Celestus hesperius, 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 : 59-62

Celestus hesperius sp. nov.

Western Jamaican Forest Lizard

(Fig. 20–21)

Celestus crusculus crusculus —Grant, 1940:102 (part).

Celestus crusculus — Schwartz & Henderson, 1991:369 (part).

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

Celestus crusculus — Schools & Hedges, 2021:220 (part).

Celestus crusculus — Landestoy et al., 2022:204 (part).

Holotype. USNM 328154 , an adult female from 3.2 km SE of Content , Hanover Parish, Jamaica, collected by S. Blair Hedges and David Powars on 8 January 1984 (18.351, -77.991, 201 m).

Paratypes (n=2). Hanover. USNM 328155 , S. Blair Hedges and David Powars, 3.2 km SE of Content (18.351, -77.991, 201 m), 8 January 1984 . Westmoreland. USNM 328156 , S. Blair Hedges and David Powars, 5.3 km N of Town Head , 16 January 1984 .

Diagnosis. Celestus hesperius sp. nov. has (1) a dorsal pattern of dots in chevrons, (2) head markings absent, (3) markings in the longitudinal paramedian area absent/present, (4) dots arranged in bars in the lateral band absent, (5) an adult SVL of 54.0– 62.3 mm, (6) ventral scale rows, 111–114, (7) midbody scale rows, 39–44, (8) total lamellae on one hand, 29–34, (9) total strigae on ten scales, 95–122, (10) relative length of all digits on one hindlimb, 21.7– 26.2 %, (11) relative distance between the angled subocular and mouth, 0.594 –0.648 %, (12) relative eye length, 3.61–3.74 %, (13) relative forelimb length, 18.6–21.3 %, (14) relative ear width, 1.52–1.59 %, (15) relative rostral height, 1.60–1.77 %, (16) relative head length, 15.7–17.7 %, (17) relative mental width, 1.51–1.78 %, (18) relative postmental width, 2.87–2.92 %, (19) relative cloacal width, 7.99–8.55 %, (20) relative prefrontal width, 4.65–5.02 %, (21) relative largest supraocular width, 1.91–2.22 %, (22) relative longest finger length, 3.50–4.04 %, (23) relative distance between the ear and eye, 6.74–7.53 %, (24) relative head width, 76.5–79.8 %, (25) relative frontal width, 80.5–86.1 %, (26) relative nasal height, 1.09–1.44 %, (27) relative angled subocular height, 0.963–1.24 %, (28) relative distance between the eye and naris, 4.70–5.28 %, (29) relative canthal iii length, 1.77–1.93 %, (30) relative angled subocular width, 2.01–2.48 %, and (31) relative nasal length, 1.52–1.78 %. The species stem time is 2.33 Ma and the species crown time is 0.41 Ma (Fig. 4).

