[Herpetology • 2025] Gekko septentrionalis • A New Species of Gekko (Ptychozoon) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Southwest China, with an Expanded Morphological Description of Gekko bannaensis

 

Gekko septentrionalis

 Xun, Mu, Zeng, Li, Duan, Shu, Zuo, Gao, Wang & Che, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00032   

 Abstract  

Parachute Geckos of the genus Gekko (Ptychozoon) are known for their extreme morphology for camouflage and gliding. Because of the cryptic lifestyle of its constituent species, little is known about the diversity of the subgenus, particularly in northern Indochina close to the northern edge of its distribution. Here we describe a new species of the subgenus from southwestern Yunnan Province close to the Myanmar border. The new species is sister to Gekko bannaensis on the basis of mitochondrial genealogy, and it shows substantial genetic divergence (9% of ND2 gene) and clear morphological distinctions by having different numbers of caudal cutaneous lobes and diagnostic conditions of the preaxial antebrachial flaps and dorsal bands. We report additional specimens of a recently described, poorly known species of the subgenus, G. bannaensis, from the vicinity of its type locality, and we describe its morphological variation for the first time. We discuss the distribution and diversity of the subgenus in northern Indochina and we highlight cryptic diversity in the Gekko kuhli complex.

KEYWORDS: cryptic diversity, morphological variation, Myanmar, taxonomy

Gekko septentrionalis sp. nov.

 

Hao Xun, Hao-Nan Mu, Xiang-Le Zeng, Ling Li, Zheng-Pan Duan, Sheng-Quan Shu, Chang-Sheng Zuo, Wei Gao, Kai Wang and Jing Che. 2025. A New Species of Gekko (Ptychozoon) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Southwest China, with an Expanded Morphological Description of Gekko bannaensis. Herpetologica. 81(3); 291-302. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00032 (4 August 2025)  

[Herpetology • 2025] Gerrhonotus occidentalis • Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal Hidden Diversity in Gerrhonotus (Anguidae: Gerrhonotinae) and Description of a New Species from Western Mexico

 Gerrhonotus occidentalis 

Nieto-Montes de Oca, Wiens & García-Vázquez, 2025 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00004 

 Researchgate.net/publication/394998957

 Abstract  

The genus Gerrhonotus has a wide geographic range, extending from Texas in the United States southward and eastward to Panamá. Despite this enormous distribution, only seven species are currently recognized within the genus. However, both morphological and molecular studies have provided evidence for the presence of an undescribed species in western Mexico that has historically been confused with G. liocephalus. This species remains undescribed. In addition, molecular studies have revealed significant genetic structuring within some of the most broadly distributed morphology-based species in the genus, including G. infernalis, G. liocephalus, and G. ophiurus. These findings suggest the potential for unrecognized species diversity. Here, we used double-digested restriction-site associated sequencing (ddRADseq) to construct a new phylogenomic data set for the genus Gerrhonotus. We performed maximum-likelihood analyses on concatenated matrices with varying minimum taxon coverage to assess the impact of different numbers of loci and proportions of missing data on matrix informativeness, and identified the optimal matrix. We then performed a maximum-likelihood analysis of this matrix. Based on the resulting tree, current taxonomy, and the geographic distribution of samples, we identified 10 potentially independent lineages (putative species) within the genus. Subsequently, we conducted species-tree analyses for these lineages and utilized the resulting topologies to estimate their genealogical divergence index (gdi), providing a preliminary assessment of their evolutionary distinctness. All of the analyses consistently corroborated the existence of an undescribed species from western Mexico. Moreover, gdi values indicated the potential presence of additional hidden species diversity within the genus. We describe the lineage from western Mexico as a distinct species, based on 18 adult specimens. The new species appears to be restricted to the western slopes of Mexico from southern Nayarit to central Guerrero, spanning elevations from sea level to about 1500 m. Its preferred habitats include tropical deciduous, tropical semideciduous, oak, and pine-oak forests.

