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| Dixonius fulbrighti Luu, Grismer, Hoang, Murdoch & Grismer, 2023 |
Abstract
Another new species of Dixonius, D. fulbrighti sp. nov., is described from Gia Lai Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, using an integrated approach based on morphological, categorical (color pattern), and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2) and its flanking tRNAs data. Phylogenetic analyses recovered Dixonius fulbrighti sp. nov. as closely related to D. gialaiensis from Gia Lai Province and part of a clade that includes D. minhlei, D. siamensis, and D. somchanhae. Multivariate (PCA, DAPC, and MFA) and univariate (ANOVA) analyses of 15 meristic (scale counts), six morphometric (mensural), and five categorical (color pattern and morphology) characters from 44 specimens of all eight species of Dixonius from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia clearly demonstrated that Dixonius fulbrighti sp. nov. is statistically different and diagnostically distinct from all closely related species of Dixonius. This new species discovery highlights the underestimated gecko diversity and the importance of continued fieldwork in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
Key Words: Integrative taxonomy, new species, leaf-toed gecko, morphology, molecular phylogeny, Indochina, Southeast Asia
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Habitat of Dixonius fulbrighti sp. nov. in Grong Village, Ia Krieng Commune, Duc Co District, Gia Lai Province Dorsal views of Dixonius fulbrighti sp. nov. A. Adult male holotype VNUF R.2022.81 (Field no. GL01); B. Adult female paratype VNUF R.2022.82 (Field No. GL02); C. Juvenile female paratype VNUF R.2022.83 (Field no. GL03); D. Juvenile female paratype VNUF R.2022.4 (Field no. GL04) in Grong Village, Ia Krieng Commune, Duc Co District, Gia Lai Province. |
Dixonius fulbrighti sp. nov.
Fulbright Leaf-toed Gecko
Diagnosis: Dixonius fulbrighti sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of Dixonius by possessing the unique combination of having a maximum SVL of 46.0 mm; 16–20 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles at midbody; 22–24 longitudinal rows of ventrals across the abdomen; seven–nine supralabials, sixth in at midorbital position; five–seven infralabials; eight or nine interorbital scales; seven precloacal pores in the adult male, femoral pores lacking; seven precloacal-pitted scales, femoral pores absent in adult female; 13–15 lamellae on fourth toe; dorsal ground color grey-brown with the presence of thick, irregular-shaped, black brown blotches from head to body; canthal stripe extending from the nostrils continuing behind orbit to back of head; dark bars on the lips absent; two rows of regularly disposed whitish tubercles along the flanks to originale portion of tail. These characters are scored across all Dixonius species from Vietnam and Laos in Tables 6 and 7.
Etymology: The new species is named after Mr. J. William Fulbright, the founder of the Fulbright Program which has provided opportunities for thousands of students, scholars, and professionals from around the world to study, teach, and conduct research in the United States and other countries in order to promote a greater understanding and cooperation between nations.
Vinh Quang Luu, Jesse L. Grismer, Tuoi Thi Hoang, Matthew L. Murdoch and L. Lee Grismer. 2023. Another New Species of Dixonius (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Evolutionary Systematics. 7(2): 267-284. DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.105850
