[Herpetology • 2025] Gekko shiva • A New limestone-dwelling Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand

 

Gekko (Gekko) shiva 

Pauwels, Meesook, Donbundit, Jindamad, Topai & Sumontha, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.6  

 facebook.com/MontriSumontha

Abstract

We describe Gekko shiva sp. nov. from limestone cave and hills in Khlong Hat District, Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand, near the border with Cambodia. The new species, a member of the subgenus Gekko, differs from all currently recognized Gekko species by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 131.9 mm, lack of contact between nostrils and rostral, 28 or 29 interorbital scales between supraciliaries, 80–86 scale rows around midbody, 18 dorsal tubercle rows at midbody, 35–37 ventral scale rows at midbody, 9–12 precloacal pores in males, one or two postcloacal tubercles on each side of the base of the tail, 13–15 subdigital lamellae on 1st toe and 18 or 19 on 4th toe, no Y-shaped mark on head, white spots on head, brown dorsal background with irregular bands of white spots on dorsum, yellow venter, and greenish golden iris.

Reptilia, Gekko shiva sp. nov., taxonomy, karst, limestone, cave, Cardamom Mountains

Gekko shiva sp. nov. 

ตุ๊กแกศิวะ

Olivier S. G. PAUWELS, Worawitoo MEESOOK, Nattasuda DONBUNDIT, Tanasak JINDAMAD, Nittaya TOPAI and Montri SUMONTHA. 2025. Gekko (Gekko) shiva, A New limestone-dwelling Gecko from Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand (Squamata, Gekkonidae).  Zootaxa. 5588(2);  305-322. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.6 

  facebook.com/MontriSumontha/posts/24036329649300869

  facebook.com/100088301342746/posts/600599646226742

 facebook.com/NamwanWorawitoo7/posts/2333613853674144

[Herpetology • 2025] Gehyra shiva • A New limestone-dwelling Four-clawed Gecko (Squamata, Gekkonidae: Gehyra) from Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand

 

Gehyra shiva

Meesook, Donbundit, Jindamad, Topai, Kunya, Suthanthangjai, Chotjuckdikul, Chonkamnord, Sumontha & Pauwels, 2025

จิ้งจกหินศิวะ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.12 

 facebook.com/MontriSumontha

 

Abstract

We describe Gehyra shiva sp. nov. from limestone cave and hills in Khlong Hat District, Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand, near the border with Cambodia. The new species differs from all currently recognized Southeast Asian Gehyra by the following combination of morphological characters and dorsal color pattern: maximal known snout–vent length of 53.8 mm, 8–10 supralabials, 54–67 dorsal and 46–56 ventral scale rows around midbody, absence of skin folds on limbs, 34–37 preanofemoral pores in males in a continuous series extending along the whole length of the femur (pores absent in females), tail not to moderately widened behind vent in adults, a single row of widened subcaudals, digits and toes unwebbed, 7 or 8 divided subdigital lamellae on 4th toe, and a dorsal pattern with five regular dark brown bands between limb insertions, separated or not by pairs of large, white round paravertebral spots.

Reptilia, Gehyra shiva sp. nov., taxonomy, morphology, karst, cave

Gehyra shiva sp. nov.

Worawitoo MEESOOK, Nattasuda DONBUNDIT, Tanasak JINDAMAD, Nittaya TOPAI, Kirati KUNYA, Winai SUTHANTHANGJAI, Maneerat SUTHANTHANGJAI, Natthaphat CHOTJUCKDIKUL, Teeraphat CHONKAMNORD, Montri SUMONTHA and Olivier S. G. PAUWELS. 2025. A New limestone-dwelling Four-clawed Gecko from Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand (Squamata, Gekkonidae: Gehyra).  Zootaxa. 5588(2); 381-395. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.12 [2025-02-14]

  facebook.com/MontriSumontha/posts/24036486335951867

facebook.com/UNOHO/posts/10170965689960357

[Herpetology • 2025] Dixonius hinchangsi • A New Sandstone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand

 

