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Photos of Type Specimens of Lepidophyma (Reptilia: Squamata: Xantusiidae)
Robert L. Bezy
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
robertbezy@gmail.com
During research on the systematics of the Xantusiidae (Night Lizards) I secured
photographs of the primary type specimens of the 25 names that had been applied
to members of the genus Lepidophyma before 2010. I am here making these
photos available to other researchers.
The grayscale photos of the 21 specimens in United States collections were
taken by John DeLeon, former staff photographer at the Natural History Museum
of Los Angeles County. Scanned images of prints are presented here, arranged on
three pages: 1, below an abbreviated synonymy are dorsal and ventral views of the
entire specimen immersed in alcohol to document color pattern; 2, dorsal, ventral,
and lateral views of the head taken in air; and 3, dorsal and dorsolateral views of
the trunk (axilla to groin) and dorsal and ventral views of the proximal tail, all
taken in air. Lateral views of the head are lacking for the names Gaigeia
dontomasi, Gaigeia radula, and Lepidophyma smithii occulor.
The photos of the four specimens in collections of European museums were
taken by me and vary considerably in quality and view.
The accounts are arranged alphabetically using the name as it was published
originally rather than subsequent emendations or current status.
I am grateful to John DeLeon for taking the photos, to Kathryn Bolles and Jay
Cole for advice and encouragement, and to the curatorial staff of the following
museum collections for making the specimens available:
BMNH British Museum of Natural History, UK
ENCB Escuela Nacional Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, MEXICO
FMNH Field Museum of Natural History, USA
IBH Colleción Nacional de Anfibios y Reptiles, UNAM, MEXICO
KU University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. USA
MCZ Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, USA
MNHM Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, FRANCE
NMBA Naturhistorishes Museum Basel, SWITZERLAND
UCM University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, USA
UIMNH University of Illinois Museum of Natural History, USA
UMMZ University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, USA
USNM National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, USA
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Akleistops guatemalensis Müller
Akleistops guatemalensis. Syntypes: NMBA 3748-50, 3752, 8039-40. Type
locality: "Mazatenango (costa grande von Guatemala)." Müller, F. 1877.
Mittheilungen aus der herpetologischen Sammlung. I. Uber einige selten und
neue Reptilien aus Guatemala. Verhandlungen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in
Basel 6:390-411.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma smithii by Bezy, R. L. 1973. A
new species of the genus Lepidophyma (Reptilia: Xantusiidae) from Guatemala.
Contributions in Science Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
239:1-7.
Akleistops guatemalensis NMBA 3750
3
Gaigeia dontomasi Smith 1942
Gaigeia dontomasi. Holotype: USNM 111473. Type locality: "Lachiguiri, Oaxaca,
at 7,100 feet," Mexico. Smith, H. M. 1942. Mexican herpetological miscellany.
Proceedings of the United States National Museum 92:349-395.
Lepidophyma dontomasi: Savage, J. M. 1963. Studies on the lizard family
Xantusiidae IV. The genera. Contributions in Science (Los Angeles County
Museum of Natural History) 71:1-38.
Gaigeia dontomasi USNM 111473.
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Gaigeia dontomasi USNM 111473
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Gaigeia dontomasi USNM 111473
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Gaigeia radula Smith
Gaigeia radula. Holotype: USNM 111472. Type locality: "San Jose Manteca, 5
kilometers from San Carlos Yautepec, Oaxaca," Mexico. Smith, H. M. 1942.
Mexican herpetological miscellany. Proceedings of the United States National
Museum 92:349-395.
Lepidophyma radula: Savage, J. M. 1963. Studies on the lizard family Xantusiidae
IV. The genera. Contributions in Science Los Angeles County Museum of
Natural History 71:1-38.
The type locality was corrected to San Isidro Manteca by Flores-Villela, O., L.
Canseco-Marquez, E. N. Smith, and J. A. Campbell. 2005. Rediscovery and
redescription of the night lizard Lepidophyma radula Smith, 1942. Journal of
Herpetology 39:493-495.
