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| Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni Chen & Chen, in H.-L. Chen, Yu, Y.-B. Li, Y.-H. Li et Z.-N. Chen. 2026. |
Abstract
In recent years, with advances in field surveys and molecular biology research, many new species of Goniurosaurus have been discovered, enhancing our understanding of their diversity and distribution. In this study, we present an integrated analysis of morphological evidence and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data to describe a new species from Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China: Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni sp. nov. This species can be distinguished morphologically from its congeners by a specific combination of characteristics: (1) 23 precloacal pores in males; (2) a grayish-white dorsal ground color on the head, body, and limbs covered with dense, irregular black blotches; (3) seven nasal scales surrounding the nostril; and (4) 101–108 midbody scale rows. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that this species forms a monophyletic lineage sister to G. araneus within the G. luii group, as supported by mitochondrial cyt b and 16S rRNA and nuclear C-mos gene sequences. Uncorrected pairwise genetic distances based on mitochondrial cyt b sequences range from 8.7% to 22.0% compared with those of all previously known species.
Key Words: Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni sp. nov., molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy
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| Photograph of Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni sp. nov. from Guangxi, China in live. A. Adult male (Holotype, GXNU2025101603); B. Adult female (Paratype, GXNU2025090812); C. Adult female (Paratype, GXNU2025101601); D. Adult female (Paratype, GXNU2025101602). (Photos by Zening Chen and Hanzhang Cai). |
Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni Chen & Chen, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners through a distinct combination of morphological characteristics: (1) SVL 92.3–109.3 mm; (2) 0–1 internasals; (3) 2 gular scales bordering the internasals; (4) 8–9 gular scales bordering the postmentals; (5) 26–27 paravertebral tubercles between limb insertions; (6) 23 precloacal pores in males; (7) 7 nasal scales surrounding the nostril; (8) 9–10 sublabials; (9) 47–54 eyelid fringe scales or ciliaria; (10) 11–12 granular scales surrounding dorsal tubercles; (11) 21–22 dorsal tubercle rows at midbody and (12) 101–108 midbody scale rows; (13) 2 postcloacal tubercle present on each side; (14) a light yellow dorsal ground coloration on the head, body, and limbs covered with dense, irregular black blotches.
Hui-Ling Chen, Jia-Yi Yu, You-Bang Li, Yu-Hui Li, Ze-Ning Chen. 2026. A New Species of Goniurosaurus (Sauria, Gekkota, Eublepharidae) from Guangxi, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(2): 611-620. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.177343 [07 Apr 2026]