 Dixonius hinchangsi  

O. S. G. Pauwels, Das, Kunya, Sumontha, Donbundit, T. P. C. Pauwels, Sonet, Brecko & Meesook, 2025

จิ้งจกดินหินช้างสี  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5584.4.2  

 facebook.com: Sunandan Das 

Abstract

We describe Dixonius hinchangsi sp. nov. from a sandstone area near Hin Chang Si, Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand. The new species differs from all currently recognized Dixonius by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 50.1 mm, 12 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 30 to 34 paravertebral tubercles; 23 to 27 longitudinal rows of ventral scales across the abdomen; six to eight precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; no canthal stripe; strongly barred lips; and a spotted to uniform dorsal pattern in males and females. We provide a cranial osteological description and a phylogenetic analysis of the new species. This discovery brings the number of recognized Dixonius species to 19, among them nine species endemic to Thailand.

Reptilia, Gekkota, morphology, taxonomy, Southeast Asia, Isan

  

Dixonius hinchangsi sp. nov.

Olivier S. G. PAUWELS, Sunandan DAS, Kirati KUNYA, Montri SUMONTHA, Nattasuda DONBUNDIT, Thomas P. C. PAUWELS, Gontran SONET, Jonathan BRECKO and Worawitoo MEESOOK. 2025. A New Sandstone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius hinchangsi) from Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand.  Zootaxa. 5584(4); 482-504. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5584.4.2 [2025-02-11]

  facebook.com/SunandanDas3538/posts/1386054975902861

  facebook.com/100088301342746/posts/597906876496019

[Herpetology • 2024] Dixonius chotjuckdikuli • A New micro-endemic, Limestone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from Phetchaburi Province, western Thailand

Dixonius chotjuckdikuli 

Donbundit, Sumontha, Suthanthangjai, Suthanthangjai & Pauwels, 2024

  Khao Ebid Leaf-toed Gecko | จิ้งจกดินเขาอีบิด  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5447.4.5 

photo: Nonn Panitvong  facebook.com/NonnP

facebook.com: Natthaphat Chotjuckdikul

 

Abstract

We describe Dixonius chotjuckdikuli sp. nov. from Khao Ebid (Mount Ibit), Khao Yoi District, Phetchaburi Province, western Thailand. The new, limestone-dwelling species differs from all currently recognized species of Dixonius by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 45.6 mm, 18 (rarely 16) longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 31 to 34 paravertebral scales; 18 (rarely 16) longitudinal rows of ventral scales across the abdomen; 20 to 22 interciliary scales; 5 or 6 precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; a marked canthal stripe extending beyond the shoulder; and a blotched dorsal pattern in males, females and juveniles. This description brings the number of Dixonius species to 17, among which seven species are endemic to Thailand.

Reptilia, Gekkota, morphology, taxonomy, Southeast Asia

 Dixonius chotjuckdikuli sp. nov.

 

Nattasuda Donbundit, Montri Sumontha, Maneerat Suthanthangjai, Winai Suthanthangjai and Olivier S. G. Pauwels. 2024. Another New micro-endemic, Limestone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from Phetchaburi Province, western Thailand.  Zootaxa. 5447(4); 531-546. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5447.4.5

  facebook.com/NonnP/posts/10228658137611337

facebook.com/UNOHO/posts/10168906646615357

[Herpetology • 2022] Gehyra wongchan • A New Four-clawed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Gehyra) from Limestone Hills in Lopburi Province, central Thailand

Gehyra wongchan 

 Pauwels, Meesook, Kunya, Donbundit & Sumontha, 2022

จิ้งจกหินวงจันทร์ | Lunulate Four-clawed Gecko || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5115.4.3

Abstract 

We describe Gehyra wongchan sp. nov. from Tham Khao Chan (Khao Chan Cave), Tha Luang District, and Wat Khao Wong, Kok Samrong District, in Lopburi Province, central Thailand. The new species differs from all currently recognized Gehyra by the following combination of morphological characters and dorsal color pattern: maximal known snout–vent length of 52.4 mm, 8–10 supralabials, 76–80 dorsal and 48–50 ventral scale rows around midbody, absence of skin folds on limbs, 17 or 18 preanofemoral pores in males in a continuous series extending to mid-length of femur (pores absent in females), tail not- to moderately widened behind vent in adults, a single row of widened subcaudals, digits and toes unwebbed, 7 or 8 divided subdigital lamellae on 4th toe, and a dorsal pattern with white spots as large or larger than adjacent crescentic black markings on a beige to light-brown background.

