[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] Calamaria incredibilis • An unexpected Discovery of Hidden Diversity: A New Species of the Genus Calamaria (Serpentes: Calamariidae) from Guangxi, China

 

Calamaria incredibilis 

Qi, Nguyen, J. Wang, Zeng, Shi, Xu, Song, Zhong Huang, Mo, Poyarkov & Y.-Y. Wang, 2026

Guangxi Reed Snake | 广西两头蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.188045

Abstract

As part of our investigations into the systematics of the Calamaria pavimentata species complex, we describe a new species of the genus Calamaria from Chongzuo and Guilin Cities, Guangxi, China, based on a combination of morphological and molecular evidence. Morphologically, Calamaria incredibilis sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: nine enlarged maxillary teeth; rostral higher than wide; prefrontal shorter than frontal and contacting the first two supralabials; mental not in contact with anterior chin shields; dorsal scales in 13–13–13 rows, smooth throughout; a single preocular and postocular; four supralabials, with the 2nd and 3rd ones contacting the eye; five infralabials; six scales surrounding the paraparietal; 170–182 ventrals in males; 21–23 paired subcaudals in males; a relatively short tail (8.2–8.4% of total length in males), thick and nearly cylindrical, gradually tapering to an obtuse point; dorsal coloration brown, seven longitudinal series of interrupted dark brown stripes are visible along the body, extending from behind the pale-colored collar to the tip of the tail; the margins of the dorsal scales are heavily suffused with black pigment, forming an almost reticulate pattern; the ventral surface yellowish white, with dark brown blotches along the outermost lateral margins; the absence of light spots on the dorsal tail. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences recover Calamaria incredibilis sp. nov. as a well-supported independent lineage, forming a sister relationship with a subclade comprising C. andersoni Yang & Zheng, C. synergis Zhang, Xu, Nguyen, Poyarkov, Vogel, Wang & Huang, and C. yunnanensis Chernov. The new species is separated from its closest relatives by substantial mitochondrial genetic divergence (p-distance 12.67% based on cytochrome b gene). The discovery of Calamaria incredibilis sp. nov. further highlights the underestimated diversity within the C. pavimentata species complex and underscores the importance of integrative taxonomic approaches for resolving cryptic diversity in morphologically conservative, semi-fossorial snake lineages from southern China, with Guangxi emerging as an important hotspot of cryptic diversification.

Key Words: Calamaria incredibilis sp. nov., C. pavimentata, morphology, mtDNA, taxonomy

Calamaria incredibilis sp. nov., adult male (SYS r002596, holotype) in preservative.
A. Dorsal view of body; B. Ventral view of body; C. Dorsal view of head; D. Ventral view of head; E. Lateral view of head, right side; F. Dorsal view of tail (posterior body).

 Photographs by Shuo QI.

Calamaria incredibilis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Calamaria incredibilis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: nine enlarged maxillary teeth; rostral higher than wide; prefrontal shorter than frontal and contacting the first two supralabials; mental not in contact with anterior chin shields; dorsal scales in 13–13–13 rows, smooth throughout; a single preocular and postocular; four supralabials, with the ...

Calamaria incredibilis sp. nov., adult male (GEP r093, paratype) in life.

Photograph by Jian WANG.

Etymology. The specific epithet incredibilis is a Latin adjective meaning “unbelievable” or “extraordinary,” referring to the unexpectedly high level of cryptic diversity revealed by the discovery of this species, particularly in relation to closely allied taxa within the C. pavimentata species complex and their close geographic proximity. Based on the type locality, we propose the following common names: “Guangxi Reed Snake” (English), 广西两头蛇 (guǎng xī liǎng tóu shé, Chinese), “Rắn mai gầm quảng tây” (Vietnamese), and Гуанси́йская карликовая змея (Guansiyskaya karlikovaya zmeya, Russian).

