Solving the Liolaemus bibronii puzzle, an integrative taxonomy approach: Redescription of L. bibronii and description of three new species (Iguania: Liolaemidae)

Abstract

We redescribe Liolaemus bibronii and describe three new species of Liolaemus, a genus of lizards distributed across South America. These species belong to the L. alticolor-bibronii group, which are included in the subgenus Liolaemus s.s. Liolaemus bibronii was previously proposed as a species complex, but many populations initially assigned to this complex were described as valid species. The three new species described here were populations denominated under L. bibronii. In order to validate the new species, we apply an integrative approach, including molecular and morphological evidence. Also, we perform phylogenetic analyses applying parsimony and Bayesian inference. The three new species described here show a set of character states that allow them to be distinguished from L. bibronii, from each other and from all other species of Liolaemus. Our phylogenies show that the newly described species are more related to other species than to L. bibronii. With this study, we are closer to solving the taxonomic puzzle that L. bibronii represents.