[Herpetology • 2019] Ptychozoon cicakterbang, P. kabkaebin & P. tokehos • Geographic Structure of Genetic Variation in the Parachute Gecko Ptychozoon lionotum Annandale, 1905 Across Indochina and Sundaland with Descriptions of Three New Species

Ptychozoon cicakterbang 

Grismer, Wood, Grismer, Quah, Thy, et al., 2019

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4638.2.1

Abstract

An integrative taxonomic analysis of the Ptychozoon lionotum group across its range in Indochina and Sundaland recovers P. lionotum sensu lato Annandale, 1905 as paraphyletic with respect to P. popaense Grismer, Wood, Thura, Grismer, Brown, & Stuart, 2018a and composed of four allopatric, genetically divergent, ND2 mitochondrial lineages. Multivariate and univariate analyses of continuous and discrete morphological and color pattern characters statistically and discretely diagnose each lineage from one another and together, with maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses, provide the foundation for the recognition of each lineage as a new species—hypotheses corroborated with a Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent species delimitation analysis. Ptychozoon cicakterbang sp. nov. ranges throughout Peninsular Malaysia to Pulau Natuna Besar, Indonesia; P. kabkaebin sp. nov. is endemic to northern and central Laos; and P. tokehos sp. nov. ranges from southern Thailand south of the Isthmus of Kra northward to Chiang Mai, fringing the Chao Phraya Basin and ranging southward through Cambodia to southern Vietnam. Ptychozoon lionotum sensu stricto ranges from northwestern Laos through southern Myanmar to eastern India. The phylogeographic structure within each species varies considerably with P. lionotum s.s. showing no genetic divergence across its 1,100 km range compared to P. cicakterbang sp. nov. showing upwards of 8.2% sequence divergence between syntopic individuals. Significant phylogeographic structure exists within P. tokehos sp. nov. and increased sampling throughout Thailand may require additional taxonomic changes within this species.

Keywords: Reptilia, Asia, Gekkonidae, gliding, integrative taxonomy, phylogeography, species complex

Holotype of Ptychozoon cicakterbang sp. nov. LSUHC 10648 from Gunung Jerai, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia. Photograph by L. L. Grismer.

L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Jr. Wood, Jesse L. Grismer, Evan S. H. Quah, Neang Thy, Somphouthone Phimmachak, Niane Sivongxay, Sengvilay Seateun, Bryan L. Stuart, Cameron B. Siler, Daniel G. Mulcahy, Tashitso Anamza and Rafe M. Brown. 2019. Geographic Structure of Genetic Variation in the Parachute Gecko Ptychozoon lionotum Annandale, 1905 Across Indochina and Sundaland with Descriptions of Three New Species. Zootaxa. 4638(2); 151–198. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4638.2.1

[Herpetology • 2019] Cnemaspis tarutaoensis & C. adangrawi • Morphological and Molecular Analyses reveal Two New Insular Species of Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Satun Province, southern Thailand

จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวเกาะตะรุเตา | Cnemaspis tarutaoensis &
จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวเกาะอาดังราวี | C. adangrawi 

Ampai, Rujirawan, Wood, Stuart & Aowphol, 2019

  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.858.34297

Abstract

We describe two new insular gecko species of the genus Cnemaspis from Tarutao, Adang, and Rawi islands in Satun Province, southern Thailand. The new species are distinguished from their congeners in having a unique combination of morphological, scalation, and color pattern characters, and by genetic divergence in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene. Cnemaspis tarutaoensis sp. nov. was found to be a member of the C. kumpoli group, but is distinguished from all other species in that group by having 8–9 supralabials and 8 infralabials; 4–5 pore-bearing precloacal scales, pores rounded; 17–19 paravertebral tubercles randomly arranged; 27–29 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe; subcaudal region yellowish, with smooth scales and a single enlarged median row; black gular markings in males and females; and 17.24–22.36% uncorrected pairwise sequence divergences. Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov. was found to be a member of the C. siamensis group, but is distinguished from all other species in that group by having 10 supralabials and 9 infralabials; 6–8 pore-bearing precloacal scales, pores rounded and arranged in a chevron shape; 23–25 randomly arranged, separated paravertebral tubercle rows; 26–28 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe; subcaudal scales keeled, without enlarged median row; gular region, abdomen, limbs and subcaudal region yellowish in males only; gular marking absent in males and females; and 8.30–26.38 % uncorrected pairwise sequence divergences. Cnemaspis tarutaoensis sp. nov. occurs in karst formations on Tarutao Island, while Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov. is found near granitic, rocky streams on Adang and Rawi islands.

Keywords: Island, rock geckos, species diversity, systematics

Figure 1. Map illustrating the holotype locality (red star) and paratype localities (red circles) of Cnemaspis tarutaoensis sp. nov. at Tarutao Island, Satun Province, Thailand; the holotype locality (green star) and paratype localities (green circles) of Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov. at Adang and Rawi islands, Mueang Satun District, Satun Province, Thailand.

Figure 2. The single best maximum likelihood tree of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene and flanking tRNAs from geckos of the genera Cnemaspis, Cyrtodactylus and Hemidactylus, shown in full view (above) and close-up view of relevant clades (below). Support values at nodes are bootstrap values from a maximum likelihood analysis of the same dataset followed by posterior probabilities of the Bayesian analysis.

