[Herpetology • 2026] Mesalina bishnoi • A Novel Species of Mesalina Gray, 1838 (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Rajasthan, India

 

Mesalina bishnoi

Ray, Khandal, Sharma, Das, Roy, Girija Sethy & Mohapatra, 2026

 

https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi 

Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Mesalina from Rajasthan, India. The new species is genetically distinct and belongs to the M. watsonana species complex, and differs from all other congeners in a combination of morphological characters, such as 10 upper labials; eight lower labials; two large transparent shields of lower eyelid accompanied with three smaller shields; scales on tibia keeled; ventral plates in eight straight longitudinal series, ventral plates in 30 transverse rows; 34 dorsal granular scales across middle of back; nine collars; five submaxillaries; 24 gulars; four supraoculars; 6-7 supraciliaries; one very large preanal shield surrounded above and at the sides by two rows of smaller scales; 14 femoral pores on each side of the thigh, narrowly separated by 2 scales; 21 lamellae under fourth toe.

Keywords: Desert biogeographic zone, long-tailed, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy

Mesalina bishnoi sp. nov.
(A–C) holotype (ZSI-R-29523) (in life),
(D) habitat in the type locality.

Mesalina bishnoi sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet bishnoi (noun in apposition) honours the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan, India, an indigenous socio-ecological group renowned for their long-standing traditions of biodiversity conservation and sustainable coexistence with wildlife. Bishnoi cultural tenets, grounded in a deep reverence for nature, have contributed to the protection of numerous desert species and ecosystems in the Thar Desert since the 15th century. By naming this species Mesalina bishnoi, we recognise and celebrate the enduring environmental stewardship of the Bishnoi people and their contribution to the preservation of arid-zone herpetofauna. 

 

  Sumidh Ray, Dharmendra Khandal, Vivek Sharma, Anirban Das, Priyanjoli Roy, Priyadarsi Girija Sankar Sethy, Pratyush P. Mohapatra. 2026. Description of A Novel Species of Mesalina Gray, 1838 (Reptilia: Sauria: Lacertidae) from Rajasthan, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 126(2); 141-151. DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v126/i2/2026/173143 

https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi/article/view/173143

  https://x.com/dharmkhandal/status/2060010700089483475

[Herpetology • 2026] Takydromus ultapaniensis • A New Species of Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) from northeast India

 

Takydromus ultapaniensis

Chettri, Mothey, Ghatani, Deepak & Rai, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.2.2 

 Researchgate.net/publication/401476446

Abstract

The diversity of lizards in the northeast Indian biodiversity hotspot is underestimated, as evidenced by many new species recorded in recent years. Here, we describe a new species of Takydromus from Ultapani, Kokrajhar District, Assam, India. This newly identified species is distinguished from its relatives in its distinctive morphological features and significant genetic variation in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and COI genes. We have also added the missing molecular data for T. sikkimensis and T. khasiensis. In the light of these new data, we discuss the phylogenetic relationships of Takydromus species from the Indian subcontinent with their congeners.

Reptilia, Asian grass lizard, genetic divergence, phylogeny, range expansion, Takydromus, Ultapani

Takydromus ultapaniensis sp. nov. 

BASUNDHARA CHETTRI, RABINA MOTHEY, SUDEEP GHATANI, V. DEEPAK and ANANTA RAI. 2026. A New Species of Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) from northeast India.  Zootaxa. 5763(2); 205-224. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5763.2.2 [2026-03-03] 

Researchgate.net/publication/401476446_A_new_species_of_Takydromus_from_northeast_India

[Herpetology • 2025] Holaspis ngalangi • The Genus Holaspis (Squamata: Lacertidae) in Angola: A Tale of forgotten specimens and disappearing forests, with the Description of A New Species

 Holaspis ngalangi 

Parrinha, Marques, Gonçalves, Tiutenko, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2025

 SALAMANDRA. 61(1);   

 Researchgate.net/publication/388994950 

 facebook.com/DGHTeV 

Drawing by Arthur Tiutenko.

 Abstract

 The members of the Afrotropical lacertid genus Holaspis are strikingly specialized lizards, adapted for gliding in forest canopies, with serrated blue tails. Two species are currently recognized within the genus: Holaspis guentheri from West and Central Africa, and Holaspis laevis from East Africa. The currently known southern limits of H. guentheri are in the northern Angolan Guineo-Congolian habitats, which are remnants of forests connecting the country to West/Central Africa. The oldest record of the species in Angola, dating back to the 19th century, is based on a currently lost specimen collected by José d’Anchieta near Caconda, southwest Angola. Caconda is situated on the Angolan Central Plateau, which is part of the Great Escarpment of southern Africa. The loss of Anchieta’s specimen and its geographic context led most authors to disregard it, leaving its taxonomic identity dubious until now. The rediscovery of two additional specimens from Caconda, collected by William John Ansorge in the early 20th century and deposited in the Natural History Museum, London, allowed us to confirm the presence of the genus in the region, prompting targeted surveys and examination of additional material. Our surveys failed to locate any Holaspis near Caconda, with alarming rates of deforestation in the region raising the possibility that this population may already be extinct. The reexamination of the extant Caconda specimens and comparison with H. guentheri and H. laevis revealed consistent morphological differences that suggests that the Caconda population may represent a distinct taxonomic unit. Here we describe the Holaspis from Caconda as a new species, presumably endemic to the Angolan Central Plateau. These findings and their implications are discussed in the biogeographical context of the highlands of western Angola, a recognized hotspot of diversity and endemism for several taxonomic groups.  