 Shuo Qi, Tan Van Nguyen, Jian Wang, Zhao-Chi Zeng, Jing-Song Shi, Yu-Hao Xu, Han-Ming Song, Zhong Huang, Yun-Ming Mo, Nikolay A. Poyarkov and Ying-Yong Wang. 2026. An unexpected Discovery of Hidden Diversity: A New Species of the Genus Calamaria H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827 (Squamata, Calamariidae) from Guangxi, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(2): 701-718.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.188045 [27 Apr 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Calamaria similis • A New Species of Calamaria (Serpentes: Calamariidae) from southern China, previously confused with Calamaria pavimentata

 

Calamaria similis

Qi, Nguyen, Yang, Xu, David, Shi, Liu, Rong, Korolev, Poyarkov & Wang, 2026 

Similar Reed Snake | 拟尖尾两头蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1277.187107  

 Abstract

Calamaria pavimentata Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 was originally described from Java Island, Indonesia, yet specimens from southern China, particularly Guangxi, have long been referred to this species based on general morphological resemblance. Herein, the taxonomic status of Chinese populations previously referred to as Calamaria pavimentata is re-evaluated using an integrative approach combining morphological data and mitochondrial DNA analyses, based on four specimens from Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province, and Chongzuo City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Phylogenetic analyses recover the Chinese specimens as a distinct and well-supported lineage within Calamaria. Notably, the Guangdong and Guangxi populations exhibit a relatively high intraspecific mitochondrial divergence (uncorrected p-distance = 10.78% based on the cytochrome b gene), despite the absence of consistent diagnostic morphological differences. Although mitochondrial DNA data from topotypic C. pavimentata, are currently unavailable, the observed morphological differences, together with the pronounced geographic disjunction between Java and southern China, support the recognition of the Chinese population as a distinct species, herein described as Calamaria similis sp. nov. from Guangdong and Guangxi, China. Detailed morphological examinations reveal that Calamaria similis sp. nov. differs from C. pavimentata and all of its currently recognized synonyms by having higher ventral scale counts in females, fewer subcaudal scales in males (but slightly more in females), a smaller maximum total length in males, and a shorter relative tail length in both sexes. Our results highlight the need for renewed field surveys in Java Island, Indonesia to rediscover C. pavimentata sensu stricto, and emphasize that other populations previously identified as C. pavimentata should be re-evaluated using integrative taxonomic approaches.

Key words: Calamaria similis sp. nov., Guangdong, Guangxi, integrative taxonomy, morphology, mtDNA, species complex

Calamaria similis sp. nov., adult male (SYS r001816, holotype) in preserved.
A. Dorsal view of body; B. Ventral view of body; C. Dorsal view of head; D. Ventral view of head; E. Lateral view of head, right side; F. Dorsal view of tail (posterior body). Photographs by Shuo Qi.

Calamaria similis sp. nov., in life, from Yangchun, Yangjiang, Guangdong, China.
A–C. Adult male (SYS r001816, holotype); A. Dorsal view of body; B. Anterior view of body; C. Ventral view of body; D–H. Not collected, sex undetermined; D. Dorsal view of body; E. Anterolateral view of body; F. Dorsal view of tail; G. Ventral view of head; H. Ventral view of body (cloacal region).

Photographs by Jing-Jian Liu.

Calamaria similis sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet similis is a Latin adjective meaning similar, referring to the strong morphological resemblance of this species to Calamaria pavimentata. This similarity has resulted in the species being previously misidentified and treated as C. pavimentata in numerous earlier studies (e.g., Yang and Zheng 2018). 

We propose the following common names for the new species: “Similar Reed Snake” (English), “拟尖尾两头蛇” (nĬ jiān wěi liăng tóu shé, Chinese), “Rắn mai gầm tương đồng” (Vietnamese), and “Сходная карликовая змея” (Skhodnaya karlikovaya zmeya, Russian).

