Publication
Revealing anole diversity in the highlands of the Northern Andes: New and resurrected species of the Anolis heterodermus species group
Publisher:
Pensoft Publishers
Date:
14-02-2023
DOI:
10.3897/VZ.73.E94265
Abstract: The Anolis heterodermus group comprises eight big-headed and short-legged lizard species from the highlands of the northernmost South American Andes. Recent studies revealed unknown lineages within this group that had previously been categorized as a species complex. By widely s ling and applying an integrative taxonomic framework, we (1) assessed the species ersity of the group using a molecular dataset (two mitochondrial and one nuclear markers) along with an inclusive morphological study (scalation, scale configuration and ornamentation, morphometrics, and dewlap and body colour patterns) and (2) we inferred the evolutionary relationships within this species group. Our analyses confirmed the formerly reported differentiation between populations of those high-altitude lizards, and we identified several unknown evolutionary lineages. Our results provided evidence for the existence of nine distinct, independently evolving evolutionary lineages in the heterodermus group. As a result, we described two morphologically and genetically highly distinct lineages as species new to science ( A. quimbaya sp. nov. and A. tequendama sp. nov. ). We redescribed A. heterodermus and erected as a valid species Anolis richteri , a previously described synonym of A. heterodermus . A taxonomic key for the identification of species of the Phenacosaurus clade was presented. The identification of two additional poorly-known lineages suggested that the ersity of this group of lizards is still unknown therefore, it is necessary to establish measurements for the group´s conservation, as well as to perform fieldwork and revision of herpetological collections to identify possible hidden ersity within the group.