Key words. Taxonomy, biogeography, natural history collections, deforestation, highlands.

Illustration of Holaspis ngalangi sp. n. in its putative habitat, with threats such as deforestation represented in the background.

Drawing by Arthur Tiutenko.

Holaspis ngalangi sp. n. 

Defnition: Holaspis ngalangi sp. n. is defned by the following combination of characters: 1) Head, body and tail strongly depressed, with serrated fringes on hindlimbs and tail; 2) frontoparietals fused with interparietal; 3) two series of transversely enlarged vertebral plates along dorsum and tail; 4) dorsum black with three pairs of pale stripes, with paravertebral stripes confned to enlarged dorsal plates; 5) an uninterrupted series of paired, transversely enlarged scales between ventral and precloacal scales (see Fig. 7). 

Diagnosis: Holaspis ngalangi sp. n. can be readily distinguished from both of its congeners, H. guentheri and H.  laevis, by the presence of an uninterrupted series of paired, transversely enlarged scales between the last row of ventral scales and anteriormost precloacal scale (versus last ventral scales and anteriormost precloacal scale separated by at least one row of small granular scales in H. guentheri and H. laevis; see Fig. 7); it can be further distinguished from H. laevis by having a pair of dorsolateral stripes (versus only paravertebral and lateral stripes in H. laevis) and a pair of paravertebral stripes confned to enlarged dorsal plates (versus paravertebral stripes not confned to enlarged dorsal plates in H. laevis). 

Etymology: Te specifc epithet “ngalangi” is a noun in apposition and is given in honor of the Ovimbundu Kingdom of Ngalangi, which dominated northern Huila Province and had its capital in present day Caconda. Te Kingdom of Ngalangi was dismantled by the Portuguese during the Portuguese-Ovimbundu wars in the late 1760s. We suggest “Ngalangi Gliding Lizard” and “Lagartixa Planadora Galangue” as the English and Portuguese common names, respectively.

 

Parrinha, D., M. P. Marques, F. M. P. Gonçalves, A. Tiutenko, A. M. Bauer and L. M .P. Ceríaco. 2025. The Genus Holaspis (Squamata: Lacertidae) in Angola: A Tale of forgotten specimens and disappearing forests, with the Description of A New Species. SALAMANDRA. 61(1); 53-69. 

  Researchgate.net/publication/388994950_The_genus_Holaspis_in_Angola

  facebook.com/DGHTeV/posts/1138667334936081

[Herpetology • 2025] Mesalina cryptica • Phylogeny and Systematics of Arabian lacertids from the Mesalina guttulata species complex (Squamata: Lacertidae), with the Description of A New Species

 

Mesalina cryptica

Šmíd, Velenská, Pola, Tamar, Busais, Shobrak, Almutairi, Salim, Alsubaie, R. H. M. AlGethami, A. R. AlGethami, Alanazi, Alshammari, Egan, Ramalho, Olson, Smithson, Chirio, Burger, van Huyssteen, Petford & Carranza, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1186/s40850-025-00233-3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/393261035

 

Abstract

Background: The lacertid genus Mesalina has been the subject of several phylogenetic and biogeographic studies as well as taxonomic revisions within the last decade. The genus is partitioned into seven main clades, some of which represent species complexes of morphologically very similar species. The Mesalina guttulata species complex is one such case. This complex currently comprises four described species that occur through Arabia and northern Africa, however, the presence of a cryptic species in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan was pointed out recently. For this study, we collected new material of the various species of the M. guttulata complex, including the undescribed lineage from across Saudi Arabia. We carried out multilocus phylogenetic analyses using three mitochondrial and three nuclear markers and analysis of morphological data to verify whether the undescribed lineage deserves a species rank.

Results: The results show that the lineage is clearly genetically separated from the other species of the complex and shows morphological differentiation from the other species. Therefore, we describe it herein as a new species, Mesalina cryptica sp. nov.

Conclusions: We contribute to the taxonomy of Arabian lacertid lizards by describing a new species distributed in central Saudi Arabia, with isolated populations occurring in Kuwait and Jordan. Despite its large range, the species is genetically and morphologically homogeneous. The gap in its distribution between the Jordan and Saudi Arabia populations is ascribable to the paucity of sampling along the Saudi/Iraqi border.

