Comments on Euspondylus and Proctoporus (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Peru, with the description of three new species and a key to the Peruvian species

We describe two new species of Proctoporus and a new species of Euspondylus (all from central Peru, Departamento de Huanuco, 2.545 to 3010 in elevation). The new species are distinguished from all species presently assigned to Proctoporus and Euspondylus by unique characteristics of pholidosis, morphometrics, and color pattern. A keys to the Peruvian species of Proctoporus and Euspondylus is provided. The current allocation of species to Proctoporus and Euspondylus may not reflect the phylogenetic relationships of the species under consideration. Based on the available data there appears to be no evidence to justify the separation of these genera. However, because of nomenclatural problems that would arise from synonynizing the two genera (e.g., producing a secondary homonymy in the case of Proctoporus guentheri Boettger and Ecpleopus gnentheri O'Shaughnessy), we chose to retain the two genera until phylogenetic information is available.