Skeletal variation within the darwinii group of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae): new characters, identification of polymorphisms and new synapomorphies for subclades

LOBO, F.; S. QUINTEROS & F. LOBO

ACTA HERPETOLOGICA

FIRENZE UNIV PRESS

Año: 2017 vol. 12 p. 65 - 77

1827-9635

Fifty-five skeletal characters (continuous and discrete) were analyzed for species of the L. darwinii group: L.albiceps, L. chacoensis, L. grosseorum, L. irregularis, L. koslowskyi, L. lavillai, L. ornatus, L. quilmes, plus L. inacayali (L.telsen group) and L. scapularis (L. wiegmannii group). We report polymorphic intraspecific variation that has not previouslybeen taken into account and we describe 21 new characters that provide original information across the group.We detected several morphological synapomorphies for the darwinii group and subclades. The enclosure of Meckel?scartilage by a dentary outgrowth on lingual side of lower jaw (a synapomorphy of the subgenus Liolaemus sensu strictoand of the Phymaturus patagonicus group) also occurs within the L. darwinii group. The morphology of maxillaryteeth with three conspicuous cusps may be a potential synapomorphy of the subgenus Eulaemus. The morphology ofmaxillary teeth may have adaptive value. Characters that were studied in other groups of lizards were informative forLiolaemus.