Species Limits in the Genus Gerrhonotus (Squamata: Anguidae)

Abstract

Gerrhonotus liocephalus is demonstrated to consist of at least three species rather than the single polytypic species currently recognized. Of the seven currently recognized subspecies, G. 1. aguayoi, G. 1, infernalis and G. 1. taylori become G. infernalis; G. 1. ophiurus and G. 1, loweryi become G . ophiurus; and G . 1, austrinus and G . 1. liocephalus retain the name G . liocephalus. No subspecies are recognized within any of these three species. Certain populations from western Mexico (Durango, Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Colima) remain of uncertain identity, but are tentatively referred to as G . cf, liocephalus. Evidence for these conclusions is derived from an analysis of scalation, coloration, and morphometric variation. The taxonomic history in Gerrhonotus also is discussed