Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Lizard Family Xantusiidae

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Abstract
The intergeneric relationships of the lizard family Xantusiidae were reevaluated against a cladistic synthesis of morphological (squamation and osteology) and karyological data. The two data sets were analyzed independently and examined for congruent patterns with each other and against biogeographic-geologic data. Patterns indicated by morphological, karyological, and biogeographic-geologic data suggest two sister groups: (1) Klauberina-Xantusia; and (2) Cricosaura-Lepidophyma. Our phylogeny differs from the accepted view of xantusiid relationships in suggesting that Lepidophyma should be transferred from the subfamily Xantusiinae (currently consisting of Klauberina, Lepidophyma, and Xantusia) to the Cricosaurinae. We propose a vicariance model for the distribution of the Xantusia-Klauberina clade.