Phymaturus palluma: melanism

Abstract

The genus Phymaturus is comprised of 52 species (Uetz et al. 2024. The Reptile Database, http://www.reptile-database.reptarium.cz, 31 May 2024) split into two species groups, the patagonicus group with 29 species and the palluma group with 23 species (Scolaro et al. 2021. North-West. J. Zool. 17:57–64; Lobo et al. 2022. Cuad. Herpetol. 36:197–231). Melanism is common in both species groups ranging from completely melanistic individuals to partially melanistic individuals (Scolaro et al. 2016. Bol. Mus. Nac. Hist. Nat. Chile 65:137–152; Lobo and Nenda 2015. Cuad. Herpetol. 29:5–25). In members of the palluma group, melanism is mostly restricted to the head and neck regions of males (Lobo and Nenda 2015, op. cit.), although females in at least one species, P. verdugo, may exhibit dark coloration on the dorsum and flanks (Corbalán et al. 2018. Can. J. Zool. 96:1317– 1325). Here, we report an observation of a completely melanistic P. palluma, of the palluma species group, at the Punta de Vacas gorge, Aconcagua Provincial Park (32.8453°S, 69.7619°W; WGS 84; 2500 m elev.), Mendoza, Argentina.