KEYWORDS: Alligator lizard, biodiversity, Gerrhonotus, phylogenomics, species delimitation, systematics, taxonomy

 Gerrhonotus occidentalis in life.
 (A) Adult male (MZFZ 4951). (B) Adult female (MZFZ 4950). (C) Adult specimen from Colima, Cerro Alcomú n. The latter photograph was taken by J. Jones on 29 December 2023. The specimen was released.

  Gerrhonotus occidentalis sp. nov.

Adrián Nieto-Montes de Oca, John J. Wiens and Uri Omar García Vázquez. 2025. Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal Hidden Diversity in Gerrhonotus (Anguidae: Gerrhonotinae) and Description of a New Species from Western Mexico. Herpetologica. 81(3); 303-321. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00004 (5 August 2025)  

Researchgate.net/publication/394998957_Phylogenomic_Analyses_in_Gerrhonotus_and_a_New_Species_from_Mexico

[Herpetology • 2025] Scincella montana • A New Species of Scincella Mittleman, 1950; the “Lampropholis” group (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico

   

Scincella montana

 Valdenegro-Brito, Vega-Pérez & García-Vázquez, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00020  

 facebook.com/herpmx

Abstract

We describe a new Mexican endemic species of Scincella in the “Lampropholis” group. It is distinguished from the other species in the group by the following combination of characters: two ventrolateral dark lines below the lateral stripe on each side, which begin on the supralabial scales, pass through the tympanic opening, and disappear at the level of the forelimbs; a thick and strongly defined lateral stripe; reddish hue on the tail; limbs that do not overlap when adpressed against the body; enlarged dorsal scales arranged in 54–67 transverse dorsal rows and 24–28 longitudinal rows at midbody. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences support the distinctiveness of the new species, as well as its sister relationship to a clade composed of S. assata and S. cherriei. This is the 12th species of Scincella in the Americas and is known from pine and pine–oak forests throughout the Sierra Madre del Sur in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico.

KEYWORDS: description, morphology, phylogenetics, taxonomy

Scincella montana

Antonio Esaú Valdenegro-Brito, Anibal H. Díaz De La Vega-Pérez and Uri Omar García-Vázquez. 2025. A New Species of Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico. Herpetologica. 81(2); 171-182. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00020 [8 May 2025] 

  facebook.com/herpmx/posts/1237222524439612

Describimos una nueva especie endémica mexicana de Scincella en el grupo “Lampropholis.” Se distingue de las otras especies del grupo por la siguiente combinación de caracteres: tiene dos líneas oscuras ventrolaterales debajo de la franja lateral en cada lado, una surge en la abertura timpánica y se desvanece gradualmente a la altura de medio cuerpo, la inferior surge en las escamas supralabiales y se desvanece a la altura de la axila; una franja lateral gruesa y fuertemente definida; cola de color rojizo; extremidades que no se superponen cuando se presionan contra el cuerpo; escamas dorsales más grandes y ensanchadas dispuestas en 54–67 filas dorsales transversales y 24–28 filas longitudinales alrededor de la mitad del cuerpo Los análisis basados en secuencias de mtDNA respaldan la distinción de la nueva especie, así como su relación de especie hermana con el clado conformado por S. assata y S. cherriei. Esta especie representa la número 12 de Scincella en América, se distribuye en bosques de pino y pino-encino de la Sierra Madre del Sur en los estados de Guerrero y Oaxaca, México.

 

[Herpetology • 2024] Adenomera cantitata • Unexplored Urban Diversity: A New Species of Adenomera (Anura: Leptodactylidae) Related to Adenomera ajurauna from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern and Southern Brazil

Adenomera cantitata

Cassini, Carvalho, Taucce, Haddad & Solé, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00022 

 Abstract  

The Atlantic Forest is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot because of the high species richness and the remaining natural areas comprising less than 30% relative to its primary vegetation. Even though many anuran species from this biome are ecologically restricted to pristine ecosystems, there are some examples of new species discovered from anthropized areas. Adenomera represents a widespread and abundant frog genus in Atlantic Forest ecosystems, with species occurring in areas with varying degrees of human disturbance. In this paper, we name and describe a new species of Adenomera endemic to the Atlantic Forest typically found in human-altered ecosystems, such as urban and rural sites. The new species was recovered as belonging to the Adenomera marmorata clade, and sister to A. ajurauna. These two species have allopatric distributions in southeastern and southern Brazil, with a single known sympatric occurrence. They display different calls and occupy distinct habitats. The newly described species of Adenomera is an additional case of new species discovered from urban sites in the Atlantic Forest hotspot.

