| Potamites | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Several Potamites species in Peru | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gymnophthalmidae |
| Genus: | Potamites Doan & Castoe, 2005 |
Potamites is a genus of lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The genus is restricted to northern South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) and southern Central America (Costa Rica and Panama). They are semiaquatic and found near streams. [1]
Until 2005, species now placed in Potamites were included in Neusticurus , another genus containing semi-aquatic lizards of South America. [2] Despite the move, some still have an English name that refers to their former genus, including P. strangulatus, the big-scaled neusticurus. [3] Even after this split, genetic studies revealed that Potamites was paraphyletic and to resolve this two species were moved to Gelanesaurus in 2016. [4]
The genus Potamites currently contains 8 valid species. [3] Further changes are likely, as P. ecpleopus as currently defined is paraphyletic, and it has been suggested that trachodus, usually considered a subspecies of P. strangulatus, should be recognized as a separate species. [4]
Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Potamites.
Gymnophthalmidae is a family of lizards with at least 250 species, sometimes known commonly as spectacled lizards or microteiids. They are called "spectacled" because of their transparent lower eyelids, which allow them to still see with closed eyes. As in most lizards, except geckos, these eyelids are movable. The Alopoglossidae have been recently moved from this family.
Cercosaura is a genus of lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The genus is endemic to South America.
Euspondylus is a genus of lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae.
Neusticurus is a genus of gymnophthalmid lizards endemic to northern South America. They are often found near streams and are semi-aquatic. Some species formerly included in this genus are now placed in Potamites, which also are semi-aquatic inhabitants of South America.
Proctoporus is a genus of medium-sized lizards assigned to the family Gymnophthalmidae. Species in the genus Proctoporus occur in Yungas forests and wet montane grasslands on the upper edge of the Amazonian forest, between 1,000 and 4,000 metres elevation, from Central Peru in the north to Central Bolivia in the south.
The Key tegu is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The species is endemic to Ecuador.
Diploglossidae is a family of anguimorph lizards native to the Americas, with most genera being endemic to Hispaniola. Most members of this family are known as galliwasps. They were formerly considered a subfamily of Anguidae, but genetic evidence has shown them to be less closely related to other members of Anguidae than Anniellidae is.
Potamites erythrocularis is a species of lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae. It is endemic to Manu National Park, in the Region of Cusco, Peru.
Gelanesaurus is a genus of lizards in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The genus contains two species, which are native to Colombia and Ecuador. Both species were included in the genus Potamites until 2016 when they were moved to the genus Gelanesaurus.
Gelanesaurus flavogularis is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The species is endemic to Ecuador.
Selvasaura is a genus of the lizard family Gymnophthalmidae. The genus contains three species.
Andinosaura petrorum is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The species is endemic to Ecuador.
Gelanesaurus cochranae, also known commonly as Cochran's neusticurus, is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The species is native to northwestern South America.
Neusticurus racenisi, known commonly as Roze's neusticurus or the common Venezuelan water teiid, is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The species is endemic to northern South America.
Potamites ecpleopus, the common stream lizard , is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.
Potamites strangulatus, the big-scaled neusticurus, is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Proctoporus rahmi, Rahm's sun tegu, is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. It is endemic to Peru.
Riama orcesi is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. The species is endemic to Ecuador.
Potamites hydroimperator is a species of lizard which is endemic to eastern Peru, where it is known from El Sira Communal Reserve. The species is known to occur in and near streams in the El Sira Mountains. They are under threat from illegal gold mining in the region.
Proctoporus optimus is a species of lizard in the family Gymnophthalmidae. It is endemic to Peru, in montane ecosystems.
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