A new species of the Liolaemus nigroviridis group from the Andes of Central Chile (Iguania: Liolaemidae)

Abstract

Species of the Liolaemus nigroviridis group are robust lizards with a medium body size, whose males usually exhibit striking coloration patterns in green, yellow, orange or blue colors, accompanied by black stripes. All species of this group are endemic to central Chile, distributed along the Andean and Coastal mountain ranges. Several DNA phylogenetic studies have pointed out that the nominal species of this group, L. nigroviridis, is indeed a species complex, formed by L. nigroviridis and other lineages that could constitute candidate species. Here we review the taxonomic status of one of these lineages, whose previous record was based mainly on juvenile specimens. However, the examination of adult specimens allows us to conclude that this lineage should be described as a new species, in which males have a very remarkable dorsal color pattern. We also propose the revalidation of the taxon formerly known as L. nigroviridis campanae to full species status.

Keywords

• Endemism
• Valparaíso Region
• Principal component analysis
• Cyt-b
• mtDNA
• Coloration pattern