Figure 3. Cnemaspis tarutaoensis sp. nov. from Tarutao Island, Mueang Satun District, Satun Province, Thailand.
A male holotype ZMKU R 00763 B female paratype ZMKU R 00758.

Cnemaspis tarutaoensis sp. nov. 

Tarutao Rock Gecko 

Thai common name: Jing Jok Niew Yaow Ko Tarutao 

- จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวเกาะตะรุเตา

Diagnosis: Cnemaspis tarutaoensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other Cnemaspis by having the following combination of characters: (1) adult males with maximum snout-vent length (SVL) 36.4 mm (mean 34.7 ± SD 1.5, n = 7) and females with maximum SVL 34.8 mm (mean 33.7 ± SD 0.6, n = 6); (2) 8–9 supralabials and 8 infralabials; (3) 4–5 pore-bearing precloacal scales, pores rounded; (4) 17–19 paravertebral tubercles, small in size, randomly arranged; (5) 27–29 subdigital lamellae under the 4th toe; (6) subcaudal region yellowish, scales smooth with a single enlarged median subcaudal row; (7) one postcloacal tubercles on each side; (8) no sexual dimorphism in dorsal and ventral patterns; and (9) black gular markings present in males and females. These differences are summarized for geographically close congeners in the kumpoli group (Table 4).

Figure 7. Habitats of Cnemaspis tarutaoensis sp. nov.
A Pha Toe Boo karst formation at type locality B habitat of paratypes in the exterior surface of karst cave at Tham Chorakae C habitat of paratypes in karst outcropped at Tarutao Island, Mueang Satun district, Satun Province, Thailand.

Distribution and natural history: Cnemaspis tarutaoensis sp. nov. is known only from the type locality on Tarutao Island, approximately 40 km off the coast of Thailand. All specimens were found in karst forest near mangroves and karst outcrops near a stream (Fig. 7). Nine specimens (ZMKU R 00759–00760, ZMKU R 00762–00763, ZMKU R 00765–00766, and THNHM 28202–28204) were collected during the day (1100–1805 h) and five specimens (ZMKU R 00758, ZMKU R 00761, ZMKU R 00764, THNHM 28201 and THNHM 28205) were collected during the night (1920–2106 h). The male holotype was found during the day (1724 h) upside down on the interior surface of the karst formation.

Paratypes found during the day (ZMKU R 00759 and 00760, ZMKU R 00762 and 00763, ZMKU R 00765–00766, and THNHM 28202–28204) were in shaded areas, cracks, and crevices of rock boulders. When disturbed, some individuals would retreat into cracks and crevices, or hide in shaded areas of the rock boulder. Paratypes found at night (ZMKU R 00758, ZMKU R 00761, ZMKU R 00764, THNHM 28201 and THNHM 28205) were in deep crevices, within cracks on the shaded (by day) surfaces of boulders, or perched on vegetation near karst. Three gravid females (ZMKU R 00758, ZMKU R 00760, and THNHM 28202) contained two eggs during November 2017. THNHM 28204 (juvenile) was observed on vegetation near a rock boulder on 5 April 2018. At night, Cyrtodactylus cf. astrum was found in syntopy on rock boulders and karst formations with C. tarutaoensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the type locality of the new species.

Figure 8. Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov. from Adang Island, Mueang Satun District, Satun Province, Thailand
A male holotype ZMKU R 00767 B female paratype ZMKU R 00768.

Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov. 

Adang-Rawi Rock Gecko 

Thai name: Jing Jok Niew Yaow Ko Adang-Rawi 

- จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวเกาะอาดังราวี

Diagnosis: Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other Cnemaspis by having the following combination of characters: (1) adult males with maximum SVL length 44.9 mm (mean 41.8 ± SD 2.5, n = 11) and females with maximum SVL 43.8 mm (mean 42.5 ± SD 1.5, n = 4); (2) 10 supralabials and 9 infralabials; (3) 6–8 pore-bearing precloacal scales with rounded pores arranged in chevron shape and separated; (4) 23–25 paravertebral tubercles randomly arranged; (5) 26–28 subdigital lamellae under the 4th toe; (6) subcaudal scales keeled and lacking enlarge median row; (7) one postcloacal tubercle each side; (8) gular region, abdomen, limbs and subcaudal region yellowish in males only; (9) mid-gular marking absent in males and females. These differences are summarized for geographically close congeners in the siamensis group (Table 6).

Figure 13. Habitats of Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov. A Jonsalad Waterfall at type locality of Adang Island B habitat of paratypes in outcropped near stream at Rawi Island C habitat of paratypes in forest stream near mangrove at Rawi Island, Mueang Satun district, Satun Province, Thailand.

Distribution and natural history: Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov. is known only from Adang and Rawi islands, 60 and 61 km off the coast of Thailand, respectively (Fig. 1). All Adang specimens were found in a granitic rocky stream (Fig. 13A). Rawi Island specimens were found in rock outcrops along a stream (Fig. 13B) and along a forest stream near mangroves (Fig. 13C). Sixteen specimens (ZMKU R 00767–00768, ZMKU R 00770–00772, ZMKU R 00775–00776, THNHM 28206–28209, and THNHM 28211–28215) were collected during the day (1047–1823 h) and four specimens (ZMKU R 00769, ZMKU R 00773–00774, and THNHM 28210) were collected at night (1927–2024 h). The male holotype was found during the day (1047 h) on the base of a rock boulder with holes formed by the expansive soil between the ground and rock interface of a nearby stream.

