Liolaemus foxi a new species of lizard from Northern Chile (Squamata: Reptilia: Sauria)

Abstract

We describe Liolaemus foxi, a new species of lizard from northern Chile. This species is characterized by a unique color pattern with a broad, serrated, pale-brownish occipital band flanked by two broader jet-black parietal bands. Osteological features indicate that the new species belongs to the montanus group and, within that group it may be distinguished from all species of the boulengeri subgroup by the absence of a femoral patch of enlarged scales. L. foxi inhabits the Domeyko cordillera, an outside ridge of mountains running north-south between the coastal and Andean ranges in the Antofagasta region. Striking ontogenetic differences in color pattern, together with ontogenetic changes in body proportions, mayberelatedtotheecologyofthisspecies,perhapsreducingintraspecific competition.