ACCOUNTS OF SPECIES

C (2) / (N1+ N2) = R, whereC = species common to both faunas.N1= number of species in the first fauna.N2= number of species in the second fauna.R = degree of relationships (when R = 1.00, the faunas are identical; when R = 0, the faunas are completely different).

C (2) / (N1+ N2) = R, where

C = species common to both faunas.

N1= number of species in the first fauna.

N2= number of species in the second fauna.

R = degree of relationships (when R = 1.00, the faunas are identical; when R = 0, the faunas are completely different).

The herpetofauna of southern El Petén has been compared with that in the Tikal-Uaxactún area (Stuart, 1958), that in the humid lowlands of Alta Verapaz (Stuart, 1950, plus additional data), and that in the Mexican state of Yucatán (Smith and Taylor, 1945, 1948, and 1950). The herpetofaunas of lowland Alta Verapaz and Yucatán are the largest, having respectively 94 and 91 species, where as there are 78 species known from southern El Petén and 64 from the Tikal-Uaxactún area. An analysis of faunal relationships (Table 2) shows that the faunas of the rainforests of southern El Petén and lowland Alta Verapaz are closely related. The relationships between these two areas and the Tikal-Uaxactún areain northern El Petén is notably less. Apparently the biggest faunal changes take place between southern El Petén and the Tikal-Uaxactún area, and between the latter and Yucatán. As stated by Stuart (1958:7) the Tikal-Uaxactún is transitional between the humid rainforests to the south and the dry outer end of the Yucatán Peninsula. The transitional nature of the environment is exemplified by a rather depauperate herpetofauna consisting of some species of both dry and humid environments and lacking a large fauna typical of either. Contrariwise, the continuity of the environment from southern El Petén to the lowlands of Alta Verapaz is reflected in degree of resemblance of the herpetofaunas.

Table 2.—Index of Faunal Relationships Between Southern El Petén and Other Regions.

LowlandAltaVerapazSouthernElPeténTikal-UaxactúnAreaYucatánLowland Alta Verapaz.85.61.43Southern El Petén.85.64.41Tikal-Uaxactún Area.61.64.63Yucatán.43.41.63

Most of the species of amphibians and reptiles found in southern El Petén are found in humid tropical forests from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec southeastward on the Atlantic lowlands well into Central America.

In the following pages various aspects of the occurrence, life histories, ecology, and variation of the species of amphibians and reptiles known from southern El Petén are discussed. OnlyCochranella fleischmannireported by Stuart (1937) from Río Subín at Santa Teresa was not collected by us and is excluded. Because more worthwhile information was gathered for some species than others, the length and completeness of the accounts vary. All specimens listed are in the Museum of Natural History at the University of Kansas, to which institution all catalog numbers refer. Preceding the discussion of each species is an alphabetical list oflocalities from which specimens were obtained; numbers after a locality indicate the number of specimens obtained at each locality.

Bolitoglossa dofleini(Werner)

Chinajá, 1.

An adult female having minute ovarian eggs has a snout-vent length of 81 mm., a tail length of 59 mm., 13 costal grooves, two intercostal spaces between adpressed toes, 38-35 vomerine teeth in irregular rows forming a broad arch from a point posterolaterad to the internal nares to a point near the anterior edge of the parasphenoid teeth, and 43-44 maxilliary-premaxillary teeth. In life the dorsum was rusty brown with irregular black and orange spots and streaks. The flanks were bluish gray with black in the costal grooves and creamy tan flecks along the ventral edge of the flank. The belly and underside of the tail were yellowish tan with dark brown spots laterally. The limbs were orange proximally and black distally; the pads of the feet were bluish black. The dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tail were yellowish orange with black spots. The iris was grayish yellow.

Stuart (1943:17) reported this species from Finca Volcán, Alta Verapaz. He diagnosed his specimens as having 13 costal grooves and two or three intercostal spaces between adpressed toes. He stated that the vomerine teeth were about 12 in number and that in life the dorsum was mottled gray and black, the sides gray and brown, and the undersurfaces uniformly dark gray. These specimens differ noticeably from the individual from Chinajá in the number of vomerine teeth and in coloration.