Gaigeia radula USNM 111472
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Gaigeia radula USNM 111472
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Gaigeia radula USNM 111472
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Lepidophyma alvarezi Smith
Lepidophyma alvarezi. Holotype: UCM 49281. Type locality: "43 km on the road
between Ocozocoautla and Mal Paso, 620 m Chiapas," Mexico. Smith, H. M.
1973. A tentative rearrangement of the lizards of the genus Lepidophyma.
Journal of Herpetology 7(2):109-123.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma tuxtlae by Bezy, R.L., and J.
L. Camarillo R. 2002. Systematics of xantusiid lizards of the genus
Lepidophyma. Contributions in Science 493:1-41.
Lepidophyma alvarezi UCM 49281
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Lepidophyma alvarezi UCM 49281
\
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Lepidophyma alvarezi UCM 49281
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Lepidophyma anomalum Taylor
Lepidophyma anomalum. Holotype: KU 34207. Type locality: "Los Diamantes,
Guapiles, Limon Province, Costa Rica.” Taylor, E. H. 1955. Additions to the
known herpetological fauna of Costa Rica with comments on other species. No.
II. University of Kansas Science Bulletin 37(1):499-575.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma flavimaculatum by Bezy, R. L.
1989. Morphological differentiation in unisexual and bisexual xantusiid lizards
of the genus Lepidophyma in Central America. Herpetological Monographs.
3:61-80.
Lepidophyma anomalum KU 34207
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Lepidophyma anomalum KU 34207
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Lepidophyma anomalum KU 34207\\
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Lepidophyma flavimaculatus A.M.C. Duméril
Lepidophyma flavimaculatus A.M.C. Duméril in Duméril and Duméril, 1851:138.
Holotype: MNHN 782. Type locality: "Province du Peten (Amer. centrale)”,
restricted to Rio de la Pasion, Guatemala, by Smith and Taylor (1950).
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum: A.H.A. Dumeril, 1852: plate 17.
Poriodogaster grayii Smith in Gray, 1863:154. Type locality, unknown, originally
conjectured to be "Lower California" and subsequently thought by Peters,
1874, to be Panama.
Lepidophyma flavomaculatum obscurum Barbour, 1924:10. Type locality: "Rio
Chilibrillo, Panama".
Lepidophyma flavomaculatum flavomaculatum: Smith, 1942:379.
Lepidophyma anomalum Taylor, 1955:554. Type locality: "Los Diamantes,
Guapiles, Limon Province, Costa Rica".
Lepidophyma ophiophthalmum Taylor, 1955:558. Type locality: "5 km. NNE
Tilaran, Guanacaste, Costa Rica."
Lepidophyma flavimaculatus MNHN 782
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Lepidophyma flavimaculatus MNHN 782
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Lepidophyma flavomaculatum obscurum Barbour
Lepidophyma flavomaculatum obscurum. Holotype: MCZ 17747. Type locality:
"Rio Chilibrillo, Panama. Barbour, T. 1924. Two noteworthy new lizards from
Panama. Proceedings of the New England Zoological Club 9:7-10.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma flavimaculatum by Bezy, R. L.
1989. Morphological differentiation in unisexual and bisexual xantusiid lizards
of the genus Lepidophyma in Central America. Herpetological. Monographs
3:61-80.
This name is applicable to the all-female populations in Panama, if they are
considered to represent a separate taxon from populations of Lepidophyma
flavimaculatum in which some males are present.
Lepidophyma flavomaculatum obscurum MCZ 17747
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Lepidophyma flavomaculatum obscurum MCZ 17747
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Lepidophyma flavomaculatum obscurum MCZ 17747
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Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum Walker
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum. Holotype: UMMZ 101374. Type
locality: "+ 5 miles NW (by road) of Gomez Farias, in the Sierra Madre
Oriental at 'Rancho del Cielo,' + 3600 feet," Tamaulipas, Mexico. Walker, C. F.
1955. Two new lizards of the genus Lepidophyma from Tamaulipas. Occasional
Papers of the Museum of Zoology University of Michigan 564:1-10.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma sylvaticum by Bezy, R. L.
1984. Systematics of xantusiid lizards of the genus Lepidophyma in
northeastern Mexico. Contributions in Science, Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County Sci. 349:1-16.
