[Herpetology • 2026] Scincella gigas • A mountain giant: Description of The Largest known Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Yunnan Province, China

Scincella gigas Xu, Deng, Qi, Ma, Zhang, Cai, Nguyen, Poyarkov & Peng, 

in Xu, Deng, Qi, Ma, Zhang, Cai, Wang, Sun, Nguyen, Poyarkov et Peng, 2026.  

Giant Ground Skink | 巨滑蜥  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.204139 

 

Abstract

A remarkable new species of skink, Scincella gigas sp. nov., is described from Yunnan Province, China, based on integrative morphological and molecular evidence. The new species represents the largest known member of the genus Scincella, with the adult female holotype attaining a snout-vent length of 125 mm and a total length exceeding 316 mm despite possessing a partially regenerated tail. Scincella gigas sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters, including three prefrontal scales, relatively short limbs that fail to meet when adpressed, the third pair of chin shields separated by four small scales, 28 midbody scale rows, 80 paravertebral scale rows, and broad dorsolateral stripes with distinctly serrated margins. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated mitochondrial gene fragments (12S, 16S, CO1, and Cyt b) recovered the new taxon as a distinct lineage within Scincella, although its precise phylogenetic relationships remain unresolved. The new species exhibits substantial genetic divergence from all examined congeners (≥ 4.4% in 16S and ≥ 14.2% in CO1). Scincella gigas sp. nov. is currently known only from montane mixed forests and associated alpine meadows in Fengyi Town, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, at an elevation of 2,790 m a.s.l. The discovery of such a conspicuous and exceptionally large species suggests that the diversity of montane Scincella in southwestern China remains insufficiently documented.

Key Words: Integrative taxonomy, molecular phylogeny, morphology, Scincella gigas sp. nov., S. potanini–S. monticola complex, southwestern China

Holotype of Scincella gigas sp. nov. in life (QHU R2026003, adult female).

Photographs by J.D. Deng.

Head scalation of Scincella gigas sp. nov. (holotype, QHU R2026003, adult female).

A. Dorsal view; B. Lateral view; C. Ventral view.

Dorsal (A), lateral (B), and ventral (C) views of the body; 

D. Ventral view of the left hand; E. Ventral view of the left foot of  the holotype in preservation. 

Photographs by Y.H. Xu. Scale bars: 20 mm (A–C); 5 mm (D, E).

Notes: CS: chin shield; F: frontal; FrN: frontonasal; FrP: frontoparietal; IL: infralabials; IP: interparietal; L: loreals; LST: lower secondary temporal; M: mental; NU: nuchals; P: parietal; PF: prefrontal; PM: postmental; PT: primary temporal; R: rostral; SC: superciliaries; SL: supralabials; SO: supraoculars; UST: upper secondary temporal; * indicates the gulars separating the chin shields.

Photographs and drawings by Y.H. Xu. Scale bar: 5 mm.

Scincella gigas Xu, Deng, Qi, Ma, Zhang, Cai, Nguyen, Poyarkov & Peng, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Scincella gigas sp. nov. represents the largest known member of the genus Scincella, with the adult female holotype attaining an SVL of 125 mm and TL exceeding 316 mm. The new species can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) exceptionally large body size, with the adult female holotype attaining an SVL of 125 mm; (2) three prefrontal scales; (3) six supraciliaries; (4) seven supralabials, separated from the eye by a row of small scales; (5) six infralabials; (6) tympanum deeply recessed and lacking lobules, with the tympanum diameter exceeding that of the palpebral disc (TD/PDD ratio 1.45); (7) three pairs of chin shields, with the third pair separated medially by four small scales; (8) 28 midbody scale rows; (9) total ventral + gular scale rows numbering 81; (10) 80 paravertebral scale rows; (11) relatively short limbs, with toes not in contact with fingers when the limbs are adpressed (FLL+HLL/AGD ratio 0.57); (12) 9–10 enlarged subdigital lamellae beneath Finger IV and 13 beneath Toe IV; and (13) in life, dorsum brown, with relatively broad dorsolateral stripes bearing distinctly serrated margins.

Etymology. The specific epithet “gigas” is derived from the Latinized form of the Greek noun γῐ́γᾱς (gígas), meaning “giant.” The name refers to the exceptional size of the new species, which represents the largest known member of the genus Scincella. 

In reference to this remarkable characteristic, “Giant Ground Skink” is proposed as the English common name, “гигантский малый сцинк” (gigantskiy malyi stsink) as the Russian common name, and “巨滑蜥” (Pinyin: jù huá xī) as the Chinese common name for the new species.

