Nuevas especies de phymaturus (grupo "palluma") para la zona cordillerana central de Chile (reptilia, sauria, liolaemidae)

Abstract

We describe four new species of the Phymaturus genus, within the "palluma" group. They inhabit the Andean range, above 1,500 m, from Coquimbo to El Maule administrative regions. These descriptions include mor-phological and osteological features, we remarks the existence of an autapomorphy related to the lacking of incisive process in those populations from El Maule region. These descriptions increase from two to six the species belonging to Phymaturus genus; probably this number is still underestimated due to the singular topography of the occidental slope of the Andean range. We propose the radiation of this genus as a consequence of the changing state due to Pleistocenic glaciations occurring in the area, resulting in the geographic isolation of lizards populations living in the high Andes. We discuss the particular response of Phymaturus, with Liolaemus (Liolaemidae) species living at present in the same high andean habitats.