Keywords: Reptilia, Gehyra wongchan sp. nov., taxonomy, morphology, karst, cave, Saraburi Group Limestones

 Live adult male holotype (CUMZ-R-2598) of Gehyra wongchan sp. nov. in situ before capture.

Photograph by M. Sumontha.

Gehyra wongchan sp. nov.

 

Gehyra cf. angusticaudata –– Meesook et al. 2021: 322.

Etymology. The specific epithet wongchan is a name in apposition, invariable, based on the contraction of the localities of the paratypes (Wat Khao Wong) and of the holotype (Tham Khao Chan). In Thai wongchan also means the Moon, in reference to the typical crescent-shaped marks on the nape and dorsum of the new species. 

We suggest the following common names: จิ้งจกหินวงจันทร์ (Djing-djok-hin wongchan ; Thai); Lunulate Four-clawed Gecko (English) , and Gehyra lunulée (French) .

 Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Worawitoo Meesook, Kirati Kunya, Nattasuda Donbundit and Montri Sumontha. 2022. A New Four-clawed Gecko from Limestone Hills in Lopburi Province, central Thailand (Squamata, Gekkonidae: Gehyra). Zootaxa. 5115(1); 511-531. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5115.4.3

Researchgate.net/publication/359256881_A_new_Four-clawed_Gecko_from_limestone_hills_in_Lopburi_central_Thailand

 thaipr.net/education/3178195

[Herpetology • 2021] Dixonius mekongensis จิ้งจกดินแม่โขง • A New Sandstone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from the Thai-Lao Border

Dixonius mekongensis 

Pauwels, Panitvong, Kunya & Sumontha, 2021

จิ้งจกดินแม่โขง | Mekong Leaf-toed Gecko || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.3.5 

 siamensis.org

photo: Nonn Panitvong  facebook.com/NonnP

  facebook.com/MontriSumontha 

Abstract

We describe Dixonius mekongensis sp. nov. from sandstone formations in Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, in extreme eastern Thailand along the Laotian border. The new species differs from all currently recognized Dixonius by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 51.2 mm; 16 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 32 to 34 paravertebral scales; 22 to 24 longitudinal rows of ventral scales across the abdomen; seven precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; a marked canthal stripe; and a spotted to uniform dorsal pattern. This description brings the number of Dixonius species to 13, with six species endemic to Thailand.

Keywords: Reptilia, Mekong River, Isan, Dixonius mekongensis sp. nov., taxonomy

Dixonius mekongensis 

photo: Nonn Panitvong  facebook.com/NonnP

 siamensis.org

Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Nonn Panitvong, Kirati Kunya and Montri Sumontha. 2021. A New Sandstone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius mekongensis) from the Thai-Lao Border. Zootaxa. 4969(3); 526–538. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.3.5

  จิ้งจกดินแม่โขง Mekong Leaf-toed Gecko

  Dixonius mekongensis Pauwels, Panitvong, Kunya & Sumontha, 2021

 เป็นสัตว์สัตว์เฉพาะถิ่นของไทย

 พบอาศัยเฉพาะบริเวณภูเขาและลานหินทราย

  siamensis.org/species_index?id=2971

  facebook.com/NonnP/posts/10222603497089108

  facebook.com/MontriSumontha/posts/4770223936338062

[Herpetology • 2021] Gekko (Gekko) pradapdao • A New Cave-dwelling Gekko (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Lopburi Province, central Thailand

Gekko pradapdao  

Meesook, Sumontha, Donbundit & Pauwels, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.2.5

ตุ๊กแกประดับดาว | Starry Tokay Gecko || siamensis.org 

Abstract

We describe Gekko pradapdao sp. nov. from Tham Khao Chan (Khao Chan Cave), Tha Luang District, Lopburi Province, in central Thailand. The new species, a member of the subgenus Gekko, differs from all currently recognized Gekko species by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 127.1 mm, lack of contact between nostrils and rostral, 24–28 interorbital scales between supraciliaries, 89–91 scale rows around midbody, 16–18 dorsal tubercle rows at midbody, 30–34 ventral scale rows at midbody, 11–13 precloacal pores in males, a single postcloacal tubercle on each side of the base of the tail, 13–16 subdigital lamellae on 1st toe and 17–19 on 4th toe, no Y-shaped mark on head, non-banded dorsal pattern on a dark chocolate brown to black background, and a dark brown iris. Urgent actions should be taken to evaluate the conservation status of the new species.

