Integrative taxonomy reveals two new species of karst-dwelling Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the border region of Laos and Vietnam

Zootaxa. 2024 Jul 24;5486(1):71-108. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5486.1.3.

Abstract

An integrative taxonomic analysis of the gekkonid lizard genus Hemiphyllodactylus was conducted using molecular, morphological, color pattern, and ecological data on a clade of 19 species, including two new species from karst landscapes in northern Laos and Vietnam. Hemiphyllodactylus houaphanensis sp. nov. (Laos) and H. vanhoensis sp. nov. (Vietnam) are karst-dwelling species whose discovery further emphasizes the unrealized herpetological diversity and site-specific endemism in karst ecosystems across Southeast Asia and the need for increased field work to protect these biodiverse landscapes.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution*
  • Animal Structures / anatomy & histology
  • Animal Structures / growth & development
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Ecosystem*
  • Female
  • Laos
  • Lizards* / anatomy & histology
  • Lizards* / classification
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Phylogeny
  • Vietnam