Liolaemus patriciaiturrae y Liolaemus isabelae, dos nuevas especies de lagartijas para el norte de Chile. Aspectos biogeográficos y citotaxonómicos (Squamata, Tropiduridae)

Abstract

Two new species of Chilean lizards: Liolaemus patriciaiturrae and L. isabelae are described. Liolaemus patriciaiturrae belongs to the "ruibali" group, and is one of the largest species in this group; males exhibit a melanic throat and chest. Liolaemus patriciaiturrae differs from L. cf. vallecurensis by lacking auricular and tympanic scales. The dorsal scales are juxtaposed in L. patriciaiturrae and semiimbricated in L. vallecurensis (s. str.). Dorsal pattern and adults size are the main features marking a difference among L. patriciaiturrae, L. duellmani, L. eleodori, L. famatinae, L. rosenmanni and L. ruibali. Liolaemus isabelae belongs to the "chilean" group and is closer to the "nigroviridis" complex. Liolaemus isabelae differs from all other species of Liolaemus by the unique features of a jet-black color with small yellowish spots on the head, hind-legs and tail. In contrast with other jet-black species, L. isabelae is slender than L. curis, and the dorsal scales of L. curis are sharpened, whereas L. isabelae has round dorsal scales. L. zapallarensis ater is glossy on both back and ventral surfaces whereas L. isabelae is glossy just on the ventral surface. Likewise they differ in chromosomic number. Females of L. isabelae resemble those of L. nigroviridis. These new species are sympatric but not syntopic; L. patriciaiturrae lives in all the Salar de Pedernales, while L. isabelae is restricted to the summit of a small hill called "El Cerrito". Aggressiveness is reported to be the main factor separating both species ecologically. Finally we discuss the biogeographic correlates of chromosomic differences among species belonging to the "ruibali" and "nigroviridis" groups. Formaly the latter is described for Chile in this paper.