We distinguish Celestus hesperius sp. nov. from the other species of Celestus based on a complex of traits. From Celestus barbouri , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (dots in chevrons versus chevrons), the adult SVL (54.0–62.3 versus 78.4–93.6), the ventral scale rows (111–114 versus 118–151), the midbody scale rows (39–44 versus 47–56), the total lamellae on one hand (29–34 versus 36–49), the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.594 –0.648 versus 0.437 –0.556), and the relative prefrontal width (4.65–5.02 versus 3.97–4.33). From C. capitulatus sp. nov., we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by relative forelimb length (18.6– 21.3 versus 14.3–18.1) and the relative width of canthal iii (1.77–1.93 versus 1.61–1.70). From C. crusculus , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the relative head width (76.5–79.8 versus 72.1–76.4). From C. duquesneyi , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (dots in chevrons versus bands), the midbody scale rows (39–44 versus 48), the total lamellae on one hand (29–34 versus 64), and the relative ear width (1.52–1.59 versus 2.45). From C. hewardi , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (dots in chevrons versus mottled/bands), the adult SVL (54.0–62.3 versus 129–171), the total lamellae on one hand (29–34 versus 50–61), the total strigae on ten scales (95–122 versus 164–315), the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.594 –0.648 versus 0.744–1.40), the relative forelimb length (18.6–21.3 versus 22.2–24.6), the relative cloacal width (7.99–8.55 versus 8.81–9.89), the relative largest supraocular width (1.91–2.22 versus 2.43–2.96), the relative longest finger length (3.50–4.04 versus 5.03–5.66), and the relative frontal width (80.5–86.1 versus 57.3–75.3). From C. jamesbondi sp. nov., we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the relative frontal width (80.5–86.1 versus 70.5–77.6). From C. macrolepis , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (dots in chevrons versus bicolored), the adult SVL (54.0–62.3 versus 254–316), the midbody scale rows (39–44 versus 46–48), the total lamellae on one hand (29–34 versus 52–54), the total strigae on ten scales (95–122 versus 398), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (21.7–26.2 versus 27.5–28.0), the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.594 –0.648 versus 1.39–1.66), the relative forelimb length (18.6–21.3 versus 26.1–26.7), the relative ear width (1.52–1.59 versus 0.760–1.43), the relative head length (15.7–17.7 versus 19.2–22.9), the relative largest supraocular width (1.91–2.22 versus 2.64–3.01), the relative longest finger length (3.50–4.04 versus 5.47–5.51), and the relative distance between the ear and eye (6.74–7.53 versus 8.02–10.9). From C. macrotus , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (dots in chevrons versus chevrons/bands), the dots arranged in bars in the lateral areas (absent versus present), the ventral scale rows (111–114 versus 87–93), the total lamellae on one hand (29–34 versus 39–40), the relative length of digits on one hindlimb (21.7–26.2 versus 30.2–31.2), the relative eye length (3.61–3.74 versus 3.79–5.17), the relative forelimb length (18.6–21.3 versus 22.4–25.0), the relative ear width (1.52–1.59 versus 1.75–2.08), the relative head length (15.7–17.7 versus 18.2–20.5), the relative largest supraocular width (1.91–2.22 versus 2.96–4.03), the relative longest finger length (3.50–4.04 versus 6.43–6.67), the relative distance between the ear and eye (6.74–7.53 versus 7.58–8.02), the relative frontal width (80.5–86.1 versus 57.6–66.1), the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.70–5.28 versus 5.48–5.60), the relative angled subocular width (2.01–2.48 versus 2.77–2.83), and the relative nasal width (1.52–1.78 versus 2.08–2.33). From C. microblepharis , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (dots in chevrons versus chevrons), the adult SVL (54.0–62.3 versus 96.4), the ventral scale rows (111–114 versus 109), the relative eye length (3.61–3.74 versus 1.83), and the relative ear width (1.52–1.59 versus 0.446). From C. molesworthi , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the adult SVL (54.0–62.3 versus 78.1–103), the total strigae on ten scales (95–122 versus 138–159), the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.594 –0.648 versus 0.653 –0.845), the relative ear width (1.52–1.59 versus 1.37–1.50), the relative mental width (1.51–1.78 versus 1.81–2.00), the relative postmental width (2.87–2.92 versus 2.97–3.08), the relative cloacal width (7.99–8.55 versus 8.73–9.35), the relative longest finger length (3.50–4.04 versus 4.28–5.19), the relative distance between the ear and eye (6.74–7.53 versus 7.97–8.83), the relative distance between the eye and naris (4.70–5.28 versus 5.32–5.50), and the relative width of canthal iii (1.77–1.93 versus 1.99–2.09). From C. occiduus , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (dots in chevrons versus absent), the adult SVL (54.0–62.3 versus 269–367), the midbody scale rows (39–44 versus 46–56), the total lamellae on one hand (29–34 versus 50–66), the total strigae on ten scales (95–122 versus 374), the relative distance between angled subocular and mouth (0.594 –0.648 versus 1.26–1.27), the relative eye length (3.61–3.74 versus 2.87–3.33), the relative forelimb length (18.6–21.3 versus 23.5–23.9), the relative ear width (1.52–1.59 versus 0.948–1.39), the relative head length (15.7–17.7 versus 20.4–20.6), the relative largest supraocular width (1.91–2.22 versus 2.27–3.02), the relative longest finger length (3.50–4.04 versus 4.77–5.46), and the relative distance between the ear and eye (6.74–7.53 versus 8.98–10.9). From C. oligolepis sp. nov., we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the head markings (absent versus present), the ventral scale rows (111–114 versus 98), and the midbody scale rows (39–44 versus 35). From C. striatus , we distinguish C. hesperius sp. nov. by the dorsal pattern (dots in chevrons versus absent/chevrons), the adult SVL (54.0–62.3 versus 145), the ventral scale rows (111–114 versus 101–109), the total lamellae on one hand (29–34 versus 59–66), and the total strigae on ten scales (95–122 versus 279).