Shuo Qi, Tan Van Nguyen, Jian-Huan Yang, Yu-Hao Xu, Patrick David, Jing-Song Shi, Jing-Jian Liu, Can-Zhong Rong, Alexey M. Korolev, Nikolay A. Poyarkov and Ying-Yong Wang. 2026. A New Species of Calamaria (Squamata, Calamariidae) from southern China, previously confused with Calamaria pavimentata Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854. ZooKeys. 1277: 245-280. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1277.187107  [17 Apr 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Gekko asahi • A New coastal Rock-dwelling Gekko (Subgenus Japonigekko) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from western Kyushu, Japan

 

Gekko asahi    

Matsukoji, Cao, Poyarkov, Okamiya, Xu & Yuan, 2026 

 

West Japanese Gecko | ニシヤモリ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186960

Abstract

A remarkable new species of the subgenus Japonigekko from the islands of Gotō Nada and offshore islands of Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, inhabiting rocky coastal habitats, is described based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. Morphologically, Gekko (Japonigekko) asahi sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by its moderate body size; interorbital scales between anterior corners of eyes 34–44; dorsal tubercles large, strongly elevated, and arranged in 12–16 rows at midbody; 127–158 midbody scale rows; 32–45 ventral scale rows; 158–189 ventral scales between the mental and the cloacal slit; subdigital lamellae 8–11 on finger I, 9–14 on finger IV, 9–12 on toe I, and 10–18 on toe IV; webbing absent; 6–9 precloacal pores in males, and absent in females; one postcloacal tubercle on each side, with the midpoint of the tubercle distinctly concave in some male individuals; and its distinctive dorsal coloration. Phylogenetically, the new species represents a distinct clade within the subgenus Japonigekko, forming a sister group with G. kaiyai from Henan Province of China, and together they cluster with G. hokouensis. It differs from its congeners by uncorrected p-distances of at least 15.1% in ND2 and 7.6% in 16S. Currently, the new species is known only from low-elevation coastal rocky shores and building walls on island of Gotō Nada and Nishisonogi Peninsula, Nagasaki Prefecture and offshore islands of Kagoshima and Satsuma Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The discovery of this new species increases the total number of species in the subgenus Japonigekko to 40, of which seven species are distributed in Japan.

Key Words: Gekko asahi sp. nov., geographical isolation, Gotō Nada, morphology, molecular phylogeny, systematics

Coloration of Gekko asahi sp. nov. in life.
A. Specimen TMR-208, adult female; B. Specimen TMR-96, adult female; C. Specimen SPMN-HP 003816, adult female, paratype; D. Specimen TMR-86, adult male; E. Specimen SPMN-HP 003813, adult male, paratype. Photographs by T. Matsukoji.

Gekko asahi Matsukoji, Cao, Poyarkov, Okamiya, Xu & Yuan, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Gekko asahi sp. nov. can be diagnosed from other Japonigekko species by the following unique combination of characters: (1) a moderate body size (SVL reaches up to 73.85 mm in males and 73.96 mm in females); (2) 6–9 supralabials and 6–8 infralabials; (3) internasal scales absent; (4) two postmentals; (5) 14–18 preorbitals; (6) 34–44 interorbital scales; (7) 158–189 ventral scales between the mental and the cloacal slit; (8) 127–158 midbody scale rows; (9) 32–45 ventral scale rows; (10) prominent dorsal tubercles present from the posterior head through the neck to the anterior portion of the tail, arranged in 12–16 rows at midbody and numbering 17–23 tubercles along a longitudinal line on the dorsum between the limb insertions; (11) subdigital lamellae 8–11 on finger I, 9–14 on finger IV, 9–12 on toe I, and 10–18 on toe IV; (12) webbing absent; (13) 6–9 precloacal pores in males, absent in females; (14) one postcloacal tubercle on each side, with the midpoint of the tubercle distinctly concave in some male individuals; (15) in life, the dorsum is predominantly yellowish-gray, with 8–9 indistinct pale yellowish-brown rounded patterns, and venter is pale golden-yellow in color.