Keywords: Reptilia, Gekko pradapdao sp. nov., taxonomy

Worawitoo Meesook, Montri Sumontha, Nattasuda Donbundit and Olivier S. G. Pauwels. 2021. A New Cave-dwelling Gekko (Gekko) from Lopburi Province, central Thailand (Squamata, Gekkonidae). Zootaxa. 4969(2); 318–330. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.2.5

ตุ๊กแกประดับดาว   Starry Tokay Gecko

Gekko (Gekko) pradapdao Meesook, Sumontha, Donbundit & Pauwels, 2021

สัตว์เฉพาะถิ่นเขาหินปูน พบเฉพาะภาคกลางของประเทศไทย

... ด้วยลักษณะสีตัวที่สีน้ำตาลเข้ม-ดำ และมีจุดประสีขาวกระจายทั่วตัว จึงเป็นที่มาของชื่อวิทยาศาสตร์ที่มาจากภาษาไทยว่า “ประดับดาว - pradapdao”

siamensis.org/species_index#51831

[Herpetology • 2021] Oligodon phangan & O. promsombuti • Two New Kukri Snake Species (Colubridae: Oligodon) from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain Range, and Addition of O. ocellatus to the Fauna of Thailand

Oligodon phangan 

Pauwels, Thongyai, Chantong & Sumontha, 2021

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4908.4.7

Abstract

We describe two new Kukri snakes of the genus Oligodon from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain Range, southern peninsular Thailand. Oligodon phangan sp. nov., endemic to Pha-Ngan Island, Surat Thani Province, is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 369.1 mm; 12 maxillary teeth, the posterior three enlarged; 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows; 163–166 ventrals; 33–42 divided subcaudals; a single anal; dorsal color brown with a pair of discreet paravertebral and lateral stripes; no dorsal or supracaudal bands, blotches or crossbars; background color of belly pinkish-orange; underside of tail immaculate. Oligodon promsombuti sp. nov., whose type-locality is Khao Phanom Wang, Surat Thani Province, is also found in Trang Province, and is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 552.7 mm; 12 maxillary teeth, the posterior three enlarged; 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows; 177 ventrals; 40 divided subcaudals; a single anal; deeply forked hemipenes lacking spines; dorsal color blackish brown with nearly indistinct paravertebral stripes; no dorsal or supracaudal blotches or crossbars; background color of belly ivory, heavily speckled with subrectangular blackish blotches. We tentatively allocate both new species to the informal Oligodon-cyclurus-group. They are the 5th and 6th Oligodon species endemic to Thailand. We add Oligodon ocellatus, so far known only from Cambodia, southern Laos and southern Vietnam, to the Thai fauna, based on a specimen from Chong Mek, Ubon Ratchathani Province.

Keywords: Reptilia, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Oligodon ocellatus, Oligodon phangan sp. nov., Oligodon promsombuti sp. nov., taxonomy, limestone, karst

  Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Kanokorn Thongyai, Pajapon Chantong and Montri Sumontha. 2021. Two New Kukri Snake Species (Colubridae: Oligodon) from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain Range, and Addition of O. ocellatus to the Fauna of Thailand. Zootaxa. 4908(4); 537–557. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4908.4.7

[Herpetology • 2020] Dixonius dulayaphitakorum จิ้งจกดินระนอง • A New Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from the City of Ranong, southwestern Thailand

 

Dixonius dulayaphitakorum  

Sumontha & Pauwels, 2020

จิ้งจกดินระนอง | Ranong Leaf-toed Gecko || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.2.2 

 facebook.com/MontriSumontha

Photos. by M. Sumontha. 

