Browsing by Autor "Luis Rolando Rivas"

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A New Collared Lizard (Tropidurus: Tropiduridae) Endemic to the Western Bolivian Andes and Its Implications for Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests
(American Museum of Natural History, 2018) André L. G. Carvalho; Luis Rolando Rivas; Ricardo Céspedes; Miguel Tréfaut Rodrigues
In this study we describe Tropidurus azurduyae, a new species of lizard endemic to the Andes. This species is restricted to inter-Andean dry valleys of central and southern Bolivia, within the ecoregion known as Bolivian Montane Dry Forests. It is currently known from the departments of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Potosí, and Santa Cruz, where it ranges in elevation from about 1000 to 2800 m. In addition, our analyses of closely related populations of Tropidurus from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay revealed undescribed species in central and northeastern Brazil and eastern Bolivia that render T. etheridgei Cei, 1982, paraphyletic. These results underscore the need for a comprehensive revision of peripheral and disjunct populations currently assigned to widely distributed species of Tropidurus. The phylogenetic relationships and distribution patterns of these new taxa concur with recent findings supporting seasonally dry tropical forests and open formations of dry vegetation from South America as distinct biotic units. Furthermore, they offer no support for seasonally dry tropical forests as closely related areas. In line with these discoveries, we refute biogeographic scenarios based exclusively on vicariance to explain the biogeographic history of Tropidurus.
A new collared lizard (Tropidurus, Tropiduridae) endemic to the western Bolivian Andes and its implications for seasonally dry tropical forests
(American Museum of Natural History, 2018) André L. G. Carvalho; Ricardo Céspedes; Luis Rolando Rivas; Miguel Tréfaut Rodrigues
In this study we describe Tropidurus azurduyae, a new species of lizard endemic to the Andes. This species is restricted to inter-Andean dry valleys of central and southern Bolivia, within the ecoregion known as Bolivian Montane Dry Forests. It is currently known from the departments of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Potosí, and Santa Cruz, where it ranges in elevation from about 1000 to 2800 m. In addition, our analyses of closely related populations of Tropidurus from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay revealed undescribed species in central and northeastern Brazil and eastern Bolivia that render T. etheridgei Cei, 1982, paraphyletic. These results underscore the need for a comprehensive revision of peripheral and disjunct populations currently assigned to widely distributed species of Tropidurus. The phylogenetic relationships and distribution patterns of these new taxa concur with recent findings supporting seasonally dry tropical forests and open formations of dry vegetation from South America as distinct biotic units. Furthermore, they offer no support for seasonally dry tropical forests as closely related areas. In line with these discoveries, we refute biogeographic scenarios based exclusively on vicariance to explain the biogeographic history of Tropidurus.
Dryophylax chaquensis (Bergna &amp; &Aacute;lvarez, 1993) (Serpentes, Colubridae): first record from Cochabamba Department and a geographic range extension in Bolivia
(Pensoft Publishers, 2024) Luis Rolando Rivas; Gabriel Callapa; Patricia Mendoza-Miranda; Arturo Muñoz; Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell
We present novel distributional information on the little-known snake species Dryophylax chaquensis (Bergna & &Aacute;lvarez, 1993) in Bolivia, including the &#64257;rst record from Cochabamba Department. Our record extends the distribution of this species towards the Bolivian Inter-Andean Dry Forests by approximately 63 km to the west (in a straight line) from the nearest known locality in Vallegrande, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We comment on the biogeographic distribution, altitude of occurrence, and aspects behavior and natural history of D. chaquensis in Bolivia.
Feliz cumplea&ntilde;os, 21 years for the Beni Anaconda, Eunectes beniensis (Dirksen, 2002) (Serpentes, Boidae): an update of voucher specimens, species&rsquo; distribution, and clarification of locality data of type specimens
(Pensoft Publishers, 2023) Randy L. Powell; Cord B. Eversole; Luis Rolando Rivas; Ashton V. Crocker; Paola De la Quintana
Little information for Eunectes beniensis (Dirksen, 2002) (Serpentes, Boidae) exists in the scientific literature and museum data. We review the natural history, diet, reproduction, distribution of this species and discuss its identifying characteristics. We present new records and discuss the species&rsquo; distribution in Bolivia. As reported in the previous literature, the geographic locality data of the holotype and paratypes are incorrect. We report corrected data for these specimens and update knowledge of the species&rsquo; distributional status and natural history by summarizing novel and existing data from the entirety of this species&rsquo; known range. We provide a distribution map based on vouchered museum specimens.
