Abstract

PINCHEIRA-DONOSO, Daniel. Geckos of Chile (Scleroglossa, Gekkonidae, Gekkoninae). Part II: Biogeography and ontogenetic shifts in the colour pattern of Phyllodactylus gerrhopygus. Can the evidence support the presence of Phyllodactylus inaequalis in Chile?. Multequina [online]. 2006, vol.15, n.1, pp.37-48. ISSN 1852-7329.

Research on Chilean gekkonid lizards remains largely ignored. Only a few studies have focused in the specific analysis of the known populations. As a consequence, several fundamental aspects of the biological structure of this group are still a mystery. Indeed, in spite of the scarce number of taxa reported in Chile, it is hard to draw on more detailed conclusions about the species diversity in this territory. The genus Phyllodactylus, restricted to the northern deserts, has commonly been recognized on the basis of three species: P. gerrhopygus, P. heterurus and P. inaequalis. Nonetheless, different studies often claim divergent opinions about the status of these taxa. In the present contribution, I analyze those populations identified as P. gerrhopygus and P. inaequalis, which would be characterized by different colour patterns and distributions. However, my results suggest that both taxa represent only one widespread species. The contrasting observed colour patterns can be explained as a consequence of ontogenetic shifts. Therefore, I conclude that the presence of P. inaequalis in Chile has been based on juvenile individuals of P. gerrhopygus. Key words: Biogeography, ontogeny, Phyllodactylus gerrhopygus, Phyllodactylus inaequalis, Gekkonidae, Chile, Peru.

Keywords : Biogeography; Ontogeny; Phyllodactylus gerrhopygus; Phyllodactylus inaequalis; Gekkonidae; Chile; Peru.

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