In August, 1961, I obtained a specimen ofBolitoglossa dofleiniat Finca Los Alpes, Alta Verapaz, approximately 13 kilometers airline south-southwest of Finca Volcán and at approximately the same elevation. Although the salamander was dead when found, it obviously was more heavily pigmented than the individual from Chinajá. The belly was bluish gray with black spots laterally; the dorsum was dull brownish gray with some brownish red streaks. The specimen is a female having small ovarian eggs, a snout-vent length of 90 mm., 13 costal grooves, and two intercostal spaces between adpressed limbs. There are 28-29 vomerine teeth, more than twice as many as in specimens from Finca Volcán (Stuart, 1943:17), but noticeably fewer than in the specimen from Chinajá.

The presence of this species at Chinajá lends support to the idea that the specimen from the Río de la Pasión listed by Brocchi(1882:116) also isBolitoglossa dofleini. Furthermore, the confirmed presence of this species in the lowlands of El Petén suggests that there may be genetic connection betweenB. dofleiniin the Alta Verapaz andB. yucatanain the Yucatán Peninsula.Bolitoglossa yucatanadiffers fromB. dofleiniin having five intercostal spaces between adpressed toes and in having a different color pattern. Both are robust species having no close relationships to other species ofBolitoglossain northern Central America.

The specimen from Chinajá was found in water in the axil of a large elephant-ear plant (Xanthosoma) by day in March. Its stomach contained fragments of beetles and a large roach. The natives did not know salamanders and had no name for them.

Bolitoglossa moreleti mulleri(Brocchi)

Chinajá, 2; Río San Román, 1.

One specimen is a female having a snout-vent length of 80 mm., a tail length of 82 mm., and a total length of 162 mm. It contains 63 large eggs, the largest of which has a diameter of about three millimeters. This specimen has 13 costal grooves, four intercostal spaces between adpressed toes, and 12-13 vomerine teeth. A juvenile having a snout-vent length of 39 mm. and a tail length of 33 mm. has 12 costal grooves, three intercostal spaces between adpressed toes, and 8-8 vomerine teeth. In life these salamanders were uniformly dull brownish black above with a dull creamy yellow irregular dorsal stripe beginning on the occiput and continuing onto the tail. There are no yellow or orange streaks or flecks on the head or limbs. The specimen from the Río San Román was taken from the stomach of aPliocercus euryzonus aequalisand has not been studied in detail, because of its poor condition.

The present specimens show no tendency for the development of a broad irregular dorsal band that encloses black spots or forms irregular dorsolateral stripes, as is characteristic ofB. moreleti mexicanus, a subspecies that has been reported from La Libertad (Stuart, 1935:35) and Piedras Negras (Taylor and Smith, 1945:545) in El Petén, and from Xunantunich, British Honduras (Neill and Allen, 1959:20).

Schmidt (1936:151) and Stuart (1943:13) foundB. moreleti mulleriin bromeliads at Finca Samac, Alta Verapaz. Taylor and Smith's (1945:545) and Neill and Allen's (1959:20) specimens ofB. moreleti mexicanuswere obtained from bromeliads, but Neill and Allen (loc. cit.) stated that the natives in British Hondurassaid that they had found salamanders beneath rubbish on the forest floor. My specimens were obtained from beneath logs on the forest floor in the rainy season. Possibly in drier environments the species characteristically inhabits bromeliads, at least in the dry season.

Bufo marinus(Linnaeus)

Chinajá, 3; 10 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1; 11 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1.

During both visits to Chinajá this large toad was breeding in a small permanent pond in the camp. During the day the toads took refuge in crevices beneath the buildings or beneath large boulders by the pond. At dusk from four to ten males congregated at the pond and called. Tadpoles of this species were in the pond in March and in July. One juvenile was found beneath a rock in the forest, and another was on the forest floor by day.

