[Herpetology • 2026] Acanthosaura syrax • A New Species of mountain horned dragon (Squamata: Agamidae) from high-elevation habitats of western Thailand

Acanthosaura syrax  

P. Trivalairat, K. Trivalairat, Moungkhaek, Caponov & Lorsunyaluck. 2026. 

Syrax mountain horned dragon | กิ้งก่าเขาหนามเล็กไซแรกซ์ 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1287.186636

Abstract

A new species of mountain horned dragon, Acanthosaura syrax sp. nov., is described from the high–elevation evergreen forests of Mae Wong National Park in western Thailand. Morphological comparisons distinguish the new taxon from its congeners by its smaller body size and the fact that it possesses the smallest nuchal and dorsal scales recorded within the genus. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial ND2 and COI gene sequences further supports this distinction, identifying the new species as a reciprocal monophyletic lineage with 76% and 99% nodal support in maximum–likelihood analyses and 0.78 and 1.00 nodal support in Bayesian Inference analyses based on ND2 and COI genes, respectively. Interspecific pairwise genetic distances between A. syrax sp. nov. and other congeners range from 14.1–15.9% in ND2 gene and 14.96–28.13% in COI gene, while intraspecific variation remains low at 0–0.01% and 0–0.34% in ND2 and COI, respectively. This discovery brings the number of Acanthosaura species to 23 and highlights the significant and unique biodiversity found within the high–altitude evergreen ecosystems of western Thailand.

Key words: COI, Mae Wong National Park, morphology, ND2, reptile, Tak–Kamphaeng Phet Province, taxonomy, tropical rainforest

Adult male holotype (THNHM31129) of Acanthosaura syrax sp. nov. from Mae Wong District, Kampheang Phet Province, Thailand, at 1,340 m a.s.l.
A. Left lateral view; B. Right lateral view; C. Dorsal view.

Acanthosaura syrax sp. nov. 
Adult female paratype (THNHM31130 for (A–C), THNHM31131 for (D–F))  
A, B. Right lateral view; C, F. Dorsal view. D, E. Left lateral view.

Acanthosaura syrax sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A small-sized species (maximum SVL 101.2 mm for females and 69.6 mm for males) with a single tiny conical spine above the posterior margin of the eye (maximum PS 2.7 mm for females and 2.0 mm for males); small spine on the occiput between the tympanum and the nuchal crest (maximum OS 4.1 mm for females and 2.4 mm for males); tympanum scaleless, small, roundish; less developed gular pouch; present small scales intermixed with three set of medium keeled scales line transversely from dorsal to ...

Acanthosaura syrax sp. nov. 
Adult female paratype (THNHM31130 for (A–C), THNHM31131 for (D–F)) o
A, B. Right lateral view; C, F. Dorsal view. D, E. Left lateral view.

Etymology. The specific epithet syrax is a noun in apposition, named in reference to the dragon “Syrax”, the mount of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen [from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire universe]. This name is inspired by the species’ distinctive yellow-hued coloration, its relatively diminutive size compared to its congeners, and its significant reproductive output, reflected in its high clutch size. We suggest the following common names, “Syrax mountain horned dragon” (English) and “King Ka Khaow Naam Lek Syrax” (กิ้งก่าเขาหนามเล็กไซแรกซ์) (Thai). 

Poramad Trivalairat, Krittiya Trivalairat, Nawee Moungkhaek, Simon Caponov and Benchapol Lorsunyaluck. 2026. Acanthosaura syrax sp. nov., A New Species of mountain horned dragon from high-elevation habitats of western Thailand (Squamata, Agamidae). ZooKeys. 1287: 47-76.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1287.186636

[Herpetology • 2026] Bronchocela carestiai & B. mallarii • A Comprehensive, Archipelago-Wide Taxonomic Reassessment of the Genus Bronchocela (Squamata: Agamidae) in the Philippines, with Descriptions of Two New Species

 

(A) Bronchocela marmorata from Luzon,
(B, C) B. philippina from Mindanao,
 (D) Bronchocela carestiai from Mindoro, and
(E) B. mallarii from Palawan. 

