[Taxonomy of some microteids (Squamata) from Venezuela, I: variation and geographic distribution of Euspondylus acutirostris and description of a new Euspondylus from northeast Venezuela].
Only two species of the microteiid lizard genus Euspondylus (E. acutirostris and E. phelpsorum) had been reported from Venezuela. New records of the poorly known gymnophthalmid lizard Euspondylus acutirostris are reported extending its known range along the Coastal Range and Sierra de Aroa (north-central Venezuela) and Sierra de San Luis (northwestern Venezuela), all records occurring at the cloud forest above 1000 m. Seven body measurements were included and morphological variation is described based on at least 17 new specimens. Sexual dimorphism is determined in, at least, eight characteristics of size and squamation. Specimens were found in epiphytic bromeliads and the ground. The populations from Sierra de Aroa and Sierra de San Luis (only one specimen known from each locality), differ from those of the Coastal Range (supposedly the nominal population) in some morphological and coloration features, suggesting that the former two could represent different taxonomical entities. A new species of Euspondylus is described based on a female (taken within a bromeliad) from Cerro El Humo, Sucre, northeastern Venezuela. It differs from congeners mainly by having keeled scales on the limbs and a very acute snout.
Mijares-Urrutia
A
A
Centro de Investigaciones en Ecología y Zonas Aridas (CIEZA), Universidad Francisco de Miranda, Apartado 7559, Santa Ana de Coro 4101-A, Venezuela. amijares@funflc.org.ve
Celsa Señaris
J
J
Arends
A
A
D000818:Animals; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014687:Venezuela