The natives' name for this species and the following one issapo.

Bufo valliceps vallicepsWiegmann

Chinajá, 52; Río San Román, 8; Sayaxché, 2; Toocog, 1.

This is one of the most abundant, or at least conspicuous, amphibians inhabiting the forest. Breeding congregations were found on February 24, March 2, March 11, and June 27. At these times the toads were congregated at temporary ponds in the forest or along small sluggish streams. Throughout the duration of both visits to Chinajá individual males called almost nightly at the permanent pond at the camp.

The variation in snout-vent length of 20 males selected at random is 56.7 to 72.5 mm. (average, 64.8 mm.). Two adult females have snout-vent lengths of 80.4 and 87.6 mm. In all specimens the parotid glands are somewhat elongated and not rounded as inBufo valliceps wilsoni(see Baylor and Stuart, 1961:199). My observations on the condition of the cranial crests of the toads in El Petén agree with the findings of Baylor and Stuart (op. cit.:198) in that hypertrophied crests are usual in large females. In the shape of the parotids and nature of the cranial crests the specimens from El Petén are like those from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in México. As I pointed out (1960:53), the validity of the subspeciesBufo valliceps macrocristatus, described from northern Chiapas by Firschein and Smith (1957:219) and supposedly characterized by hypertrophied cranial crests, is highly doubtful.

In the toads from El Petén the greatest variation is in coloration. The dorsal ground-color varies from orange and rusty tan to brown, yellowish tan, and pale gray. In some individuals theflanks and dorsum are one continuous color, whereas in others a distinct dorsolateral pale colored band separates the dorsal color from dark brown flanks. In some individuals the venter is uniform cream color, in others it bears a few scattered black spots, and in still others there are many spots, some of which are fused to form a black blotch on the chest. In breeding males the vocal sac is orange tan. All specimens have a coppery red iris.

Aside from the breeding congregations, active toads were found on the forest floor at night; a few were there by day. Some individuals were beneath logs during the day.

Eleutherodactylus rostralis(Werner)

Chinajá, 10.

Because of the multiplicity of names and the variation in coloration, the small terrestrialEleutherodactylusin southern México and northern Central America are in a state of taxonomic confusion. Stuart (1934:7, 1935:37, and 1958:17) referred specimens from El Petén toEleutherodactylus rhodopis(Cope). Stuart (1941b:197) describedEleutherodactylus anzuetoifrom Alta Verapaz and El Quiché, Guatemala, suggested that the new species was an upland relative ofEleutherodactylus rostralis(Werner), and used that name for the frogs that he earlier had referred toEleutherodactylus rhodopis. Dunn and Emlen (1932:24) placedE. rostralisin the synonymy ofE. gollmeri(Peters). Examination of series of these frogs from southern México, Guatemala, and Costa Rica causes me to think that there are four species; these can be distinguished as follows:

E. rhodopis.—No web between toes; one tarsal tubercle; tibiotarsal articulation reaches to nostril; iris bronze in life.E. anzuetoi.—No web between toes; a row of tarsal tubercles; tibiotarsal articulation reaches to tip of snout; color of iris unknown.E. rostralis.—A vestige of web between toes; no tarsal tubercles; tibiotarsal articulation reaches snout or slightly beyond; iris coppery red in life.E. gollmeri.—A vestige of web between toes; no tarsal tubercles; tibiotarsal articulation reaches well beyond snout; iris coppery red in life.

E. rhodopis.—No web between toes; one tarsal tubercle; tibiotarsal articulation reaches to nostril; iris bronze in life.

E. anzuetoi.—No web between toes; a row of tarsal tubercles; tibiotarsal articulation reaches to tip of snout; color of iris unknown.

E. rostralis.—A vestige of web between toes; no tarsal tubercles; tibiotarsal articulation reaches snout or slightly beyond; iris coppery red in life.