Description of holotype. USNM 328154. An adult; SVL 62.3 mm; tail nearly cylindrical, broken near base, 10.8 mm (17.3% SVL); axilla-to-groin distance 35.2 mm (56.5% SVL); forelimb length 11.6 mm (18.6% SVL); hindlimb length 15.3 mm (24.6% SVL); head length 9.79 mm (15.7% SVL); head width 7.81 mm (12.5% SVL); head width 79.8% head length; diameter of orbit 2.25 mm (3.61% SVL); horizontal diameter of ear opening 0.95 mm (1.52% SVL); length of all toes on one foot 13.5 mm (21.7% SVL); shortest distance between angled subocular and lip 0.37 mm (0.594% SVL); shortest distance between the ocular and auricular openings 4.20 mm (6.74% SVL); longest finger length 2.18 mm (3.50% SVL); largest supraocular width 1.19 mm (1.91% SVL); cloacal width 4.98 mm (7.99% SVL); mental width 0.94 mm (1.51% SVL); postmental width 1.79 mm (2.87% SVL); prefrontal width 2.90 mm (4.65% SVL); frontal width 86.1% frontal length; nasal height 0.68 mm (1.09% SVL); angled subocular height 0.60 mm (0.963% SVL); shortest distance between the eye and naris 2.93 mm (4.70% SVL); canthal iii width 1.10 mm (1.77% SVL); angled subocular width 1.25 mm (2.01% SVL); nasal width 0.95 mm (1.52% SVL); rostral 1.77X as wide as high, barely 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 convex posterior margin, wider than long, bordered by posterior internasals, 1 st loreals, canthal iii, 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 approximately the size of 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 above suture between 1 st and 2 nd supralabials (left)/(right); 1 postnasal (left)/(right); 2 loreals (left)/(right); 1 st loreal higher than wide (left)/(right), in contact with postnasal, posterior internasal, prefrontal/frontonasal complex, canthal iii, 2 nd loreal, and 3 rd –4 th supralabial (left)/(right); 2 nd loreal shorter than 1 st, slightly wider than high (left)/(right), excluded from contact with supraocular by canthal iii (left)/(right); final loreal posteriorly bordering the lower and upper preoculars (left)/(right); canthal iii wider than high (left)/(right), contacting 1 st median ocular, anterior superciliary, upper preocular, frontonasal plate, and 1 st and 2 nd loreals (left)/(right); 11 (left)/10 (right) median oculars, 1 st contacting the prefrontal (left)/(right); 1 upper preoculars (left)/(right); an irregular anterior superciliary (left)/(right); 6 (left)/6 (right) lateral oculars; 5 temporals (left)/(right); 2 (left)/(right) suboculars; posterior subocular large and elongate (left)/(right); anterior suboculars small (left)/(right); 9 supralabials (left)/(right), 6 to level below center of eye (left)/ (right); 8 infralabials (left)/(right), 5 to level below center of eye (left)/(right); mental small, followed by a single, larger postmental; 4 with one additional shield bordering the postmental on the left pairs of enlarged chin shields; 1 st pair in contact with one another; 2 nd –4 th pairs separated by 1–3 scales; 111 transverse rows of dorsal scales from interoccipital to base of tail; 113 transverse rows of ventral scales from mental to vent; 44 scales around midbody; 4 digits; finger lengths 3>4>2>5>1; 8 (left)/missing (right) lamellae under longest finger; 32 total lamellae on one hand; toe lengths 4>3>5>2>1; 14 (left)/(right) lamellae under longest toe; striate with a faint median keel dorsal body and caudal scales; smooth ventral scales; 95 total strigae counted on ten scales.

Color (in alcohol): dorsal surface of head light brown, patternless; lateral surfaces of head grading from light brown to faded yellow with darker brown areas around the eyes and on the labial scales; dorsum same as the head with darker brown markings forming small longitudinal paramedian lines and darker brown dots forming herringbones; dorsal surface of tail the same color as the body with several darker brown irregular dots; lateral areas grade from light brown to faded yellow with some lighter brown dots in the lateral band; dorsal surfaces of the limbs are medium brown with some lighter brown dots; lateral and ventral areas of the limbs fading from medium brown to faded yellow; ventral surfaces of the head, body, and tail are faded yellow with some darker brown dots on the chin shields and under the throat.

Variation. See Remarks.

Distribution. Celestus hesperius sp. nov. is known only from inland areas in northwestern of Jamaica at elevations of 140–280 m in Hanover and Westmoreland (Fig. 12). It has an extent of occurrence ~ 160 km 2.

Ecology and conservation. Little is known of the ecology of this species other than the specimens of the type series were collected during the day under rocks along a road.

We consider the conservation status of Celestus hesperius sp. nov. to be Endangered B1ab(iii), based on IUCN Redlist criteria ( IUCN 2023). It faces a primary threat from habitat destruction from agriculture and urbanization and has an extent of occupancy of 160 km 2. Secondary threats include predation from introduced mammals, including the mongoose and black rats. Studies are needed to determine the health and extent of remaining populations and threats to the survival of the species. Captive-breeding programs should be undertaken, because eradication of introduced mammalian predators is not yet possible on Jamaica.

Reproduction. No data on reproduction are available for this species.

Etymology. The species name ( hesperius ) is a masculine nominative singular adjective meaning “western,” in reference to the distribution of this species in western Jamaica.

Remarks. The only known specimens of this species were collected by one of us (SBH) in January of 1984. Celestus hesperius sp. nov. was included in our genetic dataset and has significant support in our ML and Bayesian analyses at the crown node and the stem node that identifies it as the closest relative to C. jamesbondi sp. nov. That result is surprising because the two species are separated by 110–140 km, an area mainly occupied by another species, C. crusculus (sensu stricto), which is not closely related to C. hesperius sp. nov. and C. jamesbondi sp. nov., even though the two new species were considered to be C. crusculus (sensu lato) until this study. Based on our timetree (Fig. 4), C. hesperius sp. nov. diverged from its closest relative 2.33 Ma, consistent with typical species of vertebrates (> 0.7 Ma; Hedges et al. 2015). Celestus hesperius sp. nov. was recognized as a distinct species by our ASAP analysis.

FIGURE 20. (A–F) Celestus hesperius sp. nov. (USNM 328154, holotype), SVL 62.3 mm. FIGURE 21. Celestus hesperius sp. nov. (USNM 328156, SBH 101554), in life. From 5.3 km N Town Head, Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica. Photo by SBH.