[Herpetology • 2026] Hemiphyllodactylus dayaoensis, H. maguanensis, H. xingyiensis, ... • Systematic Revision of the Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with Descriptions of Six New Species

 

 Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis  (Boulenger, 1903)

Hemiphyllodactylus dayaoensis sp. nov.;

H. jingdongensis sp. nov.;

H. maguanensis sp. nov.;

H. shuangbaiensis sp. nov.

Zhou, Wang, Han, Ang, Zhang, Liu & Rao, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35912-9

Abstract

Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker 1860, one of the fastest-growing genera in the Gekkonidae, comprises 22 species distributed in China, among which Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis is believed to be a species complex. Despite the gradual description of Hemiphyllodactylus populations in various regions of China as new species in the past decade, the taxonomy of the Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis complex remains unresolved. We collected Hemiphyllodactylus populations of the yunnanensis complex from 11 locations. Based on 1809 bp dataset (1039 bp mitochondrial ND2 gene, fragments of 375 bp nuclear C-mos + 395 bp PDC genes) and a solo 1039 bp NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) sequence fragment dataset, the constructed phylogenetic topology revealed that our samples fell into seven independent lineages of Clade 7. Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) results are consistent with our phylogenetic findings. The uncorrected genetic pairwise distance between populations exceeded 4.2% in ND2 gene, and there were also significant morphological differences among them. Therefore, we consider the specimens that cluster with the topotype specimens as true Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis, and describe the other six lineages as new species, respectively.

Keywords: Integrative taxonomy, Yunnan province, Cryptic species, Slender geckos 

Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis
  (A) KIZ2023Z097, Topotype, female in life; (B) KIZ2023Z098, Topotype, male in life;
(C) KIZ2023Z311, male in life; (D) KIZ2023Z082, female in life.

 

Hemiphyllodactylus dayaoensis sp. nov. (A) KIZ2023Z177, Holotype, male in life; (B) KIZ2023Z176, Paratype, female in life.
Hemiphyllodactylus jingdongensis sp. nov. (A) KIZ2023Z212, Paratype, male in life; (B) KIZ2023Z211, Holotype, female in life.
Hemiphyllodactylus maguanensis sp. nov. (A) KIZ2023Z332, Paratype, male in life; (B) KIZ2023Z331, Paratype, female in life; (C) KIZ2023Z336, Paratype, female in life; (D) KIZ2023Z333, Paratype, female in life.

Hemiphyllodactylus dayaoensis sp. nov.  

 

Etymology: The scientific name “dayaoensis” is derived from its type locality Dayao County in Yunnan province. we suggest Dayao Slender Gecko in English and “大姚半叶趾虎(Dà Yáo Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.

Hemiphyllodactylus jingdongensis sp. nov.  

Etymology: The scientific name “jingdongensis” is derived from its type locality Jingdong County in Yunnan province. we suggest Jingdong Slender Gecko in English and “景东半叶趾虎(Jǐng Dǒng Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.

Hemiphyllodactylus maguanensis sp. nov.  

Etymology: The scientific name “maguanensis” is derived from its type locality Maguan County in Yunnan province. we suggest Maguan Slender Gecko in English and “马关半叶趾虎(Mǎ Guān Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.

Hemiphyllodactylus shuangbaiensis sp. nov. (A) KIZ2023Z120, Paratype, female in life; (B) KIZ2023Z125, Holotype, female in life.
Hemiphyllodactylus xingyiensis sp. nov. (A) KIZ2023Z303, Paratype, female in life; (B) KIZ2023Z308, Holotype, female in life.
Hemiphyllodactylus yuanyangensis sp. nov. (A) KIZ2023Z392, Paratype, male in life; (B) KIZ2023Z387, Holotype, male in life.

Hemiphyllodactylus shuangbaiensis sp. nov.  

Etymology: The scientific name “shuangbaiensis” is derived from its type locality Shuangbai County in Yunnan province. we suggest Shuangbai Slender Gecko in English and “双柏半叶趾虎(Shuāng Bǎi Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.

Hemiphyllodactylus xingyiensis sp. nov. 

Etymology: The scientific name “xingyiensis” is derived from its type locality Xingyi County in Yunnan province. we suggest Xingyi Slender Gecko in English and “兴义半叶趾虎(Xīng Yì Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.

Hemiphyllodactylus yuanyangensis sp. nov. 

Etymology: The scientific name “yuanyangensis” is derived from its type locality Yuanyang County in Yunnan province. we suggest Yuanyang Slender Gecko in English and “元阳半叶趾虎(Yuán Yáng Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.