E. gollmeri.—A vestige of web between toes; no tarsal tubercles; tibiotarsal articulation reaches well beyond snout; iris coppery red in life.

The presence of webbing between the toes, the absence of tarsal tubercles, and the coppery red iris distinguishE. rostralisandE. gollmerifrom the other species. ProbablyE. rostralisandE. gollmeriare conspecific, but additional specimens are needed from Nicaragua and Honduras to prove conspecificity. On the other hand, the characters of the frogs from Chinajá clearly show that they are related toE. gollmerito the south and not toE. rhodopisto the north in México.

At Chinajá,Eleutherodactylus rostraliswas more abundant thanthe few specimens indicate, for upon being approached the frogs moved quickly and erratically, soon disappearing in the leaf litter on the forest floor. Most of the specimens were seen actively moving on the forest floor in the daytime; one was found beneath a rock, and one was on the forest floor at night.

Eleutherodactylus rugulosus rugulosus(Cope)

Chinajá, 2; 15 km. NW of Chinajá, 4.

These frogs were found on the forest floor by day. With the exception of one female having a snout-vent length of 69.5 mm., all are juveniles. The apparent rarity of this species at Chinajá may be due to the absence of rocky streams, a favorite habitat of this frog. The local name for this frog issapito, meaning little toad.

Leptodactylus labialis(Cope)

Toocog, 1.

One juvenile having a snout-vent length of 16.4 mm. was found at night beside a pond in the forest. The scarcity of the species ofLeptodactylusin the southern part of El Petén probably is due to the lack of permanent marshy ponds.

Leptodactylus melanonotus(Hallowell)

Sayaxché, 1.

One individual was found beneath a rock beside a stream in the forest. The local name isranita, meaning little frog.

Syrrhophus leprusCope

Chinajá, 2; 15 km NW of Chinajá, 1.

An adult female having a snout-vent length of 27.5 mm. was found on the forest floor by day. Two juveniles having snout-vent lengths of 15.5 and 19.0 mm. were beneath rocks on the forest floor. The specimens are typical of the species as defined by Duellman (1958:8).

Hyla ebraccataCope

Toocog, 66.

This small tree frog congregated in large numbers at a forest pond at Toocog. Between June 30 and July 2 we collected specimens and observed the breeding habits of this and other species at the pond. Calling males were distributed around the pond, where they called from low herbaceous vegetation at the edge of the pond or from plants rising above the water. Calling commenced at duskand continued at least into the early hours of the morning. On one occasion a female was observed at a distance of about 50 centimeters away from a calling male sitting on a blade of grass. The female climbed another blade of grass until she was about eight centimeters away from the male, at which time he saw her, stopped calling, jumped to the blade of grass on which she was sitting and clasped her. Clasping pairs were observed on blades of grass and leaves of plants above the water; most pairs were less than 50 centimeters above the surface of the pond.

The eggs are deposited on the dorsal surfaces of leaves above the water. All eggs are in one plane (a single layer) on the leaf. External membranes are barely visible, as the eggs consist of a single coherent mass. Eggs in the yolk plug stage have diameters of 1.2 to 1.4 mm. Seventeen eggs masses were found; these contained from 24 to 76 (average 44) eggs. The jelly is extremely viscous and tacky to the touch. At time of hatching the jelly becomes less viscous; the tadpoles wriggle until they reach the edge of the leaf and drop into the water.

Eleven tadpoles were preserved as they hatched; these have total lengths of 4.5 to 5.0 (average 4.77) mm. Hatchling tadpoles are active swimmers and have only a small amount of yolk. The largest tadpoles preserved have total lengths of 13.0 and 13.5 mm. At this size distinctive sword-tail and bright coloration have developed.

Fig. 2. Tadpole of Hyla ebraccata (KU 59986) from Toocog, El Petén, Guatemala.Fig. 2.Tadpole ofHyla ebraccata(KU 59986) from Toocog, El Petén, Guatemala.

