A new species of the genus Acanthosaura (Squamata, Agamidae) from Yunnan, China, with comments on its conservation status

Zookeys. 2020 Aug 14:959:113-135. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.959.54601. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

A new species of Acanthosaura from Yunnan, China, is described based on morphological and genetic data. The new species can be separated from all other species of the genus by having a different shape of the black eye patch, a different coloration of the postorbital and occipital spines and nuchal crest, and a different color of the gular pouch. Genetically, uncorrected sequence divergences of COI between the new species and investigated congeners ranged from 16.12% to 24.11%. The conservation status of the new species is also discussed.

Keywords: Honghe; endangered; lizard; taxonomy.

Grants and funding

Science-Technology Basic Condition Platform from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (Grant No. 2005DKA21402)