Hongxin Zhou, Jishan Wang, Keguo Han, Yufan Ang, Dongru Zhang, Shuo Liu and Dingqi Rao. 2026. Systematic Revision of the Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis complex with Descriptions of Six New Species. Scientific Reports. 16: 5562. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35912-9 [10 February 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Hemiphyllodactylus pakhaensis • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Son La Province, Vietnam

Hemiphyllodactylus pakhaensis 

H. B. Ha, Hoang, Nguyen, N. V. Ha & Luu, 2026

 

Thạch sùng dẹp pa kha  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.177040

Abstract

An integrative analysis revealed a new species of the Hemiphyllodactylus typus group collected from local house walls and surrounding karst formations in Pa Kha 1 Village, Long Phieng Commune, Son La Province, northwestern Vietnam. Hemiphyllodactylus pakhaensis sp. nov. is recovered within Clade 4 of the typus group, exhibiting an uncorrected pairwise distance greater than 6.65% from all other congeners based on a 1,043 base pair segment of the ND2 gene. It can be distinguished from its congeners by body size, chin scales, circumnasal scales, dorsal and ventral scales. A multiple factor analysis using normalized morphometric, meristic, and categorical character types recovered its unique, non–overlapping placement in morphospace as statistically significantly different from closely related species in the Clade 4. The discovery and description of this new Hemiphyllodactylus species represent the first record of the Clade 4 from Vietnam and increase the number of species of this genus recorded in the country to 12.

Key words: Gecko, morphology, phylogeny, Southeast Asia

Hemiphyllodactylus pakhaensis sp. nov.
Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of adult male holotype VNUF R.2025.32 (Field No. Sonla02) in life; C. Drawing of the holotype’s head in dorsolateral view.

Hemiphyllodactylus pakhaensis sp. nov. 

Hong Bich Ha, Tuoi Thi Hoang, Manh Dac Nguyen, Nghia Van Ha and Vinh Quang Luu. 2026. A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Son La Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1268: 163-188. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.177040 [04 Feb 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri • A New karst-dwelling Gecko Species (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Son La Province, Vietnam

 

 Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri

Pham, Nguyen, Pham, Ngo & Le, 2026

Thạch sùng dẹp ziegler  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.174678 

Abstract

Based on morphological and molecular analyses, a new species of Hemiphyllodactylus is described from Son La Province, northern Vietnam. Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri sp. nov. differs from its sister taxon, a paraphyletic H. yunnanensis, and other members of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus by at least 14% in terms of genetic divergence based on a fragment of the ND2 mitochondrial gene and a combination of the following morphological characters: SVL of adult males 38.7–41.9 mm and adult females 47.0–49.3 mm; dorsal scale rows 21–27; ventral scale rows 12–16; chin scales bordering mental and first infralabial distinctly enlarged; digital lamellae formula 3444 (forefoot) and 4555/4 (hindfoot); femoral pores absent; precloacal pores 21–23 in males, absent in females; cloacal spur single, present in both sexes; dorsal trunk pattern yellowish grey; body with a discontinuous light dorsolateral stripe. Our discovery increases the number of species within the genus to 73.

Key words: Copia Nature Reserve, morphology, ND2 mitochondrial gene, northern Vietnam, taxonomy

The male holotype of Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri sp. nov. (HUS.2025.06) in life.
A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view.

Photos: Anh Van Pham.

Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis. A bisexual taxon; SVL of adult males 38.7–41.9 mm, adult females 47.0–49.3 mm; dorsal scale rows 21–27; ventral scale rows 12–16; chin scales bordering mental and first infralabial distinctly enlarged; digital lamellae formula 3444 (forefoot) and 4555/4 (hindfoot);femoral and precloacal pores 21–23 in males, absent in females; cloacal spur single, present in both sexes; dorsal trunk pattern yellowish grey; body with a discontinuous light dorsolateral stripe.

 Anh Van Pham, Truong Quang Nguyen, Cuong The Pham, Hanh Thi Ngo and Minh Duc Le. 2026. Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri sp. nov. (Squamata, Gekkonidae), A New karst-dwelling Gecko Species from Son La Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1268: 75-94. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.174678 [04 Feb 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Hemiphyllodactylus puncak & H. jeraiensis • Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Hemiphyllodactylus harterti group (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with Description of Two New Species from the Sky-islands of Peninsular Malaysia

 

Hemiphyllodactylus puncak & 
Hemiphyllodactylus jeraiensis 

 Hong, Anuar, Grismer & Quah, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.76.e154822

 

Abstract

Phylogenetic analyses of newly discovered populations of Hemiphyllodactylus from sky-islands across Peninsular Malaysia using the mitochondrial gene ND2, recovered two new upland species embedded within the harterti group. Hemiphyllodactylus puncak sp. nov. from Langkawi Island and H. jeraiensis sp. nov. from Gunung Jerai are sister species with an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 3.6% between them. Together, they formed the sister lineage to H. cicak from Penang Hill, with an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 3.9–4.8% and 4.5–5.7%, respectively. Given that these three populations occur on mountain tops isolated by lowland habitat and the Straits of Malacca, gene flow between them is highly unlikely, and there are unique combinations of characters that differentiate them from one another, as well as from all other species of the harterti group. The time-calibrated BEAST phylogeny shows that the harterti group diversified across the uplands of Peninsular Malaysia in the Oligocene and Pleistocene, which is consistent with climatic fluctuations during this period. During the Middle Oligocene, the ancestral population of the harterti group diverged into two distinct populations, one in the Banjaran Titiwangsa and another in the Banjaran Timur. These two populations then radiated independently across Peninsular Malaysia, giving rise to at least nine additional species within the harterti group.

