Sigaloseps balios SADLIER, BAUER & WOOD, 2014
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Sigaloseps balios
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| Higher Taxa | Scincidae, Eugongylinae (Eugongylini), Scincoidea, Sauria, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Sigaloseps balios SADLIER, BAUER & WOOD in SADLIER et al. 2014 |
| Distribution | New Caledonia (S Grande Terre: summit area of Mt Humboldt) Type locality: Massif du Humboldt 21°52’57”S 166°34’45”E at 1350 m elevation. |
| Reproduction | oviparous (not imputed, fide Zimin et al. 2022) |
| Types | Holotype: MNHN-RA 2011.0287 (formerly AMS R.172612). (collected R. Sadlier & C. Beatson, 13 Oct. 2009). Paratypes: AMS R.172616 Massif du Humboldt 21°52’50”S 166°24’29”E at 1390 m (collected H. Jourdan, 13 Oct. 2009); AMS R.172620-21 Massif du Humboldt 21°52’50”S 166°24’29”E at 1390 m (collected R. Sadlier & C. Beatson, 15 Oct. 2009). |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: The following features of coloration and scalation in combination will distinguish Sigaloseps balios n. sp. from all other species of Sigaloseps: maximum adult size 50 mm SVL (adult females); subocular upper labial in contact with the lower eyelid; midbody scale rows 26-28; paravertebral scale rows 58-61 (mean = 59.0); 4th toe lamellae scales 23-25 (mean = 24.2); underside of body enamel yellow and underside of tail with large dark spots. These characters allow Sigaloseps balios n. sp. to be distinguished from its congeners as follows: - from Sigaloseps deplanchei s.s in having more paravertebral scales (58-61vs 46-56), longer tail (128% vs ~100% SVL), bolder ventral coloration (enamel yellow vs moderate yellow), and darker tail color (nearly black vs dull reddish-brown). - from Sigaloseps conditus n. sp. in having more paravertebral scales (58-61vs 46-56), the subocular upper labial contacting the lower eyelid (vs separated by a complete row of subocular scales), bolder ventral coloration (enamel yellow vs moderate yellow), and darker tail color (nearly black vs dull reddish-brown). - from Sigaloseps pisinnus n. sp. by its larger adult size (maximum SVL 50 vs 38 mm), significantly more midbody scales (26-28 vs 22-24), significantly more paravertebral scales (58-61vs 48-55), bolder ventral coloration (enamel yellow vs moderate yellow), and darker tail color (nearly black vs dull reddish-brown). - from Sigaloseps ruficauda by its smaller adult size (maximum SVL 50 vs 56 mm), shorter tail (~128% vs 150%), bolder ventral coloration (enamel yellow vs moderate yellow), and darker tail color (nearly black color vs reddish). - from Sigaloseps ferrugicauda n. sp. by its smaller adult size (maximum SVL 50 vs 60 mm), bolder ventral coloration (enamel yellow vs moderate yellow-orange), and darker tail color (nearly black color vs dull russet brown). Sigaloseps balios n. sp. is unlikely to be confused with any other species of Sigaloseps. In size it is intermediate between the two largest species in the genus, S. ruficauda and S. ferrugicauda n. sp., and the other species of Sigaloseps. It has a number of scalation and coloration characteristics that will readily distinguish it from S. deplanchei sensu stricto, S. conditus n. sp. and S pisinnus n. sp. It has an elevated number of paravertebral scales (equal to or greater than 50), a feature shared with Sigaloseps ruficauda and Sigaloseps ferrugicauda n. sp., but is readily distinguished from these species by marked differences in size and tail and ventral coloration. The genetic data indicate the relationships of S. balios n. sp. lie with the other high-elevation endemics S. ruficauda and S. ferrugicauda n. sp. It shows a high level of genetic differentiation from S. ferrugicauda n. sp. with which it is sympatric on Mt Humboldt, but only a low level of differentiation from the allopatrically distributed S. ruficauda. However, the morphological differences between S. ruficauda and S. balios n. sp. provide strong support for the recognition of each as a distinct evolutionary lineage. |
| Comment | Habitat: dense, low maquis shrubland adjacent to high-eleva- tion humid forest. |
| Etymology | The species epithet is from the Greek balios for dappled, and alludes to the contrasting light and dark coloration on the underside of the tail characteristic of this species. |
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