Etymology. The specific epithet “asahi” is treated as an indeclinable noun in apposition. It is derived from the Japanese word “朝日” (あさひ, asahi), meaning “morning sun” or “rising sun”. The name refers to the slightly faint yellow to light orange-red coloration present on the body and limbs, as well as the bright reddish yellow to pale golden-yellow coloration of the ventral surface of the new species, which resembles the warm hue of the early morning sunlight. 

For the common names, we suggest “West Japanese Gecko” in English, “ニシヤモリ”(Nishi-yamori) in Japanese, “晨曦壁虎” (chén xī bì hǔ) in Chinese, and “Западнояпонский геккон” (Zapadnoyaponskiy gekkon) in Russian.

Habitat and field observations of Gekko asahi sp. nov. 
A. Macrohabitat of the new species in Nakadori Island, Shinkamigoto Town, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan; B. Microhabitat of the new species. Photographs by M. Tsujita.

Tomoya Matsukoji, Jing Cao, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Hisanori Okamiya, Yuhao Xu and Zhiyong Yuan. 2026. A New coastal Rock-dwelling Gecko of the Subgenus Japonigekko (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Gekko) from western Kyushu, Japan. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(2): 557-574. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.186960 [03 Apr 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Dibamus irregularis • A New Species of Blind Skink (Squamata: Dibamidae: Dibamus) from Chu Yang Sin National Park, southern Vietnam, with the first description of a Dibamus clutch

 

Dibamus irregularis Kliukin, Poyarkov, Bragin, Krone & Nguyen, 

in Kliukin, Bragin, Nguyen, Vu, Le, Gorin, Krone & Poyarkov, 2026

Chu Yang Sin Blind Skink  |  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.5.1  

Thằn lằn giun Chư Yang Sin  ||  Researchgate.net/publication/401227726  

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Abstract

A new species of dibamid lizard, Dibamus irregularis sp. nov. is described based on molecular (three mitochondrial genes) and morphological (external and skeletal) characters of twelve specimens collected from the Chu Yang Sin National Park, Dak Lak Province, southern Vietnam. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: medial rostral suture absent or incomplete, nasal sutures incomplete, labial sutures complete or incomplete; two to three postoculars; three to four scales on the posterior edge of infralabial; 22–24 midbody scale rows; 180–211 ventral scales; 39–46 subcaudal scales; and maximum snout-vent length 147 mm. Moreover, two eggs of a new species were collected in the same locality. The only known clutch of Dibamus was described more than 120 years ago based on a single egg of D. alfredi collected from Bukit Besar, Thailand. Herein, we provide the first description of a complete clutch of the genus Dibamus based on two eggs of Dibamus irregularis sp. nov. Our study brings the total number of species in the genus Dibamus to 30; Dibamus irregularis sp. nov. is the 10th species of Dibamus recorded from Vietnam, highlighting the importance of the country as a hot spot of reptilian diversity in Southeast Asia.

Reptilia, Dibamus irregularis sp. nov., Dak Lak Province, conservation, Southeast Asia, systematics, morphology, reproduction

 Dibamus irregularis sp. nov. in life.
(A) holotype ZMMu re-18313, male; (B) Paratype ZMMu re-18315, female.

Photographs by Andrey M. Bragin

Dibamus irregularis sp. nov.

Kliukin, Poyarkov, Bragin, Krone & Nguyen

Etymology. the new species epithet is a latin adjective in nominative singular, meaning “irregular,” andis given in reference to the high intraspecific variability of external morphological features in the new species,especially to the irregularity and asymmetry of the number of postocular scales (Fig. 6). Since Allen greer’s revision(greer 1985) and in all subsequent papers describing new species of Dibamus, the number of postocular scales wasconsidered as a relatively stable diagnostic character underlying diagnoses for new species of dibamids, which in partcould be explained by generally small sample sizes of Dibamus spp. available for examination. however, Dibamus irregularis sp. nov. demonstrates an unexpectedly irregular and asymmetrical number of postocular scales: fivespecimens have two postoculars, four specimens have three postoculars, and three specimens have two postocularson the left side and three on the right side of the head.