Keywords: Endemic species, herpetofauna, Gunung Jerai, integrative taxonomy, Kedah, Langkawi Island, Southeast Asia

Hemiphyllodactylus puncak sp. nov. from Langkawi Island.
A Male holotype (LSUHC 15050) B Female paratype (LSUHC 15081) C Female paratype (LSUHC 15082).

Photographs by L. Lee Grismer.

 Hemiphyllodactylus puncak sp. nov. 

Suggested English common name: Langkawi Island slender gecko

Suggested Malay common name: cicak kerdil Pulau Langkawi 

Diagnosis. Hemiphyllodactylus puncak sp. nov. can be differentiated from all other species of Hemiphyllodactylus in having the unique combination of a maximum SVL of 35.6 mm; 5–7 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; four or five circumnasal scales; one or two scales between supranasals (= postrostrals); nine or 10 supralabials; 10 infralabials; 15 or 16 longitudinally arranged dorsal scales at midbody and seven or eight ventral scales contained within one eye diameter; lamellar formula on hand 4454 or 4554 or 4555; lamellar formula on foot 4554 or 4565 or 4675 or 5655; four subdigital lamellae on first finger and four or five on first toe; 44 continuous, pore-bearing femoroprecloacal scales in male; one cloacal spur on each side; subcaudals not plate-like; a dark postorbital stripe extending to at least base of neck; presence of dorsolateral light-coloured spots on trunk; absence of dark dorsolateral or ventrolateral stripe on trunk; generally unicolour wide vertebral area; postsacral marking lacking light-coloured anteriorly projecting arms; and unpigmented caecum and gonadal ducts. These characters are scored across all species of the harterti group listed in Table 5.

Etymology. The new species name ‘puncak’ is the Malay word for peak and named in reference to this species being found on the peak of Gunung Raya on Langkawi Island.

 Hemiphyllodactylus jeraiensis sp. nov.

 Suggested English common name: Gunung Jerai slender gecko

Suggested Malay common name: cicak kerdil Gunung Jerai 

Diagnosis. Hemiphyllodactylus jeraiensis sp. nov. can be differentiated from all other species of Hemiphyllodactylus in having the unique combination of a maximum SVL of 36.5 mm; seven chin scales; enlarged postmentals; five circumnasal scales; three scales between supranasals (= postrostrals); nine supralabials; nine infralabials; 12 longitudinally arranged dorsal scales at midbody and seven ventral scales contained within one eye diameter; lamellar formula on hand 2333; lamellar formula on foot 2333; two subdigital lamellae on first finger and two on first toe; 39 continuous, pore-bearing femoroprecloacal scales in male; two cloacal spurs on each side; subcaudals not plate-like; a dark postorbital stripe extending to base of neck; presence of dorsolateral light-coloured spots on trunk; absence of dark dorsolateral or ventrolateral stripe on trunk; generally unicolour wide vertebral area; postsacral marking lacking light-coloured anteriorly projecting arms; and unpigmented caecum and gonadal ducts. These characters are scored across all species of the harterti group listed in Table 5.

Etymology. The new species name ‘jeraiensis’ is in reference to the type locality of this species on Gunung Jerai, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia.

Zijia Hong, M. S. Shahrul Anuar, L. Lee Grismer and Evan S. H. Quah. 2026. Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Hemiphyllodactylus harterti group (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with Description of Two New Species from the Sky-islands of Peninsular Malaysia. Vertebrate Zoology. 76: 1-32.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.76.e154822 [16 Jan 2026]

[Herpetology • 2025] Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India

Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri 

Bhupathi, Ray, Narayana, Karuthapandi, Jaiswal, Kar & Mohapatra, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e167113 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus (slender geckos) is described from the Tirumala Hill ranges in the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve of the southern Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, southern India. This novel species exhibits 9.7–12.9% divergence in uncorrected pairwise distances of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) sequence data from its closely related congeners in peninsular India, namely H. jnana (9.5–12.6%), H. nilgiriensis (10.9–12.9%), and H. peninsularis (10.5–11.2%), and had previously been suggested as an undescribed species by earlier researchers based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. The new species, represented by five individuals, reached a maximum observed snout–vent length (SVL) of 33.7 mm and differs from its peninsular Indian congeners by the following combination of characters: 12–16 chin scales; 16–17 dorsal scales; 9–11 ventral scales at midbody; males with 6–8 precloacal pores and 5–7 femoral pores on each thigh, separated by 7–10 poreless scales; and lamellar formula of manus 2-2-2-2 and pes 2-2-2-2. This is the second species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus to be reported from Andhra Pradesh, after H. arakuensis.