KEYWORDS: Anthropized ecosystems, biodiversity hotspot, cryptic species, species delimitation, sympatry

Adenomera cantitata

Carla S. Cassini, Thiago R. Carvalho, Pedro P. G. Taucce, Célio F. B. Haddad and Mirco Solé. 2024. Unexplored Urban Diversity: A New Species of Adenomera (Anura, Leptodactylidae) Related to Adenomera ajurauna from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern and Southern Brazil. Herpetologica. 80(3); 275-290. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00022 

  facebook.com/61556599083634/posts/122167667438219969

A Mata Atlântica é reconhecida como um hotspot de biodiversidade devido à sua alta riqueza de espécies e pelas áreas remanescentes compreenderem menos de 30% de sua vegetação original. Embora muitas espécies de anuros desse bioma estejam ecologicamente restritas a áreas pristinas, há exemplos de novas espécies sendo descobertas em ecossistemas antropizados. O gênero Adenomera é um grupo de anuros abundante e amplamente distribuído nos ecossistemas da Mata Atlântica, com a ocorrência de espécies em áreas com diferentes graus de perturbação humana. Neste artigo, nomeamos e descrevemos uma nova espécie de Adenomera endêmica da Mata Atlântica tipicamente encontrada em ecossistemas antropizados, como áreas urbanas e rurais. A nova espécie é recuperada dentro do clado de A. marmorata, como espécie irmã de A. ajurauna. Essas duas espécies têm distribuições alopátricas no sudeste brasileiro, com apenas uma ocorrência simpátrica conhecida. Essas espécies se distinguem por características do canto e pelo uso de diferentes habitats. A espécie de Adenomera descrita aqui é mais um caso de uma nova espécie descoberta em áreas urbanas no hotspot da Mata Atlântica.

[Herpetology • 2024] Hylarana nigroverrucosa • Two Distinct Ranid Frog Lineages (Anura: Hylarana) from Halmahera, Northern Moluccas, with the Description of a New Species

 Hylarana nigroverrucosa 

 Wiradarma, Amarasinghe, Farajallah, Widayati, Fouquet, Riyanto, Mulyadi, Trilaksono, Arida & Hamidy, 2024

Black-warty frog  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-23-00062 

 facebook.com/AAThasun  http://www.thasun.info

 Abstract  

We revise the systematics of the ranid frogs of the genus Hylarana occurring on Halmahera Island, Northern Moluccas of eastern Indonesia based on molecular and morphological data. Our results show that two distinct species each being nested within two distinct clades (hereafter papua clade and celebensis clade) exist on the island. One corresponds to H. moluccana (celebensis clade) and the other one to an unnamed species (papua clade) that we describe herein. The new species is genetically distinct from all congeners of the papua clade by p distances ranging from 6.9% to 11.5% on the 16S rRNA gene. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from all congeners by having the following combination of characteristics: A large species with adult males reaching a maximum snout-to-vent length (SVL) 67.3 mm; vomerine teeth in two oblique rows with narrow interodontophore distance; snout rounded dorsally; dorsum with few scattered cone-shaped tubercles that are black with white tips; distinct skin folds (ridges) on the dorsal side of the thigh coinciding with dark brown cross bars; a marbled pattern on the ventral side of thigh and yellowish groin. Here we provide a redescription for H. moluccana based on its lectotype from Ternate. We also provide new occurrence records for H. daemeli, H. volkerjane, and H. arfaki from the western part of mainland Papua. Furthermore, we demonstrated that H. celebensis harbors multiple mtDNA lineages suggestive of cryptic diversity within the celebensis clade. The occurrence of two distinct species from Halmahera calls for further research on the biogeographic history of Hylarana in Northern Moluccas.

