35 years behind the scenes: range extension of the rare Gro’s manticore, Morunasaurus groi (Squamata, Hoplocercidae), in Colombia

Abstract

Morunasaurus is a genus of Neotropical iguanid lizards of the family Hoplocercidae, inhabiting Central and northwestern South America. Their phylogenetic relationships are not completely clear but being presumably paraphyletic. Its type species, M. groi, is very rare, known only from two single localities and a handful of specimens. Here I report a new occurrence of this species for Colombia, which constitutes the southeastern record to the date, extending the species range by about 175 km and 510 m altitudinally. Additionally, I discuss about the intraspecific differences in coloration between Panamanian and Colombian specimens.

Keywords.
Squamata; Iguanidae; Hoplocercidae; Distribution; New record