Abstract

We describe Dixonius dulayaphitakorum sp. nov. from Ranong city, Ranong Province, southern peninsular Thailand. The new, ground-dwelling species differs from all currently recognized Dixonius by a combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known SVL of 47.8 mm, 22 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 33 to 35 paravertebral scales; 22 longitudinal rows of ventrals across the abdomen; six or seven precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; no distinct canthal stripe; and a spotted dorsal pattern. Based on dorsal pattern, the new species seems related to Dixonius siamensis. This description brings to 11 the number of Dixonius species, and to five the ones endemic to Thailand.

Keywords: Gekkonidae, Gekkota, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Dixonius dulayaphitakorum sp. nov.

 facebook.com/MontriSumontha 

Live male paratypesof Dixonius dulayaphitakorum sp. nov. 
 (A: PSUZC-R 729; B: PSUZC-R 730) 

Photos. by M. Sumontha.

 facebook.com/MontriSumontha

Dixonius dulayaphitakorum sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet is a mark of friendship honoring Mr. Santisak and Mrs. Boonneam Dulayaphitak for their support to the herpetological field work of the first author, and who often drew his attention on interesting specimens. We suggest the following common names: Djing-djok din Ranong - จิ้งจกดินระนอง (Thai), Ranong Leaf-toed Gecko (English), Dixonius de Ranong (French), Ranong-Blattfingergecko (German).

Montri Sumontha and Olivier S.G. Pauwels. 2020. A New Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from the City of Ranong, southwestern Thailand. Zootaxa. 4852(2); 166–176. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.2.2

  facebook.com/MontriSumontha/posts/4055185851175211

[Herpetology • 2020] Dixonius pawangkhananti จิ้งจกดินชะอำ • A New Limestone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from Coastal Hills in Cha-am, peninsular Thailand

 

Dixonius pawangkhananti  

 Pauwels, Chomngam, Larsen & Sumontha, 2020

จิ้งจกดินชะอำ  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4845.1.7 

   facebook.com/MontriSumontha 

    facebook.com/ItalianGekkoAssociation

Abstract 

We describe Dixonius pawangkhananti sp. nov. from coastal limestone hills in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province, peninsular Thailand. The new species differs from all currently recognized Dixonius by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 42.6 mm; 16 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 30 to 32 paravertebral scales; 16 longitudinal rows of ventral scales across the abdomen; six precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; a marked canthal stripe; and a sexually dimorphic dorsal pattern consisting of bands (males) or blotches (females). This description brings the number of Dixonius species to ten, with four species endemic to Thailand.

Keywords: Gekkonidae, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Dixonius pawangkhananti sp. nov.

Live adult female (above) and male Dixonius pawangkhananti sp. nov. in ... Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. Individuals not collected. Photo. by M. Sumontha.

Dixonius pawangkhananti sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet honors the Thai zoologist Parinya Pawangkhanant (Agriculture University of Phayao, Phayao, and Rabbit in the Moon Foundation, Ratchaburi), for his contributions to the herpetology of Thailand, and who is one of the collectors of the type-series. We suggest the following common names: Djing-djok din Cha-am (Thai: จิ้งจกดินชะอำ), Cha-am leaf-toed gecko (English), Dixonius de Cha-am (French), Cha-am Blattfingergecko (German).

Biotope where Dixonius pawangkhananti sp. nov. lives in ... Forest Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. Photo. by P. Pawangkhanant.

Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Nirut Chomngam, Henning Larsen and Montri Sumontha. 2020. A New Limestone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from Coastal Hills in Cha-am, peninsular Thailand. Zootaxa. 4845(1); 97–108. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4845.1.7 

   facebook.com/ItalianGekkoAssociation/posts/3532051503472580

   facebook.com/MontriSumontha/posts/4009111682449295

[Herpetology • 2019] Trachylepis raymondlaurenti • A New Long-tailed Skink (Scincidae: Trachylepis) from Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Trachylepis raymondlaurenti 

Marques, Ceríaco, Bandeira, Pauwels & Bauer, 2019

Laurent’s Long Tailed Skink || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4568.1.3

Photo by Luis M. P. Ceríaco.

 facebook.com/MarianaMarques7777

Abstract

Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are relatively unknown in terms of their herpetological diversity. Based on specimens collected in the Congolese region of the Katanga and the northeast of Angola during the first decades of the twentieth century, de Witte and Laurent independently suggested, based on morphological and coloration differences, that populations of T. megalura of these regions could belong a new “race”. We compared specimens of T. megalura (including the type specimens of T. megalura and T. massaiana) with Angolan and Katangan museum specimens as well as newly collected specimens from Angola. Coloration pattern and morphological characters, in combination with substantial divergence in the 16S mitochondrial gene, confirm the distinctiveness of the west Central African form, and it is here described as a new species. Data regarding its natural history, ecology and global distribution are presented.