 

Keywords: Lizards, Mesopotamia, Middle East, Sauria, Squamates, Reptiles, Taxonomy

A) Holotype (NMP6V 76937) of Mesalina cryptica sp. nov. in life (photo by Al Faqih Ali Salim).
B) The species type locality about 7 km N of Hazlulah, west of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (24.561°N, 46.307°E), with the abrupt vertical cliffs of the Tuwaiq Escarpment visible in the background (photo by Jiří Šmíd)

Lacertidae Oppel, 1811

Mesalina Gray, 1838

 Mesalina cryptica sp. nov.

English name: Arabian small-spotted lizard

Diagnosis: A medium-sized species of Mesalina, member of the M. guttulata species complex with the following combination of morphological characters: 1) SVL up to 47 mm in both sexes (the character is not sexually dimorphic; adult males: 43.5–47.0 mm, adult females: 41.8–46.1 mm); 2) well-developed occipital scale in contact with the interparietal; 3) lower eyelid with a transparent window made up of two large scales; 4) 8–10 supralabials; 5) four upper labials in front of the subocular; 6) 9–12 plates in collar; 7) 21–29 gulars; 8) ventral plates in eight straight longitudinal rows; 9) 36–48 dorsal scales across midbody; 10) 24–29 femoral pores in males, 25–33 in females (the character is not sexually dimorphic); 11) 19–22 lamellae under 4th toe; 12) dorsal coloration of adults beige to dark brown, with black-and-white ocelli (the white dots are flanked but not completely surrounded by black specks); the ocelli are arranged in irregular longitudinal and transverse rows; 13) adult males with orange flanks; 14) juveniles sometimes with pale dorsolateral stripes that start at the level of the eye and extend all the way down on the tail; 15) juveniles with a bluish tail.

Etymology: The species epithet “cryptica” is derived from the Latin word for “concealed” or “hidden”, and refers to that the species had been overlooked for its morphological similarity with the other species of the M. guttulata complex, which were considered conspecific prior to the taxonomic revision by Sindaco, et al. [2018].

Jiří Šmíd, Doubravka Velenská, Lukáš Pola, Karin Tamar, Salem Busais, Mohammed Shobrak, Mohammed Almutairi, Al Faqih Ali Salim, Saad Dasman Alsubaie, Raed Hamoud M. AlGethami, Abdulaziz Raqi AlGethami, Abdulkarim Saleh K Alanazi, Ahmed Mohajja Alshammari, Damien M. Egan, Ricardo O. Ramalho, David Olson, Josh Smithson, Laurent Chirio, Marius Burger, Ryan van Huyssteen, Melissa A. Petford and Salvador Carranza. 2025. Phylogeny and Systematics of Arabian lacertids from the Mesalina guttulata species complex (Squamata, Lacertidae), with the Description of A New Species. BMC Zoology. 10: 11. DOI: doi.org/10.1186/s40850-025-00233-3 [01 July 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/393261035_Phylogeny_and_systematics_of_the_Mesalina_guttulata_species_complex

[Herpetology • 2024] Ophisops venustus • Notes on the Ophisops beddomei complex (Squamata: Lacertidae) with the description of a new allied cryptic species from western India

 

Ophisops venustus 

Patel, Vyas, Thackeray, Pal & Mirza, 2024

  

 www.taprobanica.org 

facebook.com: Thackeray Wildlife Foundation 

Abstract

The lacertid Ophisops beddomei was considered to be widely distributed in the northern and central Western Ghats, and some parts of western India. Recent studies, however, provide evidence of it being a species complex that harbours several morphologically cryptic species. In an attempt to resolve this species complex, we provide a re-description of O. beddomei sensu stricto based on type specimens and fresh material from near the type locality. Additionally, we describe a new species based on a series of 15 specimens from the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra in western India. The new species is allied to O. beddomei and can be diagnosed from all its congeners by the following suite of characters: a small-sized Ophisops (adult, SVL up to 36 mm); upper eyelid movable; supranasal fused with nasal; two frontonasals; prefrontals not in contact; enlarged tympanic scale present; 46–53 dorsal scales; 28–31 scales at mid-body; 19–21 lamellae underneath the fourth toe; six chin shields; 15–19 scales between symphysis of chin shields and ventral plates; large mental scale, extending beyond first supralabial; 8–11 femoral pores on either side interrupted by 0–1 poreless scales in males and 3–4 poreless scales in females; and subtle colour pattern differences. Molecular data for the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene further supports the distinctiveness of the new species and shows an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 8% from O. beddomei sensu stricto. These are among the only lacertids that inhabit high-elevation plateaus and deciduous forests in the Western Ghats and surrounding hill ranges. The findings also indicate that many other similar habitats may harbour as yet undescribed endemic taxa.

