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The monospecific genus Tartessiberus was described in the year 2021 including a single species ( T.cilbanus ). However, its description relied solely on morphological and anatomical data. In the present work, we use a fraction of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) and the nuclear large ribosomal subunit (LSU) to clarify its validity through phylogenetic positioning. Knowledge of the distribution of this species is also improved by citing new locations and expanding the geographical range to approximately 200 km 2 . Additionally, a morphometric analysis of 259 shells is presented for comparisons with shells of the Iberusmarmoratus complex and testing the power of conchological features as a tool for specimen identification. The relatively high conchological variability found for T.cilbanus , together with the discovery of populations with intermediate conchological features between T.cilbanus and other closely related taxa, suggest that the determination of this species should be based on genetic criteria. Our molecular analyses demonstrate that T.cilbanus belongs to the Iberus genus, and thus, we proceed to update its taxonomic status to Iberuscilbanus comb. nov. , and, thus, to consider Tartessiberus from now on as a junior synonym of Iberus ., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Michael J. Jowers, José Liétor, Antonio R. Tudela, Pedro A. Jódar, Inés Galán-Luque, Gregorio Moreno-Rueda.)

Tobago is a small island on the southeast edge of the Caribbean Plate with a continental flora and fauna. Using DNA sequences from Genbank, new sequences, and morphological data from the snakes Erythrolamprusepinephalus , E.melanotus , E.reginae , and E.zweifeli , the species status of specimens of a Tobago snake previously considered to be Erythrolamprusreginae was assessed. Erythrolampruszweifeli , long considered a subspecies of E.reginae , was found to be a northern Venezuela-Trinidad endemic and the sister to E.reginae . The trans-Andean species E.epinephalus is shown to be non-monophyletic while the Costa Rican lineage of E.epinephalus is weakly supported as the sister to the Tobago population. The Tobago Erythrolamprus is described as a distinct taxon based upon five specimens from four localities in lower montane rainforest. Much of the new species range includes the Main Ridge Forest Reserve of Tobago, the oldest protected forest in the Western Hemisphere. All known locations fall within a 400-ha area, and its total geographic distribution is likely to be less than 4,566 ha. The restricted distribution of this new snake makes it a likely candidate for threatened status. The new species also becomes another biogeographic link between northern Venezuela and Tobago.

The arboreal, Neotropical lizard Plica plica (Linnaeus, 1758) has been long considered a widespread species with a distribution east of the Andes. A preliminary examination of 101 specimens from about 28 locations mostly north of the Amazon suggests that Plica plica is a cryptic species complex with taxa that can be distinguished on the basis of the number of scale rows at mid-body; the arrangement, shape and ornamentation of scales on the snout; the number of lamellae on the fourth toe; the number of subocular plates; as well as other commonly used external morphological traits. The allopatric species discussed here are concordant with northern South American geography. Plica plica (Linnaeus, 1758) is associated with the Guiana Shield (Suriname, Guyana and Venezuela). A second species, P. caribeana sp. n. is associated with the Caribbean Coastal Range of Venezuela including Trinidad and Tobago. A third, distinctive species, P. rayi sp. n. is associated with the middle Orinoco at the eastern edge of the Guiana Shield. Two other species, P. kathleenae sp. n. and P. medemi sp. n., each based upon a single specimen, one from the Sierra Acarai Mountains of Guyana, and the other from southern Meta, Colombia are described. In addition to morphological analyses, we sequenced 12S and 16S rDNA gene fragments from one Plica plica from Trinidad to assess its relationship and taxonomy to other mainland Plica cf. plica. The results suggest Plica caribeana sp. n. likely diverged prior to the separation of Trinidad from northern Venezuela. Isolation in the Caribbean Coastal Range during its rapid uplift in the late Miocene, combined with a marine incursion into northern Venezuela may have contributed to their genetic divergence from other populations.