dorsal surfaces of the body are golden brown, patternless; dorsal surface of tail golden brown, patternless; lateral areas grade from dark brown to cream with dots in the longitudinal paramedian area extending in series; dorsal surfaces of the limbs are medium brown with darker brown mottling; lateral and ventral areas of the limbs fade to yellow-cream; ventral surfaces of the head, body, and tail are yellow-cream with some darker flecks under the head.

FIGURE 60. (A–F) Panolopus emys (USNM 167300, holotype), SVL 107 mm.

Variation. The majority of the examined material lacks a dorsal pattern with several specimens exhibiting several irregular flecks or dots. All specimens have patternless heads with several specimens showing tiny longitudinal paramedian lines or flecks in the longitudinal paramedian series. Dots in the lateral band arranged in bars appear on all specimens. Measurements and other morphological data for the holotype and other examined material are presented in Table 1.

Distribution. Panolopus emys is known only from Palmiste on Tortue Island at an elevation of 320 m (Fig. 49).

Ecology and conservation. No ecological information is associated with the type series; however, the original description noted that the area around Palmiste on Tortue Island is mesic ( Schwartz 1971b).

We consider the conservation status of Panolopus emys 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. Considering that it was last seen by scientists more than five decades ago, studies are needed to determine the health and extent of remaining populations and better understand the threats to the survival of the species.

Reproduction. No data on reproduction are available for this species.

Etymology. The species name ( emys ) is Greek for “turtle” in reference to its distribution on Tortue Island ( Tortuga in Spanish). Columbus named the island for its shape that resembles a turtle shell viewed from the side.

Remarks. Schwartz (1971b) noted that endemism of subspecies on Tortue Island was low, with Panolopus emys ( Celestus costatus emys at the time of collection) being one of the few endemic taxa, although he later described an endemic frog ( Eleutherodactylus warreni ) from the island. Panolopus emys is not included in our genetic dataset and future studies should be conducted using genetic or genomic data from this species.