The Andes of southern Peru contain a biodiversity with high degree of endemism due to itspeculiar geography and bioclimate. In this work a new endemic species of the genus Liolaemusis described which would be restricted to an altitude between 3870–4100 m s.n.m., in theSalado river basin of the district and province of Espinar, department of Cusco. This speciesis characterized by the unique combination of morphological characters and the color patternthat distinguish it from the rest of the species of the genus Liolaemus, mainly within of L. ortiziclade of the L. montanus group, where the new species is located according to our phylogenetichypothesis based on morphological evidence presented in this study.
Based on detailed examination of the literature, visits to collections and the field, correspondencewith specialists and curators, study of detailed photography of living and preserved specimens,and statistical analysis of meristic data, I propose a number of taxonomic and nomenclaturalchanges for species of the Liolaemus montanus group from the Andes of Bolivia, southern Peru,northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. Liolaemus signifer (Dumeril & Bibron 1837) is designateda nomen dubium and Liolaemus multiformis (Cope 1875) and Liolaemus lenzi Boettger1891 are revalidated. Liolaemus variabilis Pellegrin 1909 and Liolaemus bolivianus Pellegrin1909 are placed in the synonymy of L. lenzi. Liolaemus pleopholis Laurent 1998 is considereda species inquirenda allied with L. lenzi. Liolaemus annectens Boulenger 1901 is considered avalid species and Liolaemus tropidonotus Boulenger 1902 is considered a junior synonym of L.multiformis. Liolaemus pantherinus Pellegrin 1909 is recognized as a valid species that includesL. annectens orientalis Muller 1924 and L. multiformis simonsii—Burt & Burt 1931 are includedin its synonymy. Liolaemus islugensis Ortiz & Marquet 1987 is removed from the synonymy ofL. pantherinus and is placed in the synonymy of L. schmidti (Marx 1960). Liolaemus erguetaeLaurent 1995 and L. molinai Valladares et al. 2002 are placed in the synonymy of L. erroneus(Nunez & Yanez 1984 “1983–1994”).
In the Argentinean Gran Chaco, numerous investigations have dealt with the diversity of vertebrates, including herps. As for the parasitofauna of these organisms, some groups, such as amphibians, have been more studied; however, from a biogeographic perspective, most of these studies were carried out in a different area, the Humid Chaco. The goal of this work is to present the nematofauna found in six species of amphibians, namely Rhinella diptycha , Chacophrys pierottii , Ceratophrys cranwelli , Scinax nasicus , Leptodactylus bufonius , and Odontophrynus lavillai , collected in different locations within the Dry Chaco, in the department of Matacos, Formosa, Argentina. In a total of 34 amphibians analyzed, we found 1,526 nematode parasites (total prevalence: 61.7%; total mean intensity: 72.6±90.3; total mean abundance: 46.2±79.7), belonging to 9 taxa: adults of Rhabdias sp., Oswaldocruzia sp., O. subauricularis , Schulzia travassossi , Aplectana hylambatis , Cosmocerca podicipinus , Oxyascaris caudacutus , Schrankiana formosula , and larvae of Physaloptera sp. These nematodes were collected from the lungs, small intestine, large intestine, gastric mucosa, and gallbladder of hosts. This work is the first record of helminths from C. pierottii and O. lavillai and the first record of nematodes from Ce. cranwelli throughout its geographical range. The species Oswaldocruzia subauricularis (Molineidae) and Schrankiana formosula (Atractidae) are recorded for the first time in Argentinean amphibians. Thus, we expand the knowledge of the biological diversity of helminth parasites of amphibians; this information, integrated into future and more comprehensive studies, will allow us to understand the factors that influence the patterns of host and geographic distribution, in an area with such extreme characteristics as the Dry Chaco.
In the present investigation we broaden the geographical distribution of the endemic saurianof the Peruvian desert Liolaemus nazca. Its distribution is extended in approximately 45 kmfrom its type locality (Lomas of the San Fernando National Reserve), reporting it for the firsttime for the department of Arequipa. Also, its distribution of occurrence is widened to otherundocumented localities in San Juan de Marcona (Nasca, Ica) and Lomas (Caraveli, Arequipa)in Peru. These new records, added to those already known, allow us to characterize their habitatsand analyze their state of conservation. These data highlight the importance and ecologicalvalue of the ‘lomas’ of Marcona, a site of interest in the conservation and protection of thebiodiversity it refuge.
Liolaemus loboi Abdala, 2003 is a rare liolaemid lizard originally described from the borderbetween Neuquen and Rio Negro Provinces in Patagonia Argentina. Only a few specimens ofthis species exist in museums, and all are from the type locality near Bariloche. Here, we presenttwo new records that result in a significant extension of the known distribution of the species.In addition, we comment on the habitat of Liolaemus loboi, its phylogenetic relationships, andselected aspects of its natural history.
