A New Genus and Species of Gymnophthalmid Lizard (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Kaieteur National Park, Guyana Research Paper
A new genus and species of gymnophthalmid are described from
Kaieteur National Park, central western Guyana, South America.
The new genus mainly differs from all other known
gymnophthalmids by the foll owing combination of characters: five
fi ngers and toes, all clawed; tongue with oblique plicae anteriorly
and posteriorly, interrupted by a midsection of scaleli ke papillae;
dorsal scales keeled, hexagonal, forming transverse rows onl y; ventral scales smooth, hexagonal, fo rming transverse rows only ; nasal
divided; frontonasal single; prefrontals absent ; compl ete supraci liary series; interpari etal heptagonal with a straight posterior margin,
not projecting posteri orl y.
Key-words: Gymnophthalmidae; New genus; New species;
Kaieteurosaums hindsi genu s and species novum; Squamata; Tax -
onomy; Kaieteur Nati onal Park; Gu yana; South Ameri ca.
Area of interest: Guyana
Year: 2005