Resolviendo un enigma taxonómico en los Nevados del Aconquija, Catamarca, Argentina: una nueva especie endémica de Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae)

Cristian S.  Abdala; Marcos  Paz; Luis S.  Saade; Lucas E.  García; José F.  Paz; Sebastián  Quinteros; Agustina San Millán

doi:10.30550/j.azl/2265

Authors

Cristian S. Abdala Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3294-9056
Marcos Paz Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5096-7784
Luis S. Saade Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1770-0414
Lucas E. García Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0183-2174
José F. Paz Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9790-0640
Sebastián Quinteros Instituto de Bio y Geo Ciencias del Noroeste – CONICET https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0363-9163
Agustina San Millán Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30550/j.azl/2265

Keywords:

Lizards, L. huacahuasicus clade, Liolaemus sp. nov., taxonomy, endemism, altitude, biodiversity

Abstract

The Liolaemus montanus group is currently the most diverse clade within the genus, with more than 75 described species. It is distributed from Peru to Mendoza, Argentina, including localities in Bolivia and Chile. Species of this group primarily inhabit high-altitude areas characterized by cold and harsh climates. Recent phylogenetic studies indicate that the L. montanus group includes twelve monophyletic groups. One of these is the L. huacahuasicus clade, which includes ten valid species and several populations considered candidate species. In recent years, several new species of the L. montanus group have been described, mainly from Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. In this study, we describe a new species of the subgenus Eulaemus, belonging to the L. montanus group, L. huacahuasicus clade. This new taxon is highly endemic to the Nevados del Aconquija, Catamarca, Argentina. This mountain range, includes several peaks exceeding 5000 meters above sea level. Its eastern slopes harbor a lush flora, while the western slopes are rocky and desert-like. The Nevados del Aconquija form a massif oriented in a northeast-southwest direction, constituting the natural border between Catamarca and Tucumán. The new Liolaemus inhabits the western slopes, at elevations above 4000 meters, and exhibits a unique combination of traits that support its recognition as a new species to science. Phylogenetic analyses indicate a close relationship between the new species and Liolaemus huacahuasicus, with which it was previously confused. However, the geographic distribution of L. huacahuasicus is restricted to the Calchaquí summits in Tucumán.

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