Genus Phymaturus Gravenhorst

Phymaturus Gravenhorst 1838: 749 (type species: Lacerta palluma (no Molina 1782); see Etheridge & Espinoza 2000). Centrura Bell 1843: 25 (type species: Centrura flagellifer Bell 1843).

A major debate on the correct nomination of the genus Phymaturus (= Centrura Bell 1843) and its first recorded species, Phymaturus flagellifer (= Phymaturus palluma), has surrounded the taxonomic history of this lineage over the last two decades (Cei & Lescure 1985; Cei 1986, 1993; Lescure & Cei 1991; Etheridge 1995; Etheridge & Espinoza 2000; Etheridge & Savage 2003; Cei & Scolaro 2006). However, since decisions concerning this complex topic should be determined by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, we will not provide specific discussions. A clear summary with details on this nomenclatural issue was presented by Etheridge & Espinoza (2000). In this work, we keep the use of the binomial name Phymaturus flagellifer (Bell 1843), following Cei (1993; see also Cei & Scolaro 2006).