 

Supsup, Pitogo, Sanguila, Hallermann, Denzer, Wood & Brown, 2026

Herpetological Monographs. 40 (1),

Photographs by Rafe M. Brown, Christian E. Supsup, and Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo.

 Abstract  

One challenge for species delimitation involves closely related species, characterized by both intra- and interspecifically variable morphologies, for which genetic information is not yet available. One such example is exhibited by agamid lizards of the genus Bronchocela. This group of conspicuously vibrant green lizards is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, with 15 recognized species. However, the geographic distributions of several named taxa have remained unclear because of the imprecise application of names in taxonomic summaries and faunal checklists. For more than a century, many authors have noted that a few species, often considered “widespread,” persist throughout nearly the entire range of the genus. This is particularly true for populations identified as Bronchocela cristatella sensu lato and, to a lesser extent, B. marmorata in the Philippines. In this study, we reassess the systematics and taxonomy of Bronchocela populations in the Philippine archipelago. Using multiple lines of evidence from molecular and morphological data, we uncover four distinct lineages of Philippine Bronchocela, all of which we interpret as being distantly related to B. cristatella sensu lato from Malaysia and Indonesia. We argue that these lineages should now be interpreted as Philippine endemic species. Given the strong congruence in molecular and morphological analyses, we now consider populations from the Luzon faunal region (including Catanduanes, Marinduque, Lubang, and Polillo Islands), Romblon (Tablas, Romblon, and Sibuyan Islands), and the West Visayas (Negros, Cebu, and Panay Islands) as B. marmorata. The nomenclaturally available name, B. philippina, is now designated to the unique lineage from the Mindanao faunal region. Additionally, we recognize two new, distinctive species from the Mindoro (B. carestiai) and Palawan (B. mallarii) faunal regions. Overall, our findings demonstrate how conspicuous and widely distributed species in Southeast Asia remain poorly understood, overlooked, and taxonomically unresolved. Hence, the taxonomic resolution of Bronchocela populations in the island archipelagos of Southeast Asia will greatly benefit from the urgent priority of determining which landmass the name “B. cristatella” applies.

KEYWORDS: Bronchocela carestiai sp. nov, Bronchocela marmorata, Bronchocela mallarii sp. nov, Bronchocela philippina, Southeast Asia, taxonomy, Widespread species

In life photographs of Bronchocela marmorata from Luzon (A), B. philippina from Mindanao (B, C),
B. carestiai from Mindoro (D), and B. mallarii from Palawan (E).

Photographs were taken by Rafe M. Brown, Christian E. Supsup, and Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo.

Bronchocela carestiai sp. nov.

 Bronchocela mallarii sp. nov. 

Christian E. Supsup, Kier Mitchel E. Pitogo, Marites B. Sanguila, Jakob Hallermann, Wolfgang Denzer, Perry L. Wood Jr. and Rafe M. Brown. 2026. A Comprehensive, Archipelago-Wide Taxonomic Reassessment of the Genus Bronchocela (Squamata: Agamidae) in the Philippines, with Descriptions of Two New Species. Herpetological Monographs. 40 (1), 1-44, (20 July 2026) DOI: doi.org/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-24-00003

https://bioone.org/journals/herpetological-monographs/volume-40/issue-1/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-24-00003/A-Comprehensive-Archipelago-Wide-Taxonomic-Reassessment-of-the-Genus-Bronchocela/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-24-00003.full

[Herpetology • 2026] Calotes thailandensis & C. maehongsonensis • Systematics of the Calotes irawadi complex (Squamata: Agamidae) with Two newly described Species from Thailand

Calotes thailandensis 

Prakobkarn, Zug, Tandavanitj & Ngamprasertwong, 2026

 

กิ้งก่ารั้ว, กิ้งก่าหัวแดง  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1281.175455 

Abstract

Two new species of Calotes lizards, Calotes thailandensis sp. nov. and C. maehongsonensis sp. nov., are diagnosed and described from Thailand. These new species are most closely related to C. irawadi and C. wangi, which are members of the C. irawadi complex, supported by phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA data (ND2 and COI genes) coupled with morphometric and osteological data. Calotes thailandensis sp. nov. and C. maehongsonensis sp. nov. are distinguished from true C. irawadi by having a wider PelvW, but a smaller head size in adult males. In particular, adult males of C. thailandensis sp. nov. obviously differ from both C. irawadi and C. wangi by having a longer supratympanic spine, whereas C. maehongsonensis sp. nov. has a distinctly longer hindlimb than that of C. irawadi and C. wangi. As a result, two new species increase the list of known Calotes species in Thailand to four species; C. thailandensis sp. nov., C. maehongsonensis sp. nov., C. emma and C. goetzi.

