Cnemidophorus vanzoi

Harvey, Michael B., Ugueto, Gabriel N. & Gutberlet, Ronald L., 2012, 3459, Zootaxa 3459, pp. 1-156 : 112

Cnemidophorus vanzoi Group

Definition.— The following combination of characters distinguishes the Cnemidophorus vanzoi Group ( Tables 9, 11) from other groups of Cnemidophorus : medium lizards reaching 121 mm SVL; interparietal partially or completely divided longitudinally along midline; median pair of occipitals small and flanked by subequal scales; first subocular separated from supralabials by anterior expansion of second subocular; single row of granules between supraocular and supraciliaries; mesoptychials not or only slightly enlarged; ventral scales in 32–37 (33–38 according to Schwartz & Henderson 1991) transverse and 10 longitudinal rows; proximal subcaudals keeled; preaxial and postaxial brachial scales separated by granular scales; preaxial brachial scales moderately (1–1.5 times as wide as long) enlarged and extending beyond center of arm; postbrachials only barely to slightly enlarged (1–1.5 times as wide as long) and forming small patch near elbow; enlarged antebrachials broadly separated from enlarged preaxial brachials by large gap of distinctly smaller scales; femoral pores 52–58 (49–58 according to Schwartz & Henderson 1991); tibiotarsal shields moderately distinct, although individual shields of frequently divided; juveniles with distinct striped pattern (usually only vertebral, paravertebral and dorsolateral stripes visible); spots on sides of adult males small; throat in adult males not melanic or only slightly so posteriorly (terminal posterior gulars and mesoptychium); chest in adult males black; abdomen in adult males bright yellow.

Content.— Cnemidophorus vanzoi (Baskin & Williams) .

Distribution.—Southernmost of 2 Maria Islands off southeastern end of St. Lucia.

Remarks.—This species shares some characteristics with each of the remaining three groups of Cnemidophorus . Like the C. murinus Group, it has 10 longitudinal rows of ventrals, a longitudinally divided or semidivided interparietal, very small scales separating brachials and postbrachials along the dorsal aspect of the arm, and antebrachials conspicuously separated from brachials by a large gap of small scales. It shares with the C. nigricolor Group moderately sized brachial scales that extend beyond the center of the arm, melanic chest and posterior portion of throat, and small spots on flanks of adult males. It is also similar to species of the C. lemniscatus Group in having striped juveniles, small spots on the flanks of males, and keeled proximal subcaudals. However, C. vanzoi is unique in that adult males have a bright yellow abdomen, which contrast with the black chest and dark gray chin and throat.