 |
| Scincella chengduensis Jia, Ren, Jiang, & Li, in Jia, Gao, Wu, Wang, G. Liu, M. Liu, K. Jiang, D.-C. Jiang, Ren et Li, 2025. |
Abstract
The genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950, belonging to the family Scincidae, exhibits considerable morphological convergence, complicating species delimitation and resulting in underestimated diversity. Currently, 41 species are formally recognized in this genus, although this figure likely underestimates its true richness. In this study, a new species of the genus Scincella, Scincella chengduensis sp. nov., is described from urban and suburban areas of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Morphological features and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the new species is distinct from all previously recognized congeners. The new species can be clearly distinguished by a combination of the following unique characters: (1) slender, medium-sized body, snout-vent length 28.4–43.2 mm; (2) infralabials seven, rarely six; (3) supraciliaries six or seven; (4) tympanum deeply recessed without lobules, tympanum diameters equal to or exceeding palpebral disc diameters; (5) midbody scale-row counts 23; (6) dorsal scales smooth, slightly enlarged, paravertebral scale-row counts 57–60, ventral scale-row counts 42–44, gulars 21–22; (7) upper edge of lateral longitudinal stripes relatively straight, four rows of dorsal scales in middle; (8) enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath finger IV 8–9, enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath toe IV 10–12; (9) ventral surface densely covered with dark spots; (10) grayish-brown, irregular dorsal stripes 2–3, black dorsolateral stripes from posterior corner of eye to lateral side of tail. This discovery underscores the underestimated diversity of Scincella in China and highlights the importance of urban habitats as reservoirs of hidden biodiversity. A diagnostic key to the Scincella species of China is also provided.
Keywords: phylogeny; morphology; Scincella chengduensis sp. nov.; taxonomy; herpetological diversity
 |
| Paratype of Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. (CIB 118786) in life. Photo by Jin-Long Ren. |
 |
| Holotype of Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. (CIB 118787) in preservative. (A): Dorsal view of body; (B): Ventral view of body; (C): Dorsal view of head; (D): Ventral view of head; (E): Left view of head; (F): Right view of head; (G): Ventral feature of body; (H): Lateral view of body; (I): Ventral view of hand; (J): Ventral view of foot. Scale bar: 5 mm. Photos by Zong-Yuan Gao. |
Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. Jia, Ren, Jiang, & Li
Diagnosis. Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. can be clearly distinguished by a combination of the following unique characters: (1) slender, medium-sized body, snout-vent length 28.4–43.2 mm; (2) infralabials seven, rarely six; (3) supraciliaries six or seven; (4) tympanum deeply recessed without lobules, tympanum diameters equal to or exceeding palpebral disc diameters; (5) midbody scale-row counts 23; (6) dorsal scales smooth, slightly enlarged, paravertebral scale-row counts 57–60, ventral scale-row counts 42–44, gulars 21–22; (7) upper edge of lateral longitudinal stripes relatively straight, four rows of dorsal scales in middle; (8) enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath finger IV 8–9, enlarged, undivided lamellae beneath toe IV 10–12; (9) ventral surface densely covered with dark spots; (10) grayish-brown, irregular dorsal stripes 2–3, black dorsolateral stripes from posterior corner of eye to lateral side of tail.
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the type locality Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and an important urban center in western China known for its high biodiversity. Reflecting its geographic distribution in Chengdu, the proposed common name is “Chengdu ground skink” in English and “Chéng Dū Huá Xī (成都滑蜥)” in Chinese.
Ru-Wan Jia, Zong-Yuan Gao, Di-Hao Wu,Guan-Qi Wang, Gang Liu, Min Liu, Ke Jiang, De-Chun Jiang, Jin-Long Ren and Jia-Tang Li. 2025. Hidden Urban Biodiversity: A New Species of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Animals. 15(2), 232. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15020232
Simple Summary: Urban biodiversity is often underestimated, yet new discoveries continue to reveal previously unrecognized species within these environments. This study describes a new species of the genus Scincella, Scincella chengduensis sp. nov., from the urban and suburban landscapes of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Integrating detailed morphological comparisons and genetic analyses, this species was determined to be distinct from all known skinks in the region. This discovery underscores the role of Chengdu as a biodiversity reservoir, even amidst rapid urbanization. Furthermore, this study highlights the resilience of species in fragmented and human-altered habitats, emphasizing the importance of urban environments for biodiversity research. The discovery of Scincella chengduensis sp. nov. expands the known diversity of skinks and stresses the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts in urban areas. These findings provide valuable insights for managing urban biodiversity and guiding conservation strategies in cities undergoing rapid development.
