A new riparian Andean Potamites (Reptilia, Squamata, Gymnophtalmidae) from El Sira Mountains, central Peru, with comments on P. ecpleopus Cope 1875, and on the taxonomy and biogeography of Potamites

We describe a new species of riparian lizard from the foothills and submontane forest El Sira Communal Reserve, Departamento de Huánuco, Peru, at elevations 540 to 760 m. name Potamites hydroimperator sp. nov. because it is only living in streams this isolated mountain. The distinguishable other congeners (except P. ecpleopus) by having longitudinal rows keeled scales on dorsum, males with 5–8 lateral ocelli each flank. differs ecpleopus being smaller, dorsal forelimbs smooth or slightly keeled, subconical tubercles weakly present absent, four five superciliar scales. comment variation pattern keeling among Amazonian lowland, Andean montane Potamites, potential relevance scalation for taxonomic biogeographic studies. increases our knowledge diverse endemic herpetofauna Sira, diversity within genus Potamites. Despite Sira’s status as natural protected area, gold mining activities are destroying where we found nov., threatening their populations.