Paratypes found during the day (ZMKU R 00767–00768, ZMKU R 00770–00772, ZMKU R 00775–00776, THNHM 28206–28209, and THNHM 28211–28215) were in crevices of boulders, shaded areas with holes in the soil at the base of a rock wall near a stream, and on boulder outcrops near streams. When disturbed, some individuals would retreat into rock crevices or into holes in the soil at the base of a rock wall. Paratypes found at night (ZMKU R 00769, ZMKU R 00773–00774 and THNHM 28210) were in shaded areas (by day), deep at the base of boulders, or perched on vegetation near a rocky stream. Two gravid females (ZMKU R 00771 and THNHM 28211) contained one or two eggs during November 2017. Some juveniles (not collected) were found in holes in the soil and perched on vegetation near a stream at Rawi Island on 8 April 2018. At night, Cyrtodactylus macrotuberculatus was found in syntopy on the rock wall and vegetation near a stream at Jonsalad Waterfall, Adang Island, with Cnemaspis adangrawi sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Adang and Rawi islands where the new species is found, and is a noun in apposition.

 Natee Ampai, Attapol Rujirawan, Perry L. Wood Jr, Bryan L. Stuart and Anchalee Aowphol. 2019. Morphological and Molecular Analyses reveal Two New Insular Species of Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Satun Province, southern Thailand. ZooKeys. 858: 127-161. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.858.34297

[Herpetology • 2018] On the Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Rare Selangor Mud Snake Raclitia indica Gray (Serpentes, Homalopsidae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Raclitia indica Gray, 1842 

in Quah, Wood, Grismer & Anuar, 2018.

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4514.1.4 

 Photo by Evan Quah. facebook.com/EvanQuah

Abstract

The taxonomic position of the rare Selangor Mud Snake (Raclitia indica) Gray to other species of homalopsids has remained uncertain due to the scarcity of specimens in collections and the lack of genetic material for comparison. Here we report the first molecular phylogenetic examination of this species based on recently acquired material. The study recovered R. indica nested within the clade of advanced, fanged homalopsids and the sister species to Erpeton tentaculatus Lácèpede. We also present notes on variation observed in the new specimens as well as range extensions for the species.

Keywords: Reptilia, Reptile, Squamata, Enhydris, conservation, endemic, biodiversity

 Raclitia indica from Lubuk Yu, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.

 Photo by Evan Quah.

Evan S.H. Quah, Perry L. Jr. Wood, L. Lee Grismer and Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah. 2018. On the Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Rare Selangor Mud Snake (Raclitia indica) Gray (Serpentes, Homalopsidae) from Peninsular Malaysia.  Zootaxa. 4514(1); 53–64. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4514.1.4

 AquaticSnake.org/2018/11/the-poorly-known-homalopsid-raclitia.html

 facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156498960984713

[Herpetology • 2018] Ptychozoon popaense • Geographically Structured Genetic Variation in Ptychozoon lionotum (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and A New Species from An Isolated Volcano in Myanmar

Ptychozoon popaense

Grismer, Wood, Thura, Grismer, Brown & Stuart, 2018

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4514.2.4 

Abstract

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of Parachute Geckos (Genus Ptychozoon Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822) based on the mitochondrial gene ND2 indicates that a newly discovered population from the Mt. Popa volcano—a habitat island in the northern portion of the Bago Yoma mountains, Myanmar—is a new species, Ptychozoon popaense sp. nov. This species is part of a clade that contains P. bannanense Wang, Wang, & Liu, 2016 and P. lionotum Annandale, 1905 of Indochina. Ptychozoon popaense sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to its sister species P. lionotum which manifests considerable geographic substructuring of genetic variation but differs from the nominate taxon by an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 16.0–17.1% and by discrete differences in morphology and color pattern. This discovery highlights the unique, insular nature of the Bago Yoma mountains of the Ayeyarwady Basin, which support other endemic gekkonids. It also underscores the growing diversity in this highly derived clade of cryptic, parachuting, geckos characterized by highly divergent genetic lineages, which may indicate the presence of additional, unrecognized species.

Keywords: Reptilia, Squamata, Phylogenetic taxonomy, Mt. Popa, Ayeyarwady Basin

FIGURE 2. Adult male holotype of Ptychozoon popaense sp. nov. (LSUHC 13508) from the type locality, ...., Mt. Popa, Mandalay Region, Myanmar.

Ptychozoon popaense sp. nov.
 Mt. Popa Parachute Gecko
....

Distribution. Ptychozoon popaense is know only from the type locality from ..., Mt. Popa, Mandalay Region, Myanmar (Fig. 1).

Etymology. The gender of the genus Ptychozoon is neutral, therefore the specific epithet popaense is the adjective used here in reference to the type locality, Mt. Popa, Mandalay Region.

 Natural history. The type material was collected in deciduous dipterocap forest (Fig. 3). Both specimens were found on the walls of a small wooden building while foraging for insects during the evening at approximately 1900 hrs.

