title: A lost species or the loss of stripes? The case of Contomastix lizards from Cabo Polonio, Uruguay, with observations on C. lacertoides (Duméril & Bibron) and Cnemidophorus grandensis Cope (Squamata, Teiidae).
abstract: The main goal of this manuscript is the reevaluation of the taxonomic status of the teiid lizard Contomastix charrua, known only from Cabo Polonio, a small coastal rocky outcrop in southeastern Uruguay. This species was erected on the basis of the presence of a second pair of ceratobranchials and longer cornua in the hyoid bone, in addition to a reduced expression of the pattern of coloration as compared with C. lacertoides. Nevertheless, we found that both species have indistinguishable hyoid morphology, bearing C. lacertoides a noticeable second pair of ceratobranchials. Besides, we realized that the pattern of coloration in this species is more variable than previously considered. As a result of the present work, C. charrua is included in the synonymy of C. lacertoides. In addition, we provide some observations on the holotype of Cnemidophorus grandensis, a junior synonym of C. lacertoides.
authors.affiliation: Sección Herpetología, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, 25 de Mayo 582, CP 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay. borteiro@gmail.com
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borteiro
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kolenc
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prigioni
authors.forename: Mariana L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lyra
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baldo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010858:Pigmentation; D014583:Uruguay