Liolaemus patriciaiturrae explained

Liolaemus patriciaiturrae is a species of lizard in the family Liolaemidae. The species is endemic to Chile.

Etymology

The specific name, patriciaiturrae, is in honor of Chilean herpetologist Patricia Iturra.^[1]

Geographic range

L. patriciaiturrae is found in Atacama Region, which is in northern Chile.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of L. patriciaiturrae is desert, at altitudes of .

Description

L. patriciaiturrae is one of the largest species in the L. ruibali species group. It has juxtaposed dorsal scales, and it lacks auricular and tympanic scales. Males exhibit a melanic throat and chest.

Diet

L. patriciaiturrae preys upon invertebrates and also eats plant material.

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of L. patriciaiturrae has been described as viviparous, and as ovoviviparous.

Further reading

• Mella Ávila J, Marambio-Alfaro Y (2023). "Reptiles of the Atacama Region, northern Chile: localities, and representation in provinces, ecogeographic landscapes, vegetation formations and protected areas". Gayana 87 (2): 108–122.
• Navarro J, Núñez H (1993). "Liolaemus patriciaiturrae y Liolaemus isabelae, dos nuevas especies de lagartijas para el norte de Chile. Aspectos biogeográficos y citotaxonómicos (Squamata, Tropiduridae)". Boletín del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Chile 44: 99–113. (Liolaemus patriciaiturrae, new species). (in Spanish).
• Pincheira-Donoso D, Núñez H (2005). "Las especies chilenas del género Liolaemus Wiegmann 1834 (Iguania: Tropiduridae: Liolaeminae) taxonomía, sistemática y evolución ". Museo Nacional de Historia Natural Chile, Publicación Ocasional (59): 1–486. (Liolaemus patriciaiturrae, pp. 136–141, Figure 19). (in Spanish).
• Troncoso-Palacios J (2014). "Nueva lista actualizada de los reptiles terrestres de la Región de Atacama, Chile". Boletín Chileno de Herpetología 1: 1–4. (in Spanish).

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens B]