Abstract
During an expedition to study the biodiversity of the cloud forest of the Upper Khao Nan Mountain Range of Nakhon Si Thammarat in April 2007, a Larutia sp. was found. This proved to be morphologically distinct from any other known species of Larutia and is now described as Larutia nubisilvicola sp. nov.
Key words: Reptilia, Lepidosauria, Squamata, Lacertilia, Sauria, Scincomorpha, Scincidae, Larutia, Larutia nubisilvicola sp. nov., Southeast Asia, Thailand, taxonomy.
Holotype: THNHM 11799 female.
Paratypes: THNHM 11797 female, THNHM 11798 male, THNHM 11800 female; collected by T. Chan-ard, M. Cota, S. Makchai & S. Lhaoteaw on 20 April 2007.
Diagnosis: A small species of Larutia. Mid-body scale row is 24. Possesses 4 supraoculars, 6 supralabials and 5 infralabials. The first infralabial is separate from, but appears as an extension of the mental. The postmental contacts the first and second infralabials as well as the first pair of chin shields. A single gular scale is present between the second pair of chin shields.
Etymology: Larutia nubisilvicola is named as an inhabitant of the cloud forest, where it is found.
Larutia nubisilvicola
Chan-ard, T., M. Cota, S. Mekchai and S. Lhaoteaw. 2011. A New Species of Larutia (Squamata: Scincidae) Found in Peninsular Thailand. Thailand Natural History Museum Journal 5 (1): 57–65.
