A new species of Cnemidophorus (Squamata: Teiidae) from western Argentina

A new species of whiptail lizard of the genus Cnemidophorus (Teiidae) is described from La Rioja province, western Argentina. The species is characterized by a broad light brown-grayish middorsal pattern, the lack of vertebral and paravertebral stripes, alternating white and brown stripes from dorsolateral to flanks, pointed snout, posmasal scale usually longer than loreal scale, and 10 longitudinal rows of ventral scales. The previous and current states of knowledge on southern South American Cnemidophorus species are discussed.