Kentropyx calcarata, Spix, 1825

Harvey, Michael B., Ugueto, Gabriel N. & Gutberlet, Ronald L., 2012, 3459, Zootaxa 3459, pp. 1-156 : 128

Kentropyx calcarata Group

Definition.—The following list of characters distinguishes the Kentropyx calcarata Group from other Kentropyx : scales on flanks gradually increasing in size middorsally where they are relatively small (no sharp transition to large middorsal scales); scales on rump much smaller than proximal caudals; prefemorals 13–19; femoral and abdominal pores (both sides combined) 27–43 (20–49 in samples of Werneck et al. 2008); subarticular lamellae of hands usually entire; scales between pedal lamellae large and denticulate; lower lateral stripe broken or absent.

Content.— Kentropyx altamazonica Cope , Kentropyx calcarata Spix , Kentropyx pelviceps Cope.

Distribution.— The Kentropyx calcarata Group occurs primarily in forested habitats of Amazonia, the Guianas, and the Atlantic Forests of Brazil.

Remarks.— For many years, Neotropical herpetologists have struggled to distinguish Kentropyx altamazonica from K. calcarata . In their key, Gallagher and Dixon (1992) used striping pattern to distinguish these species, however the stripes often completely fade in older specimens and may not be visible in badly preserved material. As mentioned in our synopsis of characters, Avila-Pires (1995) included differences in subdigital lamellae and development of the pedal fringe in her key. To these characters, we would add that the first subocular contacts the supralabials in K. altamazonica , whereas it appears to be separated from the supralabials by anterior expansion of the second subocular in K. calcarata . Nonetheless, our sample of K. calcarata is small and this character may be more variable than we realize.