ABSTRACT
The elongatus-kriegi complex is one of the most diverse clades of the Liolaemus (sensu stricto) subgenus of lizards. There are currently 29 species recognized in this group distributed between Chile and Argentina. Based on molecular evidence, there seem to be five main clades nested within this complex: the elongatus, leopardinus, kriegi, petrophilus and punmahuida clades. Liolaemusbuergeri and Liolaemuskriegi, both of the kriegi clade, were believed to inhabit the surroundings of the Laja Lagoon, in the Biobío Region of Chile. Moreover, this Chilean population of Liolaemuskriegi was recently recognized as an undescribed taxon called "Liolaemus sp. A" based on molecular phylogenetics. In this work, we studied these two populations of the Laja Lagoon and provided the morphological diagnosis to describe them as two new species: Liolaemusscorialis sp. n. and Liolaemuszabalai sp. n., previously considered Liolaemusbuergeri and "Liolaemuskriegi/Liolaemus sp. A" respectively. Additionally, we identified another population of Liolaemusscorialis in the vicinity of La Mula Lagoon in the Araucanía Region of Chile. Liolaemusscorialis differs from almost all of the species of the elongatus-kriegi complex by its considerably smaller size. Nevertheless, without molecular data we cannot assign it to any particular subclade. Liolaemuszabalai belongs to the kriegi clade based on published molecular phylogenies. Finally, we provide some natural history data on both species and we document for the first time the presence of Liolaemusneuquensis in Chile from a museum specimen from La Mula Lagoon.
ABSTRACT
Estudiamos la riqueza y composición de especies vegetales en tres afloramientos rocosos (lajas) en Lomerío, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, dentro de un bosque seco tropical. Determinamos la variación de la vegetación desde el centro hacia el borde de las lajas, además que caracterizamos algunas especies propias de este hábitat. La riqueza de especies varía entre lajas, pero, en forma conjunta esta riqueza puede ser mayor a otros tipos de bosque aledaños a las lajas. La riqueza de especies fue mayor en el borde que en el centro de las lajas. En el borde de las lajas, la riqueza de especies varia según la distancia al centro de las lajas; la mayor riqueza se encontró en los primeros 10 m del borde. En el centro de las lajas Deuterocohnia meziana Kuntze ex Mez fue la especie más dominante, mientras que las especies más abundantes fueron D. meziana y Monvillea kroenleinii R. Kiesling. En el borde de las lajas Anthurium plowmanii Croat, Pseudananas sagenarius (Arruda) Camargo, Urera baccifera L., Casearia gossypiosperma Briq., Aspidosperma rigidum Rusby y Cereus tacuaralensis Cárdenas fueron las especies más abundantes. De acuerdo a las clases diamétricas, se puede considerar que existe regeneración natural para las principales especies arbóreas. Las lajas son hábitats muy importantes que deben considerarse dentro del manejo forestal de bosques naturales adyacentes, puesto que constituyen lugares de alta diversidad y endemismo de plantas y animales y que son refugios y fuentes de alimentación de muchas especies de animales.
Plant species richness and composition was studied on three rock outcrops (lajas) in a tropical dry forest in Lomerio, Bolivia. The variation in vegetation was determined from the center to the periphery of the influence of the rock outcrops and plant species indicators of rock outcrop habitats were identified. Species richness varied among lajas, but was higher in rock outcrop habitats compared to adjoining forests. Species richness was highest on the periphery of the rock outcrops compared to the vegetated islands on the center of the outcrop. The highest species richness was encountered 10 m from the vegetated border on the periphery of the pure rock surface. Deuterocohnia meziana Kuntze ex Mez was the most dominant (highest ground cover) plant species colonizing the center of the rock outcrops, while D. meziana and Monvillea kroenleinii R. Kiesling were the most abundant. On the periphery of the laja Anthurium plowmanii Croat, Pseudananas sagenarius (Arruda) Camargo, Urera baccifera L., Casearia gossypiosperma Briq., Aspidosperma rigidum Rusby and Cereus tacuaralensis Cárdenas were the most dominant species. Regeneration appears to be occurring for the principal tree species. Lajas are key habitats that should be considered in the natural management of forests in which they are imbedded. They constitute areas of high biodiversity and endemic species and are refuges and feeding areas for many animal species.