L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Jr. Wood, Myint Kyaw Thura, Marta S. Grismer, Rafe M. Brown and Bryan L. Stuart. 2018. Geographically Structured Genetic Variation in Ptychozoon  lionotum (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and A New Species from An Isolated Volcano in Myanmar. Zootaxa. 4514(2); 202–214.   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4514.2.4

[Herpetology • 2018] Tylototriton ngarsuensis • A New Species of Crocodile Newt Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Shan State, Myanmar

Tylototriton ngarsuensis  

Grismer, Wood, Quah, Thura, Espinoza, Grismer, Murdoch & Lin, 2018

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.5 

Abstract

A phylogenetic taxonomic analysis of a monophyletic subgroup of the salamandrid genus Tylototriton revealed that a newly discovered population from Ngar Su Village, 1 km south of Ywangan, Shan State, Myanmar is a new species and most closely related to T. shanorum from approximately 80 km to the west in the vicinity of Taunggyi, Shan State. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. differs from other closely related species of Tylototriton on basis of varying combinations of characteristics associated with it shorter head, larger size, rib nodule morphology, and overall drab, very dark, coloration, along with its genetic differentiation. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. also appears to breed later in the year than most other species. Unfortunately, this species like many other Asian newts, is being harvested for the pet and medicinal trade and given its restricted distribution, this could pose a serious threat to its long-term survival.

Keywords: Reptilia, Integrative taxonomy, Tylototriton, Shan State, Ywangan, new species, Myanmar, conservation, pet trade

FIGURE 4. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. from Ngar Su Village, Ywangan Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar at 1212 m in elevation.
A. Gravid female holotype LUSHC 13762. B. Adult male paratype LSUHC 13764. C. Adult male paratype LSUHC 13763. D. Stage 44 larva (Grosse 2013) from lot LSUHC 13761 (SVL = 30 mm).

FIGURE 1. Distribution of Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov., T. shanorum, and Tylototriton sp. nov. from Shan State, Kachin State, and Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. 

Suggested common name: Ywangan Crocodile Newt

Etymology. The specific epithet ngarsuensis is a toponym in reference to Ngar Su Village, the type locality. 

  L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Jr. Wood, Evan S. H. Quah, Myint K. Thura, Robert Espinoza, Marta S. Grismer, M. L. Murdoch and Aung Lin. 2018. A New Species of Crocodile Newt Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Shan State, Myanmar (Burma). Zootaxa.  4500(4); 553-573. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.5

researchgate.net/publication/328366656_A_new_species_of_Tylototriton_from_Shan_State_Myanmar

[Herpetology • 2017] Twelve New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Isolated Limestone Habitats in east-central and southern Myanmar Demonstrate High Localized Diversity and Unprecedented Microendemism

Cyrtodactylus sanpelensis
Cyrtodactylus pyinyaungensis

Grismer, Wood, Thura, Zin, Quah, et al., 2017.

   DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx057 

Abstract

Twelve new karst-adapted species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus Gray are described from the Shan Hills and Salween River Basin of Myanmar. Three species occur in rocky habitats along karst ridges and nine species are microendemics restricted to isolated karst caves and towers. This high, localized diversity underscores the archipelago-like nature and microendemism associated with karst habitat-islands. Eleven of the 12 new species are not related to other Indo-Burmese species and form four monophyletic species groups nested within a larger Indo-Chinese clade of Southeast Asian species. Phylogenetic relationships and distributions indicate Cyrtodactylus originated in the Himalayan uplands and dispersed westward through Myanmar with subsequent invasions back into eastern and southern Myanmar. These new species highlight the understudied nature of karst biodiversity in general and karst herpetology in particular. Extensive karst ecosystems throughout the massive Shan Plateau of eastern Myanmar remain largely unexplored and are likely to harbour tens—if not hundreds—of undiscovered species. The unique and complex structure of understudied limestone ecosystems throughout Southeast Asia are habitats in which amphibians and reptiles have specialized, speciated and become endemic. In an age of biodiversity crisis, managing and conserving these ecosystems throughout Southeast Asia should be given greater priority. A key to the species of Cyrtodactylus of Myanmar is provided.

SYSTEMATICS AND TAXONOMY 

Order Squamata Oppel, 1811 

Family Gekkonidae Gray, 1825 

Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 

Cyrtodactylus pyinyaungensis sp. nov.  adult female paratype (LSUHC 13150) from the type locality

Cyrtodactylus pyinyaungensis sp. nov. 

Pyinyaung Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, pyinyaungensis (pronounced pin-yong-ensis), is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality.

 The linnwayensis group

The linnwayensis group is a monophyletic group composed of the sister species Cyrtodactylus linnwayensis sp. nov. and C. shwetaungorum sp. nov.

Cyrtodactylus linnwayensis sp. nov. 

Linn-Way Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, linnwayensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to Linn-Way Village near the type locality. 

  Cyrtodactylus shwetaungorum sp. nov.  hatchling (LSUHC 13043) from the type locality.  

Cyrtodactylus shwetaungorum sp. nov. 

