Liolaemus chaltin LOBO & ESPINOZA, 2004
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Liolaemus chaltin
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| Higher Taxa | Liolaemidae, Iguania, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Liolaemus chaltin LOBO & ESPINOZA 2004 Liolaemus chaltin — LOBO et al. 2010 |
| Distribution | Argentina (Puna of central Jujuy Province, elevation 3400–3750 m), Bolivia (Tarija) Type locality: off Ruta Provincial 71, 4.2 km west of Abra Pampa, Departamento Cochinoca, Provincia de Jujuy, Argentina (22°42’24.4’’S, 65°43’12.4’’W; 3360 m elevation) |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: FML 9874 |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A small (58.7 mm maximum SVL) slender Liolaemus belonging to the alticolor group (as defined above) with a variable dorsal pattern (Fig. 2). Within the alticolor group, L. chaltin differs from L. alticolor in its larger body size (SVL of L. chaltin mean ? 54.7 mm vs mean ? 46.9 mm in L. alticolor), a fragmented midvertebral line (rarely fragmented in L. alticolor), a pigmented subocular scale (white in L. alticolor), and the new species is oviparous, whereas L. alticolor is viviparous (Lobo and Espinoza, 1999). The new species lacks paravertebral markings, whereas these are distinct in L. bitaeniatus, L. pagaburoi, and L. variegatus. Liolaemus chaltin also has smooth dorsal head scales in contrast to the rugose head surface of L. bitaeniatus. Female L. chaltin lack precloacal pores, whereas some female L. bitaeniatus (41%) and L. yanalcu (19%), and most female L. ramirezae (94%) have precloacal pores (Lobo and Espinoza, 1999; Mart ́ınez Oliver and Lobo 2002). Male L. chaltin are immaculate cream-white ventrally, whereas male L. tacnae and L. walkeri have ventral melanism. This new species has dorsolateral stripes in both sexes, which are absent in L. tacnae and L. yanalcu. Compared to L. walkeri, L. chaltin is larger in body size (SVL: mean ? 54.7 mm vs mean ? 48.3 mm in L. walkeri), and this new species has fewer scales around the midbody (mean ? 47.7 vs mean ? 52.7 in L. walkeri). Liolaemus puna n. sp. (described below) is also smaller in body size than L. chaltin (L. puna mean ? 47.9 mm), and males of the former species lack the distinct dorsal stripes found in both sexes of L. chaltin. Additionally, L. puna has nearly twice as many scale organs (mean ? 5.1; n ? 50) in the postrostral scale than recorded for L. chaltin (mean ? 2.6; n ? 20). Fifty percent of the L. puna examined (n ? 40) have a preocular scale that is in contact with the lorilabials, a character state also observed in L. alticolor, L. tacnae, and L. walkeri but never observed in L. chaltin. All male and most female L. puna have fine gray to black irregular spots on the sides of the posterior throat and neck, whereas both sexes of L. chaltin have an immaculate cream-white throat. The two new species also differ in reproductive mode: L. chaltin is oviparous and L. puna is viviparous. Female L. chaltin exhibit gravid coloration, whereas the viviparous members of the alticolor group, as far as known, do not (Appendix 1). |
| Comment | Liolaemus chaltin n. sp. differs from L. alticolor from the type locality (Tiahuanaco, Bolivia) in the following ways: this new species has a larger body size; a fragmented vertebral stripe; and a pigmented subocular (white in L. alticolor). Probably also in Bolivia (fide LANGSTROTH 2005). |
| Etymology | Named after the vernacular name (“chaltin”) used by local inhabitants to specifically refer to these small striped lizards. |
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