Sauresia sepsoides Gray, 1852

Schools, Molly & Hedges, Blair, 2024, A new forest lizard fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Diploglossidae, Celestinae), Zootaxa 5554 (1), pp. 1-306 : 247-250

Sauresia sepsoides Gray, 1852

Eastern Four-toed Forest Lizard

(Fig. 91–92)

Sauresia sepsoides Gray, 1852:282 . Holotype: BMNH 1946.8 .29.29, collected by M. Salle on “St. Domingo” (no specific locality on the island of Hispaniola , see below).

Sauresia sepsoides — Boulenger, 1885:295.

Sauresia sepsoides — Barbour, 1930:100.

Sauresia sepsoides — Barbour, 1935:123.

Sauresia sepsoides — Barbour, 1937:139.

Sauresia (Celestus) sepsoides — Schmidt, 1921:16.

Sauresia sepsoides — Cochran, 1941:256.

Sauresia sepsoides — Greer, 1967:95.

Sauresia sepsoides — Schwartz & Henderson, 1991:463.

Celestus sepsoides — Henderson & Powell, 2009:105.

Celestus sepsoides — Hedges et al., 2019:17.

Sauresia sepsoides — Schools & Hedges, 2021:231.

Sauresia sepsoides — Landestoy et al., 2022: 205.

Material examined. (n=41). BMNH 1946.8 .29.29, M. Salle, St. Domingo. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Duarte . Hispaniola. ANSP 38665–6 , Richard Thomas, Manuel Leal, and Herman Dominicia , Batez Piedra , on west side of Rio Pazabo , 13 July 1993 ; SBH 193149 , Herman Dominicia and Richard Thomas, southern slopes of Loma Quita Espuela , 16 July 1993. Hato Mayor . ANSP 38692–6 , Dan Rabosky, Richard Thomas , 5.0 km airline SW Sabana de la Mar, 5 August 2001 ; ANSP 38697–702 , Andres Perez, Dan Rabosky, and Richard Thomas , 7.8 km S of Sabana de la Mar, 2 August 2001 ; SBH 266963–75 , A Perez, D Rabosky , and R Thomas, Loma del Fresca , 5.7 km airline SW Sabana de la Mar, 3 August 2001. La Altagracia . ANSP 38678 , S. Blair Hedges, Richard Thomas, and Nicholas Plummer, 7.5 km W of La Zanga, at Rio Maimon , 20 July 1991. Los Tabucos . ANSP 38706–9 , Richard Thomas, 8.8 km N, thence 0.5 km W Tenares , Salcedo , 21 July 1993. Monte Plata . ANSP 38679–80 , Richard Thomas , 4.3 km N of Majagual, 13 July 1993. Salcedo . ANSP 38703–5 , Richard Thomas, 23.2 km N of thence 4.5 km W Tenares, = 0.2 km E Jaiba , 21 July 1993. Sanchez Ramirez . ANSP 38670–2 , Richard Thomas and Manuel Leal, 8.6 km NE of, thence 8.1 km east Cotui, = El Aguacate , 11 July 1993 .

Diagnosis. Sauresia sepsoides has (1) a dorsal pattern of absent/mottled/irregular flecks, (2) head markings absent/present, (3) markings in the longitudinal paramedian area absent/present, (4) dots arranged in bars in the lateral band absent, (5) an adult SVL of 50.7–65.9 mm, (6) ventral scale rows, 104–119, (7) midbody scale rows, 34–37, (8) total lamellae on one hand, 14–19, (9) total strigae on ten scales, 83–119, (10) relative length of all digits on one hindlimb, 10.6–15.1 %, (11) relative distance between the angled subocular and mouth, 0.00–0.427 %, (12) relative eye length, 2.46–3.40 %, (13) relative forelimb length, 9.48–12.5 %, (14) relative ear width, 0.428–1.01 %, (15) relative rostral height, 1.45–2.49 %, (16) relative head length, 13.1–16.3 %, (17) relative mental width, 1.32–1.97 %, (18) relative postmental width, 1.92–2.61 %, (19) relative cloacal width, 5.11–6.77 %, (20) relative prefrontal width, 3.02–4.29 %, (21) relative largest supraocular width, 1.61–2.48 %, (22) relative longest finger length, 1.69–2.37 %, (23) relative distance between the ear and eye, 6.13–8.03 %, (24) relative head width, 64.7–83.1 %, (25) relative frontal width, 69.1–93.3 %, (26) relative nasal height, 0.706–1.17 %, (27) relative angled subocular height, 0.778–1.25 %, (28) relative distance between the eye and naris, 2.99–3.77 %, (29) relative canthal iii length, 0.943–1.62 %, (30) relative angled subocular width, 1.54–2.55 %, and (31) relative nasal length, 1.16–1.60 %. The species stem time is 2.46 Ma and the species crown time is 1.09 Ma (Fig. 4).

