Resurrection and redescription of Liolaemus reichei, proposal of a Neotype to stabilization of the taxonomy

VALLADARES P.; ETHERIDGE R.; ABDALA C. S

REVISTA MEXICANA DE BIODIVERSIDAD

INST BIOLOGIA

Lugar: México; Año: 2018

1870-3453

Liolaemus reichei was described by Werner and published by Otto Bürger in 1907 on the basis of one specimen captured in Iquique, Chile. The taxonomy of this species has been controversial, because it was originally placed in the genus Phrynosaura and was recently synonymized with Liolaemus stolzmanni based on a picture of the syntype of the latter species. We have identified a set of diagnostic characters that distinguish L. reichei from L. stolzmanni. Because there has been persistent confusion regarding the identity and the existence of the taxon described by Werner, we here resurrect, redescribe and designate a neotype of this species to stabilize the taxonomy of Liolaemus reichei. This work is based on specimens that were captured near Iquique, Chile, and is consistent with the original description.