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| Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis Zhou, Wang, Cui, Zhang, Shen, Li, Liu & Rao, 2025 |
Abstract
A new species of gekkonid, Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov., is described based on three specimens from Lushui City, Yunnan, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a significant genetic divergence of greater than 4.8% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene and a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 38.5 mm; 10 or 11 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; 6 circumnasal scales; 2 or 3 internasal scales; 8 or 9 supralabial scales; 8 or 9 infralabial scales; 15 or 16 dorsal scales; 9 ventral scales; a manual lamellar formula of 3-4-4-4 and a pedal lamellar formula of 3(4)-4-4-4; 26–28 precloacal and femoral pore-bearing scales contiguous in males; 1–3 cloacal spur on each side; a dark postorbital stripe extending to at least base of neck; dorsolateral light–colored spots on trunk present; dark ventrolateral stripe on trunk present; dark dorsal transverse blotches present; and a dark and brown postsacral mark bearing anteriorly projecting arms.
Key Words: Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov., integrative taxonomy, Lushui City, molecular phylogeny, slender gecko
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| Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov. A. Holotype, LW2024R006, dorsal view in alcohol; B. Holotype, LW2024R006, ventral view in alcohol; C. The ventral view of the head; black lines indicate chin scales; D, E. In view of lamellae formula counting on fingers and feet I to V; F. Lateral view of basal tail. |
Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 38.5 mm; 10 or 11 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; 6 circumnasal scales; 2 or 3 internasal scales; 8 or 9 supralabial scales; 8 or 9 infralabial scales; 15 or 16 dorsal scales; 9 ventral scales; a manual lamellar formula of 3-4-4-4 and a pedal lamellar formula of 3(4)-4-4-4; 26–28 precloacal and femoral pore-bearing scales contiguous in males; 1–3 cloacal spur on each side; a dark postorbital stripe extending to at least base of neck; dorsolateral light–colored spots on trunk present; dark ventrolateral stripe on trunk present; dark dorsal transverse blotches present; and a dark and brown postsacral mark bearing anteriorly projecting arms.
Etymology: The scientific name “laowozhenensis” is derived from its type locality Laowo Town, Lushui City in Yunnan province. We suggest Laowo Town Slender Gecko in English and “老窝镇半叶趾虎 (Lǎo Wō Zhèn Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.
Hongxin Zhou, Xiaohan Wang, Liangwei Cui, Dongru Zhang, Ziqi Shen, Xiuyan Li, Shuo Liu and Dingqi Rao. 2025. A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from western Yunnan, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 245-255. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.138964