Shwetaung Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, shwetaungorum (pronounced shway-tong-orum), is a patronym honouring the Shwe Taung Cement Company Limited for their genuine, proactive efforts to protect the biodiversity encompassed in their mining operations in Myanmar by setting aside areas to be reserved and not quarried. The company is particularly interested in setting aside specific areas to protect C. pyinyaungensis sp. nov. and C. shwetaungorum sp. nov.

The sadansinensis group

 The monophyletic sadansinensis group occurs within the lowland flood plain of the Salween River Basin in Mon State and is composed of Cyrtodactylus sadansinensis sp. nov. and the sister species C. pharbaungensis sp. nov. and C. sanpelensis sp. nov. 

Cyrtodactylus sadansinensis sp. nov. 

Sadan Sin Cave Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, sadansinensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Sadan Sin Cave.

Cyrtodactylus pharbaungensis sp. nov. 

Pharbaung Cave Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, pharbaungensis (pronounced far-bong-ensis), is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Pharbaung Cave.

 Cyrtodactylus sanpelensis sp. nov. from the type locality ... Mawlamyine District, Mon State, Myanmar; adult male paratype LSUHC 12878.

Cyrtodactylus sanpelensis sp. nov.

Sanpel Cave Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, sanpelensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Sanpel Cave.

The sinyineensis group 

The sinyineensis group The monophyletic sinyineensis group is composed of the sister species Cyrtodactylus sinyineensis sp. nov. and C. welpyanensis sp. nov., and the sister species C. dammathetensis sp. nov. and C. aequalis Bauer.

Cyrtodactylus dammathetensis sp. nov. 

Dammathet Cave Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, dammathetensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Dammathet Cave.

Cyrtodactylus sinyineensis sp. nov. 

Sin Yine Cave Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, sinyineensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Sin Yine Cave.

Cyrtodactylus welpyanensis sp. nov. 

Wel Pyan Cave Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, welpyanensis (pronounced way-pee-an-ensis), is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Wel Pyan Cave.

The oldhami group 

 The monophyletic oldhami group is composed of Cyrtodactylus cf. peguensis zebraicus, a polyphyletic C. oldhami, C. thirakhupti, C. payarhtanensis and C. lenya from the Thai-Malay Peninsula just north of the Isthmus of Kra and C. saiyok from southwestern Thailand.

The yathepyanensis group 

The monophyletic yathepyanensis group is composed of Cyrtodactylus yathepyanensis sp. nov. and the sister species C. linnoensis sp. nov. and C. sadanensis sp. nov. from the lowland flood plain of the Salween River Basin of Kayin and Mon and states. 

Cyrtodactylus yathepyanensis sp. nov. 

Yathe Pyan Cave Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, yathepyanensis (pronounced ya-thay-pee-an-ensis), is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Yathe Pyan Cave.

Cyrtodactylus linnoensis sp. nov. 

Linno Cave Bent-Toed Gecko

Etymology: The specific epithet, linnoensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Linno Cave, Kayin State, Myanmar.

Cyrtodactylus sadanensis sp. nov. 

Sadan Cave Bent-Toed Gecko 

Etymology: The specific epithet, sadanensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Sadan Cave, Kayin State, Myanmar.

L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood, Jr., Myint Kyaw Thura, Thaw Zin, Evan S. H. Quah, Matthew L. Murdoch, Marta S. Grismer, Aung Lin, Htet Kyaw and Ngwe Lwin. 2017. Twelve New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Isolated Limestone Habitats in east-central and southern Myanmar Demonstrate High Localized Diversity and Unprecedented Microendemism. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zlx057.  DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx057

Fifteen new gecko species discovered in Myanmar

 fauna-flora.org/news/fifteen-new-gecko-species-discovered-in-myanmar/

We just found nineteen new species of gecko in one tiny area newscientist.com/article/2149587-we-just-found-nineteen-new-species-of-gecko-in-one-tiny-area/

[Herpetology • 2017] Phylogenetic Taxonomy of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with Descriptions of Three New Species from Myanmar

Hemiphyllodactylus montawaensis 

Grismer, Wood, Thura, Zin, Quah, Murdoch, Grismer, Li, Kyaw & Ngwe, 2017

 DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2017.1367045 

ABSTRACT

A phylogenetic taxonomy of the gekkonid genus Hemiphyllodactylus based on molecular, morphological, and ecological data recovered 28 species, including three new species from the upland regions of the Shan Plateau in eastern Myanmar. Hemiphyllodactylus linnwayensis sp. nov. is a forest-adapted species that may also be a human commensal and H. montawaensis sp. nov. and H. tonywhitteni sp. nov. are karst forest-adapted species. The discovery of three new species from montane regions in eastern Myanmar extends the distribution of a larger monophyletic group of Hemiphyllodactylus westward to the eastern edge of the Ayeyrawady Basin through a series of semi-contiguous, parallel mountain ranges originating in western China and northern Thailand. The discovery of the karst forest-adapted H. montawaensis sp. nov. and H. tonywhitteni sp. nov. further emphasizes the unrealized herpetological diversity endemic to karst ecosystems and the need for increased field work throughout such habitats in South-East Asia.

KEYWORDS: Phylogenetic taxonomy, new species, Myanmar, karst, Hemiphyllodactylus, Gekkonidae

Figure 9. (a) Adult female paratype (LSUHC 13012) of Hemiphyllodactylus montawaensis sp. nov. from the type locality of Montawa Cave 3.7 km south-west of Taunggyi, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar.  

