A new bent-toed gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) from the Western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, India

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4446 (4) ◽  
pp. 442
Author(s):  
ISHAN AGARWAL ◽  
AKSHAY KHANDEKAR ◽  
AARON M. BAUER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Himachal Pradesh ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Continuous Series ◽  
Western Himalayas ◽  
Basic Field ◽  
Jammu And Kashmir ◽  
True Diversity ◽  
Mountainous Landscape

We describe a new species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus based on a series of six specimens from the Chamba Valley in the Western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh state, India. Cyrtodactylus chamba sp. nov. is a member of the subgenus Siwaligekko and can be diagnosed from congeners in the Western Himalayas by a combination of its small size (snout to vent length up to 63 mm), a continuous series of five precloacal pores on males, 13–15 rows of dorsal tubercles, 33–43 scales across the belly, no regular series of enlarged subcaudals, and a dorsal colour pattern of 5–7 irregular, broad, dark bands with much narrower, light interspaces. The new species is 14% divergent in ND2 sequence from the most similar sampled congener, Cyrtodactylus (Siwaligekko) himalayanus from Jammu and Kashmir, and is 0.5–1.1% divergent in nuclear sequence data from sampled Siwaligekko species. Many more undiscovered Cyrtodactylus species probably exist across the Himalayas at elevations below ~2000 m; basic field surveys for reptiles and other poorly known groups and examination of existing material should be a priority if we are to appreciate the true diversity of this spectacular mountainous landscape. 

A novel, diminutive Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a sacred grove in Odisha, eastern India

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4852 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-499
Author(s):  
PRATYUSH P. MOHAPATRA ◽  
AKSHAY KHANDEKAR ◽  
SUSHIL K. DUTTA ◽  
CUCKOO MAHAPATRA ◽  
ISHAN AGARWAL
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Sacred Grove ◽  
Eastern India ◽  
True Diversity ◽  
Eye Diameter ◽  
Ganjam District

We describe a distinct new species of Hemiphyllodactylus from a sacred grove near Humma in Ganjam District of Odisha state, eastern India. Hemiphyllodactylus minimus sp. nov. is the smallest member of the genus and can be diagnosed from all peninsular Indian congeners by its small body size (SVL ≤32.2 mm, n=11), having 15–18 dorsal scales and eight or nine ventral scales at mid-body contained within one longitudinal eye diameter, nine or ten precloacal pores separated by 4–6 poreless scales from a series of six or seven femoral pores on each thigh in males, lamellar formula of manus 2222 and of pes 2332 & 2333, as well as subtle colour pattern differences. Additionally, the new species is 16.0–22.7 % divergent from all other peninsular Indian Hemiphyllodactylus in uncorrected ND2 sequence data. The new species is the first member of the genus described from Odisha state and also the first Hemiphyllodactylus known from < 100 m asl. The discovery of Hemiphyllodactylus minimus sp. nov. from a low elevation coastal locality in the Eastern Ghats open ups the possibilities that the genus could be more widespread than currently understood and potentially harbour many more distinct undescribed lineages. Therefore, dedicated fine-scale sampling efforts are needed to uncover the true diversity and distribution of Hemiphyllodactylus in the region. 

A new medium-sized rupicolous Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) of the C. bangara clade from granite boulder habitats in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, India

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4969 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-366
Author(s):  
ISHAN AGARWAL ◽  
TEJAS THACKERAY ◽  
AKSHAY KHANDEKAR
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Anterior Portion ◽  
True Diversity ◽  
Granite Boulder ◽  
Paravertebral Region ◽  
Fourth Member

We describe a new species of the Cnemaspis bangara clade from a rocky hillock near Kugai Periya Mariamman Temple, Krishnagiri fort, Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu, India. Cnemaspis krishnagiriensis sp. nov. can be diagnosed from all other peninsular Indian congeners by its medium body size (maximum SVL 40 mm), heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis, spine-like tubercles absent on flanks; presence of four femoral pores on each thigh separated on either side by nine or 10 poreless scales from three continuous precloacal pores in males; tail with enlarged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles forming four whorls on anterior portion, six tubercles in first whorl, four tubercles in second to fourth whorls, enlarged tubercles restricted to only paravertebral region on rest of the tail; median row of sub-caudals smooth and distinctly enlarged, and a unique colour pattern. The new species can be diagnosed from members of C. bangara clade by the number of dorsal tubercles rows at mid-body, the number of enlarged tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of ventral scales across belly at mid-body, the number longitudinal ventral scales from mental to cloaca, the number of femoral and precloacal pores and poreless scales separating these series, and subtle colour pattern differences; besides 9.2–17.6 % uncorrected ND2 sequence divergence. Cnemaspis krishnagiriensis sp. nov. is the fourth member of the recently described bangara clade and is the first that is known to be distributed <900 m asl.. The discovery of yet another endemic species of Cnemaspis from lower elevations of the Mysore Plateau once again highlights the need of dedicated systematic sampling to uncover the true diversity of Cnemaspis. We also address a nomenclatural issue related to the recently described Cnemaspis stellapulvis Khandekar, Thackeray & Agarwal. 

