Sauresia pangnolae, Schools & Hedges, 2024

Schools, Molly & Hedges, Blair, 2024, A new forest lizard fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Diploglossidae, Celestinae), Zootaxa 5554 (1), pp. 1-306 : 242-246

Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov.

Pangnol Four-toed Forest Lizard

(Fig. 89–90)

Sauresia sepsoides — Schwartz & Henderson, 1988:162 (part).

Sauresia sepsoides — Schwartz & Henderson, 1991:463 (part).

Celestus sepsoides — Hedges et al., 2019:17 (part).

Sauresia sepsoides — Schools & Hedges, 2021:231 (part).

Sauresia sepsoides — Landestoy et al., 2022: 205 (part).

Holotype. ANSP 38684 , an adult female from Morne Bois Pangnol, Nippes Department, Haiti, collected by S. Blair Hedges, Tiffany Cloud, Sarah Hanson, and Miguel Landestoy on 20 June 2012 (18.41869, -73.77512; 1,170 m).

Paratypes (n=10). HAITI. Grand’Anse. ANSP 38690 , Richard Thomas and Manuel Leal, 11.8 km S of Pestel , 25 May 1991 . Nippes. ANSP 38663–4 , S. Blair Hedges, Nicholas Plummer, Manuel Leal, Richard Thomas, and locals, 8.0 km SSW of Baraderes , 7 June 1991 . Sud. KU 227822 , Camp Perrin , 26 July 1962 (18.31667, -73.86667) ; KU 227823 , 227827–8 , 4.5 mi N Camp Perrin , 26–27 June 1979 (18.41118, -73.821) ; KU 227837–8 , 227842 , 11.8 mi N Cavaillon , 27 July 1976 .

Diagnosis. Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. has (1) a dorsal pattern of absent/irregular dots, (2) head markings absent/present, (3) markings in the longitudinal paramedian area absent/present, (4) dots arranged in bars in the lateral band absent, (5) a maximum SVL of 53.8–66.7 mm, (6) ventral scale rows, 104–119, (7) midbody scale rows, 35–42, (8) total lamellae on one hand, 14–19, (9) total strigae on ten scales, 78–109, (10) relative length of all digits on one hindlimb, 11.6–14.3 %, (11) relative distance between the angled subocular and mouth, 0.129 – 0.259 %, (12) relative eye length, 2.56–3.02 %, (13) relative forelimb length, 11.4–12.6 %, (14) relative ear width, 0.681–1.11 %, (15) relative rostral height, 1.73–2.27 %, (16) relative head length, 13.0–15.4 %, (17) relative mental width, 1.23–1.90 %, (18) relative postmental width, 2.04–2.47 %, (19) relative cloacal width, 6.07–6.81 %, (20) relative prefrontal width, 3.70–3.83 %, (21) relative largest supraocular width, 1.77–2.63 %, (22) relative longest finger length, 2.29–2.54 %, (23) relative distance between the ear and eye, 6.94–7.46 %, (24) relative head width, 70.8–78.2 %, (25) relative frontal width, 69.6–81.5 %, (26) relative nasal height, 0.945–1.05 %, (27) relative angled subocular height, 0.862–1.64 %, (28) relative distance between the eye and naris, 2.86–3.70 %, (29) relative canthal iii length, 1.09–1.51 %, (30) relative angled subocular width, 2.16–2.39 %, and (31) relative nasal length, 1.38–1.62 %. The species stem time is 4.66 Ma and the species crown time is 0.65 Ma (Fig. 4).

We distinguish Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. from the other species of Sauresia based on a complex of traits. From Sauresia agramma sp. nov., we distinguish S. pangnolae sp. nov. by the ventral scale rows (104–119 versus 121–127). From S. cayemitae sp. nov., we distinguish S. pangnolae sp. nov. by the relative prefrontal width (3.70– 3.83 versus 3.11–3.64) and the relative distance between the ear and eye (6.94–7.46 versus 6.02–6.88). From S. gracilis sp. nov., we distinguish S. pangnolae sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (absent/irregular dots versus mottled/ lineate), the adult SVL (53.8–66.7 versus 51.1), the ventral scale rows (104–119 versus 103), the relative forelimb length (11.4–12.6 versus 10.8), the relative ear width (0.681–1.11 versus 0.665), the relative head length (13.0–15.4 versus 15.7), the relative postmental width (2.04–2.47 versus 2.76), the relative cloacal width (6.07–6.81 versus 7.18), the relative longest finger length (2.29–2.54 versus 1.96), the relative distance between the ear and eye (6.94–7.46 versus 7.63), the relative head width (70.8–78.2 versus 67.6), the relative frontal width (69.6–81.5 versus 82.9), the relative width of canthal iii (1.09–1.51 versus 1.82), the relative angled subocular width (2.16–2.39 versus 1.96), and the relative nasal width (1.38–1.62 versus 1.33). From S. habichi , we distinguish S. pangnolae sp. nov. by the ventral scale rows (104–119 versus 122–125), the relative angled subocular width (2.16–2.39 versus 1.67–2.03), and the relative nasal width (1.38–1.62 versus 0.942–1.12). From S. manicula sp. nov., we distinguish S. pangnolae sp. nov. by the ventral scale rows (104–119 versus 121–129), the total strigae on ten scales (78–109 versus 119–150), the relative eye length (2.56–3.02 versus 2.29–2.32), the relative prefrontal width (3.70–3.83 versus 3.32–3.62), the relative longest finger length (2.29–2.54 versus 2.20–2.21), the relative angled subocular width (2.16–2.39 versus 1.81–2.01), and the relative nasal width (1.38–1.62 versus 1.19–1.29). From S. sepsoides , we cannot distinguish S. pangnolae sp. nov. based on our standard suite of characters (see Remarks). From S. synoria sp. nov., we distinguish S. pangnolae sp. nov. by the relative ear width (0.681–1.11 versus 0.361 –0.670), the relative prefrontal width (3.70–3.83 versus 3.01–3.30), the relative frontal width (69.6–81.5 versus 82.0–94.4), and the relative nasal width (1.38–1.62 versus 1.13–1.35).

