Taxonomy of some microteids from Venezuela (Squamata), I: Variation and geographic distribution of Euspondylus acutirostris and description of a new Euspondylus from northeast Venezuela

Only two species of the microteiid lizard genus Euspondylus (E. acutirostri s and E. phelpsorum) had been reported from Venezuela. New records of the p oorly known gymnophthalmid lizard Euspondylus acutirostris are reported ext ending its known range along the Coastal Range and Sierra de Area (north-ce ntral Venezuela) and Sierra de San Luis (northwestern Venezuela), all recor ds occurring at the cloud Forest above 1000 m. Seven body measurements were included and morphological variation is described based on at least 17 new specimens. Sexual dimorphism is determined in, at least, eight characteris tics of size and squamation. Specimens were found in epiphytic bromeliads a nd the ground. The populations from Sierra de Area and Sierra de San Luis ( only one specimen known from each locality), differ from those of the Coast al Range (supposedly the nominal population) in some morphological and colo ration features, suggesting that the former two could represent different t axonomical entities. A new species of Euspondylus is described based on a f emale (taken within a bromeliad) from Cerro El Humo, Sucre, northeastern Ve nezuela. It differs from congeners mainly by having keeled scales on the li mbs and a very acute snout.