KEYWORDS: Halmahera, Hylarana, Northern Moluccas, Papurana, Ranidae

 

 Hylarana nigroverrucosa

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘‘nigroverrucosa’’ is a Latin compound adjective (nigro + verrucosa) ..., which refers to ‘‘black warty’’ on the dorsum, a distinct distinguish character of the species.


Huda Wiradarma, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Achmad Farajallah, Kanthi A. Widayati, Antoine Fouquet, Awal Riyanto, M. Mulyadi, Wahyu Trilaksono, Evy A. Arida and Amir Hamidy. 2024. Two Distinct Ranid Frog Lineages (Anura: Hylarana) from Halmahera, Northern Moluccas, with the Description of a New Species. Herpetologica. 80(3); 291-303. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-23-00062
  facebook.com/AAThasun/posts/1087514499606216
http://www.thasun.info/Discoveries/30-iHylarana-nigroverrucosai.html

[Herpetology • 2024] Cyrtodactylus belanegara • Another New Bent-Toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus marmoratus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from West Java, Indonesia

 

Cyrtodactylus belanegara

Riyanto, Hikmah, Amarasinghe, Abinawanto & Hamidy, 2024

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00023 

http://www.thasun.info

ABSTRACT 

We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Sentul, a suburb of Bogor City, West Java, Indonesia that belongs to the C. marmoratus species group. The new species is the fourth Cyrtodactylus reported from Java. It is small (SVL 46.3–53.8 mm) and nocturnal. A combination of the following characteristics distinguishes the new species from all other congeners: supralabials 11–13; infralabials 9–11; tubercles on the dorsal surface of upper arm absent; tubercles on ventrolateral body folds present; longitudinal dorsal tubercle rows 18–20; paravertebral tubercles 27–34; ventral scale rows 37–40 at midbody; grooved precloacal depression in males; enlarged precloacofemoral scales present, containing 12 or 13 precloacal pores and 2–4 femoral pores; separated by 5–7 normal scales; subdigital lamellae on fourth toe 18–23; and enlarged transverse median subcaudals absent. The new species is genetically divergent from the other two Javan congeners of the C. marmoratus group—C. marmoratus and C. semiadii—with genetic divergences (p-distances) of 21.3–22.3% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene.

Cyrtodactylus belanegara sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet is a compound noun in apposition and refers to belanegara (in the Indonesian language), composed with the adjective ‘‘bela’’ (= defending) and the noun ‘‘negara’’ (= country). The name refers to the mission of the Indonesia Defense University, where the new species has been found.

English name: Defending Bent-toad Gecko

Indonesian (local) name: Cecak Jarilengkung belanegara

 

Awal Riyanto; Isna A. Hikmah; A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe; A. Abinawanto and Amir Hamidy. 2024. Another New Bent-Toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus marmoratus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from West Java, Indonesia. Herpetologica. 80(4); 358–367. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00023  

http://www.thasun.info/Discoveries/31-iCyrtodactylus-belanegarai.html

 

[Herpetology • 2023] Crossodactylodes serranegra • A New Species of Crossodactylodes (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Paratelmatobiinae) from the Espinhaço Mountain Range, Southeastern Brazil

Crossodactylodes serranegra 

Santos, Pinheiro, Garcia, Griffiths, Haddad & Barata, 2023

DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00035

 Abstract  

The bromeligenous genus Crossodactylodes, endemic to the Atlantic Forest domain and the “campo rupestre” ecosystem in Brazil, currently comprises five named species. Three additional putatively new species have already been proposed in a recent study based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Here we employ phenotypic data to corroborate the distinctiveness of one of these lineages, and describe it as a new species, from the Espinhaço Mountain Range in the municipality of Itamarandiba, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. We also provide information on its natural history and conservation status. The new species is diagnosable from its congeners by a combination of characters, including the presence of vocal slits in adult males, the orange coloration of discs on fingers and toes, and the presence of vomerine odontophores. The new species is the second Crossodactylodes to be reported for the campo rupestre and it was only recorded in a small forest patch composed of low trees, shrubs, mosses, lichens, and a high density of bromeliads.

