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| Liolaemus kunza Abdala, Semhan & Paz sp. nov. & Liolaemus salitrosus Abdala & Paz sp. nov. in Abdala, Paz, Semhan, ... et Langstroth, 2021. Photographs: C.S. Abdala. |
Abstract
The known diversity of the genus Liolaemus continues to increase, principally due to its great degree of endemism, the increasing number of researchers working on it, and advances in the taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge of the genus. This diversity positions Liolaemus as the second most species-rich tetrapod genus. The present work adds to evidence for the great diversity of Liolaemus through the description of two new species, endemic to saline environments in the Argentinian Puna. Both species are members of the Liolaemus montanus group within the subgenus Eulaemus. To determine the taxonomic status of these lizards, we used integrative taxonomy as a tool, incorporating phylogenetic, morphological, and molecular genetic evidence, as well as the anatomy of hemipenes, statistical morphological analysis, and ecological characteristics. Our analyses supported the conclusion that both sampled populations of lizards are species new to science. One of these is found along the margins of the Antofalla salt flats in the Catamarca Province and the Hombre Muerto salt flats in the Salta Province. The other new species inhabits saline habitats vegetated by Lycium humile, principally between the salt crusts of the Antofalla salt flats. Both species are small to medium sized and can be distinguished from all other species of the L. montanus group by unique combinations of morphological characters, primarily pholidosis and dorsal and ventral colour patterns.
Key words: Argentine, ecology, hemipenis, lizard, morphology, phylogeny, principal components analysis, puna, taxonomy, total evidence
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| Fig. 1. Specimens of Liolaemus kunza sp. nov. Holotype (FML 30359), dorso-lateral and ventral view (a, b), yellow morph (FML 30422) (c), brown morph (FML 30464) (d), orange morph (FML 30460) (e), red morph (FML 30466) (f), female specimen from the type locality in dorso-lateral and ventral view (FML 30488) (g, h), difference of habitats that Liolaemus kunza sp. nov. use around the Antofalla and Hombre Muerto salt flats, Ojos de Campo (i), Loro Huasi (j). Photographs: C. S. Abdala. |
Liolaemus kunza Abdala, Semhan & Paz sp. nov.
Etymology. We dedicate the scientific name of this species to the extinct Kunza language, which was spoken until the XIX century by peoples of the Altiplano of Argentina, Plurinational State of Bolivia, and Chile.
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| Fig. 5. Specimens of Liolaemus salitrosus sp. nov. Holotype, dorso-lateral and ventral view (FML 30363) (a, b). Variation in dorsum colouration of males (FML 30379-80) (c, d). Female specimen from the type locality in dorso-lateral and ventral view (FML 30372) (e, f). Different habitats that Liolaemus salitrosus sp. nov. use around the lagoons of Antofalla salt flats, Pozo Bravo (g), Laguna Verde (h). Photographs: C.S. Abdala. |
Liolaemus salitrosus Abdala & Paz sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet salitrosus refers to the peculiar habitat of this species, closely associated with the salt flat, an extreme environment characterized by a hypersaline soil covered with thick saltpetre crusts.
Cristian S. Abdala, Marcos M. Paz, Romina V. Semhan, Noelia García, Alvaro J. Aguilar-Kirigin, María E. Farías, Pablo Valladares, Roberto Gutiérrez Poblete, Matías A. Quipildor, Julián Valdes and Robert Langstroth. 2021. Increasing Knowledge of the Denizens of Saline Environments through Integrative Taxonomy: New Argentinian Endemic Taxa of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) and their Evolutionary Relationships. Systematics and Biodiversity. 19(2); 135-167. 10.1080/14772000.2020.1844818
