Mabuya cochonae, Hedges & Conn, 2012

Hedges, S. Blair & Conn, Caitlin E., 2012, A new skink fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Mabuyidae, Mabuyinae) 3288, Zootaxa 3288 (1), pp. 1-244 : 87-92

Mabuya cochonae sp. nov.

Cochons Skink

( Figs. 30A , 32A , 33 )

Mabuya mabouya mabouya — Schwartz & Thomas, 1975:141 (part).

Mabuya mabouya mabouya — MacLean et al., 1977:38 (part).

Mabuya mabouya mabouya — Schwartz & Henderson, 1988:150 (part).

Mabuya mabouya mabouya — Schwartz & Henderson, 1991:457 (part).

Mabuya bistriata — Powell et al., 1996:82 (part).

Mabuya bistriata — Malhotra & Thorpe, 1999:84 (part).

Mabuya sloanii — Mayer & Lazell, 2000:883 (part).

Mabuya mabouya — Breuil, 2002:267 (part).

Mabuya mabouya —Miralles, 2005:49 (part).

Mabuya mabouya — Henderson & Powell, 2009:292 (part).

Holotype. KU 242043, an adult male, collected by Albert Schwartz and Richard Thomas on Îlet à Cochons, Guadeloupe, on 30 January–3 February 1963.

Paratype (n = 1). Guadeloupe. KU 242044, an adult female, same locality and information as the holotype .

Diagnosis. Mabuya cochonae sp. nov. is characterized by (1) maximum SVL in males, 96.7 mm; (2) maximum SVL in females, 98 mm; (3) snout width, 2.68–2.78% SVL; (4) head length, 18.7–19.1% SVL; (5) head width, 12.8–13.1% SVL; (6) ear length, 1.02–1.12% SVL; (7) toe-IV length, 11.1–11.6% SVL; (8) prefrontals, two; (9) supraoculars, three; (10) supraciliaries, four; (11) frontoparietals, two; (12) supralabial below the eye, five; (13) nuchal rows, one; (14) dorsals, 58–62; (15) ventrals, 70; (16) dorsals + ventrals, 128–132; (17) midbody scale rows, 32; (18) finger-IV lamellae, 12–14; (19) toe-IV lamellae, 17; (20) finger-IV + toe-IV lamellae, 29–31; (21) supranasal contact, Y; (22) prefrontal contact, N; (23) supraocular-1/frontal contact, Y; (24) parietal contact, Y; (25) pale middorsal stripe, N; (26) dark dorsolateral stripe, N; (27) dark lateral stripe, Y; (28) pale lateral stripe, N; and (29) palms and soles, dark ( Tables 3–5).

Within the Genus Mabuya , M. cochonae sp. nov. and the other three species inhabiting Guadeloupe and its islets ( M. desiradae sp. nov., M. grandisterrae sp. nov., and M. guadeloupae sp. nov.), here placed in the M. guadeloupae sp. nov. species group, have a similarly-proportioned frontonasal scale that distinguishes them from other species in the genus ( Fig. 34 ). Species in the M. guadeloupae sp. nov. species group have a longer frontonasal compared with M. montserratae sp. nov. (frontonasal length/head length 0.176 –0.199 versus 0.165 – 0.168) and a shorter frontonasal compared with other species in the genus (0.176 –0.199 versus 0.205 –0.239 in M. dominicana , M. hispaniolae sp. nov., and M. mabouya ). In addition, M. cochonae sp. nov. differs from M. dominicana by having a shorter, wider supranasal scale (supranasal length/supranasal width 3.13–3.25 versus 4.57–6.57 in M. dominicana ; Fig. 35), and in lacking a well-defined dorsolateral and pale lateral stripe (present in 84% of M. dominicana ). It is separated from M. hispaniolae sp. nov. and M. mabouya by having supranasal contact (versus no contact in all M. hispaniolae sp. nov. and in 88% of M. mabouya ). It differs from M. montserratae sp. nov. by having a higher supraciliary-2/supraciliary-3 length ratio (2.14–2.20 versus 1.39–1.66 in M. montserratae sp. nov.; Fig. 36 ).

Mabuya cochonae sp. nov. differs from the other three species in the M. guadeloupae sp. nov. species group in having a longer anterior loreal scale (2.26–2.47% SVL versus 1.28–1.99% SVL; Fig. 37 ), a longer suture length between the upper secondary temporal and the parietal scale (2.12–2.29% SVL versus 1.36–2.01% SVL; Fig. 37C ), and a smaller ear (1.02–1.12% SVL versus 1.26–2.08% SVL). Each of the two specimens has contact between anterior loreal and supraciliary-1 scales on one side of the head (versus no contact in the other three species of the group); such contact is rare in the genus. Additionally, it differs from each of the species in other ways. From M. desiradae sp. nov., M. cochonae sp. nov. differs in having a smaller separation of the prefrontal scales (0.89–1.16% SVL versus 1.74–1.75% SVL), a shorter dark lateral stripe that extends only to the forelimbs (versus midbody), an orange (versus dull silvery-gray) venter in life, a head that is less red in life, and weaklydefined, pale dorsolateral stripes that extend only one-third (versus two-thirds) of the body. It differs from M. grandisterrae sp. nov. by having a higher supraciliary-2/supraciliary-3 length ratio (2.14–2.20 versus 1.67–1.79; Fig. 36 ). From M. guadeloupae sp. nov., Mabuya cochonae sp. nov. differs in having a longer interloreal suture (0.91–1.03% SVL versus 0.64–0.85% SVL; Fig. 37B ), having a longer supralabial-7 (1.68–1.87% SVL versus 1.36–1.44% SVL; Fig. 37D ) and lacking dark dorsolateral stripes and well-defined pale lateral and dorsolateral stripes (those stripes being present in M. guadeloupae sp. nov.).