Key Words: cryptic diversity, Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri sp. nov., molecular phylogeny, slender geckos, taxonomy

Holotype (FBRC-ZSI-17) of Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri sp. nov. in life.

 Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri sp. nov. is characterized by a small adult body size (SVL 22.3–33.7 mm; n = 5), consistent with the generally slender habitus typical of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus. Diagnostic differentiation from congeners is instead based on the combination of morphological characters such as 12–16 chin scales; postmentals not enlarged; supralabials 9–12, infralabials 9–12; 16–18 dorsal scales, 9–16 ventral scales at mid-body are contained within one longitudinal eye diameter, 6–8 precloacal pores separated by 7–10 poreless scales from a series of 5–7 femoral pores on each ...

Etymology. The specific epithet Venkatadri is a toponym for the type locality in the Tirumala Hill ranges in the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, India. The name Venkatadri is derived from two Sanskrit words: Venkata, meaning ‘one who removes sins’—one of the names of Lord Vishnu in the Hindu religion associated with the sacred Tirumala—and Adri, meaning mountain.

Suggested common English name. Venkatadri slender gecko.

 Bharath Bhupathi, Sumidh Ray, B. Laxmi Narayana, M. Karuthapandi, Deepa Jaiswal, Niladri B. Kar and Pratyush P. Mohapatra. 2025. A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India. Herpetozoa. 38: 333-343. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e167113 

[Herpetology • 2022] Hemiphyllodactylus simaoensis & H. yanshanensis • Two New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from karst landscapes in Yunnan, China, highlights complex conservation needs

 Hemiphyllodactylus simaoensis 
[A-D] Hemiphyllodactylus yanshanensis

 Agung, Chornelia, L. L. Grismer, J. L. Grismer, Quah, Lu, Tomlinson & Hughes, 2022

DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.105 

 Researchgate.net/publication/362701828

Abstract

Karst habitats are hotspots of diversity and endemism. Their naturally fragmented distributions across broad geographic landscapes have led to the complex array of smaller evolutionary ecosystems that present unique challenges from a conservation perspective. Comprehensive biodiversity assessments of karst habitats have revealed that these ecosystems contain an almost unparalleled level of endemism, and many site-restricted species remain undescribed, thus posing considerable challenges for effective conservation management. Small rock-dwelling species, such as geckos, may be particularly prone to such isolation. In this paper, we discuss one such genus, i.e., Hemiphyllodactylus, and explore its diversity across karst landforms in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Based on morphological and genetic data, we describe two new species of Hemiphyllodactylus from karst habitats in Simao District and Yanshan County. A phylogenetic tree for Hemiphyllodactylus was constructed using 1 039 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2). The Simao and Yanshan specimens can be distinguished from all other congeners within their respective subclades based on uncorrected genetic pairwise distances greater than 6.3% and 4.3% respectively, as well as significant morphological differences. The discovery and description of these two new species brings the total number of described Hemiphyllodactylus species in China to 14 and indicates many more undescribed species from unsurveyed karst regions await discovery. Our findings suggest that karst ecosystems in Yunnan support a higher diversity of Hemiphyllodactylus than previously known. This study also highlights the importance of karst ecosystems as refugia for site-specific endemic species and the need for heightened conservation efforts.

Keywords: Discovery,  Endemism,  Geckos,  Reptiles,  South China

 Hemiphyllodactylus simaoensis sp. nov.  
A: Holotype, KIZ 062064, male in life; B: Paratype, KIZ 062065, female, in life;
C: Paratype, KIZ 062072, male in life; D: Paratype, KIZ 062076, female in life.
A and B were collected in Simao District (photos by Ade P. Agung),
C and D were collected in Ning'er County (photos by Evan S. H. Quah).    

Habitat of Hemiphyllodactylus simaoensis sp. nov. 

View of karst area in Simao District (A) and building where specimens KIZ 062063-KIZ 062070 were collected (B) (photos by Ade P. Agung).

Hemiphyllodactylus simaoensis sp. nov.   

