Liolaemus scorialis, Troncoso-Palacios, Jaime, Diaz, Hugo A., Esquerre, Damien & Urra, Felix A., 2015

Troncoso-Palacios, Jaime, Diaz, Hugo A., Esquerre, Damien & Urra, Felix A., 2015, Two new species of the Liolaemuselongatus-kriegi complex (Iguania, Liolaemidae) from Andean highlands of southern Chile, ZooKeys 500, pp. 83-109 : 86-90

Taxon classification Animalia Squamata Liolaemidae

Liolaemus scorialis sp. n. Fig. 1

Liolaemus buergeri (in part?), Pincheira-Donoso, 2001. Not. Mens. Mus. Nac. Hist. Nat., Chile, 346: 8.

Liolaemus buergeri (in part?), Pincheira-Donoso & Núñez, 2005. Pub. Oc. Mus. Nac. Hist. Nat., Chile, 59: 285.

Holotype.

SSUC Re 617 (Fig. 1). Male collected 7 km NW of the summit of the Antuco Volcano, near the Laja Lagoon, Biobío Region, Chile (37°21'S - 71°23'W, 1450 m). Collected by J. Troncoso-Palacios, F. Urra and H. Díaz. 08/01/2014.

Paratypes.

SSUC Re 615-16 two males and 612-614 three females (Figs 1 and 3). The same data as the holotype. MRC 675, 677, 680, 682. Four males. La Mula Lagoon (37°53'S - 71°22'W), Ralco National Reserve. Unknown coll. 01/12/2001.

Etymology.

The species name refers to the habitat, which is composed of accumulations of igneous rocks from the Antuco Volcano, called “scoria” from the Greek “skoria”. We propose the common name "Slag Lizard" in English and "Lagarto del escorial" in Spanish.

Diagnosis.

Liolaemus scorialis belongs to the elongatus - kriegi complex, but its specific assignation to a particular subclade is currently unknown since we have no molecular data for this new species, and molecular and morphological phylogenies for the elongatus - kriegi complex disagree in the arrangement of this complex subgroups (see discussion).

Below a wide diagnosis is provided on aspect of all species of the complex. Liolaemus scorialis differs from almost all species of the elongatus - kriegi complex by its size (maximum SVL = 69.9 mm), smaller than Liolaemus antumalguen (Table 3), Liolaemus austromendocinus (max. SVL = 103.0 mm, Espinoza et al. 2000), Liolaemus buergeri (Table 3, Fig. 2), Liolaemus burmeisteri (Table 3), Liolaemus capillitas (max. SVL = 93.0 mm, Espinoza et al. 2000), Liolaemus choique (Table 3), Liolaemus dicktracyi (max. SVL = 91.0 mm, Espinoza and Lobo 2003), Liolaemus elongatus (max. SVL = 94.7 mm, Avila et al. 2012), Liolaemus flavipiceus (Table 3, Fig. 2), Liolaemus frassinettii (max. SVL = 91.1 mm), Liolaemus gununakuna (max. SVL = 97.5 mm, Avila et al. 2004), Liolaemus kriegi (max. SVL = 101.0 mm; Avila et al. 2003), Liolaemus leopardinus (max. SVL = 98.2 mm), Liolaemus petrophilus (max. SVL = 100.0 mm; Espinoza et al. 2000), Liolaemus punmahuida (Table 3), Liolaemus ramonensis (max. SVL = 94.9 mm), Liolaemus shitan (max. SVL = 98.3 mm, Abdala et al. 2010), Liolaemus talampaya (max. SVL = 85.5 mm, Avila et al. 2004), Liolaemus thermarum (max. SVL = 85.0 mm, Videla and Cei 1996), Liolaemus tregenzai (Table 3), Liolaemus ubaghsi (max. SVL = 89.6 mm), Liolaemus umbrifer (max. SVL = 89.0 mm, Espinoza and Lobo 2003), Liolaemus valdesianus (max. SVL = 93.4 mm) and " Liolaemus kriegi / Liolaemus sp. A" (max. SVL = 92.0 mm, described below).