We distinguish Sauresia sepsoides from the other species of Sauresia based on a complex of traits. From Sauresia agramma sp. nov., we distinguish S. sepsoides by the ventral scale rows (104–119 versus 121–127). From S. cayemitae sp. nov., we cannot distinguish S. sepsoides based on our standard suite of characters (see Remarks). From S. gracilis sp. nov., we distinguish S. sepsoides by the ventral scale rows (104–119 versus 103), the relative postmental width (1.92–2.61 versus 2.76), the relative cloacal width (5.11–6.77 versus 7.18), and the relative width of canthal iii (0.943–1.62 versus 1.82). From S. habichi , we distinguish S. sepsoides by the ventral scale rows (104–119 versus 122–125), the midbody scale rows (34–37 versus 38–41), and the relative nasal width (1.16–1.60 versus 0.942–1.12). From S. manicula sp. nov., we distinguish S. sepsoides by the ventral scale rows (104–119 versus 121–129) and the relative eye length (2.46–3.40 versus 2.29–2.32). From S. pangnolae sp. nov., we cannot distinguish S. sepsoides based on our standard suite of characters (see Remarks). From S. synoria sp. nov., we cannot distinguish S. sepsoides (see Remarks).

FIGURE 91. (A–F) Sauresia sepsoides (BMNH 1946.8.29.29, holotype), SVL 56.2 mm.

Description of holotype. BMNH 1946.8.29.29. An adult; SVL 56.2 mm; tail cylindrical, broken, also broken in life and regenerated, 77.2 mm (137% SVL); axilla-to-groin distance 37.0 mm (65.8% SVL); forelimb length 5.87 mm (10.4% SVL); hindlimb length 10.3 mm (18.3% SVL); head length 8.34 mm (14.8% SVL); head width 6.47 mm (11.5% SVL); head width 77.6% head length; diameter of orbit 1.46 mm (2.60% SVL); horizontal diameter of ear opening 0.45 mm (0.801% SVL); vertical diameter of ear opening 0.43 mm (0.765% SVL); length of all toes on one foot 5.98 mm (10.6% SVL); shortest distance between angled subocular and lip 0.24 mm (0.427% SVL); shortest distance between the ocular and auricular openings 3.98 mm (7.08% SVL); longest finger length 1.33 mm (2.37% SVL); largest supraocular width 1.31 mm (2.33% SVL); cloacal width 3.51 mm (6.25% SVL); prefrontal width 1.90 mm (3.38% SVL); nasal height 0.66 mm (1.17% SVL); angled subocular height 0.70 mm (1.25% SVL); shortest distance between the eye and naris 1.99 mm (3.54% SVL); canthal iii width 0.53 mm (0.943% SVL); angled subocular width 1.16 mm (2.06% SVL); nasal width 0.71 mm (1.26% SVL); rostral 1.90X 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 convex posterior margin, much wider than long, bordered by posterior internasals, 1 st loreals, 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 approximately the size of 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 just posterior to 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, 1 st median ocular, canthal iii, 2 nd loreal, and the 3 rd supralabials (left)/(right); 2 nd loreal shorter than 1 st, higher than wide (left)/(right), excluded from contact with supraocular by canthal iii (left)/(right); final loreal posteriorly bordering the upper and lower preoculars (left)/(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)/1 st median ocular, anterior supraciliary, upper preocular, and 1 st and 2 nd loreals (right); 8 (left)/10 (right) median oculars, 1 st contacting the prefrontal (left)/(right); 1 upper preocular (left)/ (right); an irregular anterior supraciliary (left)/(right); 6 lateral oculars (left)/(right); 6 temporals (left)/(right); 2 suboculars (left)/(right); posterior subocular large and elongate (left)/(right); anterior subocular small (left)/(right); 9 supralabials (left)/(right), 5 to level below center of eye (left)/(right); 8 (left)/9 (right) infralabials, 5 (left)/6 (right) to level below center of eye; mental small, followed by a single, larger postmental; 4 pairs of enlarged chin shields; 1 st pair in contact with one another; 2 nd pair in contact with one another anteriorly, posteriorly separated by one scale; 3 rd –4 th pairs separated by 1–2 scales; 103 transverse rows of dorsal scales from interoccipital to base of tail; 107 transverse rows of ventral scales from mental to vent; 35 scales around midbody; 4 digits; finger lengths 3>2>4>1; 5 lamellae under longest finger (left)/(right); 16 total lamellae on one hand; toe lengths 3>4>2>1; 9 (left)/11 (right) lamellae under longest toe; keelless and striate dorsal body and caudal scales; smooth ventral scales.