 Keywords: Reptilia, Taxonomy, Trachylepis raymondlaurenti sp. nov., Cangandala National Park, Upemba National Park, Central Africa, type-specimens, nomenclature

FIGURE 3. Live specimen of Trachylepis megalura (EBG 1408) from Lwiro, South Kivu Province, DRC. Note the prominent white flank stripe.

Photo by Eli B. Greenbaum.

Holotype of Trachylepis raymondlaurenti sp. nov. (CAS 258401) from Cangandala National Park, Angola in life.

Photo by Luis M. P. Ceríaco.

facebook.com/MarianaMarques7777

Holotype of Trachylepis raymondlaurenti sp. nov. (CAS 258401) from Cangandala National Park, Angola.

twitter.com/skinks_IUCN

Trachylepis raymondlaurenti 

Marques, Ceríaco, Bandeira, Pauwels & Bauer sp. nov. 

 Mabuya megalura (de Witte 1953: 107) 

Mabuya megalura subsp. (Laurent 1964: 74) 

Trachylepis megalura (Broadley & Cotterill 2004: 42 [partim]) 

Trachylepis cf. megalura (Ceríaco et al. 2016b: 71; 2018b: 423; Marques et al. 2018: 264)

Etymology. The species is named after Raymond F. Laurent (1917–2005), Belgian herpetologist who specialized in African amphibians and reptiles and contributed significantly to current knowledge of the Angolan and Congolese herpetofaunas. 

We propose the English name "Laurent’s Long Tailed Skink", the Portuguese name "Lagartixa de Cauda Longa de Laurent", and the French name "Scinque à longue queue de Laurent".

 Mariana P. Marques, Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Suzana Bandeira, Olivier S. G. Pauwels and Aaron M. Bauer. 2019. Description of A New Long-tailed Skink (Scincidae: Trachylepis) from Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa. 4568(1); 51–68. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4568.1.3

 facebook.com/groups/1045499302182009/permalink/2172432439488684
twitter.com/skinks_IUCN/status/1109914888208416768

[Herpetology • 2017] Oligodon saiyok | งูงอดไทรโยค • A New Limestone-dwelling Kukri Snake (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand

Oligodon saiyok 

 Sumontha, Kunya, Dangsri & Pauwels, 2017

  งูงอดไทรโยค | Sai Yok Kukri Snake ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4294.3.2 

Abstract

We describe Oligodon saiyok sp. nov. from Benjarat Nakhon Cave Temple, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. It is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 626.1 mm; 13 maxillary teeth, the posterior two enlarged; 8 supralabials; 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows; 181–187 ventrals and 38–43 subcaudals; a single anal; hemipenes extending in situ to the 18th subcaudal; dorsum with 21–22 dark blotches or white rings without vertebral or lateral stripes; and venter with a dense network of subrectangular dark blotches. It is the 7th squamate species believed to be endemic to Sai Yok District.

Keywords: Reptilia, Thailand, Oligodon saiyok sp. nov., new species, taxonomy, limestone cave, Buddhist temple

FIGURE 1. Live holotype of Oligodon saiyok sp. nov. Photograph by K. Kunya.

Etymology. The specific epithet is an invariable noun in honor of the administrative district where the type locality lies. We suggest the following common names: Ngu Ngod Sai Yok - งูงอดไทรโยค (Thai), Sai Yok Kukri Snake (English), Oligodon de Saï Yok (French), and Sai Yok Kukrinatter (German).