Liolaemus scorialis has probably been previously confused with Liolaemus buergeri (see discussion), but in addition to the size difference, Liolaemus scorialis differs from Liolaemus buergeri because the latter has a vertebral stripe on the tail, whereas the tail is ringed in Liolaemus scorialis . Moreover, Liolaemus buergeri has more midbody scales (x = 89.4 ± 5.5, n = 14) than Liolaemus scorialis (x = 82.0 ± 4.7, n = 10) ( Mann–Whitney U = 20.5, P <0.01, DF = 21) and more dorsal scales (x = 84.1 ± 4.4) than Liolaemus scorialis (x = 76.5 ± 4.3) ( Mann–Whitney U = 15.0, P <0.01, DF = 21); but Liolaemus buergeri has fewer ventral scales (x = 118.7 ± 4.7) than Liolaemus scorialis (x = 124.0 ± 6.0) ( Mann–Whitney U = 36.0, P = 0.05, DF = 21).

Liolaemus scorialis is syntopic with " Liolaemus kriegi / Liolaemus sp. A", but in addition to the size difference, the latter has more midbody scales (x = 94.3 ± 4.8, n = 8) than it ( Mann–Whitney U = 1.5, P <0.01, DF = 16). Moreover, the dorsal scale count range of Liolaemus scorialis does not overlap with the range of " Liolaemus kriegi / Liolaemus sp. A" (Table 3). There is a black lateral band running from the tip of snout to the groin in " Liolaemus kriegi / Liolaemus sp. A", whereas in Liolaemus scorialis there is a dark brown lateral band running from the shoulder to the groin.

Liolaemus scorialis differs from similar size species of the elongatus - kriegi complex as follows. Liolaemus scorialis differs from Liolaemus cristiani because the males of the latter lack precloacal pores and have reddish ventral coloration, whereas males of Liolaemus scorialis have 3-4 precloacal pores and no reddish ventral coloration.

Liolaemus scorialis differs from Liolaemus heliodermis , because the males of the latter have a black head and sulfur-yellow dorsum ( Espinoza et al. 2000), an unique feature in the Liolaemus subgenus. Moreover, Liolaemus heliodermis has 62-69 midbody scales ( Espinoza et al. 2000), whereas Liolaemus scorialis has 76-90.

Liolaemus scorialis differs from Liolaemus parvus , because the latter has 60-77 midbody scales and 96-113 ventral scales ( Quinteros et al. 2008), whereas Liolaemus scorialis has 76-90 midbody scales and 115-131 ventral scales. Liolaemus scorialis has a ringed tail, whereas Liolaemus parvus has weak or absent rings on the tail ( Quinteros et al. 2008).

Liolaemus scorialis differs from Liolaemus smaug , because the latter has marked sexual dichromatism with white spots dispersed on the dorsum of males and absent in females ( Abdala et al. 2010), whereas both males and females of Liolaemus scorialis have white spots on the dorsum. Liolaemus scorialis has ringed tail, whereas Liolaemus smaug has weak or no rings on the tail ( Abdala et al. 2010). Males of Liolaemus smaug have bright golden yellow dorsal color, a trait absent in Liolaemus scorialis .

Liolaemus scorialis differs from Liolaemus tulkas , because the males of the latter have 0-1 precloacal pores ( Quinteros et al. 2008), whereas males of Liolaemus scorialis have 3-4 precloacal pores. Moreover, Liolaemus tulkas has 63-68 midbody scales ( Quinteros et al. 2008), whereas Liolaemus scorialis has 76-90.

Liolaemus scorialis differs from Liolaemus carlosgarini (Fig. 2), because the males of the latter have 0-3 precloacal pores (present in 50% of the males, these are small and underdeveloped), whereas males of Liolaemus scorialis have 3-4 well developed precloacal pores. Liolaemus scorialis has more ventral scales (x = 124 ± 6.0, n = 10) than Liolaemus carlosgarini (x = 115 ± 4.0, n = 17) ( Mann–Whitney U = 11.0, P = 0.01, DF = 25). Moreover, Liolaemus scorialis has brown dorsal color and immaculate gray ventral color, whereas Liolaemus carlosgarini has light brown-yellowish dorsal color and whitish ventral color with dark inconspicuous spots on the gular region and belly (Figs 2 and 3).

Description of the holotype.