Habitat and field observations of Scincella gigas sp. nov.
 A. Microhabitat at Fengyi, Dali, Dali BAP, Yunnan, China; B. General habitat of the type locality; C. Holotype (QHU R2026003) found trapped in an artificial water reservoir.

Photographs by J.D. Deng (A, B) and H.Q. Wang (C).

 Yuhao Xu, Jundong Deng, Shuo Qi, Shun Ma, Tierui Zhang, Bo Cai, Haoquan Wang, Fanyue Sun, Tan Van Nguyen, Nikolay A. Poyarkov and Lifang Peng. 2026. A mountain giant: Description of The Largest known Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata, Scincidae) from Yunnan Province, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(4): 1047-1063. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.204139 [2026-07-29]

[Herpetology • 2026] Scincella dabieshanensis • A new Scincella species (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Dabie Mountains, China

 Scincella dabieshanensis Zhang, Yi, Zhang & Zhang,

 in H. Zhang, Yi, Yang, Wang, Xu, Zhan, Zhai, Chu, Hou, Y. Zhang, Wen, C. Zhang et B. Zhang, 2026.   

Dabie Mountains Ground Skink | 大别山滑蜥  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.187997 

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated the polyphyly of Scincella modesta and reported a new record of Scincella vandenburghi in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Furthermore, the research highlighted significant morphological similarities between the Qingdao population of S. vandenburghi and a branch of S. modesta from Hubei, leaving the taxonomic boundaries between these two species unclear. To better understand the relationship between S. modesta and S. vandenburghi, we conducted extensive sampling in the Dabie Mountains, which geographically lie between Qingdao, Ningbo and Yichang. Based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons, we identify an undescribed species of the genus Scincella from the Dabie Mountains, China and also discover the presence of a population of S. vandenburghi in the same region. Morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species is similar to S. vandenburghi, but clearly distinct from it and other congeners. The new species has the following characteristics: (1) slender body, small size, snout-vent length 24.47–40.60 mm; (2) supraciliaries 6 or 7; (3) midbody scale row counts 28–31; (4) dorsal scales smooth and slightly enlarged, paravertebral scale row counts 55–68, ventral scale row counts 55–64; (5) upper edge of lateral longitudinal stripes relatively wavy, lower edge irregular, covering 2–2.5 scale rows on the trunk; (6) black dorsolateral stripes from posterior corner of eye to lateral side of tail, six rows of dorsal scales in middle; (7) supralabials 7, infralabials 6 or 7; (8) tympanum diameters significantly smaller than palpebral disc diameters; (9) 9–12 enlarged lamellae beneath finger IV and 14–17 beneath toe IV; (10) 3–4 pairs of nuchal scales; (11) when the limbs are pressed down, toes and fingers touch or overlap. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the population from the Dabie Mountains in Anhui Province, China, represents a new species, with a 3% uncorrected genetic distance in 16S rRNA from its closest relative (S. vandenburghi). This discovery brings the total number of Scincella species in China to 19, identifying the known distribution of the genus. We have made preliminary progress in clarifying the relationship between S. vandenburghi and S. modesta; however, the polyphyletic issues surrounding S. modesta warrant further investigation in future research. Additionally, the distribution patterns and divergence times of the two Scincella species in the Dabie Mountains require further study to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

Key Words: molecular phylogeny, morphological characters, Scincella dabieshanensis sp. nov., Scincella modesta, taxonomy

Holotype of Scincella dabieshanensis sp. nov. (AHU 25079) in life. Photo by Caiwen Zhang.

Scincella dabieshanensis Zhang, Yi, Zhang & Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Scincella dabieshanensis sp. nov. can be diagnosed from other Scincella species by the following unique combination of characters: (1) slender body, small size, snout-vent length 24.47–40.60 mm; (2) supraciliaries 6 or 7; (3) midbody scale row counts 28–31; (4) dorsal scales smooth and slightly enlarged, paravertebral scale row counts 55–68, ventral scale row counts 55–64; (5) upper edge of lateral longitudinal stripes relatively wavy, lower edge irregular, covering 2–2.5 scale rows on the trunk; (6) black dorsolateral stripes from posterior corner of eye to lateral side of tail, six rows of dorsal scales in middle; (7) supralabials 7, infralabials 6 or 7; (8) tympanum diameters significantly smaller than palpebral disc diameters; (9) 9–12 enlarged lamellae beneath finger IV and 14–17 beneath toe IV; (10) 3–4 pairs of nuchal scales; (11) when the limbs are pressed down, toes and fingers touch or overlap.