KEYWORDS: Amphibia, Bromeligenous, campo rupestre, species description, taxonomy

Crossodactylodes serranegra sp. nov.

Etymology.—The specific epithet serranegra is a Portuguese word that means black mountain, in reference to the type locality. The epithet is used as a noun in apposition.

Marcus Thadeu T. Santos, Paulo D.P. Pinheiro, Paulo C.A. Garcia, Richard A. Griffiths, Célio F.B. Haddad and Izabela M. Barata. 2023. A New Species of Crossodactylodes from the Espinhaço Mountain Range, Southeastern Brazil (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Paratelmatobiinae). Herpetologica. 79 (2), 108-118. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00035

Researchgate.net/publication/371937566_A_New_Species_of_Crossodactylodes_from_the_Espinhaco_Mountain_Range_Southeastern_Brazil

Pesquisadores da Unesp descrevem nova espécie de sapo

Uso de técnicas de modelagem ambiental e de análise filogenética possibilitou descoberta e descrição do anfíbio. Batizado de C. serranegra, vive apenas no Parque Estadual da Serra Negra. Brasil é o país com maior número de espécies conhecidas de anfíbios.

...

  jornal.unesp.br/2023/08/29/pesquisadores-da-unesp-descrevem-nova-especie-de-sapo

  repositorio.unesp.br/bitstream/handle/11449/244567/santos_mtt_postprint_rcla_new.pdf

[Herpetology • 2023] Dendrophryniscus cuca • A New Species of Dendrophryniscus Jiménez de la Espada 1871 (Anura: Bufonidae) from Mantiqueira Mountain Range, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

 

Dendrophryniscus cuca

 Neves, Campos Lima, Koroiva, Nali & Santana, 2023

 DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00028 

  Researchgate.net/publication/368155586

  facebook.com/MatheusNeves336

ABSTRACT

We described a new species of Dendrophryniscus from the Mantiqueira Mountains, a mountain range in the Atlantic Forest in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dendrophryniscus cuca sp. nov. is known only from its type locality, the private Protected Area Chapadão da Serra Negra, municipality of Santa Bárbara do Monte Verde. The new species is morphologically distinguished from its congeners mainly by the combination of the following characters: medium size for the genus, longitudinal set of granules posterior to the corner of mouth, fingers neither fringed nor webbed, and presence of nuptial pads in males. Molecular analysis of the 16S mitochondrial DNA indicates a genetic distance range from 2.39% (D. brevipollicatus) to 17.92% (D. carvalhoi). Individuals were found in bromeliads, and we described a male–male amplexus with the presence of release vibrations, but calling activity was not observed. This is the fourth endemic anuran species of the Serra Negra da Mantiqueira, part of the Mantiqueira mountain range (Serra Negra da Mantiqueira), highlighting the importance of the region for the Neotropical herpetofauna.

   

Dendrophryniscus cuca

Etymology.— The epithet ‘‘cuca’’ refers to a mythological entity, belonging to the Brazilian and Iberian folklore, of an old and evil woman who kidnaps disobedient children at night. The choice of the name is related to the promotion and valorization of Brazilian folklore. In Serra Negra da Mantiqueira, there is another endemic species, Hylodes perere Silva and Benmaman 2008, that also was named after a mythic creature from Brazilian folklore, and we follow the same line for this new species. 

 

Matheus Oliveira Neves, Lucio Moreira Campos Lima, Ricardo Koroiva, Renato Christensen Nali and Diego José Santana. 2023. A New Species of Dendrophryniscus Jiménez de la Espada 1871 (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) from Mantiqueira Mountain Range, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Herpetologica. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00028 [JANUARY 13, 2023] 

  Researchgate.net/publication/368155586_A_New_Species_of_Dendrophryniscus_from_Mantiqueira_Mountain_Range_Minas_Gerais_Brazil

  facebook.com/MatheusNeves336/posts/5720522494683566

  twitter.com/NaturezaeConser/status/1627371959813124097

[Herpetology • 2021] Gonocephalus pyrius • A New Angle-Headed Dragon (Reptilia: Agamidae: Gonocephalus) from Montane Forests of the Southern Bukit Barisan Range of Sumatra