Key words : Endemic, hill ranges, Lacerta, plateau, Snake-eyed lizard, taxonomy

Ophisops venustus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species was morphologically diagnosed as Ophisops based on the absence of a distinct collar, presence of a large transparent disc on the lower eyelid, and digits not fringed laterally (Boulenger 1921, Smith 1935). A small bodied Ophisops characterized by (1) snout-vent length up to 36 mm; (2) upper eyelid movable; (3) supranasal fused with nasal; (4) two frontonasals present; (5) prefrontals not in contact; (6) enlarged tympanic scale present; (7) 46–53 dorsal scales; (8) 28–31 scales at mid-body; (9) 19–21 lamellae underneath the fourth toe; (10) six chin shields, ...

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘venustus’ is a Latin first/second-declension adjective in the nominative singular given in masculine, which means ‘charming / elegant / beautiful’ refers to its elegant body colouration in life. Suggested English name is charming lacerta or charming snake-eye.

 

 

Harshil Patel, Raju Vyas, Tejas Thackeray, Saunak Pal & Zeeshan A. Mirza. 2024. NOTES ON THE Ophisops beddomei COMPLEX (SQUAMATA: LACERTIDAE) WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW ALLIED CRYPTIC SPECIES FROM WESTERN INDIA. TAPROBANICA. 13(2); 69–81.  www.taprobanica.org/Archives/Volume-9-14-2020-26/Volume-13-Number-2-November-2024/v13i2332.html

  facebook.com/100064866994974/posts/1048883850617172

[Herpetology • 2024] Takydromus guilinensis • A New Species of the Genus Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Northeastern Guangxi, China

Takydromus guilinensis

Guo, Hu, Chen, Zhong & Ji, 2024

DOI 10.3390/ani14101402

Abstract

During our collecting trip to Guangxi in 2016, we collected ten specimens of the genus Takydromus from the suburb of Guilin, northeastern Guangxi, South China, and found that they did not belong to any currently known species. Here, we described this new species, Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov., based on morphological and mitochondrial DNA (CO1 and cyt b) data. This new species is a sister taxon to T. intermedius with a p-distance of 0.070 in CO1 and 0.080 in cyt b. These two p-distances exceed not only the minimum value (0.067) between T. septentrionalis and T. stejnegeri but also the minimum value (0.079) between T. intermedius and T. yunkaiensis. Morphologically, this new species differs from other currently recognized Takydromus species from the same clade, more evidently in the longitudinal rows of dorsal scales, transverse rows of scales at the mid-body and mensural variables. The description of Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. increases the total number of Takydromus species to 25, of which 16 can be found in China. Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. is currently known only from Guilin, Guangxi, South China, where it is sympatric with the other four Takydromus species (T. septentrionalis, T. kuehnei, T. sexlineatus and T. intermedius).

Keywords: Lacertidae; molecular phylogenetic analysis; morphology; South China; Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov.; taxonomy

A gravid female Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. 

Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. 
  Close-up views of the adult female holotype (WZU R20160406) from the suburb of Guilin.
(A): dorsal view of the body; (B): ventral view of the body; (C): lateral view of the head; (D): ventral view of the head; (E): dorsal view of the head; (F): ventral view of the posterior part of the body, showing inguinal pores.

Photo by Kun Guo.

Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. A new small oviparous Takydromus species distinguished from all other currently known congeneric species with the following mensural and meristic characters. First, SVL 39.4–46.7 mm in adult males and 42.8–52.4 mm in adult females. Second, dorsal ground color brown; ventral surface white. Third, skull flattening (HL/HW = 1.8–2.0). Fourth, 32–36 longitudinal rows of dorsal scales. Fifth, 27–33 transverse rows of scales at the mid-body.

the locality where 10 specimens of Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. were collected.  

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latinization of Guilin City, Guangxi, China.

 Kun Guo, Yong-Hao Hu, Jian Chen, Jun Zhong and Xiang Ji. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Northeastern Guangxi, China. Animals. 14(10), 1402. DOI 10.3390/ani14101402

Simple Summary: The genus Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) currently comprises 24 species distributed in East (Eastern Palearctic) and Southeast (Oriental) Asia. Of these 24 species, 15 can be found in China, 8 only in the Chinese mainland and adjacent countries or regions, 6 only in Taiwan and 1 (T. kuehnei) on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Here, we described a new Takydromus species from the suburb of Guilin, northeastern Guangxi, South China, based on morphological and mitochondrial DNA data. From the phylogeny reconstructed with a mitochondrial DNA fragment (CO1 and cyt b), we know that the new species differs from its congeners and that it is a sister taxon to T. intermedius. Morphologically, the new species can be diagnosed from other Takydromus species from the same clade. Based on the above multiple lines of evidence, we suggest that this lacertid lizard from Guilin should be named as a new species, Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. The discovery of this species increases the total number of Takydromus species to 25, of which 16 can be found in China.