Etymology. The specific epithet dabieshanensis is derived from the type locality, the Dabie Mountains, located at the boundary of Anhui, Henan and Hubei Provinces. We propose the English name of “Dabie Mountains Ground Skink” and the Chinese common name is “Dà Bié Shān Huá Xī (大别山滑蜥)”.

 Hailin Zhang, Feng Yi, Lulu Yang, Xinjian Wang, Shihang Xu, Zhiqiang Zhan, Xinyi Zhai, Jun Chu, Minggen Hou, Yucai Zhang, Jing Wen, Caiwen Zhang, Baowei Zhang. 2026. A new Scincella species (Squamata, Scincidae) from the Dabie Mountains, China, with Delimitation of its closely related congeners. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(4): 1005-1022. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.187997 [24-07-2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Scincella vuquangensis • A New skink of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam

 

Scincella vuquangensis 

Pham, A. M. H. Nguyen, Le, T. Q. Nguyen, H. V. Nguyen, Hoang, V. T. H. Nguyen, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5787.1.7

facebook.com: PHAM Anh

 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 is described from Vietnam based on morphological differences and molecular divergence. Scincella vuquangensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by body size; number of primary temporals; the presence of external ear opening and the absence of lobules on anterior margin; head scalation (loreals, supralabials, infralabials, nuchals); number of midbody scale rows; number of smooth scales across the back; number and size of paravertebral; number of ventral scale rows; number of lamellae beneath finger IV and toe IV; length of toe finger; and color pattern. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as a sister taxon to S. rufocaudata. The new species is separated from S. rufocaudata by 9.37–9.64% in pairwise genetic distance, based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene.

Reptilia, Scincella vuquangensis sp. nov., CoI, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy 

Scincella vuquangensis sp. nov.

Anh Van PHAM, Anh Minh Hoang NGUYEN, Minh Duc LE, Truong Quang NGUYEN, Hung Viet NGUYEN, Ngoc Van HOANG and  Van Thi Hong NGUYEN. 2026. A New skink of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5787(1); 143-169. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5787.1.7 [2026-04-02]

  facebook.com/PHAMAnhdhsphn/posts/4534368263375439

 

[Herpetology • 2026] Scincella ngati • A New Skink of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam

 

Scincella ngati

A. V. Pham, Do, T. Q. Nguyen, Hoang, M. H. T. Nguyen, M. Le, M. D. Le, Ziegler & C. T. Pham, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1275.178070

Abstract

A new species of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 is described from south-central Vietnam based on morphological and molecular evidence. Scincella ngati sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: size medium (SVL up to 48.3 mm); primary temporals two; external ear opening without lobules; loreals two; supralabials seven (rarely 8); infralabials six; enlarged nuchals, 0–2; midbody scales in 32–34 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in eight rows across the back; paravertebral scales 68–70, not widened; ventral scales in 64–68 rows; 10 or 11 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 16 or 17 beneath toe IV; toes not reaching the fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze brown with a discontinuous black vertebral stripe, one scale wide, from middle of neck to tail base; a black stripe, two scales wide, interrupted by small pale spots, from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank and tail base. In the phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as an independent lineage with no clear sister taxon and shows at least 11.2% genetic divergence from other species in the genus based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene.

Key words: COI, Krong Trai Nature Reserve, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy

Holotype of Scincella ngati sp. nov. (IB R.6445) in life, adult male.

Paratypes of Scincella ngati sp. nov. in life.
 A. Dorsolateral view (IB R. 6447, male) B. Dorsolateral view (IB R. 6452, female).

Scincella ngati sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Scincella by a combination of the following characteristics: size medium (SVL ≤ 48.3 mm); primary temporals two; external ear opening without lobules; loreals two; supralabials seven (rarely eight); infralabials six; enlarged nuchals 0–2 on each side; midbody scales in 32–34 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in eight rows across the back; paravertebral scales 68–70, not widened; ventral scales in 64–68 rows; 10 or 11 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 16 or 17 beneath toe IV; toes not reaching the fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze brown with a discontinuous black vertebral stripe, one scale wide, from middle of neck to tail base; a black stripe, two scales wide, interrupted by small pale spots, running from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank and tail base.

