A New Species of Echinosaura (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Ecuador

Resumen

—A new species of Echinosaura, Echinosaura brachycephala, is described from two localities on the Pacific versant of the Ecuadorian Andes. The new species differs from all other species of the genus by its conspicuously short head with a high domed snout in lateral profile and various scalation characteristics including the number of ventral scales per caudal segment, the arrangement of dorsal body scales, and a reduced or absent postmental scale. A key to the species of Echinosaura and Teuchocercus is provided.