Contomastix vittata (BOULENGER, 1902)
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Contomastix vittata
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| Higher Taxa | Teiidae, Teiinae, Gymnophthalmoidea, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Cnemidophorus vittatus BOULENGER 1902: 400 Cnemidophorus vittatus — PETERS et al. 1970 Ameiva vittata — VANCE 1978 Cnemidophorus vittatus — MASLIN & SECOY 1986 Ameiva vittata — DIRKSEN & DE LA RIVA 1999 Contomastix vittata — HARVEY et al. 2012 |
| Distribution | Bolivia (Cochabamba) Type locality: Parotani, Bolivia, 2500 m elevation. |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: BMNH 1946.8.31.13 |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis (genus): There is no single unique character that distinguishes Contomastix from all other teiids. The tail of species in this genus is shorter than that of other Teiinae. These small teiids are most likely to be confused with Ameivula. Unlike species in that genus (characters in parentheses), Contomastix has a short tail (long), three parietals (five), a straight to curved ventral margin of the first supralabial (toothy), the first supralabial subequal to the second (much smaller than second), three relatively large scales at the heel (scales small and numerous), and a well-developed fifth toe (fifth toe reduced). Contomastix was previously confused with Cnemidophorus. Unlike the species in this genus, male Contomastix lack preanal spurs (spurs present) and the species in this genus have the nasal and prefrontal in contact (separate), three parietals (five), homogeneous subdigital lamellae of the hand (subarticular lamellae of hand divided), and lamellae in contact along the postaxial sides of the toes (serrate row of keeled scales completely separating digital lamellae of toes). [Harvey et al. 2012] |
| Comment | Type Species: Cnemidophorus vittatus Boulenger is the type species of the genus Contomastix HARVEY et al. 2012. Abundance: Rare. This is one of the species called 'lost' and 'rediscovered' by Lindken et al. 2024. |
| Etymology | Named after Latin “vittatus” for ribbon, or decorated by a ribbon, referring to the stripes on the back of the species. The genus name Contomastix is a feminine noun in the nominative singular derived from the Greek adjective kontos, meaning short, and noun mastix, meaning whip. The name alludes to the relatively short tails of Contomastix compared to other whiptail lizards. |
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