Riama balneator (KIZIRIAN, 1996)
Can you confirm these amateur observations of Riama balneator?
Riama balneator
Find more photos by Google images search: 
| Higher Taxa | Gymnophthalmidae (Cercosaurinae), Sauria, Gymnophthalmoidea, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Proctoporus balneator KIZIRIAN 1996: 100 Proctoporus balneator — DOAN & SCHARGEL 2003 Riama balneator — DOAN & CASTOE 2005 |
| Distribution | Ecuador (Tungurahua) Type locality: Southern versant of [Volcán] Tungurahua [78° 25’ W, 01° 32’ S], 2750 m elevation. |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: MHNG 2360.44, female |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: (1) Frontonasal equal to frontal in length; (2) nasoloreal suture absent; (3) supraoculars four or five, none in contact with ciliaries; (4) superciliary series complete, tive; (5) supralabial-subocular fusion absent; (6) postoculars three; (7) postparietals three or four; (8) supratympanic temporals three or four; (9) genials two or three, transverse sutures not perpendicular with respect to midline of body; (10) dorsals rectangular, juxtaposed, in male 27, in gitain 21d 12) trale verse dorsal scale rows in male 43, in female 42; (13) transverse ventral scale rows 22; (14) lateral scale rows two or three; (15) femoral pores in male 11, in female one; scales between femoral pores in male two, in female 21; (16) subdigital scales on Toe I five; (17) limbs slightly overlapping when adpressed against body in adults; (18) anterior cloacal plate scales paired; (19) hemipenial morphology unknown; (20) dorsum gray brown, with small scattered dark brown spots; dorsolateral pale line broken, extends from eye to just posterior to forelimb; venter scales unicolored pale gray brown. Proctoporus balneator can be distinguished from its congeners by the following (condition for P. balneator in parentheses): All Ecuadorian Proctoporus except P. colomaromani: scales between femoral pores in females 12 or fewer (21). P. cashcaensis, P. colomaromani, P. hypostictus (97%), P. meleagris, P. petrorum, P. raneyi, P. stigmatoral, P. unicolor (95%), P. ventrimaculatus, and P. vespertinus: superciliary series incomplete (complete). All Ecuadorian Proctoporus except P. anatoloros, P. orcesi, P. raneyi, P. stigmatoral, and P. unicolor: usually postparietals two (three or four). P. meleagris (which also occurs on Volcán Tungurahua) has smooth (keeled) dorsal scales, anterior cloacal plate scale single (two; Fig. 5). Species occurring outside of Ecuador: P. luctuosus group: lateral scales more than three (two or three). P. achlyens, P. laevis, and P. luctuosus: nasoloreal suture complete (absent). P. columbianus: dorsal scales smooth (keeled). P. striatus: femoral pores in males 4-9 (11). (Kizirian 1996) Unfortunately we had to temporarily remove additional information as this was scraped by multiple AI companies who sell that data to their customers. These details, e.g. detailed descriptions or comparisons (about 6825 characters) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us for details. |
| Comment | |
| Etymology | The specific epithet is a Latin noun (in apposition), balneator, -oris in the nominative case, meaning "caretaker of the baths." Baños (Spanish for "baths") is a city near the type locality at the foot of Volcan Tungurahua known for its geothermal springs. The name also alludes to the legend of the Virgin de las Aguas, who performs miracles near Baños. |
| References |
|
| External links |