Integrative taxonomy of the lizards Cercosaura ocellata species complex (Reptilia: Gymnophthalmidae)

Cercosaura ocellata has for long been considered a polytypic species. A recent molecular study elevated one of the recognized subspecies as full species, but based on limited sampling. For species delimitation a more extensive study is warranted, both in terms of number of specimens and geographical coverage. We conduct an integrative taxonomic study of C. ocellata complex, based on external morphology and genomic data (RAD-seq), considering its entire geographic distribution. Our results support the recognition of four species, three of which are restricted to Amazonia: Cercosaura ocellata from the Guianan region, north of the Amazon river, and east of the Tapajós river, in Pará, Brazil; Cercosaura bassleri from western Amazonia, eastward limited by the Negro (north of the Amazon) and the Madeira (south of it) rivers; and an undescribed species partially in sympatry with the former two, distributed between the Purus and Xingu rivers. Cercosaura olivacea, the fourth species, occurs in the Cerrado, Atlantic forest, Pantanal and Pampas. Cercosaura ocellata petersi and Cercosaura humilis are junior synonyms of C. olivacea. The new species is recovered as sister to C. bassleri (C. ocellata-C. olivacea).