Browsing by Author "Garin, Carlos F."

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    Deep Divergences within Liolaemus nigroviridis (Squamata, Liolaemidae) Lineages Associated with Sky Islands in Central Chile
    (2013) Cianferoni, Franco; Yanez, Romina P.; Eduardo Palma, R.; Garin, Carlos F.; Torres-Perez, Fernando
    Evolution of montane species may be strongly influenced by climate oscillations, particularly species distributed in isolated high-elevation areas (sky islands). Chilean topography is exemplified by montane environments including the Andes and Coastal Mountains. To test hypotheses related to genetic divergence associated with sky islands, we explored population genetics and phylogenetic signatures in the montane lizard Liolaemus nigroviridis Muller and Hellmich 1932. We sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome b for samples collected from six montane areas in central Chile. We found high genetic divergence among populations, congruent with well-supported clades from phylogeny reconstructions. The most recent common ancestor of all samples of L. nigroviridis was dated around the limit of Pliocene-Pleistocene (2.7 Mya), congruent with early vicariance of Andean and coastal populations. Deep lineage divergences suggest that allopatric populations accumulated high nucleotide differences and maintained long periods without gene exchange. We discuss potential taxonomic revisions considering relative genetic divergence.
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    On the identity of Liolaemus nigromaculatus Wiegmann, 1834 (Iguania, Liolaemidae) and correction of its type locality
    (2013) Troncoso-Palacios, Jaime; Garin, Carlos F.
    In the current study, we review the taxonomic status of Liolaemus nigromaculatus. Despite being the nominal species of the nigromaculatus group and being the second species of the genus Liolaemus that was described, this species is of uncertain type locality and its true identification is a matter of discussion. After carefully analyzing several digital pictures of the holotype (juvenile male), reviewing all of the literature concerning the issue, examining specimens of nearly all recognized species of the nigromaculatus group, and determining the locations visited by the specimen collector, we are able to point out the following: 1) L. nigromaculatus was collected between Puerto Viejo and Copiapo of the Atacama region in Chile, and not in Huasco 2) L. bisignatus is a nomen nudum, and populations attributed to L. bisignatus should be referred to as L. nigromaculatus. 3) There is agreement that L. copiapoensis is indistinguishable from populations currently referred to as L. bisignatus (= L. nigromaculatus), 4) Populations found in Huasco (currently considered the type locality of L. nigromaculatus) are very similar to those found in Caldera (currently considered L. bisignatus) and should be designated as L. nigromaculatus, and 5) L. oxycephalus and L. inconspicuus are not synonymous with L. nigromaculatus, although their true identities are difficult to determine. We also detail several characteristic based on the holotype of L. nigromaculatus, in addition to drawing diagnostic comparisons between this species and others belonging to the nigromaculatus group.
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    The missing leopard lizard: Liolaemus ubaghsi sp nov., a new species of the leopardinus clade (Reptilia: Squamata: Liolaemidae) from the Andes of the O'Higgins Region in Chile
    (2014) Esquerre, Damien; Troncoso-Palacios, Jaime; Garin, Carlos F.; Nunez, Herman
    Liolaemus is an extremely species rich genus of iguanid lizards from southern South America. Most of the diversity though is found in the Andes Cordillera, between Argentina and Chile. Here we describe Liolaemus ubaghsi sp. nov., from El Teniente Mine, in the Andean mountains of the O'Higgins Region in Chile. This species presents scalation and pattern traits that belong to the leopardinus clade, a group of viviparous, high altitude lizards that inhabit the mountain ranges surrounding Santiago City. The species of this clade in turn belong to the Andean and Patagonian elongatus-kriegi complex. Liolaemus ubaghsi sp. nov. has been previously recognized as L. leopardinus and L. elongatus, nevertheless we present diagnostic traits that allow us to describe it as a new species. It mainly differs from the rest of the leopardinus clade (L. leopardinus, L. ramonensis, L. valdesianus and L. frassinettii) by having the following unique combination of traits: ochre background coloration, a wide dark occipital stripe, dark flanks, white dots dispersed on the dorsum, absence of leopard-like spots and enlarged infralabial scales.