In:
Vertebrate Zoology, Pensoft Publishers, Vol. 73 ( 2023-02-14), p. 161-188
Abstract:
The Anolis heterodermus group comprises eight big-headed and short-legged lizard species from the highlands of the northernmost South American Andes. Recent studies revealed unknown lineages within this group that had previously been categorized as a species complex. By widely sampling and applying an integrative taxonomic framework, we (1) assessed the species diversity of the group using a molecular dataset (two mitochondrial and one nuclear markers) along with an inclusive morphological study (scalation, scale configuration and ornamentation, morphometrics, and dewlap and body colour patterns); and (2) we inferred the evolutionary relationships within this species group. Our analyses confirmed the formerly reported differentiation between populations of those high-altitude lizards, and we identified several unknown evolutionary lineages. Our results provided evidence for the existence of nine distinct, independently evolving evolutionary lineages in the heterodermus group. As a result, we described two morphologically and genetically highly distinct lineages as species new to science ( A. quimbaya sp. nov. and A. tequendama sp. nov. ). We redescribed A. heterodermus and erected as a valid species Anolis richteri , a previously described synonym of A. heterodermus . A taxonomic key for the identification of species of the Phenacosaurus clade was presented. The identification of two additional poorly-known lineages suggested that the diversity of this group of lizards is still unknown; therefore, it is necessary to establish measurements for the group´s conservation, as well as to perform fieldwork and revision of herpetological collections to identify possible hidden diversity within the group.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2625-8498
,
1864-5755
DOI:
10.3897/vz.73.e94265
DOI:
10.3897/vz.73.e94265.figure1
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10.3897/vz.73.e94265.figure2
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10.3897/vz.73.e94265.figure3
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10.3897/vz.73.e94265.figure4
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10.3897/vz.73.e94265.figure6
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10.3897/vz.73.e94265.figure7
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10.3897/vz.73.e94265.figure8
DOI:
10.3897/vz.73.e94265.suppl1
DOI:
10.3897/vz.73.e94265.suppl2
DOI:
10.3897/vz.73.e94265.suppl3
DOI:
10.3897/vz.73.e94265.suppl4
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10.3897/vz.73.e94265.suppl5
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10.3897/vz.73.e94265.suppl6
DOI:
10.3897/vz.73.e94265.suppl7
DOI:
10.3897/vz.73.e94265.suppl8
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Pensoft Publishers
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2392087-7
SSG:
12
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