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum UMMZ 101374
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Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum UMMZ 101374
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Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum UMMZ 101374
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Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum Walker
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum. Holotype: UMMZ 101374. Type
locality: "+ 5 miles NW (by road) of Gomez Farias, in the Sierra Madre
Oriental at 'Rancho del Cielo,' + 3600 feet," Tamaulipas, Mexico. Walker, C. F.
1955. Two new lizards of the genus Lepidophyma from Tamaulipas. Occasional
Papers of the Museum of Zoology University of Michigan 564:1-10.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma sylvaticum by Bezy, R. L.
1984. Systematics of xantusiid lizards of the genus Lepidophyma in
northeastern Mexico. Contributions in Science, Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County Sci. 349:1-16.
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum UMMZ 101374
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Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum UMMZ 101374
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Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum UMMZ 101374
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Lepidophyma lowei Bezy and Camarillo
Lepidophyma lowei. Holotype: IBH 7500. Type locality: “4.0 km (by rd) SE San
Bartolome Zoogocho, Municipio Zoogocho, former Distrito Villa Alta, Oaxaca,
Mexico (1714’N, 9615’W; ca 2200 m elev.).” Bezy, R. L., and J. L. Camarillo
R. 1997. A new species of Lepidophyma (Sauria: Xantusiidae) from Oaxaca,
Mexico. Contributions in Science, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
County 465:1-8.
IBH 7500 Lepidophyma lowei
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Lepidophyma lowei IBH 7500
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Lepidophyma lowei IBH 7500
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Lepidophyma mayae Bezy
Lepidophyma mayae. Holotype: KU 59554. Type locality: "near Chinaja, elev. 140
m., Depto. Alta Verapaz, Guatemala." Bezy, R. L. 1973. A new species of the
genus Lepidophyma (Reptilia: Xantusiidae) from Guatemala. Contrib. Sci.
239:1-7.
Lepidophyma mayae KU 5955
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Lepidophyma mayae KU 5955
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Lepidophyma mayae KU 5955
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Lepidophyma micropholis Walker
Lepidophyma micropholis Holotype: UMMZ 101298. Type locality: "cave at El
Pachon, about 5 miles NNE of Antigua Morelos, Tamaulipas, estimated
elevation 600-700 feet," Mexico. Walker, C. F. 1955. Two new lizards of the
genus Lepidophyma from Tamaulipas. Occas. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan
564:1-10.
Lepidophyma micropholis UMMZ 101298
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Lepidophyma micropholis UMMZ 101298
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Lepidophyma micropholis UMMZ 101298
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Lepidophyma ophiophthalmum Taylor
Lepidophyma ophiophthalmum. Holotype: KU 36250. Type locality: "5 km. NNE
Tilaran, Guanacaste, Costa Rica." Taylor, E. H. 1955. Additions to the known
herpetological fauna of Costa Rica with comments on other species. No. II.
University of Kansas Science Bulletin 37(1):499-575.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma flavimaculatum by Bezy, R. L.
1989. Morphological differentiation in unisexual and bisexual xantusiid lizards
of the genus Lepidophyma in Central America. Herpetological Monographs.
3:61-80.
Lepidophyma ophiophthalmum KU 36250
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Lepidophyma ophiophthalmum KU 36250
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Lepidophyma ophiophthalmum KU 36250
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Lepidophyma pajapanensis Werler
Lepidophyma pajapanensis. Holotype: FMNH 78382. Type locality: "southeast
slopes of Volcan San Martin Pajapan, Veracruz, Mexico; elevation 3,500 feet."
Werler, J. E. 1957. A new lizard of the genus Lepidophyma from Volcan San
Martin Pajapan. Herpetologica 13:223-226.
Lepidophyma pajapanense: Perez-Higareda, G. 1978. Reptiles and amphibians
from the Estacion de Biologia Tropical "Los Tuxtlas" (U.N.A.M.), Veracruz,
Mexico. Bulletin pf the Maryland Herpetological Society 14(2):67-74.
Lepidophyma pajapanensis FMNH 78382
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Lepidophyma pajapanensis FMNH 78382
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Lepidophyma pajapanensis FMNH 78382
√
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Lepidophyma reticulatum Taylor
Lepidophyma reticulatum. Holotype: KU 36245. Type locality: "Agua Buena,
Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica." Taylor, E. H. 1955. Additions to the known
herpetological fauna of Costa Rica with comments on other species. No. II.