Suggested common names: Chu Yang Sin Blind Skink (English); Thằn lằn giun Chư Yang Sin (Vietnamese),Chuyangsinskaya cherveobraznaya yascheritsa (Чуянгсинская червеобразная ящерица, Russian).  

Nikita S. KLIUKIN, Andrey M. BRAGIN, Tan Van NGUYEN, Duy Dinh VU, Son Xuan LE, Vladislav A. GORIN, Isaac W. KRONE, Nikolay A. POYARKOV. 2026. A New Species of Blind Skink (Squamata: Dibamidae: Dibamus) from Chu Yang Sin National Park, southern Vietnam, with the first description of a Dibamus clutch.  Zootaxa. 5760(5); 501-528. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.5.1 [2026-02-26] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/401227726_A_new_species_of_Dibamus_from_ChuYangSin_NP_southern_Vietnam 

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[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).

  

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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

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[Herpetology • 2026] Hebius malnatei • Taxonomic Reassessment of Hebius atemporalis (Bourret, 1934) (Squamata: Natricidae), with the Description of A New Species from China

 

 Hebius malnatei  Li, Nguyen, Huang, Poyarkov, David, Li & Ren, 

 in M.-L. Li, Nguyen, Huang, Idiiatullina, Le, Poyarkov, David, Han, Wu, J.-T. Li et Ren, 2026.

云贵腹链蛇  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.176342 

Abstract

Hebius atemporalis (Bourret, 1934) has been reported from both northern Vietnam and southern China. Previous studies revealed deep genetic divergence between the Chinese and Vietnamese populations; however, no comprehensive taxonomic revision has examined the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of these divergent lineages. Here, we present an integrative taxonomic reassessment of the H. atemporalis complex, combining detailed morphological comparisons and molecular data. As a result, we identify and describe a distinct new species, Hebius malnatei sp. nov., endemic to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, China. The new species can be distinguished from H. atemporalis sensu stricto by its larger adult body size, shorter relative tail length, higher numbers of ventrals and subcaudals, and distinctive coloration characterized by the absence of a nuchal collar. Phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome b sequences consistently recover Hebius malnatei sp. nov. as the sister taxon of H. atemporalis s. str., with uncorrected p-distances of 8.0–9.8%. According to the IUCN Red List criteria, we recommend assigning Hebius malnatei sp. nov. to the category Least Concern (LC). This study highlights the need for taxonomic revision of widely distributed Hebius species and underscores the role of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau uplift in promoting species diversification.

Key Words: Cryptic diversity, cytochrome b, morphology, taxonomy, Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau

Photographs in life of Hebius malnatei sp. nov. from China:
CIB 122551, Pugu, Panzhou, Liupanshui, Guizhou (A); CIB 122558, Heilongtan Park, Kunming, Yunnan (B, C); Mengzi, Yunnan (D); Pugu, Panzhou, Liupanshui, Guizhou (E).

Photographs by J.J. Huang (A) and M. L. Li (B–E).

Hebius malnatei Li, Nguyen, Huang, Poyarkov, David, Li & Ren, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Hebius malnatei sp. nov. is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) small body size, maximum snout-vent length 416 mm; (2) head small, narrow, and moderately distinct from neck; (3) maxillary teeth 26–29, gradually enlarged posteriorly; (4) supralabials 6 (rarely 5), with the 3rd and 4th entering the orbit; (5) temporal scale absent or represented by a small narrow scale; (6) infralabials 7 (rarely 6); (7) dorsal scale rows 17-17-17, weakly keeled except for the outermost 1–6 rows; (8) ventrals 146–156 with two preventrals; (9) subcaudals 60–70, paired; (10) ventral surface of head white, scattered with black spots or streaks; (11) sutures of infralabials strongly edged in black; (12) a white to orangish nuchal collar absent; (13) dorsal ground color gradually changing from brown to dark olive, usually with a series of discontinuous light spots along the lateral side, forming an inconspicuous stripe; (14) tail relatively short (TaL/SVL ratio 0.22–0.27).

