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A new species of Stenocercus (Squamata, Iguania) from central-western Brazil with a key to Brazilian Stenocercus

Abstract:

A new species of Stenocercus from central-western Brazil differs from other Stenocercus by the following combination of characters: head and body scales strongly keeled, posthumeral and postfemoral mite pockets absent, nostrils laterally oriented, supraciliary scales not enlarged or projected, and caudal fracture planes absent. Morphologically, the new species more closely resembles S. prionotus and S. caducus. The latter species has been reported in Brazil based on misidentified specimens from Mato Grosso that correspond to the new species described herein. However, it is very likely that S. caducus occurs in Brazil because it has been reported from geographically close areas. Therefore, I recognize seven species of Stenocercus from Brazil and provide a dichotomous key to assist in the identification of specimens. © 2005 Departamento de Ciências Biológicas - ESALQ - USP.