Key words: Morphometric analysis, osteology, phylogenetic analysis, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

An uncollected male (A, B) on breeding season (March, 2025) and female (D) (CUMZ-R-2767) of Calotes thailandensis sp. nov. in rubber plantation (C) at Khlong Hoi Kong District, Songkhla Province, Thailand.

 Calotes thailandensis sp. nov. 

C. maehongsonensis sp. nov.

 Arpapan Prakobkarn, George R. Zug, Nontivich Tandavanitj and Thongchai Ngamprasertwong. 2026. Systematics of the Calotes irawadi complex (Squamata, Agamidae) with Two newly described Species from Thailand. ZooKeys. 1281: 69-104. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1281.175455 [03-06-2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Ptyctolaemus tongbiguanensis • A New Species of the Genus Ptyctolaemus Peters, 1864 (Squamata: Agamidae) from Yunnan, China

Ptyctolaemus tongbiguanensis

Liu, Zhu, Hou, Duan, Zuo, Yin & Rao, 2026

铜壁关喉褶蜥  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy6010004

Abstract

A new species of the genus Ptyctolaemus Peters, 1864 is described from Yunnan Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, China. The new species phylogenetically formed a clade sister to P. namdaphaensis, but it can be easily distinguished from P. namdaphaensis by the difference in the color of the dewlap. The new species is superficially most similar to P. chindwinensis; however, it can be distinguished from P. chindwinensis by the difference in the color of the oral cavity and tongue. This discovery increases the number of named Ptyctolaemus species to six.

Keywords: morphology; ND2; phylogeny; systematics; taxonomy; Tongbiguan

 The holotype (KIZ 20140059) of Ptyctolaemus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. in life.
(A) General view; (B) close-up view of the head.

 Comparison of the tongue and the oral cavity between Ptyctolaemus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. (A, C) and P. chindwinensis (B, D).

Ptyctolaemus tongbiguanensis sp. nov.

 Diagnosis: The new species is assigned to the genus Ptyctolaemus based upon the following set of morphological characteristics: body size medium, body and limbs slender, tail and limbs long, tympanum concealed, nuchal crest undeveloped, dorsal scales small and heterogeneous in size, gular region with foldable colored dewlap in males. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: SVL 68–79 mm, ratio of tail length to snout–vent length 2.45–2.60, ratio of forelimb length to snout–vent length 0.46–0.48, ratio of hindlimb length to snout–vent length 0.91–0.93, nuchal crest low and flat, nuchal crest spines 12–21, scales around midbody 86–88, subdigital lamellae under fourth toe 36–37, dewlap light yellow with black stripes in males and no colorful dewlap in females, oral cavity light blue, tongue bluish gray.

 Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Yunnan Tongbiguan Provincial Natural Reserve, the locality in which the new species was found. We suggested “Tongbiguan fan-throated lizard” for the common English name and “铜壁关喉褶蜥” for the common Chinese name.

Shuo Liu, Xiaoyu Zhu, Mian Hou, Zhengpan Duan, Changsheng Zuo, Fawang Yin and Dingqi Rao. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Ptyctolaemus Peters, 1864 (Squamata, Agamidae) from Yunnan, China. Taxonomy. 2026, 6(1), 4; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy6010004  [2 January 2026]

[Herpetology • 2025] Ptyctolaemus namdaphaensis & P. siangensis • Two New Species of Ptyctolaemus (Squamata: Agamidae) from northeast India

 

Ptyctolaemus namdaphaensis 
Ptyctolaemus siangensis  

 Balan, Das, Boruah, Tillack, Lalronunga & Deepak, 2025

Ptyctolaemus gularis (Peters, 1864)