Univrsity of Kansas Science Bulletin 37(1):499-575
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum reticulatum: Wermuth, H. 1965. Liste der rezenten
Amphibien und Reptilien. Gekkonidae, Pygopodidae, Xantusiidae. Das
Tierreich 80:1-246.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma flavimaculatum by Bezy, R. L.
1989. Morphological differentiation in unisexual and bisexual xantusiid lizards
of the genus Lepidophyma in Central America. Herpetological Monographs.
3:61-80.
Lepidophyma reticulatum KU 36245
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Lepidophyma reticulatum KU 36245
\
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Lepidophyma reticulatum KU 36245
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Lepidophyma sawini Smith
Lepidophyma sawini. Holotype: UCM 49280. Type locality: "Vista Hermosa,
Comaltepec, Ixtlan, Oaxaca, Mexico." Smith, H. M. 1973. A tentative
rearrangement of the lizards of the genus Lepidophyma. J. Herpetol. 7(2):109-
123.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma tuxtlae by Bezy, R. L., and J.
L. Camarillo R. 2002. Systematics of xantusiid lizards of the genus
Lepidophyma. Contributions in Science Natural History Museum of Los
Angeles County 493:1-41.
Lepidophyma sawini UCM 49280
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Lepidophyma sawini UCM 49280
46
Lepidophyma sawini UCM 49280
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Lepidophyma smithii Bocourt
Lepidophyma smithii. Syntypes: NHN 76.95, 4323, A4323, B4323, 4968, A4968.
Type locality: "Tehuantepec" and "Guatemala occidental" (restricted to
Guatemala by Smith, 1942, and to Mazatenango by Smith and Taylor, 1950.
Bocourt, M. -F. 1876. Note sur quelques reptiles de l'Isthme de Tehuantepec
(Mexique) donnés par M. Sumichrast au Muséum. J. Zool. (Paris) 5:386-411. C
Lsmi
Akleistops guatemalensis Müller, 1877. Type locality: "Mazatenango (costa grande
von Guatemala)".
Lepidophyma smithii tehuanae Smith, 1942:377. Type locality: "Cerro Arenal, 30
kilometers west of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca".
Lepidophyma smithii smithii: Smith, 1942:380.
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum smithii: Walker, 1955:50.
Lepidophyma smithii NHN 76.95
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Lepidophyma smithii NHN 76.95
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Lepidophyma smithii occulor Smith
Lepidophyma smithii occulor Holotype: USNM 47133. Type locality: "Jalpan,
Queretaro.," Mexico. Smith, H. M. 1942. Mexican herpetological miscellany.
Proceedings of the United States National Museum U. S. Natl. Mus. 92:349-395
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum occulor: Walker, C. F. 1955. Two new lizards of the
genus Lepidophyma from Tamaulipas. Occasional Papers the Museum of
Zoology University of Michigan 564:1-10.
Lepidophyma occulor: Bezy, R. L. 1972. Karyotypic variation and evolution of the
lizards in the family Xantusiidae. Natur. Hist. Mus. Los Angeles County
Contrib. Sci. 227:1-29.
Lepidophyma smithii occulor USNM 47133
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Lepidophyma smithii occulor USNM 47133
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Lepidophyma smithii occulor USNM 47133
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Lepidophyma smithii tehuanae Smith
Lepidophyma smithii tehuanae. Holotype: USNM 111488. Type locality: "Cerro
Arenal, 30 kilometers west of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca," Mexico. Smith, H. M.
1942. Mexican herpetological miscellany. Proceedings of the United States
Batuibal Museum 92:349-395.
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tehuanae: Wermuth H. 1965, Liste der rezenten
Amphibien und Reptilien: Gekkonidae, Pygopodidae, Xantusiidae. Das
Tierreich 80:1-246
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma smithii by Bezy, R. L., and J.
L. Camarillo R. 2002. Systematics of xantusiid lizards of the genus
Lepidophyma. Contributions in Science Natural History Museum of NLos
Angeles County 493:1-41.