First confirmed record of Boettger’s Caecilian, Siphonops paulensis Boettger 1892 (Gymnophiona: Siphonopsidae), for the Department of Beni, Bolivia
(University of Kansas, 2023) Luis Rolando Rivas; Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell
listed the species from the Department of Beni without any supporting material
First confirmed records of Teratohyla midas (Lynch & Duellman, 1973) (Anura, Centrolenidae) from Bolivia
(Pensoft Publishers, 2024) Luis Rolando Rivas; Arturo Muñoz; Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell; Federico Moreno-Aulo
Different sources of information indicate the possible presence of Teratohyla midas (Lynch & Duellman, 1973) in Bolivia; however, none of them confirm this scenario. Here we confirm the presence of T. midas in the northern Bolivian Amazon (Pando Department) and extend the geographical distribution of the species to include Bolivia. Likewise, we contribute information on some aspects of this species&rsquo; behavior and natural history.
First records of Tropidurus madeiramamore Carvalho, Paredero, Villalobos-Chaves, Ferreira, Rodrigues &amp; Curcio, 2024 (Squamata, Tropiduridae) from Bolivia
(Pensoft Publishers, 2025) Robert Langstroth; Mauricio Herrera; Gabriel Callapa; Luis Rolando Rivas; Lucindo Gonzáles; Lesly López; A Dimeglio; Gregory Schneider; Robert B. Wallace
This note reports the first country records of Tropidurus madeiramamore Carvalho, Paredero, Villalobos-Chaves, Ferreira, Rodrigues & Curcio, 2024 for Bolivia, all northern Beni Department, extending the range by some 300 km to the west of earlier records, clarifying the status of specimens previously reported in the literature as Tropidurus oreadicus Rodrigues, 1987, and providing comments on the biogeographic and conservation values of the Amazonian savannas of the Beni.
Herpetofauna of the Great Tectonic Lakes of Exaltación, Beni Department, Bolivia
(University of Kansas, 2025) Luis Rolando Rivas; Robert B. Wallace; Gabriel Callapa
The Great Tectonic Lakes of Exaltación is a little-explored region of the Beni Department in Bolivia.During a multidisciplinary scientific expedition, we documented the herpetofauna of this part of the floodplains of theLlanos de Moxos and the Cerrado, confirming the presence of 25 amphibian species (Anura) and 40 reptilian species(Testudines, Crocodylia, and Squamata), and estimated species richness of 30 amphibians and 56 reptilian species forthe region. Most reported species have wide distributions in the lowlands, except for Leptodactylus cf. gracilis, a specieswith a restricted distribution in the southern ecoregions of Bolivia. Two threatened turtle species (Podocnemis unifilisand Chelonoidis denticulatus) categorized as Vulnerable were present, as well as other larger reptilian species such as theBlack Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) and the Spectacled Caiman (Caiman yacare).
Mussurana bicolor (Peracca, 1904) (Squamata, Colubridae): additional country records and first list of voucher specimens from Bolivia
(Pensoft Publishers, 2023) Luis Rolando Rivas; Gabriel Callapa; Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell; Robert B. Wallace
We present country records and a list of voucher specimens for Mussurana bicolor (Peracca, 1904) (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Bolivia. There is scarce information on museum specimens and locality data from Bolivia for this species in the scientific literature. Additionally, we discuss two newly collected specimens from the Llanos de Moxos, a floodplain in the Beni Department. This account contributes to the knowledge of the northwestern distributional status of M. bicolor and summarizes available data for Bolivia.