[Herpetology • 2019] Nucras broadleyi • A New Nucras Gray, 1838 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from south-western Angola

Nucras broadleyi

Branch, Conradie,  Pinto & Tolley, 2019

 amphibian-reptile-conservation.org

 facebook.com/PEMHerp 

 Researchgate.net/publication/337146214

 Abstract
A new endemic Sandveld Lizard, genus Nucras, is described from south-western Angola. Morphologically it resembles members of the Nucras tessellata group, but it is genetically separated and is sister to  the larger tessellata + lalandii group. Although  the genus is generally very conservative morphologically, the new species differs from other congeners in a combination of scalation, overall dorsal color pattern, and geographic separation. The new species is known  from  fewer  than  12  specimens  collected over a period spanning  120  years from arid  south-western Angola. This brings  the total number of species in  the  genus to 12 and adds another species  to  the growing list of endemic species of  the Namib region of Angola. This new finding further reinforces the idea that this Kaokoveld Desert region is a key biodiversity area worthy of conservation and long-term protection.

Keywords. Sandveld Lizard, taxonomy, Africa, endemism, Kaokoveld, biodiversity hotspot

 Nucras broadleyi sp. nov.
 A – holotype, adult male, PEM R24005 (AG 18) in life; B – general habitat photo of type locality, 10 km west of Lola, edge of Bentiaba River valley, Namibe Province, Angola; C – lateral close-up of head of holotype; D – dorsal close-up of head of holotype; E – ventral close-up of head of holotype

 (Photos: Bill Branch).

 Nucras broadleyi sp. nov.
A – paratype, adult female, PEM R24157 (AG 166) dorsal view; B – ventral view; C – dorsal close-up of head of paratype; D – ventral close-up of head of paratype; E – lateral close-up of head of paratype; F – general habitat photo of type locality, 8.8 km southwest of Farm Mucongo, Namibe Province, Angola

(Photos: Bill Branch).

Nucras broadleyi sp. nov.

Angolan Sandveld Lizard

Diagnosis. Assigned to Nucras due to a well-defined collar (absent in Ichnotropis), toes not serrated or fringed (versus serrated or fringed in Meroles), subdigital lamellae smooth (versus keeled in Pedioplanis and Heliobolus), subocular bordering lip, the nostril is pierced between two nasals, nasal well separated from upper labial, and dorsal scales small, smooth, and juxtaposed.
...
 
Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Donald G. Broadley for his numerous contributions to the herpetofauna of Africa. Don (as most of us knew him) was the frst to recognize the Angolan population as a separate species (Broadley 1972). The name is constructed in the masculine genitive.

 Habitat. The species appears to be associated with mopane woodlands, dry savannas, and semi-desert shrublands (Barbosa 1970). The new material was found in sandy plains with scattered low granite outcrops, with varying degrees of short grass cover and scattered bushes. Vegetation included Colophospermum mopane, Ficus sp., Senegalia (=Acacia) mellifera, Commiphora sp., Boscia foetida, and Salvadora persica. The confrmed historical records were also obtained within the dry woodland zone, even though the possible occurrence of the species in Caconda would place the species above 1,500 m asl and well into the mesic conditions of Brachystegia habitats (Barbosa 1970).

    

William R. Branch, Werner Conradie, Pedro Vaz Pinto and Krystal A. Tolley. 2019. Another Angolan Namib endemic Species: A New Nucras Gray, 1838 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from south-western Angola. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 13(2) [Special Section]: 82–95 (e199).
 amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/archive.html
 facebook.com/PEMHerp/posts/2759769770776560
  Researchgate.net/publication/337146214_A_new_Nucras_from_south-western_Angola

[Herpetology • 2023] Eremias graphica & E. pseudofasciata • Taxonomic Diversity of Racerunners with Descriptions of Two New Eremias Species (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Central Iran

 a) E. andersoni, b) E. acutirostris, c) Eremias pseudofasciata sp. nov.,
d) E. fasciata, e) E. lineolata, g) Eremias graphica sp. nov.,  

 Orlova, Rasegar-Pouyani, Rajabizadeh, Nabizadeh, Poyarkov, Melnikov & Nazarov, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5369.3.2 

 Researchgate.net/publication/375526690

Abstract

We provide a diversity assessment of Iranian species of the genus Eremias based on the cytochrome oxidase I mtDNA gene fragment. We analyzed 93 genetic samples from the entire distribution of the Eremias fasciata species complex in Iran and surrounding regions, along with morphological data to support the description of two new species from Central Iran. We hypothesize that the diversification of the Eremias fasciata species complex was largely influenced by the fragmentation of sand massifs in the region. This same hypothesis has been used to explain the high level of endemism among the sand-dwelling species of reptiles along the Iranian Plateau in the same area. The two new species described herein can be distinguished from other congeneric species by their phylogenetic position and a combination of morphological characters. We use these data to discuss the taxonomy of Eremias based on morphology, habitat choice, and genetic data.

