Wilsonosaura josyi (KÖHLER, 2003)
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Wilsonosaura josyi
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| Higher Taxa | Gymnophthalmidae (Cercosaurinae), Sauria, Gymnophthalmoidea, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Euspondylus josyi KÖHLER 2003 Wilsonosaura josyi — LEHR et al. 2020 |
| Distribution | Peru (Junín) Type locality: Departamento Junín, Marainiyoc, elevation 2880 m, 11° 22’ S, 75° 24’ W. |
| Reproduction | oviparous |
| Types | Holotype: MCZ 85787; paratypes in MCZ, SMF, and USNM |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis (genus): Phenotypic synapomorphies are not known for this genus. Morphologically, Wilsonosaura gen. n. can be distinguished from all other genera of Cercosaurinae (except Proctoporus) by the combination of the following characters: lower palpebral disc semi-transparent, undivided (divided in Anadia, Andinosaura, Centrosaura, Euspondylus, Gelanesaurus, Oreosaurus, Petracola, Rheosaurus, Riama, and most Placosoma species; opaque in Pholidobolus); dorsal scales homogenous (heterogenous in Centrosaura, Echinosaura, Gelanesaurus, Neusticurus, Potamites, Rheosaurus; minute tubercles on posterior dorsal scales in Placosoma; slightly rugose in Selvasaura); lateral scales distinctly smaller than dorsal scales (lateral scales not distinctly reduced in size in Macropholidus); lateral scales forming a distinct longitudinal line of smaller scales (irregular pattern of smaller laterals in Dendro sauridion), dorsal scales weakly keeled to nearly smooth (smooth dorsal keels in Dendrosauridion), and short snout bluntly rounded (moderately long snout pointed in Dendrosauridion); absence of distinctly enlarged gulars (medial gulars distinctly enlarged forming longitudinal rows in Cercosaura). Frequent occurrence of prefrontal shields, presence of weakly keeled to nearly smooth dorsal scales, and a continuous line of lateral scales at the middle of flanks being occasionally widened vertically by additional lateral scales interspacing the dorsals distinguish Wilsonosaura gen. n. from most species of Proctoporus. Nevertheless, an unambiguous morphological character distinguishing the new genus from Proctoporus has not been identified (see e.g., Oftedal 1974, Cadle & Chuna 1995, Altamirano-Benavides et al. 2013, Kok et al. 2013, Torres-Carvajal & Mafla-Endara 2013, Echevarría et al. 2015, Borges-Nojosa et al. 2016, Chávez et al. 2017, Sánchez-Pacheco et al. 2017b, Moravec et al. 2018, Lehr et al. 2019). |
| Comment | Abundance: only known from its original description (Meiri et al. 2017). Type species: Euspondylus josyi KÖHLER 2003 is the type species of the genus Wilsonosaura LEHR et al. 2019. |
| Etymology | Named after Franz-Josef Hans (nicknamed “Josy”), in recogniton of his support of taxonomic studies through the BIOPAT programme. The genus name Wilsonosaura is derived from the last name Wilson and the Greek noun σαύρα (lizard; saura is the feminine form). The name is dedicated to Dr. E. O. Wilson in recognition of his lifelong contributions to biodiversity research and conservation. |
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