Kentropyx paulensis

Harvey, Michael B., Ugueto, Gabriel N. & Gutberlet, Ronald L., 2012, 3459, Zootaxa 3459, pp. 1-156 : 128

Kentropyx paulensis Group

Definition.—The following list of characters distinguishes the Kentropyx paulensis Group from other Kentropyx : scales on flanks gradually increasing in size middorsally where they are relatively small (no sharp transition to large middorsal scales); scales on rump slightly smaller than proximal caudals; prefemorals 10–13; femoral and abdominal pores 18–28 (6–28 in samples examined by Werneck et al. 2008); subarticular lamellae of hands usually divided; scales between pedal lamellae moderate and serrate; lower lateral stripe solid to groin.

Content.— Kentropyx paulensis Boettger , Kentropyx vanzoi Gallagher and Dixon , Kentropyx viridistriga Boulenger (including Kentropyx lagartija Gallardo ). In addition to these species Werneck et al. (2009) have apparently identified a still undescribed species of the K. paulensis Group.

Distribution.— Species of the Kentropyx paulensis Group occur in open formations of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.

Remarks.— Gallagher and Dixon (1992) considered Kentropyx lagartija to be a synonym of K. viridistriga , and their action was followed by Werneck et al. (2008). Although we treated these species as separate taxa in this analysis, we found few characters to separate them ( Table 14). Our three specimens of K. viridistriga have more lateral supraoculars and fewer femoral pores and fourth toe lamellae than the 10 K. lagartija we examined, but the differences are slight and may disappear with larger sample sizes. Ranges of lateral supraoculars are broader for some species than the combined ranges of lateral supraoculars in K. viridistriga and K. lagartija .