Description of fully developed tadpole (KU 59986): Total length, 13.5 mm.; tail-length, 8.4 mm., 62 per cent of total length. Snout, in dorsal view, bluntly rounded; in lateral view less bluntly rounded; body depressed; head flattened; mouth terminal; eye large, its diameter 25 per cent of length of body; nostrils near tip of snout and directed anteriorly; spiracle sinistral and situated postero-ventrad to eye; cloaca median. Tail-fin thrice depth of tail-musculature, which extends beyond posterior end of tail-fin giving sword-tail appearance (Fig. 2). In life, black stripe on each side of body and on top of head; black band on anterior part of tailand another on the posterior part; body and anterior part of tail creamy yellow; dark red band between black bands on tail. Mouth terminal, small, its width about one-fifth width of body; fleshy ridge dorsally and ventrally; row of small papillae on ventral lip; no lateral indentations of lips; upper beak massive, convex, and finely serrate; lower beak small and mostly concealed behind upper; no teeth (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. Mouthparts of larval Hyla ebraccata (KU 59986) from Toocog, El Petén, Guatemala.Fig. 3.Mouthparts of larvalHyla ebraccata(KU 59986) from Toocog, El Petén, Guatemala.

Hyla loquaxGaige and Stuart

Toocog, 14.

These specimens were found at night when they were calling from low vegetation in a forest pond. Most of the frogs were several meters away from the edge of the pond. Although two clasping pairs were found, we obtained no eggs or tadpoles referable to this species.

Hyla microcephala martiniSmith

Chinajá, 1; Toocog, 21.

The specimen from Chinajá was calling from a small bush at the edge of a temporary grassy pond in a clearing in the forest. At Toocog this species was closely associated withHyla ebraccata; males were calling from herbaceous vegetation in and around the forest pond. These frogs were not so abundant in the forest at Toocog as they were around ponds on the savanna at La Libertad.

Hyla picta(Günther)

Toocog, 8.

This small tree frog was calling from herbs in a pond in the forest on June 30 and July 2. The voice is weak; probably greater numbers of males were present than are indicated by the few specimens collected, for the din from the more vociferous species made it impossible to hearHyla pictaunless one was calling close by.

Hyla staufferiCope

Chinajá, 1.

This individual was calling from a low bush in the clearing at Chinajá. None was found in the pond in the forest at Toocog. Stuart (1935:38) and Duellman (1960:63) noted thatHyla staufferibreeds early in the rainy season. Nevertheless, I think early breeding habits do not account for the near absence of this species in our collections from southern El Petén. In early July, 1960, a few individuals were heard at a pond on the savanna at La Libertad. In mid-July of the same year they were calling sporadically from temporary ponds in the lower Motagua Valley. Possibly the individual collected at Chinajá was accidentally transported there in cargo from Toocog, from which camp at the edge of the savanna planes fly to Chinajá weekly. My observations on this species throughout its range in México and Central America indicate that it inhabits savannas and semi-arid forests and usually is absent from heavy rainforest. Stuart (1948:34) obtained this species at Cubilquitz in the lowlands of Alta Verapaz.

Phyllomedusa callidryas tayloriFunkhouser

Toocog, 25.

Between June 30 and July 2 this species was abundant at a pond in the forest at Toocog. Calling males were as high as five meters in bushes and trees around the pond. At dusk males were observed descending a vine-covered tree at the edge of the pond; this strongly suggests that the frogs retreat to this tree and others like it for diurnal seclusion. Clasping pairs were found on branches and leaves above the water. The eggs are deposited in clumps usually on vertical leaves, but sometimes on horizontal leaves or on branches, vines, and aerial roots above the water. Twenty-six clutches of eggs contained from 14 to 44 (average 29) eggs. In a clutch in which the eggs are in yolk plug stage the average diameter of the embryos is 2.3 mm. and that of the vitellinemembranes, 3.4 mm. Most of the eggs are in the external part of the gelatinous mass; the jelly is clear. The yolk is pale green, and the animal pole is brown. As development ensues, the yolk becomes yellow and the embryo first dark brown and then pale grayish tan. Upon hatching the tadpoles wriggle free of the jelly and drop into the water. One clutch of 19 eggs was observed to hatch in three minutes. Apparently, on dropping into the water the hatchling tadpoles go to the bottom of the pond, for one or two minutes pass from the time they enter the water until they reappear near the surface. The average total length of seven hatchling tadpoles is 7.4 mm. There is a moderate amount of yolk, but this does not form a large ventral bulge. Large tadpoles congregate in the sunny parts of the pond, where they were observed just beneath the surface. Many had their mouths at the surface. Except for constant fluttering of the tip of the tail, they lie quietly with the axis of the body at an angle of about 45 degrees with the surface of the water.

