First records in Brazil for Arthrosaura versteegii van Lidth de Jeude, 1904 (Reptilia, Gymnophthalmidae), a possible species complex, and distribution extension for Arthrosaura montigena Myers & Donnelly, 2008, in Venezuela

Abstract

Arthrosaura versteegii van Lidth de Jeude 1904 has a supposed distribution on the Guiana Shield from eastern Venezuela to western French Guiana, between 100–1400 m above sea level. No records for Brazil were known. We here report material from two areas in Brazilian Amazonia south of the Amazon River, of specimens morphologically agreeing with A. versteegii, but with two distinct types of hemipenes that also differ from that of Guianan males. Moreover, reexamination of two specimens of A. versteegii reported from the Venezuela highlands show that they are A. montigena Myers and Donnelly 2008. This leaves A. versteegii restricted to eastern Amazonian lowlands.