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.75.e162650

Abstract 

The genus Ptyctolaemus Peters, 1864 is currently represented by three species; P. gularis, P. collicristatus and P. chindwinensis. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies have highlighted additional lineages within P. gularis. Phylogenetic analysis using the ND2 mitochondrial gene recovered three distinct lineages in India. Multivariate analyses using morphological data placed the type specimen of P. gularis (ZMB 5004) with the samples collected from Meghalaya. We assign this lineage as P. gularis and describe the other two lineages as new species. Ptyctolaemus siangensis sp. nov. found west of Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh and Ptyctolaemus namdaphaensis sp. nov. found in Namdapha, Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Although phenotypically similar the two new species differ from its congeners in gular colouration and subtle morphological differences.

Keywords: Agamids, Arunachal Pradesh, DNA, molecular, morphology, multivariate analysis

Ptyctolaemus siangensis sp. nov.

Ptyctolaemus namdaphaensis sp. nov.

 Amirtha Balan, Abhijit Das, Bitupan Boruah, Frank Tillack, Samuel Lalronunga and Veerappan Deepak. 2025. Description of Two New Species of Ptyctolaemus (Squamata: Agamidae) from northeast India. Vertebrate Zoology. 75: 487-516. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.75.e162650 [11-11-2025]

[Herpetology • 2025] Taxonomic Status of Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in: Steindachner, 1867 with Notes on Coryphophylax subcristatus (Blyth, “1860” 1861)

 

 Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867

in Mirza​, Pal, Thackeray, Patel et Bauer. 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19841 

Abstract

The insular agamid genus Coryphophylax Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867, is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. These diurnal lizards are currently represented by two putative species, Coryphophylax subcristatus (Blyth, “1860” 1861) and Coryphophylax brevicauda Harikrishnan, Vasudevan, Chandramouli, Choudhury, Dutta & Das, 2012. The species C. subcristatus is said to be distributed through the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, even across the Ten Degree Channel, which is a recognised biogeographic barrier. A reassessment of the taxonomy of C. subcristatus shows the population south of the Ten Degree Channel, for which the nomen Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867 is available, to be distinct. The results are based on morphological data from museum material, including type specimens and mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences. The members of the genus Coryphophylax are abundant and widespread across the islands and may serve as an illuminating example for studying the patterns of colonization and diversification across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867

Coryphophylax maximiliani from Nicobar Islands showing colouration in life.

 Photos by S. Harikrishnan.

Zeeshan A. Mirza​, Saunak Pal, Tejas Thackeray, Harshil Patel and Aaron M. Bauer. 2025. Taxonomic Status of Coryphophylax maximiliani Fitzinger in: Steindachner, 1867 with Notes on Coryphophylax subcristatus (Blyth, “1860” 1861) PeerJ. 13:e19841. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19841 [September 19, 2025]

[Herpetology • 2025] Diploderma bifluviale • A New Species of Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Squamata: Agamidae) discovered in the upper Dadu River valley of the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, China

 Diploderma bifluviale

F. Liu, Wu, Zhang, Yang, S. Liu, Chen, Chang, Xie &  Cai. 2025

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.153705

Abstract

A new species of the genus Diploderma is described from the upper Dadu River Valley in the Hengduan mountains of Sichuan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial ND2 gene revealed that the new species, Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov., forms a distinct lineage within the Diploderma flaviceps group with an uncorrected genetic distance of ≥3.88%. Morphologically, the new species differs from its congeners by a combination of characters, including a shorter snout-vent length (SVL 62.51–72.55 mm), a shorter tail (TAL/SVL ratio 1.37–1.56), concealed tympanum, absence of a gular spot, and lemon-chiffon dorsolateral stripes with serrated edges in males. Additionally, Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov. exhibits unique coloration traits such as a wheat-colored tongue and the fourth toe with claw reaching either the tympanum or the area between shoulder and tympanum when hind limbs adpressed forward. The species inhabits semi-arid shrublands in warm-dry valleys at elevations of 2,187–2,525 m – a habitat that is distinct from those of its closest relatives. This discovery highlights the understudied biodiversity of the upper Dadu River. Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov. represents the 49th species of the genus and expands our understanding of morphological and ecological diversity within the D. flaviceps group.