Suggested English name: Simao slender gecko

Suggested Chinese name: 思茅半叶趾虎

 

Diagnosis: Hemiphyllodactylus simaoensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by a unique combination of the following characters: maximum SVL 40.87 mm; chin scales 7–10; enlarged postmentals; circumnasal scales 5–6; internasal scales 1–4; supralabial scales 8–12; infralabial scales 8–11; subdigital lamellae on fingers II–V (3 or 4)-(3–5)-(3–5)-(3 or 4); subdigital lamellae on toes II–V (3 or 4)-(3–5)-(3–5)-(3 or 4); dorsal scales 11–15; ventral scales 5–7; pale-gray base color on body, two lines of dark blotches running from neck to sacrum on dorsal side; dark postorbital stripe extending at least to base of neck; dorsolateral stripe indistinct or completely absent; ventrolateral stripe on trunk absent; dark postsacral markings bearing anteriorly projecting arms.

  

Distribution: Hemiphyllodactylus simaoensis sp. nov. is currently only known from Simao District and Ning’er County, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, China.

Natural history: The holotype and seven paratypes (KIZ 062063, KIZ 062065–KIZ 062070) were collected on the evening of 6 July 2019 from a wall of a vacant building rarely used by humans in a forested karst area. The left and right sides of the building were densely covered by shrubs and trees. The back of the building was bordered by forested karst hills. The front of the building faced an old basketball court with several artificial lights, with the main road located further in front (Figure 7). The other 14 paratypes from Ning’er County (KIZ 062072–KIZ 062077, KIZ 062079–KIZ 062084, KIZ 062087–KIZ 062088) were collected one year earlier, on the evenings of 16 and 17 August 2018, from a cement wall in a forested karst area.

Etymology: The specific epithet simaoensis refers to the name of the district where the holotype originates, Simao District, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, China.

 

 

  Variations in color and patterns of Hemiphyllodactylus yanshanensis sp. nov. 
A: Holotype, KIZ 062090, male, in life; B: Paratype, KIZ 062091, female, in life;
C: Paratype, KIZ 062092, female, in life; D: Paratype, KIZ 062093, female, in life.

 Habitat of H. yanshanensis sp. nov. 

B: Karst hill where specimens were spotted; C: Deposited eggs of H. yanshanensis sp. nov. in karst crevices

(photos by Ade P. Agung).

Hemiphyllodactylus yanshanensis sp. nov. 

 Suggested English name: Yanshan slender gecko

Suggested Chinese name: 砚山半叶趾虎

Diagnosis: Hemiphyllodactylus yanshanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by a unique combination of the following characters: maximum SVL 46.28 mm; chin scales 8–11; enlarged postmentals; circumnasal scales 5–6; internasal scales 1–3; supralabial scales 9–12; infralabial scales 9–12; ventral scales 7–13; dorsal scales 11–22; subdigital lamellae on fingers II–V (4 or 5)-(5–7)-(5–7)-(4 or 5); subdigital lamellae on toes II–V (4 or 5)-(5 or 6)-(5–7)-(5 or 6); subdigital lamellae wider than long on first finger (4 or 5); subdigital lamellae wider than long on first toe (5 or 6); pale brown color base on body with various transverse blotched patterns on dorsum; dark postorbital stripe extending at least to base of neck; dorsolateral stripe on trunk present; ventrolateral stripe on trunk absent; postsacral marking bearing anteriorly projecting arms.

Distribution: Hemiphyllodactylus yanshanensis sp. nov. is only known from the type locality in Yanshan County, Yunnan Province, China (Figure 9).

 

Natural history: All specimens were collected during the evening of 1 July 2019 on the surface of a forested karst hill in Yanshan County, Yunnan Province, China (Figure 10). There were several gravid females among the specimens collected, each containing two eggs. We also found two eggs placed together loosely in the crevices of the same hill, which we assumed were laid by Hemiphyllodactylus yanshanensis sp. nov. based on their size (Figure 10), indicating that its reproductive season extends into July (see reports on other Hemiphyllodactylus species in Cobos et al. (2016) and Grismer et al. (2015)). The karst hills were surrounded by paddy fields and several huts and houses were nearby.

 

Etymology: The specific epithet yanshanensis refers to the name of Yanshan County where the specimens were found.

Ade Prasetyo Agung, Ada Chornelia, L. Lee Grismer, Jesse L. Grismer, Evan S. H. Quah, Jian-Mei Lu, Kyle W. Tomlinson and Alice C. Hughes. 2022. Description of Two New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from karst landscapes in Yunnan, China, highlights complex conservation needs. Zoological Research. 43(5); 767-786. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.105 

 Researchgate.net/publication/362701828_two_new_species_of_Hemiphyllodactylus_from_karst_landscapes_in_Yunnan_China

[Herpetology • 2024] Hemiphyllodactylus houaphanensis & H. vanhoensis • Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New Species of Karst-dwelling Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Border Region of Laos and Vietnam

Hemiphyllodactylus houaphanensis  &  H. vanhoensis

Luu, Hoang, Ha, J. L. Grismer, Murdoch, Sitthivong, Phimpasone & L. L. Grismer, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5486.1.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/382522786

 

Abstract

An integrative taxonomic analysis of the gekkonid lizard genus Hemiphyllodactylus was conducted using molecular, morphological, color pattern, and ecological data on a clade of 19 species, including two new species from karst landscapes in northern Laos and Vietnam. Hemiphyllodactylus houaphanensis sp. nov. (Laos) and H. vanhoensis sp. nov. (Vietnam) are karst-dwelling species whose discovery further emphasizes the unrealized herpetological diversity and site-specific endemism in karst ecosystems across Southeast Asia and the need for increased field work to protect these biodiverse landscapes.