Description of holotype ( Figs. 30A , 33A–D ). An adult male in good state of preservation, without injuries and with an abdominal slit. SVL 96.7 mm; tail complete (length not measured); HL 18.5 mm; HW 12.7 mm; SW 2.69 mm; EL 1.08 mm; and toe-IV length 11.2 mm; ear-opening small in size and oval; toe length in the following order: I <V <II <III <IV.

Head scalation. Rostral wider than high, contacting first supralabials, nasals and supranasals. Paired supranasals in median contact, contacting anteriormost loreal. Frontonasal diamond-shaped, wider than long, laterally in contact with anterior loreal scale (left side only). A pair of quadrilateral prefrontals, separated medially, and in contact with frontonasal, anterior loreals, first supraciliary, first supraoculars, and frontal. Frontal heptagonal, in contact with the first supraoculars and paired frontoparietals. Frontoparietals also in contact with parietals and interparietal. Interparietal tetragonal and acorn-shaped, separated from nuchals by parietals; parietal eye distinct. Parietals in contact with upper secondary and tertiary temporal scales. Three supraoculars, the first one being the longest and largest. Four supraciliaries, the second the longest. Nostril in posterior part of the nasal. A small postnasal, bordered by supranasal, anterior loreal and first supralabial. Anterior and posterior loreals rectangular with posteromedial projection on latter. Two (left) or three (right) upper preoculars and one (right) or two (left) lower preoculars. Seven supralabials, the fifth being the widest and forming the lower border of the eyelid. Five moderately enlarged scales behind eye comprising the postoculars; similar to temporal scales but usually smaller. One primary temporal, two secondary temporals, and three tertiary temporals; all imbricate, smooth, cycloid, not distinctly delimited from the scales on the nape and the sides of the neck. Eight infralabials. Mental scale wider than long, posterior margin straight. Postmental scale and two pairs of adjoining chin shields in contact with anterior infralabials. First pair of chin shields in contact medially; second and third pairs separated by smaller cycloid scales.

Body and limb scalation. One row of paired nuchal scales. Other scales on nape similar to dorsals. On lateral sides of neck, scales slightly smaller. Dorsal scales cycloid, imbricate, smooth, 58 in a longitudinal row; ventrals similar to dorsals; 70 in a longitudinal row; 32 scales around midbody. No distinct boundaries between dorsals, laterals and ventrals. Scales on tail and limbs similar to dorsals, except smaller on limbs. Palmar and plantar regions with small tubercles, subequal in size and delimited by a surrounding region of flatter scales. Subdigital lamellae smooth, single, 12 under finger-IV and 17 under toe-IV. Four preanals larger than adjacent ventral scales. Median subcaudal scales gradually increasing in size from base to tip of tail.

Pattern and coloration. Dorsal ground color dark brown with a few small darker brown spots, distributed on body above the pale dorsolateral stripes, and on the limbs (the latter having a darker ground color). Dark dorsolateral stripes absent. Dark lateral stripes present, dark brown, irregular, extending from loreal region to above forelimbs. Pale middorsal stripe absent. Pale dorsolateral stripes present, medium gray, extending from nuchal area to first third of body. Pale lateral stripes absent. Ventral surface of body without pattern. Palmar and plantar surfaces dark brown. Only the ventral coloration in life (orange) has been recorded for the holotype (Albert Schwartz field notes at KU).

Variation. In coloration and scalation, the paratype resembled the holotype, except that the field notes of Albert Schwartz indicated the paratype venter was orange "but a bit darker" than that of the holotype ( Tables 4–5).

Distribution. The species is known only from Îlet à Cochons (0.2 km 2), Guadeloupe ( Fig. 11B ).

Ecology and conservation. Little has been recorded of the ecological habits of this species. In his field notes, Albert Schwartz mentioned that the specimens were taken among sea grape trees ( Coccoloba uvifera ), under wood on the ground. No observations have been recorded on this species in the subsequent five decades. Apparently, the mongoose does not occur on Îlet à Cochons ( Breuil 2009). This very small island is not protected and is occupied by humans and their domestic animals and pests, and therefore the survival of the species continues to be threatened.