 Anh Van Pham, Dang Trong Do, Truong Quang Nguyen, Chung Van Hoang, Mai Hong Thi Nguyen, Minh Le, Minh Duc Le, Thomas Ziegler and Cuong The Pham. 2026. A New skink of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata, Scincidae) from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1275: 275-298. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1275.178070 [31 Mar. 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Sphenomorphus lingnanensis • A New skink Species of the Genus Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Central Guangdong, South China

Sphenomorphus lingnanensis

Guo, Zhong, Li, Xu, Wang, Li, Yu & Ji, 2026 

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.183764

Abstract

We collected nine specimens of the genus Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata, Scincidae) from Liuxihe National Forest Park in central Guangdong, South China, which were found not to correspond to any currently recognized species. Here, we describe this new species, Sphenomorphus lingnanensis sp. nov., integrating morphological and mitochondrial DNA (COI and 16S rRNA) evidence. Phylogenetic analyses reveal the new species to be a sister taxon to S. indicus with uncorrected p-distances of 0.132 in COI and 0.021 in 16S rRNA. The p-distance in COI between the new species and S. indicus exceeds that between S. scutatus and S. solomonis (0.057), and the p-distance in 16S rRNA exceeds that between S. cyanolaemus and S. sabanus (0.005). Morphologically, this new species is distinguished from five congeners (including S. indicus) with comparable data by: (1) possessing 56–58 ventral scale rows (versus 65–69 in S. indicus); and (2) occupying a distinct position in the morphospace defined by the first two principal components derived from seven meristic variables. The description of S. lingnanensis sp. nov. raises the number of recognized Sphenomorphus species in China to nine. Sphenomorphus lingnanensis sp. nov. is currently known only from two proximate localities (approximately 5 km apart) in central Guangdong, where it is sympatric with the oviparous congener S. incognitus.

Key Words: Guangdong, mitochondrial DNA, morphology, new species, Scincidae, South China, Sphenomorphus, taxonomy

Sphenomorphus lingnanensis sp. nov. from Central Guangdong, China.
The adult female holotype (A, WZULXHTXSP1), a juvenile paratype of (B, WZULXHTXSP2)

Sphenomorphus lingnanensis sp. nov.
Close-up views of the adult female holotype (WZULXHTXSP1; left, from A1–D1) and
a juvenile paratype (WZULXHTXSP3; right, from A2–D2) 

Sphenomorphus lingnanensis sp. nov.

 Kun Guo, Jun-Jie Zhong, Yi-Peng Li, Wang Xu, Wei-Min Wang, Yu-Dong Li, Xin-Fan Yu and Xiang Ji. 2026. A New skink Species of the Genus Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata, Scincidae) from Central Guangdong, South China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(2): 411-420. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.183764 [05 Mar 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Zig zag • Zigzags in the White Sand Belt: A New, highly divergent lineage of Sand-swimmer Skink (Squamata: Scincidae) from Madagascar

Zig zag  

 Miralles, Schmidt, Belluardo, Rahagalala, Monvoisin, Ratsoavina, Köhler, Glaw & Vences, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/megataxa.19.1.3

Abstract

The present work reports on the discovery of a new sand swimming lizard (Scincidae: Scincinae) in Madagascar. This limbless and eyeless skink was found during fieldwork in the northern part of the “great white sand belt”, a series of patchy white sand areas encircling the island’s western sedimentary basins. The new taxon shows a distinctive combination of derived morphological traits (miniaturized, limbless, elongated body, with absent or scale-covered eyes and ear openings, and a reduced head scale pattern) reminiscent of other Malagasy fossorial skinks adapted to sandy habitats (e.g. Voeltzkowia, Grandidierina and some Paracontias). Phylogenetic analyses based on two datasets (multilocus DNA from Sanger sequencing and genome-wide DNA sequences derived from double-digest Restriction Associated DNA [ddRAD]) reveal a highly divergent phylogenetic position of this taxon and, given its distinct morphology, justify its description as a new species in a new genus, Zig zag gen. nov. & sp. nov. This marks the first genuine field discovery of a new genus of Scincidae in Madagascar since the 19th century, i.e., the discovery of a formerly unknown deep clade rather than an identification (and split) from an already recognized genus. Our results also shed light on the ancient evolutionary history of this taxon and its sister clade, Paracontias. Finally, the present work explores the factors that may explain why ecosystems characterized by white sand substrates, an ecosystem often neglected in biodiversity research, but present in various regions of the globe (e.g., Florida sand scrub, South American WS savannah, Indonesian Keranga) have seemingly so frequently promoted the convergent evolution of fossorial squamates.

Taxonomy, new genus, new species, Phylogenomics, psammophily, fossoriality

Overview of the White Sand Belt: Map of Madagascar showing WS patches identified by Miralles et al. (2025) (white dots), with the distribution of sand-specialist, legless and fossorial skink genera (data from the present study; Glaw & Vences 2007; Köhler et al. 2010; Miralles et al. 2011b, 2015, 2016a, 2025).