Reptilia, genetics, Indochina, karst forest, Laos, phylogenetics, systematics, Vietnam

Dorsal views of Hemiphyllodactylus houaphanensis sp. nov.   

from ..., Hiem District, Houaphan Province, Laos.

 A: adult male holotype and B: adult female paratyp. 

Photos: Vilay Phimpasone.

Dorsal views of Hemiphyllodactylus vanhoensis sp. nov. 

from ..., Tan Xuan Commune, Van Ho District,Son La Province, Vietnam.

 A: adult female holotype, B: adult female paratype, and C: juvenile male paratype.

Photos: Vinh Quang Luu.

 Hemiphyllodactylus houaphanensis sp. nov. (Laos) 

H. vanhoensis sp. nov. (Vietnam) 

Vinh Quang LUU, Tuoi Thi HOANG, Hong Bich HA, Jesse L. GRISMER, Matthew MURDOCH, Saly SITTHIVONG, Vilay PHIMPASONE and L. Lee GRISMER. 2024. Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New Species of Karst-dwelling Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Border Region of Laos and Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5486(1); 71-108. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5486.1.3 [2024-07-24]

  Researchgate.net/publication/382522786_Two_new_species_of_karst-dwelling_Hemiphyllodactylus_from_the_border_region_of_Laos_and_Vietnam

[Herpetology • 2025] Hemiphyllodactylus diaoluoshanensis, H. jianfenglingensis & H. lingshuiensis • Descriptions of Three New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Hainan Island, China

Hemiphyllodactylus diaoluoshanensis Wang, Qi, Zhang, Zheng, Li, Song, Xie, Li & Wang, 
H. jianfenglingensis Wang, Qi, Jiang, Song, Yang, Yu, Li & Wang, 
H. lingshuiensis Wang, Qi, Yu, Song, Li & Wang,

in H.-T. Wang, Yu, Zheng, H.-Y. Zhang, X.-M. Qi, Jiang, M.-L. LI, S. Qi, ..., P.-P. Li et Y.-Y. Wang, 2025.

  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5633.2.1 

  facebook.com: Shuo QI 

 

Abstract

Three new species of the gekkonid lizard genus Hemiphyllodactylus are described from Hainan Island, China, based on morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses based the ND2 gene. This brings the total number of the known species from one to four, revealing the previously underestimated diversity of Hainan’s herpetofauna. The three new species, along with Hemiphyllodactylus typus, are placed into three different clades, suggesting multiple colonization events and independent evolutionary histories of the genus on Hainan Island. The known distribution of H. typus was further expanded in this study, and its current status on this island was examined, highlighting the cryptogenic nature of the species with unclear native and introduced ranges. These findings emphasize the need for detailed molecular studies using sensitive genetic markers and extensive geographical sampling to clarify its origins.

Reptilia, Hemiphyllodactylus diaoluoshanensis sp. nov., H. jianfenglingensis sp. nov., H. lingshuiensis sp. nov., slender geckos, southern China, taxonomy

 

Hemiphyllodactylus diaoluoshanensis 

Wang, Qi, Zhang, Zheng, Li, Song, Xie, Li & Wang, 2025

吊罗山半叶趾虎

Hemiphyllodactylus jianfenglingensis 

Wang, Qi, Jiang, Song, Yang, Yu, Li & Wang, 2025

尖峰岭半叶趾虎 

Hemiphyllodactylus lingshuiensis 

Wang, Qi, Yu, Song, Li & Wang, 2025

陵水半叶趾虎 

Hao-Tian WANG, Feng-Bin YU, Pu-Yang ZHENG, Hao-Yu ZHANG, Xu-Ming QI, Zhao-Xuan JIANG, Mao-Liang LI, Shuo QI, Han-Ming SONG, Hao-Cong YANG, Ming-Hong HUANG, Guo-Yi LI, Wei WANG, Shi-Li WANG, Yan-Ni MO, Feng XIE, Pi-Peng LI and Ying-Yong WANG. 2025. Descriptions of Three New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Hainan Island, China. Zootaxa. 5633(2); 201-243. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5633.2.1 [2025-05-12] 

 facebook.com/ShuoQI96413/posts/2454674358199586

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5165455830155586

[Herpetology • 2025] Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from western Yunnan, China

Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis

 Zhou, Wang, Cui, Zhang, Shen, Li, Liu & Rao, 2025 

 

