Norops triumphalis, Nicholson & Köhler, 2014

Nicholson, Kirsten E. & Köhler, Gunther, 2014, A new species of the genus Norops from Darién, Panama, with comments on N. sulcifrons (Cope 1899) (Reptilia, Squamata, Dactyloidae), Zootaxa 3895 (2), pp. 225-237 : 226-234

Norops triumphalis sp. nov.

Figs. 1–5

Holotype. SMF 98033, an adult male from Filo del Tallo , on main road (via Puerto Kimba) adjacent to the park (Filo del Tallo), 8.450981°N, 78.00002°W, 128 m elevation, Darién, Panama, collected 23 June 2012 by Kirsten E. Nicholson, Sarah Burton, John G. Phillips, and David Laurencio. Field tag number KEN 0955.

Diagnosis. A small species (SVL in only known adult male 54.5 mm) of the genus Norops (sensu Nicholson et al. 2012) that differs from all Mexican and Central American anoles by having a combination of (1) smooth, bulging, subimbricate ventral scales; (2) a short tail, ratio tail length/SVL 1.54; (3) short hind legs, longest toe of adpressed hind leg reaching to ear opening, ratio shank length/SVL 0.24; (4) a lichenous body pattern; and (5) a very large yellowish orange dewlap in males. In external morphology, N. triumphalis is most similar to the species of the N. pentaprion group (see introduction). Norops triumphalis differs from the other species in the N. pentaprion group except N. sulcifrons by having a very large orange male dewlap (vs. a large red or pink dewlap) and an unpigmented throat lining. Norops triumphalis differs from N. sulcifrons by having the supracaudal scales not forming a serrated crest (vs. a distinct serrated caudal crest present in N. sulcifrons ), 4 supracaudal scales per segment (vs. 3 supracaudal scales per segment in N. sulcifrons ), greatly enlarged outer postmental scales, about four times the size of adjacent medial scales (vs. moderately enlarged outer postmental scales, about twice the size of adjacent medial scales, in N. sulcifrons ), and no enlarged postcloacal scales in males (vs. a pair of moderately enlarged postcloacal scales present in male N. sulcifrons ). Norops triumphalis differs from N. ibague and N. ortoni by having bulging, granular to subimbricate ventral scales at midbody (vs. flat and imbricate in N. ibague and N. ortoni ). Norops triumphalis differs further from N. ibague by having 2 scales between interparietal and supraorbital semicircles (vs. interparietal and supraorbital semicircles broadly in contact in N. ibague ).

Description of the holotype. Adult male, as indicated by everted hemipenes and presence of large dewlap; SVL 54.5 mm; tail length 84.0 mm, tail complete; tail slightly compressed in cross section, tail height 2.6 mm and width 2.0 mm; axilla to groin distance 22.6 mm; head length 14.3 mm, head length/SVL ratio 0.26; snout length 6.6 mm; head width 8.5 mm; longest toe of adpressed hind limb reaching to ear opening; shank length 13.2 mm, shank length/head length ratio 0.92; longest finger of extended forelimb reaching to nostril; longest finger of adpressed forelimb reaching to anterior insertion of hind limbs. Dorsal head scales in internasal region mostly keeled or rugose, other dorsal head scales smooth or rugose; 6 postrostrals; 6 scales between nasals; 1 prenasal scale on both sides, in contact with both rostral and first supralabial; circumnasal in contact with first supralabial; scales in deep prefrontal depression mostly smooth, some rugose; supraorbital semicircles well developed, broadly in contact medially (2 scales broadly in contact with each other); supraorbital disc composed of 6 moderately enlarged scales, arranged in 2–3 rows; circumorbital row complete, therefore, enlarged supraorbital scales completely separated from supraorbital semicircles; 2 elongated, strongly overlapping superciliaries, anterior one larger than posterior one, followed posteriorly by 2 elongate and then by about 6 roundish to squarish scales of moderate size; 2–4 rows of small smooth scales extending between enlarged supraorbitals and superciliaries; a shallow parietal depression present; interparietal scale well developed, 1.8 x 1.2 mm (length x width), surrounded by scales of moderate size; 2 scales present between interparietal and supraorbital semicircles; canthal ridge distinct, composed of 3 large (anterior one smallest) and 3 small anterior canthal scales; 11 scales present between second canthals; 10 scales present between posterior canthals; 33 mostly smooth to rugose loreal scales in a maximum of 6 (right)–7 (left) horizontal rows; 5 keeled subocular scales arranged in a single row; 6 (right)–7 (left) supralabials to level below center of eye; 3–4 suboculars broadly in contact with 3–4 supralabials; ear opening 0.6 x 1.1 mm (length x height); mental distinctly wider than long, completely divided medially, bordered posteriorly by 6 postmentals, outer ones much larger than median ones; 6 infralabials to level below center of eye; 2 greatly enlarged sublabials in contact with infralabials on both sides; smooth granular scales present on chin and throat; dewlap large (670 mm 2), extending from level below anterior margin of eye to level of chest; dorsum of body with smooth, bulging to conical granular scales with rounded posterior margins; 2–4 medial rows scarcely enlarged; largest dorsal scales about 0.20 x 0.16 mm (length x width); about 67 medial dorsal scales in one head length; about 102 medial dorsal scales between levels of axilla and groin; lateral scales smooth, granular and slightly heterogeneous in size, average size 0.13 mm in diameter; ventrals at midbody smooth, bulging, granular to subimbricate with rounded posterior margins, about 0.30 x 0.20 mm (length x width); about 57 medial ventral scales in one head length; about 79 medial ventral scales between levels of axilla and groin; 179 scales around midbody; caudal scales keeled except ventrally at base of tail; middorsal caudal scales moderately enlarged, not forming a crest; lateral caudal scales without whorls of enlarged scales, although an indistinct division in segments is discernible; 4 supracaudal scales per segment; postcloacal scales not enlarged; no tube-like axillary pocket present although a shallow axillary depression is discernable; scales on dorsal surface of forelimb smooth to rugose, subimbricate to imbricate; digital pads dilated, dilated pad about 3–4 times width of non-dilated distal phalanx; distal phalanx narrower than and raised from dilated pad; 27 (right)–29 (left) lamellae under phalanges II–IV of Toe IV of hind limbs; 8 scales under distal phalanx of Toe IV of hind limbs.