Coloration in life of Zig zag gen. nov. et  sp. nov.:
 Holotype MNHN-RA-2025.0001 and paratype ZSM 104/2023 in dorsolateral and lateral views, both from Baie de Baly; and paratypes ZSM 105/2023, ZSM 107/2023 (close-up of the dorsal, lateral and ventral view of the head), ZSM 108/2023 and ZSM 112/2023 (juvenile), all four from Benetsy. Not to scale.

Zig gen. nov. 

Type species. Zig zag sp. nov. See the species description below. 

Etymology. The name Zig is an arbitrary combination of letters in the sense of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Articles 30.1.4.1 and 30.2.2, and we assign it the feminine gender. We have searched all available taxonomic databases and could not find any evidence that this name has ever been used to refer to a genus of animals, and we therefore conclude that it is available. 

Diagnosis of the genus Zig. Based on molecular phylogenetic relationships, a genus in the family Scincidae, subfamily Scincinae, sister to Paracontias. The genus Zig is distinguished from all other known Malagasy scincines by the following combination of characters: (1) the complete absence of limbs (versus four well developed and pentadactyl limbs in Madascincus, Amphiglossus, Flexiseps, Brachyseps, and relictual fore- and hindlimbs in some—but not all—species of Grandidierina, Pygomeles, Pseudoacontias, Voeltzkowia), (2) a “blind” morphotype (versus presence of an eye-opening, in Amphiglossus, Flexiseps, Brachyseps, Madascincus, Pygomeles, Pseudoacontias, and all Paracontias species except P. minimus), (3) the presence of a single supraocular (versus two to four supraoculars, most often four, in ... ... with the last supralabial and the nuchal (versus presence of two secondary temporals in all the other genera), and (7) the position of the subocular scale corresponding to the second supralabial (versus the third, the fourth, or occasionally the fifth in all the other genera).

Distribution. Madagascar, Mahajanga basin, western bank of the Betsiboka River. 

Zig zag sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘zag’, an arbitrary combination of letters, is used here to form a pun on ‘zig zag’, in reference to the very characteristic sinusoidal tracks left by this species when moving in the white sand. It is treated as an invariable noun in apposition to the genus name.

 Diagnosis. As Zig represents a monotypic genus, the generic diagnosis of Zig above is also suitable to distinguish the species Zig zag from any other Malagasy scincine species. Additionally, Zig zag differs from the other superficially similar worm-like Malagasy species (i.e. limbless, “blind”, elongated and miniaturized morphotype such as Grandidierina spp., Voeltzkowia spp. and Paracontias minimus) by the following combination ...

White sand substrate in Zig zag gen. nov. et  sp. nov. habitats:
In situ view of sand soil surface, with sigmoidal tracks let by Zig zag in Baie de Baly (A), and detailed views (B, C) of the almost pure quartz sand present in Benetsy (identical in Baly, see Miralles et al. 2025).
(D) Diagram illustrating the physical properties of white sands when exposed to heavy rainfall or, conversely, to intense solar radiation. Photographs B and C by André Freiwald.

Habitat of Zig zag gen. nov. et  sp. nov. 
 (A) White-sand savannah with Bismarckia palm trees near the village de Baly. (B) Shrubby white-sand savannah near the village of Benetsy.
(C) Soil stratification in Zig zag microhabitat at Benetsy: (1) vegetation patches providing shade, (2) layer of dry vegetal litter, (3) dense mat of fine roots, (4) deeper layer made of almost pure white sand.

Aurélien MIRALLES, Robin SCHMIDT, Francesco BELLUARDO, Ny Ando RAHAGALALA, Evariste MONVOISIN, Fanomezana M. RATSOAVINA, Jörn KÖHLER, Frank GLAW and Miguel VENCES. 2026. Zigzags in the White Sand Belt: A New, highly divergent lineage of Sand-swimmer Skink from Madagascar (Squamata: Scincidae).  Megataxa. 19(1); 176-212. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/megataxa.19.1.3 [2026-02-23]

  

[Herpetology • 2026] Sphenomorphus tophus • A New endemic Forest Skink (Squamata: Scincidae: Sphenomorphus) from the sandstone ecosystem of the Khorat Plateau, Thailand

 

Sphenomorphus tophus  

Grismer, Pawangkhanant, Naiduangchan, Grismer, Dugdale, Pierce, Quah, Suwannapoom & Poyarkov. 2026

 Khorat Plateau Forest Skink | จิ้งเหลนภูเขาหินทราย  ||  https://www.taprobanica.org 

