90 



S.B. HEDGES 



T. schwartzi by its higher midbody scale rows (27 versus 25), higher 

 number of ventrals (199-21 2, x = 203 versus 191-205, x = 198), and 

 a larger, darker cephalic spot (Thomas, 1963). 



South America 



Although Stull (1928) and Schwartz and Marsh ( 1960) attempted to 

 relate one or more of the South American taxa to West Indian species 

 groups, I do not envision a close relationship. For example, the 

 keeling of the dorsal scales in T. taczanowskyi is greater than I have 

 seen in any West Indian taxon. In the case of T. paucisquamus, the 

 low number (21) of midbody scale rows and a distinctive pattern of 

 middorsal stripe and blotches is not like any West Indian species, as 

 noted by Schwartz and Marsh (1960). The only known specimen of 

 T. battersbyi has been described only as having six rows of spots, 

 including two rows on the venter (Laurent, 1949; Perez-Santos & 

 Moreno, 1991). The fact that the venters of T. paucisquamus and T. 

 taczanowskyi have both been described as consisting of black and 

 yellow spots and bands (Stull, 1928) is noteworthy; such a pattern 

 and colouration is not known in West Indian taxa. This might also 

 suggest a relationship at least between these two species. Molecular 

 phylogenetic evidence (S. B. Hedges, S. C. Duncan, A. K. Pepperney, 

 in preparation) places T. paucisquamus outside of the West Indian 

 clade, reinforcing the morphological distinction. Examination of 

 additional specimens, and genetic data from T. battersbyi and T. 

 taczanowskyi, are needed to clarify the relationships of these South 

 American species. Until then, available evidence supports the place- 

 ment of the South American species in a separate species group 

 (taczanowskyi group). 



Acknowledgements. I thank R. Henderson for providing access to the 

 raw scale count data and notes of A. Schwartz; L. Diaz, A. R. Estrada, A. 

 Fong, O. H. Garrido, and L. Moreno, for data on specimens in their posses- 

 sion; R. Thomas for assistance in the field; the staffs of the National Museum 

 of Natural History (Smithsonian), Museum of Comparative Zoology 

 (Harvard), and Natural History Museum (London), for loan of material or 

 access to the collections. This work was supported by grants from the U.S. 

 National Science Foundation. 



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