Lepidophyma smithii tehuanae USNM 111488
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Lepidophyma smithii tehuanae USNM 111488
54
Lepidophyma smithii tehuanae USNM 111488
\
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Lepidophyma sylvatica Taylor
Lepidophyma sylvatica. Holotype: FMNH 100102 (EHT-HMS 16259). Type
locality: "7 mi. north of Zacualtipan, Hidalgo." Taylor, E. H. 1939. A new
species of the lizard genus Lepidophyma from Mexico. Copeia 1939:132-133.
Gaigeia sylvatica: Smith, H. M. 1942. Mexican herpetological miscellany.
Proceedings of the United States National Museum 92:349-395.
Lepidophyma sylvaticum: Walker, C. F. 1955. Two new lizards of the genus
Lepidophyma from Tamaulipas. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology
University of Michigan 564:1-10
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tenebrarum. Holotype: UMMZ 101374. Type
locality: "+ 5 miles NW (by road) of Gomez Farias, in the Sierra Madre
Oriental at 'Rancho del Cielo,' + 3600 feet," Tamaulipas, Mexico. Walker, C.
F. 1955. Two new lizards of the genus Lepidophyma from Tamaulipas.
Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology University of Michigan 564:1-
10,
Lepidophyma sylvatica FMNH 100102 (EHT-HMS 16259)
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Lepidophyma sylvatica FMNH 100102 (EHT-HMS 16259)
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Lepidophyma sylvatica FMNH 100102 (EHT-HMS 16259)
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Lepidophyma tarascae Bezy, Webb, and Álvarez
Lepidophyma tarascae. Holotype: IPN 9221. Type locality: "near Mexiquillo,
Aquila District, Michoacan, Mexico," Bezy, R. L., R. G. Webb, and T.
Álvarez. 1982. A new species of the genus Lepidophyma (Sauria:
Xantusiidae) from Michoacan, Mexico. Herpetologica 38(3):361-366.
Lepidophyma tarascae IPN 9221
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Lepidophyma tarascae IPN 9221
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Lepidophyma tarascae IPN 9221
61
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Lepidophyma tuxtlae Werler and Shannon
Lepidophyma tuxtlae. Holotype: UIMNH 67064 (FAS 10550). Type locality:
"lower slopes of Volcan San Martin, Veracruz, elevation 2,500 feet," Mexico.
Werler, J. E., and F. A. Shannon. 1957. A new lizard of the genus Lepidophyma
from Veracruz, Mexico. Herpetologica 13:119-122.
Lepidophyma flavimaculatum tuxtlae: Savage, J. M. 1963. Studies on the lizard
family Xantusiidae IV. The genera. Contributions in Science Los Angeles
County Museum of Natural History 71:1-38.
Lepidophyma sawini Smith 1973. Type locality: "Vista Hermosa, Comaltepec,
Ixtlan, Oaxaca, Mexico."
Lepidophyma alvarezi Smith 1973. Type locality: "43 km on the road between 𝟒�
Ocozocoautla and Mal Paso, 620 m Chiapas.," Mexico.
Lepidophyma tuxtlae UIMNH 67064
63
Lepidophyma tuxtlae UIMNH 67064
\
64
Lepidophyma tuxtlae UIMNH 67064
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Poriodogaster grayii Smith
Poriodogaster grayii Smith in Gray, 1863:154. Holotype: BMNH 1946.8.30.44.
Type locality, unknown, originally conjectured to be “Lower California.” Smith,
A. in Gray, J. E. 1863. Descriptions of two new genera of lizards (Holaspis
and Poriodogaster, A. Smith, M. S.). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of
London 1863:152-154.
Type locality thought to be Panama by Peters, W. C. H. 1874. Note on
Poriodogaster grayi Smith. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London
1874:307.
Considered to be a junior synonym of Lepidophyma flavimaculatum by Bezy, R. L.
1989. Morphological differentiation in unisexual and bisexual xantusiid lizards
of the genus Lepidophyma in Central America. Herpetological Monographs
3:61-80.
I have not seen the ventral abdominal pores on the holotype to ne present on any
other specimen of Xantusiidae.
Poriodogaster grayii BMNH 1946.8.30.44