Gonocephalus pyrius 

Harvey, Rech, Riyanto, Kurniawan & Smith, 2021

 DOI: 10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-20-00044.1

bonn.leibniz-lib.de

 Abstract

We describe a new species of the Gonocephalus megalepis group and provide new morphological and distribution data for the three other species of the group. The combination of a wide gap between the nuchal and dorsal crests, distinctly heterogenous scales on the flanks, a gular crest, two large tubercular scales ventral to the tympanum, and 97–125 scales around midbody will distinguish the new species from all congeners. The new species occurs above 1100 m on mountains of Sumatra's southern Bukit Barisan Range below 3°S latitude. Head scales of some specimens were infested by a green, filamentous symbiont, which we tentatively identify as an epizoic plant. Gravid females develop crimson stripes on their gular pouch as an apparent social signal.

KEYWORDS: Epizoic plant, Gonocephalus klossi, Gonocephalus lacunosus, Gonocephalus megalepis, Gonocephalus pyrius sp. nov., Gravid coloration, Indonesia, systematics

 

Gonocephalus pyrius sp. nov.

Michael B. Harvey, Inna Rech, Awal Riyanto, Nia Kurniawan and Eric N. Smith. 2021. A New Angle-Headed Dragon (Agamidae: Gonocephalus) from Montane Forests of the Southern Bukit Barisan Range of Sumatra. Herpetologica. 77(1); 94-109. DOI: 10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-20-00044.1

https://bonn.leibniz-lib.de/de/forschung/publikationen/a-new-angle-headed-dragon-agamidae-gonocephalus-from-montane-forests-of-the

[Herpetology • 2022] Geophis berillus • A New Species of Snake of the Geophis sieboldi Group (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Estado de México, Mexico

Geophis berillus 

Barragán-Reséndiz, Pavón-Vázquez, Cervantes-Burgos, Trujano-Ortega, Canseco-Márquez & García-Vázquez, 2022

DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00011

  Researchgate.net/publication/366293083

Abstract

We describe Geophis berillus sp. nov., a new species of the Geophis sieboldi group based on three specimens from the Valle de Bravo region in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Estado de México, Mexico. The new species differs from all other members of this group by having 17 dorsal scale rows without apical pits, 149 and 151–152 ventrals (in males and females, respectively), and the lower portion of each scale in the first dorsal scale row pale. The new species is allopatric respective to other Geophis species. A phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial DNA (cyt-b) supports the inclusion of G. berillus sp. nov. in the G. sieboldi group and a sister relationship with G. sieboldi, a finding corroborated by morphological evidence.

KEYWORDS: Description, endemic, pine forest, semifossorial, taxonomy, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Geophis berillus sp. nov.

Etymology.— The specific name is treated as a noun inapposition and comes from the Latin ‘‘berillus,’’ meaning beryl. This mineral is colorless in its pure form but can attaina wide variety of colors in the presence of impurities. The name references the iridescent shine that is present throughout the otherwise dark body of all known specimensof the new species.

Comparison of Geophis berillus sp. nov. and its sister species, G.sieboldi (in life).
(A) Holotype of G. berillus sp. nov. (MZFC-HE 35651); note the lack of apical pits and pale lower margins of the scales in the firstrow of dorsals.
 (B) Geophis sieboldi (MZFC-HE 27269); note the evidentapical pits and dark lower margins of the scales in the first row of dorsals.  Photo of G. sieboldi by J. Reyes-Velasco. 

Habitat of Geophis berillus sp. nov. at the type locality.