Description of tadpole (KU 60006): total length, 24.5 mm.; tail-length, 15.4 mm.; body broader than deep; head moderately flattened; snout viewed from above blunt; nostrils close to snout and directed dorsally; eyes of moderate size and directed laterally; mouth directed anteroventrally; anus median; spiracle ventral, its opening just to left of midline slightly more than one-half distance from tip of snout to vent. Tail-fin slightly more than twice as deep as tail musculature, which curves upward posteriorly; tail-fin narrowly extending to tip of tail (Fig. 4). Color in life pale gray; in preservative white with scattered melanophores; tail-fin transparent.

Fig. 4. Tadpole of Phyllomedusa callidryas taylori (KU 60006) from Toocog, El Petén, Guatemala.Fig. 4.Tadpole ofPhyllomedusa callidryas taylori(KU 60006) from Toocog, El Petén, Guatemala.

Upper lip having single row of papillae laterally, but none medially; lower lip having single row of papillae; no lateral indentation of lips; two or more rows of papillae at lateral corners of lips; tooth-rows 2/3; second upper tooth row as long as first, interrupted medially; inner lower tooth-row as long as upper rows,interrupted medially; second and third lower rows decreasingly shorter; upper beak moderate in size and having long lateral projections; lower beak moderate in size; both beaks finely serrate (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5.Mouthparts of larvalPhyllomedusa callidryas taylori(KU 60006) from Toocog, El Petén, Guatemala.

Smilisca baudini(Duméril and Bibron)

Chinajá, 9; 20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 42; Río de la Pasión, 1; Río San Román, 5; Sayaxché; Toocog, 2.

Individuals of this species were found at night sitting on bushes and small trees in the forest in February and March and again in June and July. One was in the axil of a leaf of aXanthosoma. In June and July males were heard nearly every night. The series of specimens from 20 kilometers north-northwest of Chinajá was taken from a breeding congregation in a shallow muddy pool in the forest. Tadpoles of this species were in small, often muddy pools in the forest. To my knowledgeSmilisca baudiniis the only hylid to breed in these pools at Chinajá, although perhapsSmilisca phaeotaalso utilizes them. The only other amphibian at Chinajá known to breed in the pools isBufo valliceps valliceps. Although two specimens were on bushes at night at Toocog,Smilisca baudiniwas not present at the pond where five other species of hylids were breeding. Nevertheless,Smilisca baudiniwas calling from two ponds on the savannas near La Libertad. All of the specimens from southern El Petén have yellow or yellowish white flanks and ventrolateral surfaces.

Smilisca phaeota cyanosticta(Smith)

Chinajá, 4; 10 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1.

All specimens were found in February and March. Those from Chinajá were obtained fromXanthosomaand bromeliads; the individual from 10 kilometers north-northwest of Chinajá is an adult male that was calling from a puddle in a fallen tree on March 13. A juvenile having a snout-vent length of 34.7 mm. lacks the pale blue spots on the thighs; instead, the anterior and posterior surfaces of the thighs are bright red.

Hypopachus cuneus nigroreticulatusTaylor

Toocog, 1.