Keywords: Reptilia, cryptic diversity, Eremias, Iranian Plateau, taxonomy, cytochrome oxidase I, DNA Barcoding

Eremias graphica sp. nov.:
 a–c; d: Habitat at the type locality.

Eremias pseudofasciata sp. nov.
a) in situ at the type locality; b) habitat of the new species near Boshehr city(type locality).

Eremias graphica sp. nov. 

E. pseudofasciata sp. nov.

The main species of Eremias discussed in the present work:
 a) E. andersoni, b) E. acutirostris, c) Eremias pseudofasciata sp. nov., d) E. fasciata, e) E. lineolata, g) Eremias graphica sp. nov., h) E. kavirensis, i) E. s. scripta, j) E. scripta pherganensis, k) E. lasdinii. 

Valentina F. Orlova, Eskandar Rasegar-Pouyani, Khosrow Rajabizadeh, Hossein Nabizadeh, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Daniel A. Melnikov and Roman A. Nazarov. 2023. Taxonomic Diversity of Racerunners with Descriptions of Two New Eremias Species (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Central Iran. Zootaxa. 5369(3); 336-368. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5369.3.2

  Researchgate.net/publication/375526690_Taxonomic_diversity_of_Eremias_from_Iran

[Herpetology • 2023] Darevskia arribasi • A New Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 (Sauria: Lacertidae) from South Ossetia

 Darevskia arribasi

 Tuniyev, Petrova & Lotiev, 2023

DOI: 10.30906/1026-2296-2023-30-4-237-248 

 Researchgate.net/publication/373513974

Abstract

A new species of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 — Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. is described from vicinity of Ertso Lake in South Ossetia. In comparison of Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. with other species of the «saxicola-brauneri» complex [D. lindholmi (Szczerbak, 1962), D. saxicola (Eversmann, 1834), D. brauneri (Mehely, 1909) (including D. b. brauneri, D. b. myusserica Doronin, 2011, D. b. darevskyi (Szczerbak, 1962), and D. szczerbaki (Lukina, 1963)], the new species is characterized by the smallest body size among all representatives of this complex L♂♂ — 55 – 62 mm; ♀♀ — 58 – 63 mm. The number of scales around the middle of the body (Sq.) in D. arribasi sp. nov. (52 – 58, more often 54 – 56) also significantly less than for D. saxicola sensu lato in generally. Along the throat from ear to ear fold there are 36 – 42 scales, less than in D. saxicola sensu lato. Two large preanal shields present in front of the anal shield in half of the individuals examined; in a quarter of individuals on both sides of the small central preanal there are by one enlarged lateral preanal shield, in another quarter all preanal shields are of the same size. Central temporal (Massetericum) always developed; always six pair of mandibulars, three in contact; collar straight, extremely rarely slightly serrated; ribs on the caudal scales are expressed to some extent; rostral usually separated from frontonasal by nasal shields. The coloration of adult males is olive-lettuce, or olive-brown from above; adult females are grey-brown; juvenile coloration coffee-brown with the blue and black spots on the edge of the outer ventral shields at the middle of trunk. Taxonomical status of new species is well supported with result of analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b data.

Keywords: Caucasus; South Ossetia; Darevskia arribasi sp. nov.

Holotype of Darevskia arribasi sp. nov. (SNP No. 1928).

Boris S. Tuniyev, T. V. Petrova, K. Yu. Lotiev. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 from South Ossetia (Reptilia: Sauria: Lacertidae). Russian Journal of Herpetology.  30(4); 237-248. DOI: 10.30906/1026-2296-2023-30-4-237-248

  Researchgate.net/publication/373513974_A_New_Species_of_Darevskia_from_South_Ossetia

[Herpetology • 2019] Darevskia aghasyani • A New lizard Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997 (Lacertidae) from Southern Armenia

Darevskia aghasyani 

 Tuniyev & Petrova, 2019

DOI: 10.31610/trudyzin/2019.323.2.136

  Researchgate.net/publication/334051669

Abstract

A new species of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997 – Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov. is described from Urts Ridge in Southern Armenia. This species is characterized by a combination of the following characters: small size L – 49–54 mm, L. cd – 107, Sq – 52–56, Ventr – 26–27, G – 24, P. g. – 32–34, P. fm. – 18–20; it is painted in brownish-beige tones from above; the belly is whitish in both sexes, males in the anal area have yellow with ochre femoral pores; bluish spots appear on the edge of the outer ventral shields at the middle of trunk through one shield; on the sides of the trunk (chest area) there are two blue spots in males and one in females; rostral is separated from frontonasal by nasal shields and it does not touch the nostril; upper postocular is twice wider than upper temporal shield; posterior temporal shields are not pronounced, or slightly pronounced; in front of central temporal (Massetericum), there is one enlarged temporal shield; along the throat from ear to ear fold there are 32-34 scales; two large preanal shields present in front of the anal shield. A comparison of Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov. with other species of the genus from Armenia and representatives of “raddei” complex from neighboring regions of Turkey and Iran (Darevskia dahli (Darevsky, 1957), D. unisexualis (Darevsky, 1966), D. raddei (Boettger, 1892), D. raddei vanensis (Eiselt et al., 1993), D. nairensis (Darevsky, 1967), and D. defilippii (Camerano, 1877)) is given. Conservation status of taxa assessed as CR B2ac(iv) "CRITICALLY ENDANGERED".