The completely everted hemipenis ( Fig. 5 ) is a large bilobate organ; sulcus spermaticus bordered by well developed sulcal lips and bifurcating into two branches that continue to the tips of the lobes; a finger-like asulcate processus present; apex strongly calyculate, truncus and asulcate ridge with transverse folds.

The extended dewlap in life has about 7 somewhat irregular horizontal gorgetal-sternal rows with a declining number of scales per row from base to tip (12–15 scales per row on basal portion, 6 towards tip).

Coloration in life was recorded as follows: Dorsal ground color Light Neutral Gray (297) with irregular Smoky White (261) and Dusky Brown (285) markings and suffusion producing a lichenous appearance; dorsal surface of head Vandyke Brown (281) with a Smoky White (261) transverse band across snout just anterior to eyes; dorsal and lateral surfaces of tail Smoky White (261) with Brownish Olive (276) bands; dewlap Spectrum Yellow (79) with Chrome Orange (74) suffusions around Smoky White (261) to Dusky Brown (285) gorgetals; iris Orange-Rufous (56).

Coloration after about 16 months preservation in 70% ethanol was recorded as follows: Dorsal surfaces of head, body, limbs, and tail with a lichenous pattern of irregular Pale Neutral Gray (296), Glaucous (289), and Fuscous (283) markings and suffusions; ventral surface of head Light Neutral Gray (297) suffused with Brownish Olive (292); ventral surfaces of body and legs Smoke Gray (266); ventral surface of tail Grayish Horn Color (268) with Smoky White (261) bands on anterior portion; ventral surfaces of hands and feet Glaucous (272); dewlap Drab-Gray (256) with Medium Neutral Gray (298) and Smoky White (261) gorgetals.

Etymology. The name triumphalis (Latin for “of victory”) is an adjective referring to the moment of elation experienced by KEN and her field party at the moment of capture of the holotype of this species, given that the specimen was racing across the road in front of their moving vehicle.

Natural history notes. The holotype was discovered in an open area while KEN and her field crew were traveling slowly along a road around the park and where there was a steep mountain that forms Filo del Tallo. This was in a pasture area with a fence row along the road ( Fig. 6 ). This specimen had darted across the road that was bordered by thick grass on both sides but was actually captured on the small, paved road during the day, at 14.41 h. At the same location a Norops vittigerus was captured head down on a wooden fence post interspersed with living trees as part of the fence. The capture site was a few hundred meters away from a few small homes of farmers and the area was heavily agricultural with signs of recent visitation by cattle, although none were present at the time of capture.

Notes on Norops sulcifrons . In 1899, Cope described the new species Anolis sulcifrons based on a specimen (holotype now AMNH 38750) from “ New Granada …in Colombia …most of them, it is believed, were found in the neighborhood of Bogota.” This nominal taxon was regarded as a synonym of Norops (or Anolis ) pentaprion by most authors (e.g., Barbour 1934, Dunn 1944, Peters & Donoso-Barros 1970) until Myers (1971) resurrected it.

The type locality of the holotype was restricted to “Barranquilla,” Colombia, by Smith & Taylor (1950:363), but Dunn & Stuart (1951) rejected this type locality restriction. Peters & Donoso-Barros (1970:62) stated that the holotype had come “perhaps from Bogotá, Colombia.” Because the holotype of Norops sulcifrons was never described in detail, we provide the following standard description of AMNH 38750 ( Figs. 7 and 8 ).