....
Oligodon saiyok sp. nov. increases the already exceptionally high number of squamates endemic to Sai Yok District, still unexplained to date: Cnemaspis huaseesom Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Wood, Pauwels & Kunya, 2010, Cyrtodactylus saiyok Panitvong, Sumontha, Tunprasert & Pauwels, 2014 and C. tigroides Bauer, Sumontha & Pauwels, 2003, Dixonius hangseesom Bauer, Sumontha, Grossmann, Pauwels & Vogel, 2004, Gekko nutaphandi Bauer, Sumontha & Pauwels, 2008, and Trimeresurus kanburiensis Smith, 1943 (see David et al. 2004). ....

Montri Sumontha, Kirati Kunya, Siriwat Dangsri and Olivier S. G. Pauwels. 2017.  Oligodon saiyok, A New Limestone-dwelling Kukri Snake (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. Zootaxa. 4294(3); 316–328. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4294.3.2
ResearchGate.net/publication/318529308_Oligodon_saiyok_a_new_limestone-dwelling_kukri_snake_Serpentes_Colubridae_from_Kanchanaburi_Province_western_Thailand

[Herpetology • 2017] Oligodon huahin | งูงอดหัวหิน • A New Kukri Snake (Colubridae: Oligodon) from Hua Hin District, and the First record of O. deuvei from Thailand

Oligodon huahin

Pauwels, Larsen, Suthanthangjai, David & Sumontha, 2017

งูงอดหัวหิน หรือ งูปี่แก้วลายหัวหิน || DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4291.3.6 

 Abstract

We describe Oligodon huahin sp. nov. from a bamboo forest locality on the road to Pala-U waterfall, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, peninsular Thailand. It is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 553.7 mm; 6 maxillary teeth, the posterior two enlarged; 17-17-15 or 17-15-15 dorsal scale rows; 166–173 ventrals and 35–41 subcaudals in males; a single anal; deeply forked hemipenes lacking spines and papillae, extending in situ to the 14th subcaudal; faint to nearly indistinct vertebral, paravertebral and lateral stripes; no dorsal or supracaudal blotches or crossbars; and an uniformly ivory venter lacking subrectangular or squarish blotches. We also report the first finding of Oligodon deuvei in Thailand based on a specimen from Loei Province.

Keywords: Reptilia, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Oligodon huahin sp. nov., Oligodon deuvei, taxonomy

 Live Oligodon huahin sp. nov. (QSMI 1502) in situ at the type locality.  

Photograph by Henning Larsen

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligodon_huahin

Etymology: The specific epithet is an invariable noun in honor of the administrative district where the type locality lies and of its charming main city Hua Hin. The following common names are given "Hua Hin Kukri Snake" (English), "Ngu Ngod Hua Hin" งูงอดหัวหิน or "Ngu Peekeaw Lai Hua Hin" งูปี่แก้วลายหัวหิน (Thai), "Oligodon de Hua Hin" (French) and "Hua Hin Kukrinatter" (German).

Habitat, behaviour and ecology: The habitat, behaviour and ecology of this species is poorly known, even though all specimens used for the species description were found in mixed bamboo forest area, the species is likely to inhabit several other types of habitats and elevations as well. Based on data for other members of the genus Oligodon, O. huahin is thought to be a oviparous (egg-laying) species. This species is nocturnal.

Oligodon huahin sp. nov. is added to a list of endemic reptile species we have recently described from the northern part of the Thai Peninsula, in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces: Cnemaspis punctatonuchalis Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Wood, Pauwels & Kunya, 2010, Cyrtodactylus phetchaburiensis and C. samroiyot Pauwels & Sumontha, 2014 and Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense Sumontha, Pauwels, Kunya, Limlikhitaksorn, Ruksue, Taokratok, Ansermet & Chanhome, 2012. Far from being remote, their type-localities are within about four hours or less of easy drive from Bangkok metropolis, and illustrate how much still remains to be done to fully inventory the herpetofauna of Thailand. ....




 Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Henning Larsen, Winai Suthanthangjai, Patrick David and Montri Sumontha. 2017. A New Kukri Snake (Colubridae: Oligodon) from Hua Hin District, and the First record of O. deuvei from Thailand. Zootaxa. 4291(3); 531–548. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4291.3.6
ResearchGate.net/publication/318393445_A_new_kukri_snake_Colubridae_Oligodon_from_Hua_Hin_District_and_the_first_record_of_O_deuvei_from_Thailand
 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligodon_huahin