INVESTIGADORES
LOBO GAVIOLA Fernando Jose
artículos
Título:
Two new cryptic species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Tropiduridae) from northwestern Argentina: resolution of the purported reproductive bimodality of Liolaemus alticolor alticolor.
Autor/es:
LOBO, F. & R. E. ESPINOZA
Revista:
COPEIA
Editorial:
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Referencias:
Lugar: Gainesville, Florida; Año: 1999 p. 122 - 140
ISSN:
0045-8511
Resumen:
The Liolaemus alticolor group (Iguania: Tropiduridae) currently includes two or
three species of morphologically similar, small-bodied lizards distributed from
southern Peru and Bolivia to northern Argentina and Chile. Recently, a few populations
of L. alticolor from nortlwestern Argentina were reported to be reproductively
bimodal-having both oviparous and viviparous females at the same locality.
We reexamined lizards from these putatively bimodal populations and found evidence
that these populations include two sympatric yet distinct species----one oviparous,
the other viviparous. These species can also be distinguished from I. alticolm
sensu stricto from the type locality (Tiahuanaco, Bolivia). Here we describe the two
new species, L. ramireme and, L. pagaburoi, from the province of Tucum6n, Argentina,
I:iolnemts ramirezae differs from L. alticolor in having distinct neck folds, precloacal
pores in females, and an oviparous reproductive mode, and in lacking both
spots on the throat in males and a vertebral line. I;iolaemus pagaburoi differs from
L. alticolor in having distinct paravertebral markings, slender dorsal stripes, and
more rugose head scales. Recogrition of these new species as distinct resolves the
paradox of reproductive bimodality in L. alticolor. Interestingly, both of the new
species appear to be microhabitat specialists that asssciate with a single species of
plant in their respective habitats. As predicted by the cold-climate hypothesis, the
oviparous species is distributed in a warmer climate than is the viviparous species.