 

Lesly Montserrat Barragán-Reséndiz, Carlos J. Pavón-Vázquez, Romina Itzel Cervantes-Burgos, Marysol Trujano-Ortega, Luis Canseco-Márquez and Uri Omar García-Vázquez. 2022. A New Species of Snake of the Geophis sieboldi Group (Squamata: Dipsadidae) from Estado de México, Mexico. Herpetologica. 78(4); 268-276. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00011

  Researchgate.net/publication/366293083_A_New_Species_of_Geophis_from_Estado_de_Mexico

Describimos a Geophis berillus sp. nov. una nueva especie del grupo Geophis sieboldi con base en tres especímenes de la región de Valle de Bravo en la Faja Volcánica Transmexicana. La nueva especie se diferencia de otros miembros del grupo por poseer 17 hileras de escamas dorsales sin fosas apicales, 149 y 152–153 ventrales (en machos y hembras, respectivamente) y la porción inferior de cada escama en la primera hilera de escamas dorsales clara. La nueva especie es alopátrica con respecto a otras especies de Geophis. Un análisis filogenético basado en DNA mitocondrial (cyt-b) respalda la inclusión de Geophis berillus sp. nov en el grupo G. sieboldi y su relación como grupo hermano de G. sieboldi, lo cual se corrobora con la evidencia morfológica.

[Herpetology • 2022] Systematics of the Sri Lankan Water Snakes of the Genus Fowlea Theobald 1868 (Reptilia: Natricidae)

Fowlea unicolor (Müller, 1887)

in Amarasinghe, Bandara, Weerakkody, ... et Vogel. 2022. 

DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00004

 thasun.info

 facebook.com: Sanjaya Kanishka

Abstract 

Based on phylogenetic and morphological characters, we revise the systematics of the natricid genus Fowlea in Sri Lanka, comprising two morphospecies. The taxonomy of the Sri Lankan populations has long been controversial, and one of the species has, for more than a decade, been listed as Xenochrophis cf. piscator. Although the Sri Lankan populations are morphologically allied to Fowlea piscator in India, they are genetically highly divergent from the eastern Indian F. piscator sensu lato with a p-distance of 9.9–12.3%, and from southwestern Indian Fowlea species with a p-distance of 4.9–11.1% in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Here, we resurrect Müller's (1887) variety, Tropidonotus quincunciatus var. unicolor, as a distinct taxon, elevate it to the species level, and assign it to the genus Fowlea. Therefore, the population so far recognized as X. cf. piscator will be treated hereafter as F. unicolor and we redescribe it and its holotype (by monotypy). We tentatively restrict this species to Sri Lanka and state the possibility of a population in southern India too. The second distinct species, Fowlea asperrima, which is endemic to Sri Lanka, has long been confused with its sympatric congener, F. unicolor comb. nov., and we designate a lectotype and redescribe it herein. Currently, nine species of the genus Fowlea are now recognized, but it is likely that further species (including those regarded as subjective synonyms) remain unrecognized.

KEYWORDS: Asia, distribution, lectotype, Keelback snake, morphology, synonym

A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Sanjaya K. Bandara, Sanjaya Weerakkody, Patrick D. Campbell, David A. Marques, A. Dineth Danushka, Anslem de Silva and Gernot Vogel. 2022. Systematics of the Sri Lankan Water Snakes of the Genus Fowlea Theobald 1868 (Reptilia: Natricidae). Herpetologica. 78 (3), 201-219. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00004

 thasun.info/Publications/Research-Articles.htm

 facebook.com/groups/230966923709575/posts/2563192253820352

    

[Herpetology • 2022] Xenosaurus manipulus • A New Species of Xenosaurus (Squamata: Xenosauridae) from the Sierra de Juárez of Oaxaca, Mexico

 Xenosaurus manipulus

Nieto-Montes de Oca, Castresana-Villanueva, Canseco-Márquez & Campbell, 2022

DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00041.1

 facebook.com/herpmx 

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of Knob-scaled Lizards of the genus Xenosaurus from the Sierra de Juárez  of Oaxaca, Mexico. Although ´ this new species was identified as a distinct, undescribed lineage (and sister taxon to X. grandis) by previous molecular phylogenetic studies of the genus, we documented that it also differs from all of its congeners by a unique combination of scalation and color-pattern characters. The new species also is geographically isolated from all congeners and appears to have a geographic distribution limited to the vicinity of its type locality, between 1400 m and 1800 m of elevation, in the cloud forest belt of the Sierra de Juárez . Because the new species is a terrestrial, crevice-dwelling species generally ignored by humans and has a limited geographic and ecological distribution, we calculated its Environmental Vulnerability Score at 17, which places it in the middle of the high category of vulnerability to environmental degradation. 