Key words: Agamidae, Barkam City, dry valley, Eastern Tibetan Plateau, Jinchuan County, lizard, ND2, taxonomy

 Diploderma bifluviale sp. nov.

 Fengjing Liu, Yayong Wu, Jindong Zhang, Guang Yang, Shuo Liu, Xue Chen, Jiang Chang, Qiang Xie and Bo Cai. 2025. A New Species of Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Squamata, Agamidae) discovered in the upper Dadu River valley of the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, China. ZooKeys. 1251: 17-38.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.153705

[Herpetology • 2025] Acanthosaura grismeri • Unexpected Diversity of Pricklenape Agamas in Vietnam: Another New Cryptic Species of Acanthosaura Gray 1831 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from the Central Highlands

Acanthosaura grismeri 

 Le, T. T. Nguyen, T. Q. Nguyen, Ziegler, Do & Ngo, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.3.3

Abstract

Based on integrative taxonomic analyses, we describe a new species of Acanthosaura from Krong Bong forest, Dak Lak Province, the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Acanthosaura grismeri sp. nov. differs morphologically from its congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: size moderate (SVL 77.20-91.98 mm in males, 102.70-113.09 mm in females); the absence of diastema between short nuchal and dorsal crest spines; vertebral crest includes a single row of enlarged, keeled, pointed scales; color of dorsal surface green in males and light brown and green-yellow with scattered black spots in females; the absence of black eye patch; black or brown lines from canthus rostralis-supraciliary line downward to upper eye margin, and a white band from lower eye margin downward to lip edge. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods for the COI gene support the monophyly of Acanthosaura grismeri sp. nov. The uncorrected pairwise distance between the new species and its congeners ranges from 7.82% to 25.36%. With the description of this species, 22 species of Acanthosaura are recognized, half of them occurring in Vietnam.

 Reptilia,  Acanthosaura grismeri sp. nov., Agamidae, Morphology, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, COI, Dak Lak Province

Acanthosaura grismeri sp. nov.

Linh Tu Hoang LE, Tao Thien NGUYEN, Truong Quang NGUYEN, Thomas ZIEGLER, Dang Trong DO and Hai Ngoc NGO. 2025. Unexpected Diversity of Pricklenape Agamas in Vietnam: Another New Cryptic Species of Acanthosaura Gray 1831 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from the Central Highlands. Zootaxa. 5686(3); 373-392. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5686.3.3 [2025-08-28]

[Herpetology • 2025] Natural repeated backcrosses lead to triploidy and tetraploidy in parthenogenetic Butterfly Lizards (Leiolepis: Agamidae)

The reconstructed hybridisation events led to the emergence of triploid L. guentherpetersi and its tetraploid hybrid. Distribution map of L. reevesii, L. guttata and L. guentherpetersi ...
Photo of the putative hybrid male N34_H (ZMMU R-17884) in situ. 

in Galoyan, Nazarov, Altmanová, Matveevsky, Kropachev, Dedukh, Iryshkov, Pankin, Sopilko, Nikolaev, Orlov, Arakelyan, Klíma, Solovyeva, Nguyen et Kratochvíl, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83300-y

Abstract

Obligatory parthenogenesis in vertebrates is restricted to squamate reptiles and evolved through hybridisation. Parthenogens can hybridise with sexual species, resulting in individuals with increased ploidy levels. We describe two successive hybridisations of the parthenogenetic butterfly lizards (genus Leiolepis) in Vietnam with a parental sexual species. Contrary to previous proposals, we document that parthenogenetic L. guentherpetersi has mitochondrial DNA and two haploid sets from L. guttata and one from L. reevesii, suggesting that it is the result of a backcross of a parthenogenetic L. guttata × L. reevesii hybrid with a L. guttata male increasing ploidy from 2n to 3n. Within the range of L. guentherpetersi, we found an adult tetraploid male with three L. guttata and one L. reevesii haploid genomes. It probably originated from fertilisation of an unreduced triploid L. guentherpetersi egg by a L. guttata sperm. Although its external morphology resembles that of the maternal species, it possessed exceptionally large erythrocytes and was likely sterile. As increased ploidy level above triploidy or tetraploidy appears to be harmful for amniotes, all-female asexual lineages should evolve a strategy to prevent incorporation of other haploid genomes from a sexual species by avoiding fertilisation by sexual males.