Hemiphyllodactylus tonywhitteni sp. nov.

 Phapant dwarf gecko

Etymology: This specific epithet ‘tonywhitteni’ honours Dr Tony Whitten of Fauna & Flora International who has championed a broad range of conservation efforts in Indonesia and the Asia Pacific for well over a quarter of a century. His tireless efforts to conserve and help manage karst ecosystems have been a great inspiration to the senior author (LLG) herein.

Hemiphyllodactylus montawaensis sp. nov. 

Montawa dwarf gecko

Etymology: This specific epithet ‘montawaensis’ refers to the type locality of Montawa cave.

Hemiphyllodactylus linnwayensis sp. nov.

Linn-Way dwarf gecko

Etymology: This specific epithet ‘linnwayensis’ refers to the type locality of Linn-Way Village.

L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood Jr, Myint Kyaw Thura, Thaw Zin, Evan S. H. Quah, Matthew L. Murdoch, Marta S. Grismer, Aung Li, Htet Kyaw and Ngwe Lwin. 2017. Phylogenetic Taxonomy of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with Descriptions of Three New Species from Myanmar. Journal of Natural History. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2017.1367045 

 https://perryleewoodjr.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/grismer_et_al_2017_hemiphyllodactylus_myanmar.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/320112443_Phylogenetic_taxonomy_of_Hemiphyllodactylus_Bleeker_1860_Squamata_Gekkonidae_with_descriptions_of_three_new_species_from_Myanmar

   

We just found nineteen new species of gecko in one tiny area
  newscientist.com/article/2149587-we-just-found-nineteen-new-species-of-gecko-in-one-tiny-area/

Fifteen new gecko species discovered in Myanmar

 fauna-flora.org/news/fifteen-new-gecko-species-discovered-in-myanmar/

[Herpetology • 2017] Cnemaspis lineogularis, C. thachanaensis & C. phangngaensis • Three New Karst-dwelling Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata; Gekkoniade) from Peninsular Thailand and the Phylogenetic Placement of C. punctatonuchalis and C. vandeventeri

Cnemaspis lineogularis, C. thachanaensis & C. phangngaensis

Wood​, Grismer, Aowphol, Aguilar, Cota, Grismer, Murdoch & Sites, 2017   

 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2884 

Abstract

Three new species of Rock Geckos Cnemaspis lineogularis sp. nov., C. phangngaensis sp. nov., and C. thachanaensis sp. nov. of the chanthaburiensis and siamensis groups are described from the Thai portion of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. These new species are distinguished from all other species in their two respective groups based on a unique combination of morphological characteristics, which is further supported by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2). Cnemaspis lineogularis sp. nov. is differentiated from all other species in the chanthaburiensis group by having a smaller maximum SVL 38 mm, 13 paravertebral tubercles, enlarged femoral scales, no caudal bands, and a 19.5–23.0% pairwise sequence divergence (ND2). Cnemaspis phangngaensis sp. nov. is differentiated from all other species in the siamensis group by having the unique combination of 10 infralabial scales, four continuous pore-bearing precloacal scales, paravertebral tubercles linearly arranged, lacking tubercles on the lower flanks, having ventrolateral caudal tubercles anteriorly present, caudal tubercles restricted to a single paraveterbral row on each side, a single median row of keeled subcaudals, and a 8.8–25.2% pairwise sequence divergence (ND2). Cnemaspis thachanaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species in the siamensis group by having 10 or 11 supralabial scales 9–11 infralabial scales, paravertebral tubercles linearly arranged, ventrolateral caudal tubercles anteriorly, caudal tubercles restricted to a single paravertebral row on each side, a single median row of keeled subcaudal scales, lacking a single enlarged subcaudal scale row, lacking postcloaclal tubercles in males, the presence of an enlarged submetatarsal scale at the base if the 1st toe, and a 13.4–28.8% pairwise sequence divergence (ND2). The new phylogenetic analyses place C. punctatonuchalis and C. vandeventeri in the siamensis group with C. punctatonuchalis as the sister species to C. huaseesom and C. vandeventeri as the sister species to C. siamensis, corroborating previous hypotheses based on morphology. The discovery of three new karst-dwelling endemics brings the total number of nominal Thai Cnemaspis species to 15 and underscores the need for continued field research in poorly known areas of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, especially those that are threatened and often overlooked as biodiversity hot spots.

• จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวคอลาย  Cnemaspis lineogularis 

• จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวท่าชนะ Cnemaspis thachanaensis 

• จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวพังงา  Cnemaspis phangngaensis

Wood​, Grismer, Aowphol, Aguilar, Cota, Grismer, Murdoch & Sites, 2017

 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2884

  

Perry Lee Wood Jr​, L. Lee Grismer, Anchalee Aowphol, César A. Aguilar, Micheal Cota, Marta S. Grismer, Matthew L. Murdoch and Jack W. Sites Jr. 2017.  Three New Karst-dwelling Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata; Gekkoniade) from Peninsular Thailand and the Phylogenetic Placement of C. punctatonuchalis and C. vandeventeri.
PeerJ. 5:e2884, DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2884