Another new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Guwahati, Assam, India

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4732 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-392
Author(s):  
JAYADITYA PURKAYASTHA ◽  
MADHURIMA DAS ◽  
SANATH CHANDRA BOHRA ◽  
AARON M. BAUER ◽  
ISHAN AGARWAL
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Additional Data ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
The State ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Mitochondrial Sequence ◽  
Guwahati City ◽  
A New Species

We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Guwahati city in the state of Assam, India and provide additional data on the recently described Cyrtodactylus guwahatiensis. Cyrtodactylus urbanus sp. nov. falls in the newly defined khasiensis group within the Indo-Burma clade of Cyrtodactylus and is the poorly supported sister taxon to Cyrtodactylus khasiensis. The new species differs from other members of the khasiensis group in mitochondrial sequence data (12.5–17.1 % uncorrected pairwise ND2 sequence divergence) as well as aspects of morphology including the number and arrangement of precloacal pores in males, the number of mid-ventral scales and paravertebral tubercles, and colour pattern. This is the second Cyrtodactylus endemic to the Guwahati region, the fourth from Assam and the twelfth from Northeast India. 

A new species of the genus Smithophis (Squamata: Serpentes: Natricidae) from southwestern China and northeastern Myanmar

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4803 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-74
Author(s):  
GERNOT VOGEL ◽  
ZENING CHEN ◽  
V. DEEPAK ◽  
DAVID J. GOWER ◽  
JINGSONG SHI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Cytochrome B ◽  
Yunnan Province ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
Dna Sequence Data ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽  
A New Species

A new species of natricid snake, Smithophis linearis sp. nov., is described on the basis of a single recently collected specimen from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China, and three historical specimens from Yunnan and from northeastern Myanmar. The new species is assigned to the genus Smithophis on the basis of its single internasal and single prefrontal shields, and on the basis of the results of phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequence data. The new species differs from its congeners in having the following combination of characters: temporal shields present, six or more circumorbital scales, and a distinctive colour pattern comprising regular, narrow, longitudinal dark and pale lines. Morphological and cytochrome b data are consistent with the recognition of Smithophis as distinct from the genus Opisthotropis. A revised key to the identification of the species of Smithophis is provided. 

Studies on water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) from the Himalayas, II. New records and descriptions of seven new species from India

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2119 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
VLADIMIR PESIC ◽  
ARNE PANESAR
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Records ◽  
Himachal Pradesh ◽  
Western Himalayas ◽  
Water Mites ◽  
Indian Himalayas

New records of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from the Indian Himalayas are reported. Seven species new to science: Sperchon schwoerbeli sp. nov., S. bakeri sp. nov., Atractides lahauli sp. nov., A. himachali sp. nov., A. acetabulensis sp. nov., A. davecooki sp. nov. and Aturus indicus sp. nov., are described from the western Himalayas (Himachal Pradesh State, India).

A new medium-bodied rupicolous Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Sirumalai massif, Tamil Nadu, India

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4852 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-100
Author(s):  
AKSHAY KHANDEKAR ◽  
TEJAS THACKERAY ◽  
SWAPNIL PAWAR ◽  
ISHAN AGARWAL
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Peninsular India ◽  
Tamil Nadu State ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Fourth Member ◽  
The Western Ghats

We describe a new species of the Hemidactylus acanthopholis clade from Sirumalai, an isolated massif in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu state, India. Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis sp. nov. can be diagnosed from all members of the prashadi group by its medium body size (SVL <95 mm), the number of dorsal tubercles rows at mid-body, the number of enlarged tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of femoral pores and poreless scales between series of left and right femoral pores on the femoral-precloacal row in males, the number of ventral scales across the belly at mid-body and subtle colour pattern differences. The new species is the fourth member of the acanthopholis clade and 8.5–13.4 % divergent in ND2 sequence data from other members of the clade. We also provide data on additional specimens from a new locality of Hemidactylus kolliensis, previously known only from the male holotype. Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis sp. nov. is the first endemic and only the other vertebrate species described from Sirumalai massif in the last 133 years. Most rupicolous Hemidactylus species from peninsular India outside the Western Ghats are known only from a few localities and are likely to be geographically restricted in distribution, and large areas of suitable habitat remain unsurveyed, suggesting many more allied species remain to be discovered. 

scholarly journals A new species of Rhinatrema Duméril & Bibron (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Rhinatrematidae) from Guyana

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2391 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID J. GOWER ◽  
MARK WILKINSON ◽  
EMMA SHERRATT ◽  
PHILIPPE J. R. KOK
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
New Species ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Type Series ◽  
A New Species