Adult male. SVL 62.3 mm. Tail length 101.5 mm (not autotomized). Axilla-groin length 26.3 mm. Head length (from the posterior border of the auditory meatus to the tip of the snout) 16.4 mm. Head width (distance between the two ear openings) 11.4 mm. Head height (at the level of ear openings) 6.9 mm. Forelimb length 21.1 mm. Hindlimb length 39.7 mm. Foot length 18.9 mm. Rostral scale wider (2.5 mm) than high (1.0 mm). Two postrostrals. Four internasals. Hexagonal interparietal scale, with a central, small, and whitish spot marking the position of the parietal eye. Interparietal smaller than parietals, surrounded by six scales; nine scales between the interparietal and rostral (both excluded); 15 scales between occiput and rostral; orbital semicircle complete on the right side, formed by 13 scales, incomplete on the left side; 6-5 supraoculars (left-right); six superciliary scales. Frontal area is divided into six scales (two posterior, one in the center and three anterior); 2 scales between nasal and canthal; preocular separated from the lorilabials by one loreal scale; nasal in contact with the rostral, surrounded by seven scales. There is one row of lorilabials between the supralabials and the subocular. Seven supralabials, the fifth is curved upward without contacting the subocular. Four infralabial scales. Mental scale pentagonal, in contact with four scales; four pairs of postmental shields, the second is separated by two scales. Temporal scales are subimbricated and slightly keeled. There are ten temporal scales between the level of superciliary scales and the rictal level. Three projected scales on the anterior edge of the ear, which are small and do not cover the auditory meatus; auricular scale is wide and is restricted to the upper third of the meatus. Forty gulars between the auditory meatuses. Well developed “Y” shaped lateral neck fold and dorsolateral fold slightly developed. Antehumeral fold present. Midbody scales 88. Dorsal scales of the vertebral zone lanceolate, imbricate, keeled and without mucrons. Dorsal scales of the paravertebral fields more rounded, subimbricate, with more poorly developed keel, without mucrons and with interstitial granules between them. Dorsal scales of the vertebral zone are larger than the ventral scales. Dorsal scales of the paravertebral fields are similar in size to the ventral scales. Dorsal scales 81. Ventral scales are rhomboidal to rounded, smooth, imbricate, and without interstitial granules. Ventral scales 131. There are four precloacal pores. The suprafemoral scales are rhomboidal to rounded, imbricate, and smooth or slightly keeled. Infrafemoral scales are rounded, smooth, and imbricate. Supra-antebrachials scales are rhomboidal to rounded, imbricate, and slightly keeled or smooth. Infra-antebrachials are rounded to rhomboidal, subimbricate with few interstitial granules, and smooth. The dorsal scales of the tail are rhomboidal, imbricate, keeled and some with mucrons. The ventral scales of the tail vary from rhomboidal to triangular, and are imbricate and smooth. Lamellae of the fingers: I: 10, II: 17, III: 21, IV: 23 and V: 13. Lamellae of the toes: I: 13, II: 18, III: 22, VI: 29 and V: 20.

Color of the holotype in life.

Light brown head, with dark brown lines: a “Ω” shaped line between nasal scales and supraocular area, two short stripes on the posterior supraocular areas, an incomplete “O” shaped dark brown line surrounding the interparietal scale, six dark brown short lines on the occipital area. The temporal area is brown with two dark brown horizontal stripes; the ocular area and the cheeks are light gray. Subocular area is gray with two dark brown vertical lines on the middle and posterior edge. Background color of the dorsum is brown. A wide occipital band on the dorsum, formed by twelve transverse dark brown bars; some white scales on the posterior border of these bars. Dark brown lateral band with few yellowish scales dispersed into it, running from the shoulder to the groin; some white scales between the occipital and lateral bands; below the lateral band the flanks are yellowish. Limbs are brown with dark brown spots and some white scales dispersed. Tail is brown with some white scales dispersed and dark brown rings. Posterior third of the tail is immaculate brown. Ventrally, the throat, belly, limbs and tail are immaculate gray. Rear portion of belly and thighs are yellowish. Precloacal pores orange.

Variation.

