Stenocercus eunetopsis Cadle, 1991

Torres-Carvajal, Omar, 2007, A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF SOUTH AMERICAN STENOCERCUS (SQUAMATA: IGUANIA) LIZARDS, Herpetological Monographs 21 (1), pp. 76-178 : 114-115

Stenocercus eunetopsis Cadle

Stenocercus eunetopsis Cadle, 1991:60 . Holotype: FMNH 232537 , a male from ‘‘approximately 1 km SSW Udima, Río de Udima (tributary of Río Zaña ), 2500 m, Departamento Cajamarca, Perú ̕̕.

Diagnosis.— Stenocercus eunetopsis differs from all other species of Stenocercus except S. bolivarensis , S. carrioni , S. chlorostictus , S. crassicaudatus , S. empetrus , S. simonsii , and S. torquatus in having granular scales on the posterior surface of thighs, two caudal whorls per autotomic segment, mucronate caudal scales, and a distinct longitudinal row of enlarged vertebral scales. Of these species, only S. eunetopsis , S. carrioni , S. chlorostictus , and S. bolivarensis have strongly keeled and imbricate dorsal scales on neck and body (granular, smooth, or slightly keeled in remaining species). S. eunetopsis is distinguished from S. carrioni by having a black dorsal collar across the antehumeral region, from S. chlorostictus by having fewer (60–80) scales around midbody (80–110 in S. chlorostictus ), and from S. bolivarensis by having granular or subimbricate and smooth lateral scales (strongly keeled in S. bolivarensis ).

Description.—(1) Maximum SVL in males 82 mm (n = 15); (2) maximum SVL in females 70 mm (n = 6); (3) vertebrals 59–80; (4) paravertebrals 65–78; (5) scales around midbody 60–80; (6) supraoculars 4–8; (7) internasals 3–5; (8) postrostrals 5–7; (9) loreals 1–4; (10) gulars 37–57; (11) subdigitals on Finger IV 22–27; (12) subdigitals on Toe IV 28–35; (13) posthumeral mite pocket present as one or more vertical folds or ridges; (14) postfemoral mite pocket distinct with slit-like opening; (15) parietal eye not visible through interparietal cornea; (16) scales on occipitoparietal region small, smooth, juxtaposed; (17) projecting angulate temporals absent; (18) row of enlarged supraoculars occupying most of supraocular region absent; (19) scales on frontonasal region weakly imbricate anteriorly; (20) preauricular fringe present; (21) antegular (continuous medially), antehumeral, gular, longitudinal, oblique, and postauricular neck folds present; (22) lateral nuchals less than half the size of dorsal nuchals; (23) posterior gulars cycloid, smooth, slightly imbricate, not notched; (24) lateral scales reduced in size, approximately half the size of dorsal body scales; (25) vertebrals larger than adjacent paravertebrals; (26) dorsolateral crest absent; (27) ventrals smooth, imbricate; (28) scales on posterior surfaces of thighs granular; (29) inguinal granular pocket present; (30) inguinal groove present; (31) preanals not projected; (32) tail not compressed laterally in adult males; (33) tail length 62– 66% of total length; (34) caudal whorls per autotomic segment two; (35) caudals strongly spinose; (36) dark brown stripe extending anterodorsally from subocular region to supraciliaries absent; (37) dark patch extensively covering gular region of females absent; (38) dark patch extensively covering gular region of adult males absent; (39) black patch on ventral surface of neck in adult males absent; (40) dark midventral longitudinal mark such as faint line, conspicuous stripe, or extensive patch in adult males absent; (41) dark patches on ventral surface of thighs in adult males absent; (42) postxiphisternal inscriptional ribs not in contact midventrally.

Color in life.—Dorsum with black transverse bars separated by discontinuous bright yellow lines that broaden to form blotches dorsolaterally; black dorsal collar across antehumeral region; dorsal aspect of neck with two middorsal transverse bars anterior to antehumeral collar; dorsal head scales yellow or brown with black borders; dorsal aspect of limbs barred with black and yellow; throat mottled with gray and white; pectoral region, belly, and ventral aspect of tail pale yellow ( Cadle, 1991).

Natural History.—Clutch size in S. eunetopsis is two eggs. Gravid females were collected in January 1989 and May–June 1987; this species seems to prefer areas with crevices or holes for retreat ( Cadle, 1991).

Distribution.— Stenocercus eunetopsis occurs in the western Cordillera of northern Peru (central Andes) between 8 ° S–6 ° S ( Fig. 15 ). It is known from the upper valleys of Río Zaña and Río Reque (Pacific drainage) in Departamento Cajamarca at elevations of 2450–2640 m. This species occurs in sympatry with S. imitator .

Figures

FIG. 15.—Distribution of four species of Stenocercus in Peru.