New lizard species from northern Chile, Liolaemus molinai (Reptilia: Liolaeminae) Nueva especie de lagartija del norte de Chile, Liolaemus molinai (Reptilia: Liolaeminae)

Abstract

A new species of lizard, belonging to the montanus group of the genus Liolaemus, is described from the northern Chile. The specimens of the new species were collected in February, 1999 at the Farellones de Tara, Loa Province, Antofagasta Region. Within the montanus group, the new species differs from the boulengeri group in lacking a patch of enlarged scales on the posterior thigh. It differs from the remaining species of the montanus group in having a high number of small, smooth, rounded dorsal body scale and differentiated head scales. From those species with similar pattern of squamation, the new species can be differentiated by its moderate size, tail shorter than snout - vent length, and distinctive color pattern. It has psammophilus habits and it occurs over 4,000 m of elevation. 1,775 bp of the mitochondrial genes ND1, ND2 and COI were amplified and sequenced from the holotype, allotype and one paratype. These were compared with ten species of Liolaemus, four of the chiliensis