Stenocercus aguilari CASTILLO-URBINA, RIOS-ROQUE, BARRERA-MOSCOSO & MENDOZA, 2026
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Stenocercus aguilari
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| Higher Taxa | Tropiduridae, Iguania, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Not given |
| Synonym | Stenocercus aguilari CASTILLO-URBINA, RIOS-ROQUE, BARRERA-MOSCOSO & MENDOZA 2026 |
| Distribution | Peru (Cordillera Blanca, Ancash Department), elevations 3,158–3,562 m. Type locality: San Marcos (9°31’6.12”S, 77°7’31.77”W, 3,517 m), Huari Province, Ancash Department, Peru. |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype. MUSM 41243, an adult female, collected by E. Castillo-Urbina, A. Mendoza and D. Barrera-Moscoso on 20 April 2023. Paratypes (09): PERU: ANCASH DEPARTMENT: Huari Province: MUSM 41418, adult male, MUSM 41246, MUSM 41039, MUSM 41419, MUSM 41417, MUSM 41244, MUSM 41038, adult females, and MUSM 41245, MUSM 41416, juveniles, from San Marcos (9°31’10.76”S, 77°7’28.68”W, 3,542 m; 9°32’3.81”S, 77° 7’16.36”W, 3,234 m; 9°32’14.98”S, 77°6’41.77”W, 3,334 m), collected by E. Castillo-Urbina, A. Mendoza, V. Herrera and D. Barrera-Moscoso from 2019 to 2023 |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis. Among the 80 previously known species of Stenocercus and the new species described herein, only S. amydrorhytus, S. chrysopygus, S. ica, S. ivitus, S. johaberfellneri, S. latebrosus, S. melanopygus, S. modestus, S. omari, S. orientalis, S. ornatissimus, and S. stigmosus share with S. aguilari the combination of granular scales on the posterior surface of the thighs, vertebral scales similar in size and shape to adjacent scale rows, and three caudal whorls per autotomic segment. However, S. aguilari is distinguished from all by the combination of lacking a posthumeral mite pocket and possessing a postfemoral mite pocket of Type 1. Moreover, S. aguilari differs by having a higher number of midbody scales (65–74 vs. 44–52 in S. amydrorhytus, 51–64 in S. chrysopygus, 44–48 in S. ica, 47 in S. ivitus, 47–53 in S. johaberfellneri, 43–53 in S. latebrosus, 45–59 in S. melanopygus, 39–46 in S. modestus, 36–47 in S. omari, 44–58 in S. orientalis, 52–59 in S. ornatissimus, and 51–61 in S. stigmosus) and more vertebral scales (70–79 vs. 44–52 in S. amydrorhytus, 59–68 in S. chrysopygus, 44–48 in S. ica, 47 in S. ivitus, 47–53 in S. johaberfellneri, 43–53 in S. latebrosus, 45–59 in S. melanopygus, 39–46 in S. modestus, 36–47 in S. omari, 44–58 in S. orientalis, 52–59 in S. ornatissimus, and 51–61 in S. stigmosus). Furthermore, S. orientalis and S. omariare distinguished from S. aguilari (state of character in parentheses) by having strongly keeled dorsal head scales (smooth). Also, S. ivitus differs by lacking neck folds (antehumeral, gular, oblique, longitudinal, postauricular, and antegular neck folds present). In addition, S. aguilari differs from S. amydrorhytus, S. ica, and S. modestus by having a higher gular scale count (22–28 vs. 18–21 in S. amydrorhytus, 15–19 in S. ica, and 15–18 in S. modestus).Stenocercus chrysopygus, the sister species of S. aguilarisp. nov. (state of character between parentheses), differs markedly in a combination of color pattern, scalation, and fold morphology. Males of S. chrysopygus show a ventral coloration ranging from orange to pale blue on the lateral margins with a central yellow patch on the pelvic region and thighs (black patch on the pelvic region, Fig. 5). S. chrysopygus also exhibits lateral body scales similar in size to dorsals (smaller than dorsals), and posterior gulars bear an apical notch (no notch). In addition, preserved adult males of S. chrysopygus exhibit strongly imbricate, keeled scales along the longitudinal neck fold (weakly imbricate, granular scales, Fig. 6).Characterization. (1) Maximum SVL in male 76.54 mm (n =3); (2) maximum SVL in females 71.54 mm (n =13); (3) vertebrals 70–79; (4) paravertebrals 77–85; (5) scales around midbody 65–74; (6) supraoculars 5–7 ; (7) internasals 4; (8) postrostrals 4–6; (9) loreals 1–3; (10) gulars 22–30; (11) lamellae on Finger IV 18–22; (12) lamellae on Toe IV 22–30; (13) posthumeral mite pocket absent; (14) postfemoral mite pocket composed by one or more vertical folds or ridges [Type 1 of Torres-Carvajal (2007b)]; (15) parietal eye present; (16) occipital scales small, smooth, juxtaposed; (17) projecting angulate temporal absent; (18) enlarged supraoculars occupying most of supraocular region in one row absent; (19) scales on frontonasal region smooth, juxtaposed; (20) preauricular fringe present; (21) antehumeral, gular, oblique, longitudinal, postauricular, antegular neck folds present; (22) lateral nuchals smaller than dorsal nuchals; (23) posterior gulars cycloid, smooth, imbricate, apical pit absent; (24) lateral body scales smaller than dorsals body scales; (25) vertebrals similar in size to adjacent dorsals, not forming a continuous longitudinal row; (26) dorsolateral crest absent; (27) ventral scales smooth, imbricate; (28) scales on posterior surface of thighs granular; (29) prefemoral fold absent; (30) inguinal groove absent; (31) preanals not projected; (32) tail not compressed laterally; (33) tail length 60–65% of total length; (34) three caudal whorls per autotomic segment three; (35) caudal not spinose; (36) dark stripe that extends anterodorsally from subocular region to supraciliaries absent; (37) color pattern of gular region in adult females from dark spots to diffuse blotches; (38) color pattern of gular region in adult males with dark spots; (39) black blotch on ventral surface of neck in adult males absent; (40) dark midventral stripe in adult males absent; (41) distinct black patch present on the ventral surface of the thighs, extending along pelvic region of the venter that can extent to the pectoral region in adult males; (42) background color of dorsum grey or brown. (Castillo-Urbinia et al. 2026) Unfortunately we had to temporarily remove additional information as this was scraped by multiple AI companies who sell that data. However, these details, e.g. detailed descriptions (about about 3.56 pages) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us if you need any of this material. |
| Comment | |
| Etymology | The specific epithet aguilari is a patronym honoring Dr. César Aguilar Puntriano, a distinguished Peruvian herpetologist whose contributions have significantly advanced the knowledge and conservation of Peruvian herpetofauna. His role in strengthening the institutional capacity of the Museo de Historia Natural of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, as both curator and university professor, has been fundamental to the development of herpetology in Peru. |
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