Keywords: Hybridisation, Leiolepis, Parthenogenesis, Tetraploidy, Meiosis, Vietnam, 

Photo of the putative hybrid male N34_H (ZMMU R-17884) in situ.

The reconstructed hybridisation events led to the emergence of triploid L. guentherpetersi and its tetraploid hybrid.

Distribution map of L. reevesii, L. guttata and L. guentherpetersi is modified after Grismer et al. 2014. The map of Vietnam from data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-vnm edited using QGIS 3.32 Software. Figures represent specific coloration of each species according to sex.

 Eduard Galoyan, Roman Nazarov, Marie Altmanová, Sergey Matveevsky, Ivan Kropachev, Dmitrij Dedukh, Eugene Iryshkov, Mark Pankin, Natalia Sopilko, Oleg Nikolaev, Nikolai Orlov, Marine Arakelyan, Jiří Klíma, Evgeniya Solovyeva, Tao Nguyen and Lukáš Kratochvíl. 2025. Natural repeated backcrosses lead to triploidy and tetraploidy in parthenogenetic butterfly lizards (Leiolepis: Agamidae). Scientific Reports. 15: 3094. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83300-y [24 January 2025]

 

[Herpetology • 2025] Calotes zhaoermii • A New Cryptic Species of Calotes (Reptilia: Agamidae) from Southeastern Xizang Autonomous Region, China

Calotes zhaoermii Wang, Shu, Li, Guo, Che, 

in Wang, Shu, Li, Dong, Mu, Su, Zhu, Zhang, Guo et Che, 2025.

赵氏树蜥  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5609.2.8  

Researchgate.net/publication/390026644

 

Abstract

Based on both morphological and genetic data, we describe a new cryptic species of Calotes from southeastern Xizang Autonomous Region, China. The new species was confused with C. paulus, and it is morphologically most similar to members of the C. paulus complex (namely C. paulus, C. sinyik, and C. zolaiking), but the new species shows considerable genetic divergence from closely resembled congeners and can be diagnosed morphologically by having more vertebral crest scales, more scale rows at mid body, and more caudal vertebrae. With the description of the new species, we also remove C. paulus from the reptile fauna of China.

Reptilia, cryptic diversity, Draconinae, Himalaya, herpetofauna, taxonomy

Holotype of Calotes zhaoermii sp. nov. in life.

Photos by Ke-Ji GUO.

Calotes zhaoermii sp. nov. Wang, Shu, Li, Guo, Che

Etymology. The new species name, zhaoermii, is derived from the name of the landmark Chinese herpetologist, Dr. Zhao Er-Mi, who had conducted extensive surveys back in 1973 in Muotuo County of Xizang Autonomous Region where the new species is native to and contributed substantially to the herpetological knowledge both in China and across Asia. We name the new species after Dr. Zhao in honoring his contribution to herpetologicalr esearch. We suggest “赵氏树蜥” (Pinyin: Zhao Shi Shu Xi) as its Chinese common name, and Zhao’s tree agamidas its English common name. 

Kai WANG, Fu SHU, Ling LI, Wen-Jie DONG, Hao-Nan MU, Ming SU, Wen-Bo ZHU, Meng-Fei ZHANG, Ke-Ji GUO and Jing CHE. 2025. A New Cryptic Species of Calotes (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae) from Southeastern Xizang Autonomous Region, China. Zootaxa. 5609(2); 275-285. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5609.2.8 [2025-03-20]

 Researchgate.net/publication/390026644_A_New_Cryptic_Species_of_Calotes_from_SE_Xizang_China

[Herpetology • 2024] Diploderma qiaojiaense • A New Species of Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Squamata: Agamidae) from Northeastern Yunnan Province, China

 Diploderma qiaojiaense  

 Liu, Hou & Rao, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4020020 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 from Qiaojia County, Zhaotong City, northeastern Yunnan Province, China, is described. Phylogenetically, the new species is placed within the D. splendidum complex and has genetic distances of 7.3% and 7.5% from D. splendidum (Barbour & Dunn, 1919) sensu stricto and D. daduense Cai, Liu & Chang, 2024, respectively, based on the ND2 gene sequences. Morphologically, the new species closely resembles D. splendidum sensu stricto and D. daduense, however, it can be distinguished from D. splendidum sensu stricto by having a larger body size in males and relatively shorter limbs, and can be differentiated from D. daduense by having a relatively narrower head in males and relatively shorter forelimbs in males. In addition, the new species differs from D. splendidum sensu stricto and D. daduense by having different colorations, especially in the absence of transverse stripes on the dorsal head. This study further revealed that D. splendidum sensu lato is a complex containing multiple species and that more research is needed to clarify the taxonomy of the complex.