An adult male having a snout-vent length of 41.7 mm. was found at night on the forest floor at the edge of a temporary pond. In life the dorsum was dark brown with chocolate brown markings; the stripe on the side of the head was white; the middorsal stripe was pale orange; the belly was black and white, and the iris was a bronze color.

Characteristically this species inhabits savannas and open forest; thus, its occurrence in the rainforest at Toocog is surprising. This is the southernmost record for the species in El Petén; to the south in the highlands it is replaced by the smallerHypopachus inguinalis, having rounded, instead of compressed, metatarsal tubercles.

Rana palmipesSpix

Chinajá, 11; 15 km. NW of Chinajá, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1.

With the exception of one recently metamorphosed juvenile having a snout-vent length of 30.7 mm. that was found on the forest floor by day on June 24, and one that was found beside a pool in a cave, all individuals were found at temporary woodland pools or along sluggish streams at night. The largest specimen is a female having a snout-vent length of 107 mm.

Rana pipiensSchreber

Chinajá, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1; Río San Román, 1; Toocog, 1.

All specimens were found near water at night. The largest individual is a female having a snout-vent length of 112.5 mm.

Crocodylus moreletiDuméril and Duméril

Chinajá, 1; Río San Román, 1.

One specimen was obtained from a quiet pool in the Río SanRomán at night; another was found in a small sluggish stream at Chinajá. Two large individuals were seen in tributaries to the Río San Román. On the savannas at Toocog two small individuals were obtained in the dry season, at which time the crocodiles apparently were migrating to water. The local name for this species islagarto.

Chelydra rossignoni(Bocourt)

Chinajá, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1.

The paucity of specimens ofChelydrafrom Central America has resulted in rather inadequate diagnoses of various populations. The present specimens have carapace lengths of 250 and 238 mm. and plastral lengths of 185 and 176 mm. The length of carapace/bridge ratio is 6.0 and 6.1 per cent. Each individual has four barbels, the median pair of which are extremely long. In KU 55977 the lateral pair of barbels is forked at the base. The relative length of the plastral bridge in these specimens compares favorable with the ratio (.06-.08) given by Schmidt (1946:4) for five specimens from Honduras.Chelydra serpentina, which may occur sympatrically withC. rossignoniin some parts of Central America, has a narrower plastral bridge and only two barbels beneath the chin. Furthermore,C. rossignoniandC. osceolain Florida have long, flat tubercles on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the neck, whereasC. serpentinahas short, round tubercles.

The specimen from Chinajá was found in a small sluggish stream; the other individual was in a muddy pool in the forest. The local name issambodanga.

Claudius angustatusCope

20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1.

One specimen was unearthed from the bank of a small muddy stream by a bulldozer. This individual represents the second record for the species in Guatemala; the first was provided by specimens, likewise found in muddy waters, at Tikal (Stuart, 1958:19). The local name iscaiman.

Kinosternon acutumGray

20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 4; 30 km. NNW of Chinajá, 2.

These turtles were found on the forest floor, in small sluggish streams, and in pools in the forest. One adult male had, in life, the top of the head yellow with black spots; the stripes on the head and neck were red. Specimens were obtained both in the dryand rainy seasons. The local name for both species ofKinosternonispochitoque.

Kinosternon leucostomumDuméril and Bibron

Chinajá, 3; 15 km. NW of Chinajá, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 2.

Individuals of this turtle were found on the forest floor and in small sluggish streams. In life most specimens had a tan or pale brown head with pinkish tan stripes on the head and neck. All individuals were obtained in February and March. No ecological differences between this species andK. acutumwere evident.

Staurotypus triporcatus(Wiegmann)

Paso Subín, 1.

This species is represented in the collection by one complete shell found on the bank of the Río Subín. The carapace has a length of 292 mm. The local name isGuao. Natives stated that this turtle was not uncommon in clear rivers and lakes, a habitat suggested for the species by Stuart (1958:19).

Dermatemys mawiGray

Chinajá, 1; Río San Román, 4.