 Laowo Town Slender Gecko | 老窝镇半叶趾虎  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.138964

Abstract

A new species of gekkonid, Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov., is described based on three specimens from Lushui City, Yunnan, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a significant genetic divergence of greater than 4.8% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene and a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 38.5 mm; 10 or 11 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; 6 circumnasal scales; 2 or 3 internasal scales; 8 or 9 supralabial scales; 8 or 9 infralabial scales; 15 or 16 dorsal scales; 9 ventral scales; a manual lamellar formula of 3-4-4-4 and a pedal lamellar formula of 3(4)-4-4-4; 26–28 precloacal and femoral pore-bearing scales contiguous in males; 1–3 cloacal spur on each side; a dark postorbital stripe extending to at least base of neck; dorsolateral light–colored spots on trunk present; dark ventrolateral stripe on trunk present; dark dorsal transverse blotches present; and a dark and brown postsacral mark bearing anteriorly projecting arms.

Key Words: Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov., integrative taxonomy, Lushui City, molecular phylogeny, slender gecko

Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov.
A. Holotype, LW2024R006, dorsal view in alcohol; B. Holotype, LW2024R006, ventral view in alcohol; C. The ventral view of the head; black lines indicate chin scales; D, E. In view of lamellae formula counting on fingers and feet I to V; F. Lateral view of basal tail.

Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Hemiphyllodactylus laowozhenensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 38.5 mm; 10 or 11 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; 6 circumnasal scales; 2 or 3 internasal scales; 8 or 9 supralabial scales; 8 or 9 infralabial scales; 15 or 16 dorsal scales; 9 ventral scales; a manual lamellar formula of 3-4-4-4 and a pedal lamellar formula of 3(4)-4-4-4; 26–28 precloacal and femoral pore-bearing scales contiguous in males; 1–3 cloacal spur on each side; a dark postorbital stripe extending to at least base of neck; dorsolateral light–colored spots on trunk present; dark ventrolateral stripe on trunk present; dark dorsal transverse blotches present; and a dark and brown postsacral mark bearing anteriorly projecting arms.

Etymology: The scientific name “laowozhenensis” is derived from its type locality Laowo Town, Lushui City in Yunnan province. We suggest Laowo Town Slender Gecko in English and “老窝镇半叶趾虎 (Lǎo Wō Zhèn Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.

 Hongxin Zhou, Xiaohan Wang, Liangwei Cui, Dongru Zhang, Ziqi Shen, Xiuyan Li, Shuo Liu and Dingqi Rao. 2025. A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from western Yunnan, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 245-255. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.138964

[Herpetology • 2025] Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh • A New Species of lowland karst-dwelling Slender Gecko Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a karstic archipelago in western Cambodia

 

Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh

in Grismer, Sinovas, Quah, Thi, Chourn, Chhin, Hun, Cobos, Geissler, Ching et Murdoch, 2025. 

Khpoh Slender Gecko  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5569.2.3 

 

Abstract

A new species of gekkonid lizard is described from Phnom Khpoh, an isolated karstic hill within an extensive karstic archipelago in Battambang Province, western Cambodia. Phylogenetic analysis using a 1041 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial gene ND2 recovered Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh sp. nov. as the sister species of H. pardalis, found 335 km to the west in southern Thailand. Analyses of meristic, morphometric, and categorical characters of morphology and color pattern differentiated H. khpoh sp. nov. from both the morphologically distinct H. pardalis and the very similar Hemiphyllodactylus sp. from Phnom Kulen, approximately 130 km to the northeast in Siem Reap Province. The statistical morphological analyses and comparisons also showed that H. khpoh sp. nov. is well-differentiated from the recently described H. bokor and H. samkos from the nearby Cardamom Mountains as well from species in clade 6—a recently designated lineage from China, Laos, and Vietnam to which H. khpoh sp. nov. + H. pardalis compose the sister lineage. The discovery of H. khpoh sp. nov. highlights the rich but understudied biodiversity of karstic landscapes, emphasizing the need for continued research in the extensive unexplored karstic archipelago of western Cambodia. This region is poised to reveal unparalleled gekkonid diversity, comparable to that observed in the similarly sized karstic archipelago of the Salween Basin in southern Myanmar. Although karstic landscapes are proving to be some of the most biodiverse habitats on the planet, less than 1% of them are afforded any formal protection.

Reptilia, conservation, Gekkota, genetics, integrative taxonomy, limestone, phylogeny, Southeast Asia

Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh sp. nov.