Description of the holotype of Norops sulcifrons (AMNH 38750). Adult male, as indicated by presence of large dewlap and swollen base of tail indicative of the presence of hemipenes; SVL 63.0 mm; tail incomplete; tail slightly compressed in cross section, tail height 3.0 mm and width 2.2 mm; axilla to groin distance 25.7 mm; head length 15.8 mm, head length/SVL ratio 0.25; snout length 7.9 mm; head width 9.5 mm; shank length 14.5 mm, shank length/head length ratio 0.92. Dorsal head scales in internal region mostly keeled or rugose, other dorsal head scales smooth or rugose; 7 postrostrals; 7 scales between nasals; 1 prenasal scale on both sides, in contact with both rostral and first supralabial; circumnasal in contact with first supralabial; scales in deep prefrontal depression mostly smooth, some rugose; supraorbital semicircles well developed, separated by one scale row at narrowest point; supraorbital disc composed of 5 moderately enlarged scales, arranged in 2–3 rows; circumorbital row complete on left side, incomplete on right side, therefore one enlarged supraorbital scale in contact with supraorbital semicircle on right side; 2 elongated, strongly overlapping superciliaries, anterior one larger than posterior one, followed posteriorly by 1 elongate and then by about 5 roundish to squarish scales of moderate size; 3–4 rows of small smooth scales extending between enlarged supraorbitals and superciliaries; a moderate parietal depression present; interparietal scale well developed, 2.0 x 1.6 mm (length x width), surrounded by scales of moderate size; 2 scales present between interparietal and supraorbital semicircles; canthal ridge distinct, composed of 4 (right)–3 (left) large (anterior one smallest) and 3 small anterior canthal scales; 8 scales present between second canthals; 10 scales present between posterior canthals; 29 (right)–36 (left) mostly smooth to rugose loreal scales in a maximum of 6 horizontal rows on both sides; 5 keeled subocular scales arranged in a single row; 6 (right)–7 (left) supralabials to level below center of eye; 3–4 suboculars broadly in contact with 4–5 supralabials; ear opening 1.0 x 1.1 mm (length x height); mental distinctly wider than long, completely divided medially, bordered posteriorly by 6 postmentals, outer ones about twice the size of median ones; 7 (right)–8 (left) infralabials to level below center of eye; sublabials not differentiated; smooth granular scales present on chin and throat; dewlap large, extending from level below anterior margin of eye to level of chest; dorsum of body with smooth, bulging to conical granular scales with rounded posterior margins; 2–4 medial rows scarcely enlarged; largest dorsal scales about 0.22 x 0.16 mm (length x width); about 58 medial dorsal scales in one head length; about 88 medial dorsal scales between levels of axilla and groin; lateral scales smooth, granular and slightly heterogeneous in size, average size 0.20 x 0.12 mm (length x width); ventrals at midbody smooth, bulging, granular to subimbricate with rounded posterior margins, about 0.40 x 0.20 mm (length x width); about 46 medial ventral scales in one head length; about 66 medial ventral scales between levels of axilla and groin; 170 scales around midbody; caudal scales keeled except ventrally at base of tail; middorsal caudal scales greatly enlarged and forming a crest; lateral caudal scales without whorls of enlarged scales, although an indistinct division in segments is discernible, 3 supracaudal scales per segment; a pair of moderately enlarged postcloacal scales present; no tubelike axillary pocket present; scales on dorsal surface of forelimb rugose to weakly keeled, subimbricate to imbricate; digital pads dilated, dilated pad about 4 times width of non-dilated distal phalanx; distal phalanx narrower than and raised from dilated pad; 29 (right)–28 (left) lamellae under phalanges II–IV of Toe IV of hind limbs; 8 scales under distal phalanx of Toe IV of hind limbs.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Holotype of Norops triumphalis (SMF 98033) in life. Photo: John G. Phillips.

FIGURE 2. Dewlap of Norops triumphalis (SMF 98033) in life. Photo: John G. Phillips.

FIGURE 3. Hemipenis of Norops triumphalis (SMF 98033); sulcate view left, asulcate view right. Scale bar equals 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 4. Holotype of Norops triumphalis (SMF 98033). (a) dorsal view; (b) lateral view; (c) ventral view; (d) lateral view of head; (e) dorsal view of head; (f) ventral view of head. Scale bars equal 5.0 mm in (a–c) and 1.0 mm in (d–f), respectively.

FIGURE 5. Holotype of Norops triumphalis (SMF 98033): (a) superciliary region; (b) nasal region; (c) chin region; (d) dorsal region (e) flank region; (f) midventer; (g) lateral view of tail; (h) cloacal region. Scale bars equal 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 6. Habitat at the type locality of Norops triumphalis. Photo: David Laurencio.

FIGURE 7. Holotype of Norops sulcifrons (AMNH 38750). (a) dorsal view; (b) lateral view; (c) ventral view; (d) lateral view of head; (e) dorsal view of head; (f) ventral view of head. Scale bars equal 5.0 mm in (a–c) and 1.0 mm in (d–f), respectively.

FIGURE 8. Holotype of Norops sulcifrons (AMNH 38750): (a) superciliary region; (b) nasal region; (c) chin region; (d) dorsal region (e) flank region; (f) midventer; (g) lateral view of tail; (h) cloacal region. Scale bars equal 1.0 mm.