[Herpetology • 2016] Sphenomorphus sungaicolus • The First Riparian Skink (Genus: Sphenomorphus Strauch, 1887) from Peninsular Malaysia and Its Relationship to other Indochinese and Sundaic Species

Sphenomorphus sungaicolus 

Sumarli, Grismer, Wood, Ahmad, Rizal, Ismail, Izam, Ahmad & Linkem, 2016

(A) Holotype of Sphenomorphus sungaicolus sp. nov. (LSUHC 11722) from Hutan Lipur Sekayu, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. . Photograph by L. Grismer.
(B) Juvenile S. sungaicolus sp. nov. (not collected) from the Korbu Forest Reserve, Perak. Photograph by Z. Dzulkafly.  flickr.com 

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4173.1.3  

Abstract

Recently discovered populations of skinks of the genus Sphenomorphus from central Peninsular Malaysia represent a new species, Sphenomorphus sungaicolus sp. nov., and the first riparian skink known from Peninsular Malaysia. Morphological analyses of an earlier specimen reported as S. tersus from the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor indicate that it too is the new riparian species S. sungaicolus sp. nov. Additionally, two specimens from the Tembat Forest Reserve, Hulu Terengganu, Kelantan and another from Ulu Gombak, Selangor have been diagnosed as new the species. The latter specimen remained unidentified in the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii since its collection in June 1962. Morphological and molecular analyses demonstrate that S. sungaicolus sp. nov. forms a clade with the Indochinese species S. maculatus, S. indicus, and S. tersus and is the sister species of the latter. Sphenomorphus sungaicolus sp. nov. can be differentiated from all other members of this clade by having a smaller SVL (66.5–89.6 mm); 39–44 midbody scale rows; 72–81 paravertebral scales; 74–86 ventral scales; a primitive plantar scale arrangement; and 20–22 scale rows around the tail at the position of the 10th subcaudal.

Keywords: Reptilia, Integrative taxonomy, New species, Scincidae, Southeast Asia, Sundaland





Etymology. “Sungai” is the Malaysian word for river and “colus” is derived from the Latin meaning “dweller in”. The specific epithet sungaicolus refers the obligate riparian nature of this new species.

Distribution. Sphenomorphus sungaicolus sp. nov. is known from Hutan Lipur Sekayu, Hutan Lipur Chemerong, and the Tembat Forest Reserve, Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia—localities east of the Banjaran Titiwangsa. Localities on the western side of the Banjaran Titiwangsa are FRIM and Ulu Gombak, Selangor and the Korbu Forest Reserve, Perak to the north (Fig. 1). It is likely this species has a greater distribution throughout Peninsular Malaysia similar to what has been reported for other species of lizards whose distribution wraps around the southern end of the Banjaran Titiwangsa (Grismer 2011).

Juvenile Sphenomorphus sungaicolus sp. nov.  from the Korbu Forest Reserve, Perak. 

(not collected) Photograph by Z. Dzulkafly.  flickr.com  

Natural history. Sphenomorphus sungaicolus sp. nov. is a lowland species not known to occur above 300 m in elevation and found only in riparian areas coursing through lowland dipterocarp forest. All specimens were found along the edges of watercourses. ZRC.2.4915 from FRIM was found on boulders next to a large stream (Leong et al. 2002) and the holotype was found at night running in water at the edge of a small stream amongst rocks at Hutan Lipur Sekayu. The Hutan Lipur Chemerong and Ulu Gombak specimens were collected from along riverbanks. The Hulu Terengganu specimens were collected from pitfall traps located approximately 2.5–3 meters from the edge of a river. Sphenomorphus sungaicolus sp. nov. is the first obligate riparian skink known from Peninsular Malaysia. A hatchling S. sungaicolus sp. nov. from the Korbu Forest Reserve, Perak (Fig. 7) was photographed along the sandy edge of a rocky stream at an elevation of approximately 300 m (Zaharil Dzulkafly in litt. 2015).

Sumarli, Alexandra, L. L. Grismer, JR. P. L. Wood, Amirrudin B. Ahmad, Syed A. Rizal, Lukman H. B. Ismail, Nur A. M. Izam, Norhayati Ahmad and Charles W. Linkem. 2016. The First Riparian Skink (Genus: Sphenomorphus Strauch, 1887) from Peninsular Malaysia and Its Relationship to other Indochinese and Sundaic Species.
Zootaxa. 4173(1); 29–44.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4173.1.3

flickr.com/photos/zaharil/10976926546

[Herpetology • 2016] Dragons in the Mist: Three New Species of Pseudocalotes Fitzinger (Squamata: Agamidae) from the Sky Island Archipelago of Peninsular Malaysia; Pseudocalotes drogon, P. rhaegal & P. viserion

