Taxonomy, Hemipenial Morphology, and Natural History of Two Poorly Known Species of Anadia (Gymnophthalmidae) from Northern South America

• Published in: Journal of herpetology 2012-03, Vol.46 (1), p.33-40
• Main Authors: Rivas, Gilson A, Nunes, Pedro M. Sales, Dixon, James R, Schargel, Walter E, Caicedo, José R, Barros, Tito R, Camargo, Edward G, Barrio-Amorós, César L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anadia; Animal morphology; Biological taxonomies; Female animals; FOCUS ON HERPETOLOGY IN BRAZIL; Herpetology; Holotypes; Lacertilia; Lizards; Male animals; Natural history; Stripes; Zoology
• ISSN: 0022-1511; 1937-2418
• DOI: 10.1670/10-139

Anadia pariaensis Rivas, La Marca, and Oliveros, 1999, and Anadia steyeriNieden, 1914, are two particularly rare and poorly known lizards described from single specimens. In the case of A. pariaensis, it remains known from the holotype, whereas A. steyeri is known from three additional specimens reported in the literature after the original description of the species. A single new specimen of A. pariaensis and five of A. steyeri, including the first adult males recorded for both species, make possible a more representative description of both species, including descriptions of the hemipenes. Despite both species presenting some similar morphological characteristics, the examination of the hemipenial morphology revealed very different organs. The hemipenis of A. steyeri presents some characteristics that resemble the organs of two species from the Santa Marta Mountain Range in the “bitaeniata-group” (Anadia pulchella and Anadia altaserrania). On the other hand, the hemipenes of A. pariaensis are unique morphologically and cannot be associated with the hemipenes known from other species in the genus. We describe variation within both species, and we comment on possible sexual dimorphism (number and arrangement of the femoral pores), natural history, and the known geographic distribution of the species. We also comment on Anadia bumanguesaRueda-Almonacid and Caicedo 2004 based on a new specimen, the second known. This species may be a synonym of A. steyeri. Anadia pariaensis Rivas, La Marca, and Oliveros, 1999 y Anadia steyeriNieden, 1914, son dos especies raras, escasamente conocidas y descritas con ejemplares únicos. En el caso de A. pariaensis, esta permanece conocida solo por el holotipo; mientras A. steyeri se conoce por cuatro ejemplares señalados en la literatura desde su descripción. En este trabajo, un nuevo ejemplar de A. pariaensis y cinco de A. steyeri, incluyendo los primeros machos adultos registrados para ambas especies hacen posible una descripción detallada, incluyendo la descripción de los hemipenes. A pesar que estas especies presentan algunas características morfológicas similares, el examen de la morfología hemipenial reveló órganos muy diferentes. El hemipene de A. steyeri, presenta algunas características que lo asemejan a los órganos de dos especies del grupo bitaeniata de la sierra de Santa Marta (Anadia pulchella y Anadia altaserrania). Por otra parte, el hemipene de A. pariaensis es único morfológicamente, y no puede ser actualmente