The record from Chinajá is based on a carapace found in a chiclero camp, where the turtle evidently had been brought for food. The four specimens from the Río San Román were obtained from edges of deep pools in clear water. In adult males the top of the head was reddish orange in life. One of the specimens from the Río San Román currently is living in the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens. The local name for this turtle istortuga blanca; it is sought for its meat.

Geoemyda areolata(Duméril and Bibron)

Chinajá, 2.

Two specimens were obtained from dense forest at Chinajá. The local name ismojina.

Pseudemys scripta ornata(Gray)

Paso Subín, 1.

One subadult was obtained from clear water in the Río Subín. The stripes on the head and neck were yellow; there was no red "ear" on the side of the head. The stripes on the forelimbs were orange, and the ocelli on the carapace were red. The local name isjicotea.

Coleonyx elegans elegansGray

Toocog, 1.

One adult male having a snout-vent length of 89 mm. was found beneath a log in the forest. Locally this gecko is known asescorpión; the natives believe it to be deadly poisonous. The use of the nameescorpiónseems to be restricted to lizards thought to be venomous. Nearly everywhere in México and Central America some species of lizard carries this appellation. In El Petén I heard the name used only forColeonyx elegansandThecadactylus rapicaudus; in the lowlands of Guerrero, México, the name is applied to geckos of the genusPhyllodactylus. The venomous lizards of the genusHelodermain the lowlands of western México are calledescorpiónes. In the mountains of southern México various skinks of the genusEumeces, as well as lizards of the genusXenosaurus, carry the same appellation.Abroniain the mountains of México andGerrhonontusthroughout México and Central America likewise are calledescorpiónes. Although many people in various parts of Middle America consider most lizards poisonous, there is a unanimity of opinion concerning the venomous qualities of the various kinds ofescorpiónes. I know of only two other lizards in Middle America that are so uniformly regarded in native beliefs; these areEnyaliosaurus clarkiin the Tepalcatepec Valley in Michoacán, callednopiche, andPhrynosoma asioin western México, calledcameleón.

Sphaerodactylus lineolatusLichtenstein

15 km. NW of Chinajá, 1; Toocog, 1.

These small geckos were much more abundant than the few specimens indicate. They frequently were seen on the trunks of corozo palms, where they quickly took refuge in crevices at the bases of the fronds. The specimen obtained at Toocog was under the bark of a standing dead tree. In life the ventral surface of the tail was orange. The individual from Chinajá was in the leaf litter on the ground at the base of a dead tree.

Thecadactylus rapicaudus(Houttuyn)

15 km. NW of Chinajá, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 2.

Two specimens were found beneath the bark of standing dead trees; another was found in the crack in the trunk of a mahogany tree about 13 meters above the ground. In life the dorsum wasyellowish tan with dark brown markings; the venter was yellowish tan with brown flecks, and the iris was olive-tan. The largest specimen is a male having a snout-vent length of 95 mm.; all specimens have regenerated tails. Individuals when caught twisted their bodies and attempted to bite; upon grabbing a finger they held on with great tenacity.

Anolis biporcatus(Wiegmann)

14 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1; 17 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1; 20 km. NNW of Chinajá, 3; 30 km. NNW of Chinajá, 1; Sayaxché, 1.

All specimens of this large anole were obtained from trees. Some individuals were found in the tops of trees immediately after they were felled. My limited observations on this anole suggest that it is an inhabitant of the upper levels of the forest. In life an adult male from 20 kilometers north-northwest of Chinajá was brilliant green above; the eyelids were bright yellow; the belly was white. The outer part of the dewlap was pale orange, and the median part was pinkish blue. A juvenile having a snout-vent length of 47 mm. and a tail length of 86 mm. was pale grayish green with pale gray flecks on the dorsum. The largest male has a snout-vent length of 98 mm. and a tail length of 217 mm.; the same measurements of the largest female are 89 and 213 mm. This species, together with all other anoles, is known locally astoloque.

Anolis capitoPeters

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