Keywords: morphology; ND2; Qiaojia County; systematics; taxonomy

Holotype (KIZ2021106) of Diploderma qiaojiaense sp. nov. in life.
(A) Dorsal view; (B) lateral view; (C) ventral view; (D) close-up view of the lateral side of the head; (E) close-up view of the ventral side of the head; and (F) close-up view of the oral cavity.

 Female paratype (KIZ2021108) of Diploderma qiaojiaense sp. nov in life.
(A) Dorsal view; (B) lateral view; (C) ventral view; (D) close-up view of the lateral side of the head; (E) close-up view of the ventral side of the head; and (F) close-up view of the oral cavity.

Class Reptilia Laurenti, 1768

Order Squamata Oppel, 1811

Family Agamidae Gray, 1827

Genus Diploderma Hallowell, 1861

 Diploderma qiaojiaense sp. nov.

 Diagnosis: Body size relatively large, SVL 88.4–95.9 mm in adult males; tail moderately long, TAL/SVL 2.17–2.29; limbs relatively short, FLL/SVL 0.39–0.42, HLL/SVL 0.69–0.73; head relatively long, HL/SVL 0.32–0.35; tympanum concealed; ventral head and body scales strongly keeled, some enlarged scales interspersed on ventral head; nuchal crest well-developed, dorsal crest moderately developed; strongly erected skin folds under nuchal and dorsal crests present. Dorsal surface of head light brownish grey with no transverse bands; transverse black stripe on upper lip indistinct, region between stripe beneath eye and stripe on upper lip pure white; dorsolateral stripe light green in males in life, upper edge straight or slightly jagged, lower edge straight; gular spot absent, some white spots with indistinct black circle surrounded present on ventral head; oral cavity, inner lips, and tongue light flesh color.

 Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Qiaojia County, which is where the new species was discovered.

 Body and corresponding throat colorations in the males of Diploderma qiaojiaense sp. nov. under different environmental conditions.
 High temperature in the afternoon (top), basking to raise body temperature in the morning (bottom), and the state between the other two (middle). Specimens were not collected.

 Shuo Liu, Mian Hou and Dingqi Rao. 2024. A New Species of Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Reptilia, Squamata, Agamidae) from Northeastern Yunnan Province, China. Taxonomy. 4(2); 412-431. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4020020 

 

[Herpetology • 2025] Acanthosaura cuongi • A New Species of Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from the Truong Son Mountain Range, Vietnam

 

Acanthosaura cuongi 

Ngo, Le, T. T. Nguyen, T. M. Nguyen, N. T. Nguyen, Phan, T. Q. Nguyen, Ziegler & Do, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.976.2781

Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 from the Truong Son Mountain Range, southern Vietnam, based on integrative taxonomic analyses. Acanthosaura cuongi sp. nov. differs from its congeners by a combination of the following diagnostic characteristics: size moderate (snout-vent length: 79.4–104.61 mm); the absence of a diastema between the short nuchal and dorsal crest spines; vertebral crests composed of two rows of enlarged, keeled, pointed scales, arranged in a zipper line; various body coloration with light-green, orange-yellow, and light or purple-gray; black eye patch extending posteriorly to the anterior edge of tympanum. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses using two mitochondrial genes (COI and Cytb) support the monophyly of Acanthosaura cuongi. Furthermore, the new species differs from the closest lineage consisting of A. coronata Günther, 1861 by having pairwise genetic distances of 11.58–12.11%, and have a maximal intraspecific distance of 0.35%. This is the 21st species of Acanthosaura and the tenth species of the genus reported from Vietnam.