Etymology. The specific epithet malnatei is a patronym in genitive declension honoring Edmond V. Malnate (1916–2003), an American herpetologist who made significant contributions to the taxonomy and systematics of Asian colubrid snakes, especially within Natricidae, and who first revised the taxonomic placement of Hebius atemporalis. 

We recommend the following common names for this species: English: “Malnate’s Keelback”, Chinese (中文): “云贵腹链蛇” (Yún Guì Fù Liàn Shé) for its restricted distribution to Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Vietnamese: “Rắn sãi Man-lát”, French: “Couleuvre aquatique de Malnate”, Russian (Русский): “Лесной уж Мэлнейта” (Lesnoy Uzh Melneyta).

Distribution. Hebius malnatei sp. nov. is likely endemic to China, with its known range restricted to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau at elevations of 1,750–1,950 m a.s.l. (Fig. 5).

 Mao-Liang Li, Tan Van Nguyen, Jun-Jie Huang, Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Son Xuan Le, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Patrick David, Bu-Ying Han, Wei Wu, Jia-Tang Li and Jin-Long Ren. 2026. Taxonomic Reassessment of Hebius atemporalis (Bourret, 1934) (Squamata, Natricidae), with the Description of A New Species from China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(1): 235-251.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.176342 

[Herpetology • 2026] Calamaria mizoramensis • A New Species of the Genus Calamaria (Squamata: Calamariidae) from Mizoram State, India

 

Calamaria mizoramensis 

Lalremsanga, Malsawmdawngliana, Bal, Vabeiryureilai, Hruaia, Korolev, Vogel, Poyarkov & Nguyen, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5741.1.2 

 Researchgate.net/publication/399437048 

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Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Calamaria from Mizoram State, Northeast India, based on a combination of morphological and molecular evidence. Calamaria mizoramensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters, including: 8–11 enlarged maxillary teeth; rostral higher than wide; prefrontal shorter than frontal and contacting the first two supralabials; mental not in contact with anterior chin shields; dorsal scales in 13–13–13 rows, smooth throughout; a single preocular and postocular; four supralabials, with the 2nd and 3rd ones contacting the eye; five infralabials; six scales surrounding the paraparietal; 147–175 ventrals; 13–27 paired subcaudals; a relatively short tail (10.3–13.1% in males, 4.7–6.5% of total length), thick and nearly cylindrical, terminating in an obtuse tip; dark brown to blackish-brown, with three to six longitudinal rows of slightly paler or dark-edged scales forming indistinct stripes of variable clarity along the body and a faint pale nuchal ring; a yellow ventral surface with dark outer corners on the ventral scales; and a broad, distinct median black stripe on the ventral surface of the tail. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene suggests that the new species represents a deeply divergent lineage within the genus Calamaria, with sister relationships to a clade that includes the remaining species from Indochina and East Asia. The genetic divergence of the new species from all its congeners for which the homologous sequences are available is also very high (minimal uncorrected p-distance of 15.3%). The new species is currently known from montane evergreen forests of Mizoram State, India (from elevations of 670–1,295 m asl.). This discovery adds to the growing number of herpetological findings in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and reinforces the need to reassess the complex taxonomy of the genus Calamaria. In addition, we provide the first comprehensive and updated checklist of the herpetofauna of Mizoram State, documenting 169 species, including 52 amphibians and 117 reptiles.

Reptilia, Calamaria mizoramensis sp. nov., morphology, mtDNA, taxonomy, Indo-Burma Region

Calamaria mizoramensis sp. nov., adult male holotype (MZMu 3744) before preservation:

Photographs in life and in situ of Calamaria mizoramensis sp. nov. from Mizoram, India.
(A) Sawleng, Saitual (MZMU 865); (B) North Hlimen, kolasib (MZMU 915);
(C) Chanmari West, Aizawl (MZMU 867); (D) Sihphir, Aizawl(MZMU 2411);
(E) kawrthah, Mamit (MZMU 866); (F) Tlangpui, Mamit (uncollected).