Researchgate.net/publication/400821972

Abstract

A new Forest Skink, belonging to the Sphenomorphus stellatus complex, was discovered in the unique forested sandstone ecosystem of the Khorat Plateau in northeastern Thailand. This new skink was recovered as the sister species to the other Indochinese skinks, S. phuquocensis + S. annamiticus, based on a phylogeny using 1,184 base pairs of 12S and 16S. A multiple factor analysis (MFA) based on a concatenated dataset comprised of size-corrected morphometric, meristic, and color pattern characters revealed this species’ isolated position in morphospace with respect to all other species in the S. stellatus complex. This is the fourth endemic lizard species reported from the Khorat Plateau and adds to a growing list of endemic species across a broad range of taxa. As such, this region desperately needs legal protection and increased field-based systematic research to uncover more unrealized species on this plateau in need of description and protection.

Keywords: Indochina, integrative taxonomy, lizard, Reptilia, Sphenomorphinae, systematics

Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov. holotype (ZMMU Re-18274):
(A) ventral view of the full body in life; (B) dorsal, (C) ventral, and (D) lateral (right) view of the head; (E) ventral view of the right foot; (F) ventral view of the left hand; © Photo: N. Poyarkov.

Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov. holotype (ZMMU Re-18274):
(A) dorsal and (B) ventral views of the full body ( Photo: N. Poyarkov); (C) Left dorsolateral view in life (© Photo: P. Pawangkhanant)

Uncatalogued specimens of Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov. in their microhabitats in ..., Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand:
(A) an adult emerging from a hole in the sandstone; (B) a juvenile on a sandstone ridge (© Photo: I. Dugdale); (C) an adult crawling down the vertical sandstone surface (Photo: A. Pierce); (D) an adult on the side of a tree (Photo I. Dugdale)

Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. At this juncture, Sphenomorphus tophus sp. nov. is separated from all other species of the S. stellatus complex by having the unique combination of a maximum adult SVL of 75.4 mm; head, body, and supracaudal scales smooth; frontal scale not divided; prefrontals not in contact; parietals in contact posterior to interparietal; parietals not divided; six scales bordering the parietals; four nuchals; four supraoculars; two loreals; anterior loreal not divided; loreals in contact with supralabials; no postnasal groove; eight superciliaries; superciliary row not interrupted by fourth supraocular; lower eyelid scales large; seven supralabials; seven infralabials; three pairs of chinshields; one primary temporal scale; two secondary temporals; upper secondary temporal large; no subtemporals; 25 midbody scale rows; 63 paravertebrals; paravertebrals slightly wider than other dorsals; 68 ventrals; two enlarged ...

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘tophus’ is a Latin noun given in apposition, meaning “sandstone,” “porous rock”. The name is given in reference to the natural history of the new species, in that it is the only member of the S. stellatus group known to date that is strictly associated with sandstone habitats. 

Suggested common names: Khorat Plateau Forest Skink (in English), จิ้งเหลนภูเขาหินทราย (Jing lhen phu khao hin saii, in Thai), and Коратский древесный сцинк (Koratskiy drevesnyi stsink, in Russian).

  

\

L. Lee Grismer, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Mali Naiduangchan, Jesse L. Grismer, Ian Dugdale, Andrew Pierce, Evan S.H. Quah, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2026. A New endemic Forest Skink (Squamata; Scincidae; Sphenomorphus) from the sandstone ecosystem of the Khorat Plateau, Thailand.  TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity 15(01):1-11. DOI: 10.47605/tapro.v14i1.396 [16 February 2026]

 https://www.taprobanica.org/Archives/volume-15-20-2026-31/volume-15-number-1-2026/v14i1-396.html

 Researchgate.net/publication/400821972_A_new_endemic_Sphenomorphus_from_the_sandstone_ecosystem_of_the_Khorat_Plateau_Thailand

  facebook.com/100088301342746/posts/889557520664285

[Herpetology • 2026] Scincella heishuiensis • A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, western China

Scincella heishuiensis

Liu, Pu, Tan, Chen, Lyu, Shu, Wu, Dong & Guo, 2026

 

Heishui ground skink | 黑水滑蜥   ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani16040592 