Keywords: Agamid lizards, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy

Class Reptilia Laurenti, 1768

Order Squamata Oppel, 1811

Suborder Iguania Cope, 1864

Family Agamidae Gray, 1827

Subfamily Draconinae Fitzinger, 1826

Genus Acanthosaura Gray, 1831

Live male holotype of Acanthosaura cuongi sp. nov. (IEBR R.5250).
A. Dorsolateral view. B. Dorsal view. C. Cloacal region. D. Head, lateral view. E. Head, dorsal view. F. Head, ventral view.

Acanthosaura cuongi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Moderately-sized agamid lizard (SVL 79.40–87.06 mm in males, 85.69–104.61 mm in females); head triangular,  relatively  long  (HL/SVL  0.27–0.31,  HW/SVL  0.18–0.21),  tail  relatively  long  (TaL/SVL  1.44–1.51 in males and 1.09–1.38 in females), postorbital and occipital spines present; gular pouch undeveloped;  8–10  scales  between  nasals;  four  scales  bordering  mental  scale;  10–13  supralabials;  10–13 infralabials; 5–7 scales bordering rostral scale; nuchal crest composed of 7–9 spines relatively high and one spine short; dorsal crest present, undeveloped; double rows of vertebral scales followed the dorsal crest; nuchal and dorsal crests continuous, filled with small spine scales; lateral scales small,  intermixed  with  large,  keeled  scales,  keels  directed  backward  and  back-upward;  number  of  subdigital lamellae 14–17 on fourth finger and 19–23 on fourth toe (Table 3); black nuchal collar present; dorsum with black bands; a black patch extending from eye posteriorly to the anterior edge of tympanum.

Etymology: The specific epithet is dedicated to the Vietnamese herpetologist Dr Cuong The Pham, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), Hanoi, in recognition of his support for field surveys in Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces and his great contributions to herpetological research in Vietnam.

Color variations of live paratypes of Acanthosaura cuongi sp. nov.

Hai Ngoc Ngo, Linh Tu Hoang Le, Tao Thien Nguyen, Tuan Minh Nguyen, Ngan Thi Nguyen, Tien Quang Phan, Truong Quang Nguyen, Thomas Ziegler and Dang Trong Do. 2025. A New Species of Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from the Truong Son Mountain Range, Vietnam. European Journal of Taxonomy. 976: 108–132. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.976.2781

[Herpetology • 2024] Calotes sinyik • A New small-sized Calotes Cuvier (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae) from the Subansiri River Basin, Arunachal Pradesh, India

 Calotes sinyik 

Patel, Thackeray, Sheth, Khandekar & Agarwal, 2024

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5523.2.1 

 facebook.com: Thackeray Wildlife Foundation

Abstract

We describe a new species of small-sized Calotes from mid-elevation (~1270 m asl.), swidden or shifting cultivation areas in the Subansiri river basin, Upper Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Mitochondrial sequence data (ND2) recovers Calotes sinyik sp. nov. as the closely related sister taxon to an unnamed species from Medog, Tibet; the two falling in a broader clade including C. paulus + C. zolaiking and species of the C. emma and C. mystaceus groups. The new species is 7.8% divergent in ND2 sequence data from the unnamed lineage from Medog and deeply divergent (≥ 21.6–28.1%) from other congeners. The new species can easily be distinguished from regional congeners by its small adult body size (maximum snout to vent length of 65 mm) and heterogenous dorsal scales, and from its closest relatives C. paulus and C. zolaiking by having 54 or 55 midbody scale rows and 42 or 43 vertebral scales. It is likely that many more allied species remain to be discovered from Northeast India, which remains poorly surveyed across taxonomic groups.

Reptilia, Biodiversity hotspot, dragon lizards, endemic, eastern Himalayas, Oriocalotes, taxonomy

 Calotes sinyik sp. nov.

Harshil Patel, Tejas Thackeray, Chintan Sheth, Akshay Khandekar and Ishan Agarwal. 2024. A New small-sized Calotes Cuvier (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae) from the Subansiri River Basin, Arunachal Pradesh, India.  Zootaxa. 5523(2); 151-170. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5523.2.1   facebook.com/100064866994974/posts/1011385994366958