Based on IUCN Redlist criteria ( IUCN 2011), we consider the conservation status of Mabuya cochonae sp. nov. to be Critically Endangered (CR A2ace). It faces a primary threat from introduced mammalian predators, including black rats, and secondary threat from habitat alteration. Studies are needed to determine if the species still exists, the health of any remaining populations, and threats to the survival of the species. Captive breeding

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

Etymology. The species name ( cochonae ) is a feminine genitive singular noun, referring to the distribution of the species on Îlet à Cochons.

Remarks. KU lists only Albert Schwartz as collector for all of the Schwartz skink material, but he was accompanied by Richard Thomas (Richard Thomas, personal communication). Finding that the skinks of

Guadeloupe and surrounding islets form a complex of species is perhaps not surprising given the endemism in other groups of amphibians and reptiles from Guadeloupe. There are two endemic species of frogs on Basse-Terre ( Eleutherodactylus barlagnei Lynch and E. pinchoni Schwartz ) and a diversity of endemic reptiles, including some species known only from specific islets such as Petite Terre ( Anolis chrysops Lazell ), Île des Saintes ( Anolis terraealtae Lazell , Sphaerodactylus phyzacinus Thomas , and Alsophis sanctonum Barbour ), La Désirade ( Anolis desiradei Lazell ), and Marie-Galante ( Anolis ferreus Cope , and Capitellum mariagalantae sp. nov.). However, no species previously has been found to be endemic to Îlet à Cochons, which is only a short distance (600 m) from the mainland. Despite that short distance and shallow water depths, M. cochonae sp. nov. is considerably different from nearby M. grandisterrae sp. nov., including the holotype of the latter species which is from Pointe-a-Pitre (only 2–3 km from Îlet à Cochons). In considering paleogeography, geologic uplift or subsidence may also have had a bearing on past land connections, in addition to sea level changes. Given the widespread decimation of Caribbean skinks by the mongoose and other mammalian predators, it is also possible that M. cochonae sp. nov. once co-occurred with M. grandisterrae sp. nov. and (or) M. guadeloupae sp. nov., but was extirpated, with Îlet à Cochons representing only a last haven or refuge.

Figures

FIGURE 11. Map showing the distribution of mabuyine skinks occurring in the Lesser Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago. See Fig. 1 for location of the islands. The islands and species are: (A) Anguilla, Dog Island, and St. Barts (Spondylurus powelli sp. nov., squares), and St. Martin (S. martinae sp. nov., circle); (B) Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre (Mabuya guadeloupae sp. nov., square), Grande-Terre (Mabuya grandisterrae sp. nov., triangle), Îlet à Cochons (Mabuya cochonae sp. nov., star), La Désirade and Terre de Bas, Petite-Terre (Mabuya desiradae sp. nov., diamonds), and Marie-Galante (Capitellum mariagalantae sp. nov., circle); (C) Martinique (Mabuya mabouya, circles; Capitellum metallicum, triangle); (D) St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada (Copeoglossum aurae sp. nov., circles; Marisora aurulae sp. nov., triangles); (E) Redonda (Copeoglossum redondae sp. nov., circle) and Montserrat (Mabuya montserratae sp. nov., square); (F) Dominica (Mabuya dominicana); (G) St. Lucia (Alinea luciae), (H) Barbados (Alinea lanceolata); (I) Trinidad (Copeoglossum aurae sp. nov., circles; Marisora aurulae sp. nov., triangle), and (J) Tobago (Copeoglossum aurae sp. nov., circles; Marisora aurulae sp. nov., triangles). Hollow symbols in A and J are literature records (specimens not examined). Where no specific localities within an island are known for a species, a symbol is placed centrally on the island: Alinea luciae, Capitellum mariagalantae, Capitellum metallicum, and Copeoglossum redondae sp. nov. The scale in (A) applies to all islands.

FIGURE 30. Head scalation in species of the Genus Mabuya (left, side view; right, dorsal view). (A) M. cochonae sp. nov. (KU 242043, holotype); (B) M. desiradae sp. nov. (KU 242045, holotype); (C) M. dominicana (MCZ R-182281); and (D) M.

FIGURE 32. Representative patterns in species of the Genus Mabuya (top, dorsal view; bottom, side view). (A) M. cochonae sp. nov.; (B) M. desiradae sp. nov.; (C) M. dominicana; (D) M. grandisterrae sp. nov.; (E) M. guadeloupae sp. nov.; (F) M. hispaniolae sp. nov.; (G) M. mabouya; and (H) M. montserratae sp. nov.

FIGURE 33. Mabuya cochonae sp. nov., from Guadeloupe. (A–D) KU 242043, holotype, Îlet à Cochons, Basse-Terre.

FIGURE 34. Graph of frontonasal length versus head length in the eight species of the Genus Mabuya.

FIGURE 36. Graph of supraciliary-2 length versus supraciliary-3 length in the eight species of the Genus Mabuya.

FIGURE 37. Graphs of four diagnostic characters of head scalation in the Mabuya guadeloupae sp. nov. species group (M.