The first new species of rhinatrematid caecilian in more than 50 years, Rhinatrema shiv sp. nov., is described from Guyana. The type series of 10 specimens differs from the only other species in the genus, R. bivittatum, in having a longer tail, different colour pattern, more acuminate and relatively shorter head, and in several features of the skull and mandible including dentition. Sequence data for 1572 aligned base pairs of mitochondrial DNA are > 15% different between the two species. Rhinatrema shiv is known only from Guyana, and R. bivittatum from French Guiana and far northeastern Brazil. The only reported specimen of the genus from Suriname is not clearly referable to either of the named species.

scholarly journals The “minute diving beetles” of southern Australia – taxonomic revision of Gibbidessus Watts, 1978, with description of six new species (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Bidessini)

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 975 ◽  
pp. 11-49
Author(s):  
Lars Hendrich ◽  
Chris H.S. Watts ◽  
Michael Balke
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Molecular Systematic ◽  
Dna Sequence Data ◽  
Diving Beetles ◽  
Genital Structure ◽  
Male Genital

Morphology and mitochondrial DNA sequence data are used to reassess the taxonomy of Australian diving beetles previously assigned to the genera Uvarus Guignot, 1939 and Gibbidessus Watts, 1978. Gibbidessus was described as a monotypic genus for Gibbidessus chipi Watts, 1978. The genus is significantly extended here. Based on molecular systematic evidence, Uvarus pictipes (Lea, 1899) is transferred to Gibbidessus. Gibbidessus chipi and Gibbidessus pictipescomb. nov. are redescribed, and six new species are described: Gibbiddessus atomussp. nov. (SW Australia, Northcliffe area) [the smallest epigean diving beetle in Australia], G. davidisp. nov. (SW Australia), G. drikdrikensissp. nov. (Victoria), G. kangarooensissp. nov. (SA Kangaroo Island), G. pederzaniisp. nov. (SW Australia, Nannup area), and G. rottnestensissp. nov. (SW Australia). Species are delineated using characters such as male genital structure and beetle size, shape and colour pattern. Mitochondrial Cox1 data for 27 individuals, representing five species, were generated, and revealed clusters congruent with the morphological evidence. Gibbidessus occur in southern Australia, with the centre of diversification in the isolated peat- and wetlands of SW Australia. All species occur in very shallow water of seasonal, exposed or half-shaded wetlands and flooded meadows.

scholarly journals New species of Pseudosperma (Agaricales, Inocybaceae) from Pakistan revealed by morphology and multi-locus phylogenetic reconstruction

MycoKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Malka Saba ◽  
Danny Haelewaters ◽  
Donald H. Pfister ◽  
Abdul Nasir Khalid
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Western Himalayas ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstructions ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Close Relatives

During fungal surveys between 2012 and 2014 in pine-dominated forests of the western Himalayas in Pakistan, several collections of Pseudosperma (Agaricales, Inocybaceae) were made. These were documented, based on morphological and molecular data. During this work, three new species came to light, which are here formally described as Pseudosperma brunneoumbonatum, P. pinophilum and P. triacicularis. These species belong in the genus Pseudosperma fideMatheny et al. (2019) = Pseudosperma clade fideMatheny (2005) = Inocybe sect. Rimosae s.s. fideLarsson et al. (2009). Macro- and micro-morphological descriptions, illustrations and molecular phylogenetic reconstructions of the studied taxa are provided. The new species are differentiated from their close relatives by basidiospore size and colouration of basidiomata. Molecular phylogenetic relationships are inferred using ITS (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2), nrLSU and mtSSU sequence data. All three newly-described taxa likely share an ectomycorrhizal association with trees in the genus Pinus. In addition, five names are recombined in Inosperma, Mallocybe and Pseudosperma. These are Inosperma vinaceobrunneum, Mallocybe erratum, Pseudosperma alboflavellum, Pseudosperma friabile and Pseudosperma neglectum.

Get an eyeful of this: a new species of giant spitting cobra from eastern and north-eastern Africa (Squamata: Serpentes: Elapidae: Naja)

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1532 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
WOLFGANG WÜSTER ◽  
DONALD G. BROADLEY
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Mtdna Sequence ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Unique Clade ◽  
Eastern Uganda ◽  
A New Species

We describe a new species of giant spitting cobra, Naja ashei sp. nov., from eastern and north-eastern Africa. The species was previously regarded as a colour phase of the black-necked spitting cobra, N. nigricollis. However, mtDNA sequence data show it to be more closely related to N. mossambica than N. nigricollis. The new species is diagnosable from all other African spitting cobras by the possession of a unique clade of mtDNA haplotypes and a combination of colour pattern and scalation characteristics. Its distribution includes the dry lowlands of northern and eastern Kenya, north-eastern Uganda, southern Ethiopia and southern Somalia.

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