There is no sexual dimorphism in size. In seven males: SVL: 57.4-69.9 mm. Axilla-groin distance: 21.4-28.7 mm. Head length: 15.1-17.2 mm. Head width: 11.2-13.0 mm. Head height: 6.4-8.9 mm. Foot length: 19.7-21.1 mm. Leg length: 37.1-46.2 mm. Arm length: 20.3-26.0 mm. Tail length: 101.6-111.3 mm (n = 2; autotomized in the rest). In three females: SVL: 57.3-65.6 mm. Axilla-groin distance: 25.6-32.8 mm. Head length: 15.3-15.8 mm. Head width: 11.1-12.1 mm. Head height: 6.2-6.7 mm. Foot length: 18.7-20.0 mm. Leg length: 37.2-39.0 mm. Arm length: 21.8-22.3 mm. Tail length 88.8-103.1 mm (n = 2; autotomized in the rest).

The variation of the scalation in Liolaemus scorialis is as follows. Midbody scales: 76-90 (x = 82.0 ± 4.7). Dorsal scales: 74-81 (x = 76.5 ± 4.3). Ventral scales 115-131 (x = 124.0 ± 6.0). Fourth finger lamellae: 21-24 (x = 22.7 ± 1.1). Fourth toe lamellae: 28-31 (x = 29.2 ± 1.4). Supralabial scales: 6-7 (x = 6.2 ± 0.4). Infralabial scales: 4-5 (x = 4.7 ± 0.5). Precloacal pores in males: 3-4. Interparietal scale pentagonal or hexagonal, bordered by 5-9 scales (x = 6.7 ± 1.2).

There is a slight sexual dichromatism, females have no yellowish color on the rear portion of belly and thighs. Males have the same color and pattern described for the holotype with variations only in shade. Females have the same color and pattern described for the holotype, but the background color of the dorsum can be brown or gray. One female lacks a wide occipital band because the transverse dark brown bars are not fused and it has an inconspicuous vertebral stripe. Also, in this female there are no lateral bands, since it has unfused vertical bars on the flanks. The tail has dark brown rings in both sexes. Males have orange precloacal pores. The coloration and pattern of the juveniles are unknown.

Distribution and natural history.

The northern known distribution limit of the new species is the type locality, near the Laja Lagoon, 1450 m, Biobío Region, Chile (37°21'S - 71°23'W; Fig. 4). At the type locality, this new species was found inhabiting areas composed of sandy ground and volcanic sediments, where large accumulations of different sized igneous rocks protrude from the soil (Fig. 5). These sites correspond to a slag heap of solidified lava. The vegetational cover is low, consisting mainly of high-Andean forbs with species such as Echium vulgare and Verbascum thapsus , as well as the bush Ephedra chilensis . It is an abundant lizard of saxicolous habits. It was observed to be active between 9h00 and 18h00, taking refuge under the volcanic rocks. Also, we observed specimens in several places near the slopes of Antuco Volcano (37°23'S - 71°23'W, 1320 m; 37°23'S - 71°23'W, 1270 m; 37°23'S - 71°25'W, 1074 m) in similar environments. Near the Laja Lagoon, at its upper altitudinal limit (1450 m), this species was found in syntopy with Phymaturus vociferator Pincheira-Donoso, 2004. At 1320 m, it was found in syntopy with " Liolaemus kriegi / Liolaemus sp. A" and Diplolaemus sexcinctus Cei et al., 2003. At its lower altitudinal limit (1074 m), it was found in syntopy with Liolaemus lemniscatus Gravenhorst, 1838 and Liolaemus tenuis ( Duméril & Bibron, 1837).

Its southern limit of distribution is in La Mula Lagoon (La Araucanía Region, Chile), 48 km South from the Antuco Volcano (37°53'S - 71°22'W), 1600 m. We have no data for vegetation or environment in La Mula Lagoon. In this location, according to the Herpetological Catalog of the Museo de Historia Natural of Concepción (unpublished), Liolaemus scorialis occurs in syntopy with Liolaemus pictus ( Duméril & Bibron, 1837). However, this report probably actually refers to Liolaemus septentrionalis Pincheira-Donoso & Núñez, 2005 (fide Vera-Escalona et al. 2012). The Museo de Historia Natural of Concepción also listed an unidentified species of Liolaemus (labeled as Liolaemus monticola ssp., see discussion) and the snake Tachymenis chilensis Schlegel, 1837, from La Mula Lagoon.

he intestinal and stomach contents were examined: plant and insect remains were found in the intestine, along with a large number of nematodes of an unidentified species. No remains were found in the stomach. At the time of capture (January) two females had three embryos each and one female had several small oocytes.