Predation of a Jumping Frog, Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae), by a Yellow Curichera, Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus (Wied-Neuwied 1824) (Squamata: Colubridae), in Santísima Trinidad, Beni, Bolivia
(University of Kansas, 2022) Luis Rolando Rivas; Patricia Mendoza
Reptile Biodiversity and Vulnerability in Bolivia’s Beni Department: Informing Conservation Priorities in a Neglected Frontier
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2024) Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell; Luis Rolando Rivas; Dennis Lizarro
The Department of Beni, in the country of Bolivia, is thought to host a significant level of biodiversity as a result of its tropical, moist, and diverse climate and landscape. However, the biodiversity of Beni is also considered poorly known and understudied due to its inaccessible landscapes, socio-economic challenges, and an overall lack of biodiversity infrastructure. This emphasizes the need for comprehensive species inventories and the development of effective conservation policies and strategies. We conducted an assessment of biodiversity, environmental vulnerability, and conservation status of reptiles documented in Beni. We identified 169 reptile species, spanning three orders and twenty-five families that have been officially documented in Beni. Utilizing the Environmental Vulnerability Score (EVS), we classified these species into high (17.8%), medium (68.1%), and low (14.2%) vulnerability categories, while IUCN categorization revealed 1.8% of reptile species in Beni are classified as vulnerable and 0.6% as near threatened. We found significant differences in ecological drivers of vulnerability among species within all categories (high, medium, low), with habitat specificity and human persecution being significantly higher for high and medium-vulnerability species. Our results demonstrate the intricate vulnerabilities of Beni’s reptiles, highlighting the need for comprehensive, species-specific conservation strategies and planning. Most importantly, our results offer a consolidated framework of information on reptile biodiversity and conservation for researchers, conservationists, and policymakers to use and build upon in the future that will facilitate the development of biodiversity infrastructure not only in the Department of Beni but throughout Bolivia and the Neotropics
Reptilia, Serpentes, Elapidae, Micrurus serranus: distribution extension
(Pensoft Publishers, 2009) Arturo Muñoz‐Saravia; Luis Rolando Rivas; Lucindo Gonzáles; Julio Daniel Enríquez Quispe
None
Review of Erythrolamprus taeniogaster (Jan, 1863) (Serpentes, Colubridae) specimens from Bolivia and report of the first record from the Department of Pando
(Pensoft Publishers, 2025) Cord B. Eversole; Luis Rolando Rivas; Randy L. Powell; Vincent Antoine Vos; Ruben D. Layme
We present a new departmental record for Erythrolamprus taeniogaster (Jan, 1863) and discuss the species&rsquo; distribution in Bolivia and South America. There is a lack of consolidated and updated information on museum specimens and associated locality data for this species from Bolivia. This is largely because of changes in taxonomy that are not broadly reflected in contemporary literature and from limited sampling in this part of South America. This information improves knowledge of this species&rsquo; distributional status and summarizes known and available data from the Bolivian portion of its range.
Second record of a Marbled Treefrog, Dendropsophus marmoratus Laurenti 1768 (Anura: Hylidae), in the diet of the Banded Cat-eyed Snake, Leptodeira annulata Linnaeus 1758 (Squamata: Colubridae), in the Bolivian Amazon
(University of Kansas, 2024) Luis Rolando Rivas; Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell; Vincent Antoine Vos
Supplemental Material for 'A new collared lizard (Tropidurus, Tropiduridae) endemic to the western Bolivian Andes and its implications for seasonally dry tropical forests. (American Museum novitates, no. 3896)'
(2018) André L. G. Carvalho; Luis Rolando Rivas; Ricardo Céspedes; Miguel Tréfaut Rodrigues
Supplemental Material for 'A new collared lizard (Tropidurus, Tropiduridae) endemic to the western Bolivian Andes and its implications for seasonally dry tropical forests. (American Museum novitates, no. 3896)'
Total evidence phylogenetic analysis of Leiosauridae (Squamata) with focus on the ‘para-anoles’ and description of a new Urostrophus species from the Bolivian Andes
(Taylor & Francis, 2023) André L. G. Carvalho; Alejandro Laspiur; Julia Klaczko; Luis Rolando Rivas; Miguel Tréfaut Rodrigues; Marco Aurélio de Sena; Ricardo Céspedes
Only since the late 1980s have lizard specialists begun incorporating phylogenetic information to the classification of leiosaurids. These are among the most enigmatic South American lizards, with 35 currently recognised species arranged in six genera. To evaluate their relationships, we assembled a data set based on published and novel information containing 135 morphological characters and 11,235 DNA base pairs (14 loci) for up to 52 terminals, including outgroups. We performed 13 analyses based on different optimality criteria (parsimony, maximum likelihood, and coalescent approach) and indel coding strategies (gaps coded as missing data or as a fifth state). We also evaluated the impact of phenotypic evidence on the phylogeny of leiosaurids, and investigated the level of informativeness and potential sources of topological conflict using a Quartet Sampling analysis. Phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of major leiosaurid clades, including subfamilies Enyaliinae and Leiosaurinae, and the ‘para-anoles’ clade (Urostrophus + Anisolepis). However, Urostrophus was inferred as paraphyletic, with U. vautieri forming a clade with Anisolepis. These relationships motivate the synonymization of Anisolepis Boulenger, Citation1885 with Urostrophus Duméril & Bibron, 1837. The monophyly of Pristidactylus and, surprisingly, of Enyalius, were also challenged, underscoring the need for additional phylogenetic work. Finally, we described Urostrophus chungarae sp. nov. from the Torotoro National Park, Potosí, Bolivia. This apparently rare leiosaurid was inferred as sister to U. gallardoi, a Chacoan species distributed in northern Argentina and southeastern Bolivia. We conclude with a revised classification of Leiosauridae and by pointing out a number of unresolved issues that require further systematic investigation.