Key words: conservation assessment, Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov., South Armenia, Urts Ridge

Holotype of Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov.

View of dorsal (A) and ventral (B) sides of the type specimens of Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov., top – male (holotype – SNP No. 1770a), the female below (paratype – SNP No. 1770b).

 Pholidosis and coloration of anal and perianal area of the holotype of Darevskia aghasyani sp. nov.

Family Lacertidae Bonaparte, 1831 

Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997 

Darevskia aghasyani Tuniyev et Petrova sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Small sized lizard. It is painted in brownish-beige tones from above (Fig. 4A). The belly is whitish in both sexes, males have yellow with ochre femoral pores in the anal area (Fig. 4B). Bluish spots appear on the edge of the outer ventral shields at the middle of the trunk through one shield. On the sides of the trunk (chest area) there are two blue spots in males and one in females. Rostral is separated from frontonasal by nasal shields and it does not touch the nostril. Upper postocular is twice wider than upper temporal shield. Posterior temporal shields are not pronounced, or slightly pronounced. In front of central temporal (Massetericum), there is one enlarged temporal shield. Along the throat from ear to ear fold there are 32–34 scales. Two large preanal shields present in front of the anal shield.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of the famous herpetologist – Aram Levonovich Aghasyan, who studies reptiles of Armenia and has made a huge contribution to the development of protected areas (econet) of Armenia.

 

B.S. Tuniyev and T.V. Petrova. 2019. A New lizard Species of the Genus Darevskia Arribas, 1997 from Southern Armenia. Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS. 323(2); 136–148. DOI: 10.31610/trudyzin/2019.323.2.136

  Researchgate.net/publication/334051669_A_new_lizard_of_the_genus_Darevskia_from_Armenia

[Herpetology • 2023] Alsophylax ferganensis & A. emilia • The Fergana Valley Is an Isolate of Biodiversity: A Discussion of the Endemic Herpetofauna and Description of Two New Species of Alsophylax (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Uzbekistan

  Alsophylax ferganensis & A. emilia 

 Nazarov, Abduraupov, Shepelya, Gritsina, Melnikov, Buehler, Lapin, Poyarkov & Grismer, 2023

DOI: 10.3390/ani13152516 

 Researchgate.net/publication/372920739 

twitter.com/J_Grismer

Abstract

The high level of endemism in Fergana Valley has been well documented in numerous studies for various groups of animals and plants. In a relatively small area, there are 45 endemic plant species, five endemic insect species, and five endemic reptile species. In surveying this area for data on distribution, abundance, acoustics, and genetic samples for species of reptiles, we discovered two new species of gecko from the genus Alsophylax. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences indicate the relatives of these new species are the even-fingered gecko, Alsophylax pipiens, and the southern even-fingered gecko, Alsophylax laevis, located hundreds of kilometers to the northwest and southwest of the Fergana Valley. The threats to these new endemic species are significant given the amount of continued agricultural development that involves new territories previously considered “unsuitable” for any species of significance that is leading to the further reduction in, fragmentation of, and degradation of the remaining natural ecosystems in the Fergana Valley. The conservation of these rare and locally endemic species depends directly on the readiness of the state to create areas with IUCN I and II protection. The many studies documenting levels of endemism, along with the data published in this study, are the basis for the justification for state-protected areas in the Fergana Valley.

Keywords: reptiles; conservation; taxonomy; Gekkonidae; Alsophylax; Fergana Valley; endemic species; cryptic diversity

A comparison of adult male Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov. (top) and Alsophylax emilia sp. nov. (bottom).

Taxonomy

Family Gekkonidae

Genus Alsophylax Fitzinger, 1843

Both new species belong to the genus Alsophylax according to the following morphological characteristics:

(1) Elongate body with relatively short limbs; (2) non-segmented tail approximately the same length as the body; (3) relatively small and roundish head with a short rostral part; (4) no femoral pores and 6–8 precloacal pores; (5) small, roundish and flattened dorsal tubercles are present in some representatives of this genus, or dorsal scales can be smooth and homogeneous in another species.

 

 (a) Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov. in situ and (b) its habitat.

Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov. is tentatively a sister to clades A of A. pipiens and A. laevis (Figure 1) and morphologically closer to A. laevis (Table 3). Alsophylax ferganensis sp. nov. sp. nov. can be distinguished from A. laevis by a smaller maximum body size (SVLmax 31.5 mm versus 38.7 mm) and relatively narrow head, as well as elongated limbs and dorsal patterns with well-defined nuchal loop, and relatively narrower dark transverse bands with approximately equal interspaces in between versus wide transverse patterns and narrow interspaces in A. laevis (Figure 6). Caudal margins have dark transverse bands that are wavy. Dorsal scales are flat, smooth, and roundish, without enlarged dorsal tubercles (Figure 7).

Etymology. This species is named after the Fergana Valley where it is endemic.

  (a) Alsophylax emilia sp. nov. holotype and (b) its habitat.

Alsophylax emilia sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Alsophylax emilia sp. nov. is a sister to the clade containing lineages of A. pipiens, A. laevis, and A. ferganensis sp. nov. (Figure 1). Alsophylax emilia sp. nov. is morphologically closest to the A. pipiens (Figure 3; Table 3) and can be distinguished by the following features: enlarged dorsal tubercles flat roundish smooth and larger than surrounding scales by no more than 2.5 times; head shape relatively more massive and sharply delimited from the body; 7–9 precloacal pores in V-shaped line; not elongated limbs; 5–6 wide transversal dorsal bands and narrow interspaces, no contrasting nuchal loop, and wide transverse patterns. The main distinguishing features of the new species are the following: maximum SVL of 35.0 mm; maximum TL 40.2 mm; 8/8 infralabials; 6/7 supralabials; two pairs of small roundish postmentals, which contact mentals; one nasal scale; 22 scales between the orbits; 97–104 longitudinal ventral scales from postmentals to cloaca; 59–65 scales along the midline around the body; 11–12 subdigital lamellae on the fourth finger; 13–14 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; 2–3 cloacal spurs on each side; medial line of subcaudal scales formed by noticeably enlarged plates, 2–3 times larger the surrounding scales (Table 4).

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Soviet and then Uzbek herpetologist Emilia V. Vashetko (24.04.1940–07.11.2022) for her great contributions to the study of the herpetofauna of Uzbekistan and surrounding countries.

 Conclusions: 

Lastly, the age of the Fergana Valley allows it to support subtle yet different habitats ranging from claystone outcroppings to massive, isolated sand massifs and xeric flats that each support their own suite of species that are locally adapted to these different micro-habitats. The discovery of possibly two new species (Figure 1 and Figure 3) that are micro-endemic habitat specialists isolated in various clay outcrops and canyons supports the hypothesis that the valley may have been colonized twice at different times. We hypothesize that this possible colonization pattern could indicate that other groups have experienced multiple colonization events and they too have levels of cryptic diversity among their populations. This study highlights the reptile diversity in the Fergana Valley and further supports the need for more surveys focusing on these habitats deemed “non-suitable”, because the data from this study indicate that they may harbor unrecognized biodiversity. If the biodiversity from these areas is not documented and protected, they could become victim to the continued textile and agricultural developments in the Fergana Valley.

 

 Roman A. Nazarov, Timur V. Abduraupov, Evgeniya Yu. Shepelya, Mariya A. Gritsina, Daniel A. Melnikov, Matthew D. Buehler, Jack D. Lapin, Nikolay A. Poyarkov and Jesse L. Grismer. 2023. The Fergana Valley Is an Isolate of Biodiversity: A Discussion of the Endemic Herpetofauna and Description of Two New Species of Alsophylax (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Uzbekistan. Animals. 13(15), 2516. DOI: 10.3390/ani13152516

 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution, Diversity, and Conservation of Herpetofauna)

  Researchgate.net/publication/372920739_Endemic_Herpetofauna_and_New_Species_of_Alsophylax_from_Eastern_Uzbekistan

 twitter.com/J_Grismer/status/1687588008789454848

 

Simple Summary: This study was carried out in one of the most densely populated and geographically isolated regions in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Fergana Valley. The Fergana Valley has the highest level of endemic biodiversity in Uzbekistan (and one of the highest in Central Asia), and the habitats of these endemic species are rapidly being developed for agricultural purposes. Given this development, the remaining areas of habitat are not being adequately protected. The main goal of this study was to obtain up-to-date data on the distribution and abundance of five endemic reptile species in the remaining isolated and undeveloped habitats across the Fergana Valley. One of the most important achievements was the discovery of two unique and new micro-endemic species of gecko genus Alsophylax, which are described herein. These results elevate the number of endemic species in the Fergana Valley and further highlight the urgent need to create state-protected areas of habitat with IUCN I and II protection status for the remaining areas of suitable habitat, which is currently not available.

http://noticiasdelaciencia.com/not/11625/entender-como-las-comunidades-animales-respondieron-a-cambios-climaticos-en-el-pasado-puede-ayudarnos-a-entender-como-van-a-responder-a-cambios-climaticos-en-el-futuro