A phylogenetic analysis of the tropidurine lizards (Squamata: Tropiduridae), including new characters of squamation and epidermal microstructure

Characters of scale surface microstructure are combined with ‘traditional’ morphological characters in a phylogenetic analysis of the Tropidurini. Tropidurid lizards show variation in types of coarse and fine scale surface microstructure, in the anatomical distribution of different scale surface features, and in scale organ morphology and distribution. The morphology of the inner surface zone of scales is here described for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. Our phylogeny differs considerably from those proposed in earlier studies. New characters and frequency coding of polymorphic characters help resolve the problematic relationships of several species. Statistical confidence supports recognition of one large cis-Andean and one large trans-Andean clade of species. Based on our results, we synonymize Plesiomicrolophus with Microlophus and Uranoscodon with Tropidurus. The phylogenetic relationships of newly discovered Tropidurus are resolved: T. caltathelys is the sister species of T. melanopleurus; T. xanthochilus is the sister species of T. spinulosus. Tropidurus spinulosus is found to be more closely related to T. strobilurus and a clade of Amazonian species than to T. melanopleurus. The species previously placed in Uracentron are more closely related to species previously placed in Plica than to 77 strobilurus as previously thought.