Tropidurus chromatops Harvey &amp; Gutberlet, 1998 (Squamata, Tropiduridae): first records from and range extension to the Beni Department, Bolivia
(Pensoft Publishers, 2023) Luis Rolando Rivas; Gil A. Ojopi; Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell; Gabriel Callapa
We present the first records of Tropidurus chromatops Harvey & Gutberlet, 1998 from the Beni Department (Bolivia) and extend this species&rsquo; distribution to western Bolivia by approximately 256 km in a straight line to the Beni Floodplains ecoregion. Likewise, we contribute information on some aspects of the natural history, altitude of occurrence, and the geographic distribution of T. chromatops in the Department of Beni.
Two cases of ophiophagia by Clelia clelia, (Daudin 1803) (Squamata: Colubridae), from the Bolivian Amazon and a list of snake species recorded as prey
(University of Kansas, 2023) Luis Rolando Rivas; Vincent Antoine Vos; Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell
Two records of xanthism in Corallus hortulana (Serpentes: Boidae) in Bolivia with comments on the yellow, patternless morphotype
(National Institute of Amazonian Research, 2023) Luis Rolando Rivas; Cord B. Eversole; Ashton V. Crocker; Randy L. POWELL
ABSTRACT Snakes display a wide range of skin colors and patterns, acting in ecological, behavioral, and physiological roles. Xanthism has been reported in numerous snake species, including many neotropical taxa. Corallus hortulana is a polychromatic species widely distributed throughout South America. Yellow, patternless individuals, while rare, have been recognized as within the species’ polychromatic range. We report the first yellow, patternless specimens of Corallus hortulana collected in Bolivia and discuss whether these individuals fit the criteria of xanthism.
Vine snakes (Oxybelis) and Sharpnose snakes (Xenoxybelis) (Squamata, Serpentes) from lowlands of Bolivia, with first records of Oxybelis inkaterra for the country
(Pensoft Publishers, 2024) Luis Rolando Rivas; Gustavo Rey-Ortíz; Cord B. Eversole; Randy L. Powell; Gonzalo Navarro-Cornejo; Edson Cortez; Mauricio Ocampo; Gabriel Callapa; Arturo Muñoz
We present information on the occurrence of colubrid vine snakes ( Oxybelis ) and dipsadid sharpnose snakes ( Xenoxybelis ) from the lowlands of Bolivia. These genera have been poorly reported from Bolivia and information presented herein includes nine new record provincials from the departments of Beni, Cochabamba, La Paz, Pando, and Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Moreover, we present the first records of Oxybelis inkaterra Jadin, Jowers, Orlofske, Duellman, Blair & Murphy, 2021 from Bolivia and we extend the known range of this species by approximately 207 km (Río Sipia, La Paz) and 628 km (Campamento Guacharos, Cochabamba) southeast of the type locality (Puerto Maldonado, Peru) in South America. In addition, we present morphometric information, meristic characters, coloration pattern, ecological aspects and natural history for the three species of vine snakes ( O. aeneus , O. fulgidus , O. inkaterra ) and two species of sharpnose snakes ( X. argenteus , X. boulengeri ) from the Bolivian lowlands.