Abstract

The genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 of the family Scincidae currently includes 50 species. However, due to challenges in sample collection, the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus remain poorly resolved. This study conducted a taxonomic study of the genus Scincella based on three mitochondrial gene fragments (12S, 16S, COI) combined with morphological comparisons. The results indicated the specimens collected in Heishui County, Sichuan Province, China, represented a previously undescribed species. This new taxon is formally described as Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. Phylogenetically, the new species is most closely related to S. wangyuezhaoi, which is another species recently described in Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. As a new species, the uncorrected genetic distance between this new species and its closest relative within the genus, as calculated based on 16S rRNA, is 5.45%. The new species can be distinguished from other closely related species by the following morphological characters: (1) 4 dorsal scale rows between dorsolateral stripes; (2) 5–7 superciliary; (3) 28 midbody scale-rows; (4) 24–25 gulars; (5) during the breeding season, the ventral scales and preanal exhibit a reddish-brown color; and (6) a black lateral stripe extends from behind the eye to the posterior third of the tail near the cloaca. In the phylogenetic analysis, the new species and S. wangyuezhaoi form an independent lineage, distinctly separate from all other taxa included in the study. The new species has currently been recorded and discovered in Heishui County in Sichuan Province, China. This description thus increases the number of members in the genus Scincella in China to 17 species.

Keywords: Hengduan mountains; phylogenetic taxonomy; morphological comparison; lizard

 General view of the holotype of Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. (YBU 22269) in life.

Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. exhibits the following characteristics which can distinguish from its congeners: (1) four dorsal scale rows between dorsolateral stripes; (2) 5–7 superciliary; (3) 28 midbody scale rows; (4) 24–25 gulars; (5) during the breeding season, the ventral scales and preanal exhibit a reddish-brown color; and (6) a black lateral stripe extends from behind the eye to the posterior third of the tail near the cloaca.

Etymology. The species is named after its type locality in Heishui County, Sichuan Province, China. We suggested the common names “黑水滑蜥” in Chinese and “Heishui ground skink” in English for this species.

  Fan Liu, Hongli Pu, Songwen Tan, Jiahao Chen, Bing Lyu, Guocheng Shu, Yayong Wu, Bingjun Dong  and Peng Guo. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan Province, Western China. Animals. 16(4); 592. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani16040592 [13 February 2026]

Simple Summary: The skink genus Scincella, a member of the family Scincidae, is characterized by a wide distribution and conservative morphology. This study integrates molecular and morphological data to conduct phylogenetic analyses and comparative morphology of Scincella population in the Hengduan Mountains. Our findings include the discovery of a new species and the clarification of its phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Significant morphological differences were observed between specimens collected from Heishui County and other known Scincella species. When combined with phylogenetic analysis results, these specimens were identified as a new species, formally described as Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. Phylogenetic reconstruction reveals that Scincella heishuiensis sp. nov. forms a sister group with S. wangyuezhaoi while exhibiting distinct morphological differentiation from all other Scincella species. This study not only enriches the diversity of the genus Scincella but also provides new insights into its phylogeny history and evolutionary patterns. The results indicate that the diversity of Scincella in the Hengduan Mountains is underestimated and requires further research and exploration.

[Herpetology • 2026] Sphenomorphus tamchucensis • A New Skink (Squamata: Scincidae) from Vietnam

Sphenomorphus tamchucensis 

A. V. Pham, C. T. Pham, Ha, M. D. Le, Phan, Ho, M. Le & Nguyen, 2026. 

Tam Chuc’s Smooth Skink | Thằn lằn phê nô tam chúc  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1266.176724

Abstract

A new skink species, Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov., is described from Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species can be distinguished from other Sphenomorphus species by a combination of the following characteristics: size medium (maximal SVL 41.5 mm); primary temporals two; external ear opening without lobules; loreals two; supralabials seven; infralabials six; nuchals absent; midbody scales in 28 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in six rows across the back; paravertebral scales 58–63, not widened; ventral scales in 55–61 rows; 8–10 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 13–15 beneath toe IV; toes not reaching to fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze brown with many tiny dark dots and a discontinuous dark vertebral stripe, from middle of neck to tail base; a black stripe, in two scales wide, running from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank to middle of tail. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as an independent lineage with no clear sister taxon and at least 17.85% genetic divergence from other congeners based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene.

Key words: COI, Kim Bang, molecular phylogeny, morphology, Ninh Binh Province, taxonomy

Holotype of Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov. (IB R. 6455), adult male.
A. In life; B. In preservative, dorsal view; C. In preservative, ventral view.

Holotype of Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov. (IB R. 6455).
A–D. Head; A, B. Lateral view; C. Dorsal view; D. Ventral view; E, G. Hands; F, H. Feet.

Photographs: A.V. Pham.

Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Sphenomorphus by a combination of the following characteristics: size small (SVL up to 41.6 mm); primary temporals two; external ear opening without lobules; loreals two; supralabials seven; infralabials six; nuchals absent; midbody scales in 28 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in six rows across the back; paravertebral scales 58–63, not widened; ventral scales in 55–61 rows; 8–10 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 13–15 beneath toe IV; toes not reaching to fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze brown with many tiny dark dots and a discontinuous dark vertebral stripe, from middle of neck to tail base; a black stripe, in two scales wide, running from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank and middle of tail.

Etymology. The specific epithet tamchucensis refers to the type locality, Tam Chuc forest within Kim Bang SHCA, Ninh Binh Province, where the new species was discovered. We recommend “Tam Chuc’s Smooth Skink” as the common English name and “Thằn lằn phê nô tam chúc” as the Vietnamese name.

 Anh Van Pham, Cuong The Pham, Linh Thuy Ha, Minh Duc Le, Tien Quang Phan, Anh Ngoc Thi Ho, Minh Le and Truong Quang Nguyen. 2026. Sphenomorphus tamchucensis sp. nov. (Squamata, Scincidae), A New Skink from Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1266: 263-279.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1266.176724

[Herpetology • 2025] Plestiodon toyamai, P. iheyaesilvae & P. kumesilvae • A Taxonomic Revision of the Barbour’s Blue-tailed Skink Plestiodon barbouri (Squamata: Scincidae), With Descriptions of Three New Species

B, Plestiodon toyamai sp. nov., holotype, subadult male, Okinawajima island,  
C, P. iheyaesilvae sp. nov., holotype, adult male, Iheyajima island,  

Kurita & Hikida, 2025

DOI doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.30.259 

x.com/Species_Divers

Abstract

We herein provide a taxonomic revision of the species complex of Plestiodon barbouri (Van Denburgh, 1912) in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Molecular and morphological analyses showed that P. barbouri sensu lato comprised at least four distinct lineages, each warranting recognition as a separate species. Thus, we propose a new taxonomic arrangement, where we restrict P. barbouri sensu Van Denburgh to island populations of the Amami Group. In addition, we describe three new species for island populations of the Okinawa Group. The new species are distinguished from each other and all congeners by combining scalation and color patterns.

 Keywords: Amami Group, cryptic diversity, geographic variation, Okinawa Group, Plestiodon toyamai sp. nov., Plestiodon iheyaesilvae sp. nov., Plestiodon kumesilvae sp. nov., Ryukyu Archipelago

Photographs of Plestiodon barbouri and three allied new species.
A, Plestiodon barbouri, topotype, KUZ R70191, Amamioshima island, adult male; B, P. toyamai sp. nov., holotype, KUZ R70182, Okinawajima island, subadult male;
C, P. iheyaesilvae sp. nov., holotype, KUZ R70467, Iheyajima island, adult male; D, P. kumesilvae sp. nov., holotype, KUZ R36423, Kumejima island, subadult female.

Plestiodon barbouri (Van Denburgh, 1912)  

Etymology. According to the description of Van Denburgh (1912), this species was named in honor of the American herpetologist Dr. Thomas Barbour (1884–1946), working as an Associate Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians, Museum of Comparative Zoology (Harvard), at the time of description (Adler 2014). 

Suggested common names: Amami-BāBā-Tokage (Japanese) and Amami Barbour’s blue-tailed skink (English).

 Plestiodon toyamai sp. nov. 

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Mr. Masanao Toyama, for his outstanding contributions to the herpetology of the Ryukyu Archipelago, which is of great interest to the taxonomy of Plestiodon in the Ryukyu Archipelago. 

Suggested common names: Okinawa-BāBā-Tokage (Japanese) and Okinawa Barbour’s blue-tailed skink (English).

 

Plestiodon iheyaesilvae sp. nov. 

Etymology. The species name is a compound noun in the genitive case derived from the type locality (Iheyajima island) and the Latin noun silva (=forest), referring to the occurrence of this species in the forests of the island. 

Suggested common names: Iheya-BāBā-Tokage (Japanese) and Iheya Barbour’s blue-tailed skink (English).

Plestiodon kumesilvae sp. nov.

Etymology. The species name is a compound noun in the genitive case derived from the type locality (Kumejima island) and the Latin noun silva (=forest), referring to the occurrence of this species in forest area of the island. 

Suggested common names: Kume-BāBā-Tokage (Japanese); Kume Barbour’s bule-tailed skink (English).

 

Kazuki Kurita  and Tsutomu Hikida. 2025. A Taxonomic Revision of the Barbour’s Blue-tailed Skink Plestiodon barbouri (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), With Descriptions of Three New Species. Species Diversity. 30(2); 259-287. DOI doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.30.259 

x.com/Species_Divers/status/1993168294527095274