Systematics of Stenocercus chrysopygus Boulenger, 1900 (Squamata, Tropiduridae) species complex using genetic and morphological evidence

The assessment of the taxonomic status of Stenocercus chrysopygus Boulenger, 1900, a conspicuous species inhabiting the upper valleys of the Santa, Chiquián, and Marañón rivers in central Peru, has been pending for decades. We studied the phylogenetic relationships and variation of several populations using mitogenomes, DNA barcode datasets, and morphological evidence. We present a phylogeny of Stenocercus combining available mitochondrial sequences with 37 mitochondrial genes from S. chrysopygus and closely related congeners samples. Our results support S. chrysopygus as a species complex, with three additional species among the studied populations. Populations from the Santa River valley, including all syntype localities, correspond to S. chrysopygus sensu stricto.