Description of holotype. ANSP 38684. An adult female; SVL 66.1 mm; tail nearly cylindrical, 43.6 mm (66.0% SVL); axilla-to-groin distance 43.5 mm (65.8% SVL); forelimb length 7.54 mm (11.4% SVL); hindlimb length 10.4 mm (15.7% SVL); head length 8.62 mm (13.0% SVL); head width 6.74 mm (10.2% SVL); head width 78.2% head length; diameter of orbit 1.69 mm (2.56% SVL); horizontal diameter of ear opening 0.45 mm (0.681% SVL); vertical diameter of ear opening 0.48 mm (0.726% SVL); length of all toes on one foot 7.67 mm (11.6% SVL); shortest distance between angled subocular and lip 0.12 mm (0.182% SVL); shortest distance between the ocular and auricular openings 4.59 mm (6.94% SVL); longest finger length 1.53 mm (2.31% SVL); largest supraocular width 1.17 mm (1.77% SVL); cloacal width 4.20 mm (6.35% SVL); mental width 0.81 mm (1.23% SVL); postmental width 1.57 mm (2.38% SVL); frontal width 69.6% frontal length; nasal height 0.65 mm (0.983% SVL); angled subocular height 0.57 mm (0.862% SVL); shortest distance between the eye and naris 1.89 mm (2.86% SVL); angled subocular width 1.53 mm (2.31% SVL); nasal width 0.91 mm (1.38% SVL); rostral 1.81X as wide as high, visible from above, not in contact with nasals, in contact with 1 st supralabial and anterior internasal (left)/(right); anterior internasals are narrower than posterior ones; frontonasals and prefrontal fused into a single large plate with a concave posterior margin, much wider than long, bordered by posterior internasals, 1 st loreals, 1 st median oculars, and the frontal; frontal longer than wide; a pair of frontoparietals, separated by the posterior prolongation of the frontal and the interparietal plate; interparietal plate smaller than parietals and separating them, posteriorly touching the interoccipital, which is wider than long; parietal separated from supraoculars by 1 st and 2 nd temporals and frontoparietal (left)/(right); nasal single; nostril just posterior to suture between 1 st and 2 nd supralabials (left)/ (right); 1 postnasal (left)/(right); 2 (left)/3 (right) loreals; 1 st loreal higher than wide (left)/small(right), in contact with postnasal, posterior internasal, prefrontal/frontonasal complex, 1 st median ocular, canthal iii, 2 nd loreal, and supralabial 4 (left); 2 nd loreal shorter than 1 st, higher than wide (left)/higher than wide, in contact with posterior internasal, prefrontal/frontonasal complex, 1 st median ocular, canthal iii, and 1 st and 3 rd loreals (right), excluded from contact with supraocular by canthal iii (left)/; large, irregular, excluded from contact with median oculars by canthal iii (right); final loreal posteriorly bordering the lower preocular (left)/(right); canthal iii wider than high (left)/small (right), contacting 1 st median ocular (fused with anterior supraciliary), 2 upper preoculars, lower preocular, and 1 st and 2 nd loreals (left)/1 st median ocular (fused with anterior supraciliary) and 2 nd and 3 rd loreals (right); 10 median oculars (left)/(right), 1 st contacting the prefrontal (left)/(right); 2 (left)/1 (right) upper preoculars; anterior supraciliary fused with 1 st median ocular (left)/irregular (right); 7 lateral oculars (left)/(right); 6 temporals (left)/(right); 2 suboculars (left)/(right); posterior subocular large and elongate (left)/(right); anterior subocular small (left)/(right); 12 (left)/11 (right) supralabials, 6 to level below center of eye (left)/(right); 9 infralabials (left)/(right), 6 to level below center of eye (left)/(right); mental small, followed by a single, larger postmental; 4 pairs of enlarged chin shields, followed by 1 pair of reduced chin shields; 1 st pair in contact with one another anteriorly, posteriorly separated by one scale; 2 nd –5 th pairs separated by 1–5 scales; 127 transverse rows of dorsal scales from interoccipital to base of tail; 128 transverse rows of ventral scales from mental to vent; 42 scales around midbody; 4 digits; finger lengths 3>2>4>1; 5 lamellae under longest finger (left)/(right); 17 total lamellae on one hand; toe lengths 3>2>4>1; 11 (left)/10 (right) lamellae under longest toe; keelless and striate dorsal body and caudal scales; smooth ventral scales; 92 total strigae counted on ten scales.

