We describe a unique new species and genus of agamid lizard from the karstic massifs of Khammouan Province,central Laos.Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is an elusive medium-sized lizard(maximum snout-vent length101...We describe a unique new species and genus of agamid lizard from the karstic massifs of Khammouan Province,central Laos.Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is an elusive medium-sized lizard(maximum snout-vent length101 mm)specifically adapted to life on limestone rocks and pinnacles.To assess the phylogenetic position of the new genus amongst other agamids,we generated DNA sequences from two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and ND2)and three nuclear loci(BDNF,RAG1 and c-mos),with a final alignment comprising 7418 base pairs for 64 agamid species.Phylogenetic analyses unambiguously place the new genus in the mainland Asia subfamily Draconinae,where it forms a clade sister to the genus Diploderma from East Asia and the northern part of Southeast Asia.Morphologically,the new genus is distinguished from all other genera in Draconinae by possessing a notably swollen tail base with enlarged scales on its dorsal and ventral surfaces.Our work provides further evidence that limestone regions of Indochina represent unique“arks of biodiversity”and harbor numerous relict lineages.To date,Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is known from only two adult male specimens and its distribution seems to be restricted to a narrow limestone massif on the border of Khammouan and Bolikhamxai provinces of Laos.Additional studies are required to understand its life history,distribution,and conservation status.展开更多
Here,a new species of bent-toed gecko,Cyrtodactylus phukhaensis sp.nov.,is described from Doi Phu Kha,Nan province,Thailand based on molecular and morphological evidence.A phylogeny based on NADH dehydrogenase subunit...Here,a new species of bent-toed gecko,Cyrtodactylus phukhaensis sp.nov.,is described from Doi Phu Kha,Nan province,Thailand based on molecular and morphological evidence.A phylogeny based on NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2(ND2)and its flanking tRNAs places the new species in the chauquangensis group as a sister taxon to Cyrtodact ylus wayakonei.The new species can be differentiated from other members of the chauquangensis group by having a unique combina tion of 7 or 8 suprala bials,23-28 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles,8-10 infrala bials,9 femoral pores,7 precloacal pores,40-47 ventral scales,and a lack of bands crossingthe temporal area.In addition,results from a chromosome study of C.phukhaensis sp.nov.showed that the new species has a diploid chromosome number of 40 with a fundamental number of 46.The formula of the karyotype was as follows:2n(40)=2m+4sm+34t.Our findings suggest that further studies of Cyrtodactylus biodiversity in northern Thailand are needed.展开更多
基金supported by the Russian Science Foundation(22-14-00037)to N.A.P.(phylogenetic analyses)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32130015)to K.W.(data collection)partially by Rufford Foundation(39897-1) to N.T.V.(data collection)。
文摘We describe a unique new species and genus of agamid lizard from the karstic massifs of Khammouan Province,central Laos.Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is an elusive medium-sized lizard(maximum snout-vent length101 mm)specifically adapted to life on limestone rocks and pinnacles.To assess the phylogenetic position of the new genus amongst other agamids,we generated DNA sequences from two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and ND2)and three nuclear loci(BDNF,RAG1 and c-mos),with a final alignment comprising 7418 base pairs for 64 agamid species.Phylogenetic analyses unambiguously place the new genus in the mainland Asia subfamily Draconinae,where it forms a clade sister to the genus Diploderma from East Asia and the northern part of Southeast Asia.Morphologically,the new genus is distinguished from all other genera in Draconinae by possessing a notably swollen tail base with enlarged scales on its dorsal and ventral surfaces.Our work provides further evidence that limestone regions of Indochina represent unique“arks of biodiversity”and harbor numerous relict lineages.To date,Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is known from only two adult male specimens and its distribution seems to be restricted to a narrow limestone massif on the border of Khammouan and Bolikhamxai provinces of Laos.Additional studies are required to understand its life history,distribution,and conservation status.
基金financially supported by the National Research Council of Thailand (167951)the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) (DBG6180025)+4 种基金Chiang Mai University to Siriwadee CHOMDEJpartially supported by the Thailand Science Research and Innovation fund and the University of Phayao (FF65-UoE003) to Chatmongkon SUWANNAPOOMthe International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (152453KYSB20170033)Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,CAS (Y4ZK111B01: 2017CASSEABRIQG002) to Jing CHEExcellence Center in Veterinary Bioscience to Korakot NGANVONGPANIT.
文摘Here,a new species of bent-toed gecko,Cyrtodactylus phukhaensis sp.nov.,is described from Doi Phu Kha,Nan province,Thailand based on molecular and morphological evidence.A phylogeny based on NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2(ND2)and its flanking tRNAs places the new species in the chauquangensis group as a sister taxon to Cyrtodact ylus wayakonei.The new species can be differentiated from other members of the chauquangensis group by having a unique combina tion of 7 or 8 suprala bials,23-28 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles,8-10 infrala bials,9 femoral pores,7 precloacal pores,40-47 ventral scales,and a lack of bands crossingthe temporal area.In addition,results from a chromosome study of C.phukhaensis sp.nov.showed that the new species has a diploid chromosome number of 40 with a fundamental number of 46.The formula of the karyotype was as follows:2n(40)=2m+4sm+34t.Our findings suggest that further studies of Cyrtodactylus biodiversity in northern Thailand are needed.
