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1 December 2011 Revision of Ameiva ameiva Linnaeus (Squamata: Teiidae) in Venezuela: Recognition of Four Species and Status of Introduced Populations in Southern Florida, USA
Gabriel N Ugueto, Michael B Harvey
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Abstract

The common, terrestrial teiid lizards of the Ameiva ameiva complex have a broad Neotropical distribution from Costa Rica and Panama to Paraguay and northern Argentina. These lizards have also been reported from the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, Tobago, Providencia, and the Swan Islands. The group has a complicated taxonomic history and has not been comprehensively reviewed. With the use of external morphology, we reviewed this complex in Venezuela. We conclude that A. ameiva (sensu lato) in Venezuela comprises at least four evolutionary species and recommend elevating A. ameiva (sensu stricto), A. atrigularis, and A. praesignis to species. On the other hand, we synonymize A. ameiva fischeri, A. a. ornata, and A. a. vogli, with A. praesignis; we synonymize A. a. laeta and A. a. petersii with A. ameiva; and we synonymize A. a. melanocephala with A. atrigularis. We designate a lectotype of A. atrigularis. Populations from savannahs of southern Monagas represent a new species described in this work. Both A. ameiva and A. praesignis exist as apparently viable breeding populations in southern Florida, USA.

The Herpetologists' League, Inc.
Gabriel N Ugueto and Michael B Harvey "Revision of Ameiva ameiva Linnaeus (Squamata: Teiidae) in Venezuela: Recognition of Four Species and Status of Introduced Populations in Southern Florida, USA," Herpetological Monographs 25(1), 113-170, (1 December 2011). https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-10-00007.1
Accepted: 1 October 2011; Published: 1 December 2011
KEYWORDS
Ameiva ameiva
Ameiva atrigularis
Ameiva pantherina
Ameiva praesignis
Monagas
new species
South America
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