New distribution records for Euspondylus excelsum Chávez, Catenazzi & Venegas, 2017 (Reptilia, Gymnophthalmidae, Cercosaurinae) in Peru

Abstract

Euspondylus excelsum was described from 8 specimens from the Region Huánuco in central Peru. We obtained an adult female from the Region Junín and a subadult male (photo vouchers only) from the Region Madre de Dios. Our new records of E. excelsum extend the range of this species by 592 km to the south and increase the previously known elevational range from 1023–1159 m a.s.l. to 550–1550 m a.s.l. The adult female is the largest known specimen extending the maximum SVL to 90.1 mm. Our findings indicate that E. excelsum is relatively widely distributed in the montane forests and foothills of the eastern Andes. Its arboreal mode of life is probably one reason for its rarity and limited records during traditional field surveys.

Keywords

• Arboreality
• eastern Andes
• gymnophthalmid lizards