L. Lee GRISMER, Pablo SINOVAS, Evan S. H. QUAH, Sothearen THI, Phyroum CHOURN, Sophea CHHIN, Seiha HUN, Anthony COBOS, Peter GEISSLER, Christian CHING and Matthew L. MURDOCH. 2025. A New Species of lowland karst-dwelling Slender Gecko Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a karstic archipelago in western Cambodia.  Zootaxa. 5569(2); 253-281. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5569.2.3 

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/geckos-found-southeast-asia-karst

[Herpetology • 2024] Hemiphyllodactylus bokor & H. samkos • Review of the Slender Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemiphyllodactylus) of the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia, with Descriptions of Two New Species and One Country Record

 

Hemiphyllodactylus bokor
 Hemiphyllodactylus samkos

Neang, Samorn, Hun, Henson & Stuart, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5537.3.5

 

Abstract

The gekkonid lizard genus Hemiphyllodactylus contains small, secretive species that are often overlooked in their habitats. Recent molecular and morphological analyses have resulted in the descriptions of numerous new species of Hemiphyllodactylus in mainland Southeast Asia and southern China, many of which were historically hidden within the geographically widespread taxon H. yunnanensis (Boulenger, 1903). Little is known on species diversity and distributions of Hemiphyllodactylus in Cambodia, and all previous reports from the country have been limited to provisional identifications owing to collections containing only a single female or juvenile specimen. We report on new collections of Hemiphyllodactylus specimens from opposite ends of the Cardamom Mountain range in southwestern Cambodia. Morphological and molecular data support the hypothesis that these collections contain three distinct species, two of which are described as new species and one of which is assigned to the geographically widespread H. typus Bleeker, 1860 as a new country record for Cambodia. Hemiphyllodactylus bokor sp. nov. from Preah Monivong Bokor National Park in Kampot Province and Hemiphyllodactylus samkos sp. nov. from Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Pursat Province are related to species from adjacent areas in southern Vietnam, southern Laos, and southeastern Thailand, as well as a clade from India, but are readily differentiated in mitochondrial DNA and in having unique combinations of mensural and meristic morphological characters. Additional species diversity of Hemiphyllodactylus likely exists in Cambodia.

Reptilia, Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, phylogeny, taxonomy

Thy Neang, Vireak Samorn, Seiha Hun, Adam Henson and Bryan L. Stuart. 2024. Review of the Slender Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemiphyllodactylus) of the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia, with Descriptions of Two New Species and One Country Record. Zootaxa. 5537(3); 377-394. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5537.3.5

[Herpetology • 2024] Hemiphyllodactylus gengmaensis • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southwest Yunnan, China

 

Hemiphyllodactylus gengmaensis

Zhou, Li, Shen,  Liu & Rao, 2024

Gengma Slender Gecko | 耿马半叶趾虎   ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.117359

 

Abstract

A new species of gekkonid, Hemiphyllodactylus gengmaensis sp. nov., is described based on six specimens from Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County, Yunnan, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a significant genetic divergence of greater than 9.7% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene and a combination of the following characters: a maximum SVL of 43.24mm; 8 or 9 chin scales; six circumnasal scales; 2 or 3 internasal scales; 9–11 supralabial scales; 8 or 9 infralabial scales; 11–18 dorsal scales; 8–10 ventral scales; a manual lamellar formula of 5–5–5–4 or 5–6–5–4 and a pedal lamellar formula of 5–5–6–5; 20–25 precloacal and femoral pore-bearing scales contiguous in males; dark postorbital stripes or striping on body; dark dorsal transverse blotches present; and a brown postsacral mark bearing anteriorly projecting arms. The discovery of this new species brings the number of Hemiphyllodactylus species in China to 15.

Key words: Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County, Hemiphyllodactylus gengmaensis sp. nov., integrative taxonomy, molecular phylogeny, slender gecko

Hemiphyllodactylus gengmaensis sp. nov.
A holotype, 2014002302, dorsal view in alcohol B holotype, 2014002302, ventral view in alcohol C paratype, 2014002301, dorsal view in alcohol.

 Hemiphyllodactylus gengmaensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hemiphyllodactylus gengmaensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 43.24 mm; 8–9 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; 6 circumnasal scales; 2–3 internasal scales; 9–11 supralabial scales; 8–9 infralabial scales; 11–18 dorsal scales; 8–10 ventral scales; a manual lamellar formula of 5–5–5–4 or 5–6–5–4 and a pedal lamellar formula of 5–5–6–5; 20–25 precloacal and femoral pore-bearing scales contiguous in males. dark postorbital stripes or striping on body; dark dorsal transverse blotches; and a brown postsacral mark bearing anteriorly projecting arms.

Etymology: The scientific name “gengmaensis” is derived from its type locality Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County in Yunnan province. We suggest Gengma Slender Gecko in English and “耿马半叶趾虎 (Gěng Mǎ Bàn Yè Zhǐ Hǔ)” in Chinese.

Hongxin Zhou, Shimin Li, Ziqi Shen, Shuo Liu and Dingqi Rao. 2024. A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from southwest Yunnan, China. ZooKeys. 1197: 197-213. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.117359