Key words: Conservation; Knob-scaled Lizards; Morphology; Systematics; Taxonomy 

 Xenosaurus manipulus
female from Oaxaca, Sierra de Juárez, Municipality of Santiago Comaltepec.

 Individual released after being photographed.

 Note the red iris.  

  

Xenosaurus manipulus sp. nov.

Etymology.— The specific epithet is a Latin noun for a subdivision of the ancient Roman legion composed of either 60 or 120 men, and the origin of the modern word maniple. It is used in reference to the arrangement of the paravertebral tubercles of Xenosaurus manipulus, which resembles that of soldiers in the fighting position of the maniple.

 

Adrián Nieto-Montes de Oca, Nicté Castresana-Villanueva, Luis Canseco-Márquez and Jonathan A. Campbell. 2022. A New Species of Xenosaurus (Squamata: Xenosauridae) from the Sierra de Juárez of Oaxaca, Mexico. Herpetologica. 78(1); 40-50. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00041.1

 facebook.com/herpmx/posts/5044550538938862

  herp.mx/pubs/2022-Nieto-Montes-de-Oca-et-al-A-New-Species-of-Xenosaurus-from-the-Sierra-de-Juarez-of-Oaxaca-Mexico.pdf

  

[Herpetology • 2022] Cyrtodactylus papeda • A New Bent-Toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus marmoratus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Obi Island in the Moluccas, Indonesia

Cyrtodactylus papeda

 Riyanto, Faz, Amarasinghe, Munir, Fitriana, Hamidy, Kusrini & Oliver, 2022

cecak jarilengkung Obi | Obi Bent-toad Gecko || DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00028 

  facebook.com/thasun

Abstract

Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Obi Island in the northern Moluccas, Indonesia. The new species is genetically and morphologically allied to the Melanesian species Cyrtodactylus papuensis but is distinguished by its larger body size, fewer midbody scale rows, deep precloacal groove in males, and enlarged nonpored femoral scales and pored precloacal scales arranged in a continuous series. The new species is also genetically divergent from C. papuensis (p-distances of 19.0%–20.1% in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene). Four species of Cyrtodactylus are now known from the northern Moluccas, but it is likely additional species remain unrecognized.

Cyrtodactylus papeda sp. nov.
Adult male holotype (MZB.Lace. 14052), 

from Kawasi, Obi Island, Halmahera Selatan, Maluku Province, Indonesia

Precloacal depression posterior and enlarged femoral and precloacal scales of
(A) Cyrtodactylus papeda sp. nov. holotype MZB.Lace. 14052

and (B) C. papuensis holotype ZMA.RENA 10937.

Illustrations by A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe (not to scale).

  facebook.com/thasun

Cyrtodactylus papeda sp. nov.

Etymology.— The specific epithet is an invariable noun in apposition and refers to papeda (in Indonesian language), a traditional fiber-rich, cholesterol-low food in Moluccas and West Papua made from sago (Metroxylon sagu, family Arecaceae) starch. Here, we used this epithet to honor (promote) a traditional culinary feature of Obi Island and to showcase this new endemic gecko species to the public. Papeda is white in color, with the texture resembling sticky glue, and the cuisine is usually served with tuna fish and flavored with saffron. Suggested vernacular names are ‘‘cecak jarilengkung Obi’’ and Obi Bent-toad Gecko, in Bahasa Indonesia and English, respectively.

(A) The holotype of Cyrtodactylus papeda sp. nov. (MZB.Lace. 14052) 
and (B) the habitat at Kawasi, Obi Island.

Photographs by F.H. Faz.  

  facebook.com/thasun

Awal Riyanto; Fata H. Faz; A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe; Misbahul Munir; Yuli S. Fitriana; Amir Hamidy; Mirza D. Kusrini and Paul M. Oliver. 2022. A New Bent-Toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus marmoratus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Obi Island, Indonesia. Herpetologica. 

DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00028

  facebook.com/thasun/posts/10160259261819407