Color (in alcohol): dorsal surface of head medium brown with some darker brown mottling; lateral surfaces of head grading from medium brown to dark tan; dorsal surfaces of the body are medium brown with some mottling on neck; dorsal surface of tail same as body; lateral areas darker brown with mottling near the forelimb; dorsal surfaces of the limbs are same as lateral areas; lateral and ventral areas of the limbs fade to deep yellow; ventral surfaces of the head, body, and tail are deep yellow, patternless.

Variation. Members of this species have more pronounced longitudinal paramedian lines and lineate patterns than the holotype, which is faded; however, the majority of other specimens resemble the holotype in scalation. The majority of examined specimens have darker outlines on their head scale borders and several have dark markings on their head. No specimens have 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. Sauresia sepsoides is distributed across the eastern and northeastern Dominican Republic at elevations of 30–820 m (Fig. 80). It has an extent of occurrence of ~ 15,230 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 Sauresia sepsoides to be Least Concern, based on IUCN Redlist criteria ( IUCN 2023). Species in this genus can be common in places, tolerant of some habitat disturbance, and this one has a wide distribution. 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 reproductive data for this species conflate multiple species and therefore cannot be used.

Etymology. The species name sepsoides was coined by Gray to mean “similar to Seps ,” referring to a genus known at the time for skinks with reduced limbs. Historically, the name Seps has been associated with limb-reduced lizards, a usage that dates back to Linnaeus with the species Lacerta seps . The term has even older roots in Latin, where “seps ” referred to small, venomous snakes or lizards, stemming from the Greek word sepein, which means “to putrefy.”

FIGURE 92. Sauresia sepsoides (SBH 267756), in life. From ca. 1 km SW Los Limones, Monte Plata Province, Dominican Republic. Photograph by SBH.

Remarks. Herein, we divide what was previously considered the single species Sauresia sepsoides into eight species. Future studies should examine additional museum specimens catalogued as S. sepsoides to determine their correct taxonomic identification. The locality for the holotype of this species was reported as “St. Domingo,” referred to the entire island of Hispaniola and not to the city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In the mid-nineteenth Century, the island was often called either “St. Domingo” or “Hayti,” and sometimes “San Domingo” or “Saint Dominique.”

Sauresia sepsoides and S. pangnolae sp. nov. cannot be distinguished based on our suite of morphological characters; however, these species are not each other’s closest relative, are genetically distinct from one another (Fig. 3), and have been diverged for 4.98 My (Fig. 4). In addition, Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. possesses adenine at site 201 of the CytB gene while Sauresia sepsoides possesses guanine. Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. also possesses thymine at site 228 of the CytB gene while Sauresia sepsoides possesses cytosine. Sauresia sepsoides and S. cayemitae sp. nov. cannot be distinguished based on our suite of morphological characters; however, these species are not each other’s closest relative, are genetically distinct from one another (Fig. 3), and have been diverged for 4.98 My (Fig. 4). In addition, Sauresia cayemitae sp. nov. possesses guanine at site 108 of the CytB gene while Sauresia sepsoides possesses adenine. Sauresia cayemitae sp. nov. also possesses thymine at site 141 of the CytB gene while Sauresia sepsoides possesses adenine. Sauresia sepsoides and S. synoria sp. nov. cannot be distinguished based on our suite of morphological characters; however, these species are not each other’s closest relative, are genetically distinct from one another (Fig. 3), and have been diverged for 2.46 My (Fig. 4). Multiple characters distinguish S. synoria sp. nov. and its closest relative, S. manicula sp. nov. In addition, Sauresia synoria sp. nov. possesses thymine at site 105 of the CytB gene while Sauresia sepsoides possesses cytosine. Sauresia synoria sp. nov. also possesses guanine at site 108 of the CytB gene while Sauresia sepsoides possesses adenine.

Sauresia sepsoides sp. nov. is included in our genetic dataset and has significant support in both Bayesian and ML likelihood analyses at the crown node of the species and the stem node that places it as the closest relative to the group containing S. agramma sp. nov., S. manicula sp. nov., and S. synoria sp. nov. Based on our timetree (Fig. 4), S. sepsoides diverged from its closest relative 2.46 Ma, consistent with typical species of vertebrates (> 0.7 Ma; Hedges et al. 2015). Sauresia sepsoides was recovered as conspecific with Sauresia agramma sp. nov. in our ASAP analysis.