Photographs by H.T. Lalremsanga (A,E), J.C. Alfred Van Sanglura (B), Vanlal Hrima (C), Lalzarzoa (D), and Lal Muansanga (F). 

Calamaria mizoramensis sp. nov.  

Hmar Tlawmte LALREMSANGA, Fanai MALSAWMDAWNGLIANA, Amit Kumar BAL, Mathipi VABEIRYUREILAI, Vanlal HRUAIA, Alexey M. KOROLEV, Gernot VOGEL, Nikolay A. POYARKOV and Tan Van NGUYEN. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Calamaria H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827 (Squamata: Calamariidae) from Mizoram State, India.  Zootaxa. 5741(1); 49-86. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5741.1.2 [2026-01-05]

 Researchgate.net/publication/399437048_A_new_species_of_the_genus_Calamaria_from_Mizoram_State_India

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[Herpetology • 2025] Leptobrachella rubromammata • A New Species of Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from Chu Yang Sin National Park, Dak Lak Province, Southern Vietnam

 

 Leptobrachella rubromammata 

Poyarkov, Nguyen, Duong, Le & Orlov, 2025

Red-nippled Litter Toad | http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/2196 

Cóc lá tý hon tuyêìn ngýc cam || Researchgate.net/publication/398787243

Abstract

A new species of Asian leaf litter toad of the genus Leptobrachella is described from montane evergreen forests of Chu Yang Sin National Park, Dak Lak Province, southern Vietnam, based on an integrative analysis of molecular and morphological data. The new species, Leptobrachella rubromammata sp. nov., is assigned to the Leptobrachella applebyi species group. Morphologically, it is most similar to L. maculosa, L. kalonensis, and L. bidoupensis but can be distinguished by its conspicuous orange supra-axillary and pectoral glands and a distinctive ventral coloration pattern. The new species is genetically divergent from all congeners, with uncorrected 16S rRNA gene distances ranging from 6.56% to 14.55%. Based on its restricted distribution and potential vulnerability to habitat disturbance, we propose that Leptobrachella rubromammata sp. nov. be listed as Vulnerable (VU) under the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: Leptolalax applebyi species group; molecular analyses; morphology; new species; taxonomy; Lang Bian Plateau

 Leptobrachella rubromammata sp. nov. in life:
 A, holotype ZMMU A-8300; B, paratype ZMMU A-5215.

Photographs by N. A. Poyarkov.

The maximum likelihood (ML) phylogeny of the Leptobrachella applebyi species group (left) and corresponding sampling localities used in this study (right). Icons adjacent to species clades match those shown on the map. The type locality of  Leptobrachella rubromammata sp. nov. in Chu Yang Sin National Park, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam, is indicated with a red star. Node values represent bootstrap support values (BS) and Bayesian posterior probabilities (BPP), respectively. Sequences of L. picta, L. pluvialis, and L. bourreti were used as outgroups.

Leptobrachella rubromammata sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet “rubromammata”is a Latin adjective in the nominative case (feminine gender), derived from Latin “ruber” meaning “red” and“mamma” meaning “breast,” “bosom.” The name isgiven in reference to the characteristic pair of bright red-dish-orange pectoral glands resembling two reddish nip-ples. We recommend “Red-nippled Litter Toad” as thecommon English name, “Cóc lá tý hon tuyêìn ngýc cam”as the Vietnamese name, and “Krasnogrudaya malayachesnochnitsa” as the common name in Russian.

Typical habitat of  Leptobrachella rubromammata sp. nov. in the type locality: Chu Yang Sin NP, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.

Photographs by: N. A. Poyarkov.

Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Tan Van Nguyen, Tang Van Duong, Son Xuan Le and Nikolai L. Orlov. 2025. A New Species of Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from Chu Yang Sin National Park, Dak Lak Province, Southern Vietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 32(4); 293-308

http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/2196 

 Researchgate.net/publication/398787243_A_New_Species_of_Leptobrachella_from_ChuYangSin_NPrk_DakLak_Southern_Vietnam

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