Color (in alcohol): dorsal surface of head dark gray-brown with darker brown mottling; lateral surfaces of head grading from dark gray-brown to pale cream with darker spots of brown, especially prominent on the labials; dorsal surfaces of the body are medium gray-brown with darker areas in the center of scales, giving a lineate appearance that is most prominent around the neck, which has a checkered appearance; dorsal surface of tail dark gray-brown, patternless; lateral areas are dark brown with paler brown to cream mottling giving the appearance of diagonal lines, especially on the sides of the neck; dorsal surfaces of the limbs are dark brown with paler cream spots; lateral and ventral areas of the limbs fade to pale cream with medium brown mottling; ventral surfaces of the head, body, and tail are pale cream color with large medium brown spots under the chin and medium gray-brown mottling on the tail.

Variation. The majority of the examined material resembles the holotype with no dorsal pattern other than mottling in the longitudinal paramedian area. KU 227828, KU 227842, and KU 227837 have a dorsal pattern of irregular dots. Most specimens show some degree of mottling in the longitudinal paramedian area whereas several others (including ANSP 38664 and ANSP 38663) have multiple faint longitudinal paramedian lines extending down their dorsums. All specimens either lack dots arranged in bars in the lateral band or this area appears mottled. Measurements and other morphological data for the holotype and other examined material are presented in Table 1.

Distribution. Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. is known primarily from the mountainous interior of the Tiburon Peninsula east of Macaya National Park. The current delimitation of the range corresponds largely to the region of Morne Bois Pangnol. The elevational range is 420–1170 m (Fig. 80). The extent of occurrence is ~ 500 km 2.

Ecology and conservation. No ecological data are associated with this species. Haiti National Trust is currently working to protect the primary forest habitat on Morne Bois Pangnol, where this species was found, by having it declared it a National Park by Haiti and then managing the area and restoring native forest ( Haiti National Trust 2024). However, it currently has no protection.

We consider the conservation status of Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. to be Endangered B1ab(iii), based on IUCN Redlist criteria ( IUCN 2023). It faces a primary threat from habitat destruction caused by agriculture and charcoaling. The Bois Pangnol region and Haiti in general, are heavily deforested with <1% of the nation’s primary forest remaining ( Hedges et al. 2018). Secondary threats to this species include predation from introduced predators, including the mongoose and black rats. Studies are needed to determine the health of any remaining populations and threats to the survival of the species.

Reproduction. A litter size of two was recorded in this species (SBH, field data).

Etymology. The species name ( pangnolae ) is a feminine genitive singular noun referring to the distribution of this species in the region of Morne Bois Pangnol.

Remarks. Previously, this species was considered to be Sauresia sepsoides . Additional material in museum collections currently catalogued as S. sepsoides from in or near the distribution of S. pangnolae should be examined to determine if they represent additional material of Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov.

Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. and S. sepsoides cannot be distinguished based on our suite of morphological characters; however, these species are not each other’s closest relative, are genetically distinct from one another (Fig. 3), and have been diverged for 4.98 My (Fig. 4). In addition, Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. possesses adenine at site 201 of the CytB gene while Sauresia sepsoides possesses guanine. Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. also possesses thymine at site 228 of the CytB gene while Sauresia sepsoides possesses cytosine.

FIGURE 89. (A–F) Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. (ANSP 38684, holotype), SVL 66.1 mm.

FIGURE 90. (A–B) Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. (ANSP 38684, SBH 274213), SVL 66.1 mm, in life. From Morne Bois Pangnol, Nippes Department, Haiti. Photos by SBH.

Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. is included in our genetic dataset and has significant support in both Bayesian and ML likelihood analyses at the crown node of the species. The stem node that places S. pangnolae sp. nov. as the closest relative of S. habichi and S. cayemitae , has a significant support value in our ML analysis, and a support value of 74% in our Bayesian analysis. Based on our timetree (Fig. 4), S. pangnolae sp. nov. diverged from its closest relative 4.66 Ma, consistent with typical species of vertebrates (> 0.7 Ma; Hedges et al. 2015). This species also occurs in sympatry with S. sepsoides in the area 5–12 km S Pestel. Sauresia pangnolae sp. nov. was recognized as a distinct species by our ASAP analysis.