Pseudocalotes drogon,  P. rhaegal  &  P. viserion

Grismer, Quah, Wood, Anuar, Muin, Davis, Murdoch, Grismer, Cota & Cobos, 2016

    DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4136.3.3 

Abstract

An integrative taxonomic analysis is used to delimit and describe three new species of Pseudocalotoes from the sky island archipelago of the Banjaran (=mountain range) Titiwangsa of Peninsular Malaysia. Pseudocalotes drogon sp. nov., from Fraser’s Hill, Pahang is basal to the sister species P. larutensis from Bukit Larut, Perak in the Banjaran Bintang and the new species P. rhaegal sp. nov. from Cameron Highlands, Pahang. Pseudocalotes drogon sp. nov. is differentiated from all other species of Psuedocalotes by having the combination of a flat rostrum; seven postrostrals; an interparietal; 11 circumorbitals; five canthals; 7–10 superciliaries; one scale between the rostral and nasal; nine supralabials; eight infralabials; 10 postnasal-suborbital scales; four postmentals; five or six sublabials; five or six chinshields; 47 smooth, wide, gular scales; weak transverse gular and antehumeral folds; two enlarged scales between the ear and eye; enlarged upper and lower posttemporals; a single enlarged supratympanic; no enlarged postrictals; three large scales bordering the dorsal margin of the ear opening; large pretympanic scales; eight scales in the nuchal crest not separated by a gap; enlarged vertebral scales extending to the tip of the tail; keeled and non-plate-like scales on flanks; 51 midbody scales; midventrals smaller than dorsals; 19 subdigital lamellae on the fourth finger; 23 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; preaxial scales on third toe enlarged and spinose; subdigital lamellae not unicarinate; HW/HL 0.52; HL/SVL 0.31; no elbow or knee patches; and a male dewlap color of lime-green bearing a central yellow spot. Pseudocalotes rhaegal sp. nov. is differentiated from all other Psuedocalotes by having the combination of a convex rostrum; 6–8 postrostrals; an interparietal; nine or 10 circumorbitals; five canthals; 7–10 superciliaries; one or two scales between the rostral and nasal scales; eight or nine supralabials; seven or eight infralabials; 11 or 12 postnasal-suborbital scales; four postmentals; four or five chinshields; 40–45 smooth, wide, gular scales; no transverse gular fold; a weak antehumeral fold; three or four enlarged scales between the ear and eye; an enlarged upper and lower posttemporal; an enlarged supratympanic; no enlarged postrictals; no large scales bordering the upper margin of the ear opening or in the pretympanic region; 6–8 enlarged nuchal crest scales not separated by a gap; enlarged vertebral scales extending to the base of the tail; weakly keeled, non-plate-like scales on the flanks; 52–58 midbody scales; midventrals smaller than dorsals; 19–21 subdigital lamellae on the fourth finger; 22–26 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; preaxial scales on the third enlarged and rounded; subdigital lamellae not unicarinate; HW/HL 0.50–0.54; HL/SVL 0.28–0.30; no elbow or knee patches; and female dewlap color yellow bearing a purple base.

 The analyses also indicated that the new species, P. viserion sp. nov. from Genting Highlands, Pahang in the southern section of the Banjaran Titiwangsa is the sister species of P. flavigula from Cameron Highlands 121 km to the north and can be separated from all other species of Psuedocalotes by having the combination of three postrostrals; 10 circumorbitals; four or five canthals; 5–7 superciliaries; rostral and nasals in contact; supralabials contacting the nasal; six or seven supralabials; six or seven infralabials; two or three postmentals; 47 or 48 smooth, flat, gular scales; three chinshields; weak transverse gular and antehumeral folds; two enlarged scales between the ear and eye; an enlarged upper and lower posttemporal; an enlarged supratympanic; no enlarged postrictals; 7–9 nuchal crest scales lacking gaps and not extending beyond midbody; weakly keeled and plate-like scales on the flanks; 35–38 midbody scales; ventrals smaller than dorsals; 22 or 23 subdigital lamellae on the fourth finger; 26 or 27 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; preaxial scales on the third toe not modified; subdigital scales not unicarinate; HW/HL 0.62; no white marking below the eye; dewlap in males yellow; and no elbow or knee patches. Pseudocalotes rhaegal sp. nov. most likely occurs in syntopy with P. flavigula in Tanah Rata at Cameron Highlands and its discovery adds to a growing body of literature detailing the recent descriptions of several new, upland, closely related, sympatric species in Peninsular Malaysia. 

Another new population referred to here as Pseudocalotes sp. nov. from the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, Betong District, Yala Province, Thailand is discussed. The discovery and description of these three new Pseudocalotes from the upland regions of Peninsular Malaysia continues to underscore the remarkably high herpetological diversity and ecological complexity in this sky island archipelago that is still underestimated, unappreciated, and unprotected.

Keywords: Reptilia, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Agamidae, Pseudocalotes, new species, uplands

Grismer, L. L., Quah, E. S. H., Wood, P. L., Jr., Anuar, S., Muin, A., Davis, H. R., 

Murdoch, M. L., Grismer, J. L., Cota, M. and Cobos, A. J. 2016. Dragons in the Mist: Three New Species of Pseudocalotes Fitzinger (Squamata: Agamidae) from the Sky Island Archipelago of Peninsular Malaysia. [Targaryen Dragons in the Mist: three new species of Pseudocalotes Fitzinger (Squamata: Agamidae) across the sky island archipelago of Peninsular Malaysia.]  Zootaxa. 4136(3); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4136.3.3

ResearchGate.net/publication/304994205_Dragons_in_the_Mist_three_new_species_of_Pseudocalotes_Fitzinger_Squamata_Agamidae_from_the_sky_island_archipelago_of_Peninsular_Malaysia