title: Molecular phylogenetic relationships of the Liolaemus rothi complex and a new species of lizard from Auca Mahuida Volcano (Squamata: Liolaemini).
abstract: A new species of lizard of the genus Liolaemus from Neuquén Province, western Argentina, is described. The new species is a member of the Liolaemus rothi species complex, and mitochondrial and nuclear molecular data show it as sister taxon of the clade composed of (L. hermannunezi (L. tromen + L. loboi)), differing in size, squamation, coloration, and sexual dimorphism from the other species of this group. Liolaemus sitesi sp. nov. has a dark body coloration with series of notched blotches on the dorsum, with bright spots, and a very iridescent yellow-green coloration in natural light. Liolaemus sitesi sp. nov. is found only in the Auca Mahuida volcano and is terrestrial, dwelling on the stony slopes with sandy soil between 1300 m and the volcano summit.
authors.affiliation: CENPAT-CONICET, Boulevard Almirante Brown 2915, 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Email: avila@cenpat.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Luciano Javier
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.affiliation: CENPAT-CONICET, Boulevard Almirante Brown 2915, 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Email: MELISA@OLAVE.com.
authors.forename: Melisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olave
authors.affiliation: CENPAT-CONICET, Boulevard Almirante Brown 2915, 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Email: CRISTIAN@PEREZ.com.
authors.forename: Cristian Hernan Fulvio
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Buenos Aires 1400, 8300, Neuquén; Email: DANIEL@PEREZ.com.
authors.forename: Daniel Roberto
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: CENPAT-CONICET, Boulevard Almirante Brown 2915, 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Email: MARIANA@MORANDO.com.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morando
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; C075526:RNA, ribosomal, 12S; D012313:RNA; D045303:Cytochromes b