First record of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Vietnam with description of a new species

Abstract

A new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus is described from Dien Bien Province, northwestern Vietnam based on morphological and molecular data. Cyrtodactylus ngati sp. nov. can be distinguished from remaining congeners by the following combination of characters: maximum SVL 69.3 mm; dorsal pattern consisting of six dark irregular transverse bands between limb insertions; inter-supranasals one; dorsal tubercles present on occiput, body, hind limbs and on first half of tail; 17–22 irregular dorsal tubercle rows at midbody; lateral folds clearly defined, with interspersed tubercles; 32–38 ventral scales between ventrolateral folds; 13 precloacal pores separated by a diastema of 5/5 poreless scales from a series of 7/7 femoral pores in enlarged femoral scales; precloacal and femoral pores absent in females; 1–3 postcloacal tubercles on each side; transversely enlarged median subcaudal scales absent. In the molecular analyses, the new species is shown to be the sister taxon to C. interdigitalis from Thailand. This is the 47th species of the genus Cyrtodactylus and the first member of the C. brevipalmatus species group recorded from Vietnam.

The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with emphasis on C. interdigitalis and C. ngati

“…This, coupled with their difference in habitat preference (karst (type series) versus vegetation (the other specimens)), would suggest all members of the interdigitalis clade-based on their phylogenetic relationships (Fig. 5)-retain an ancestral morphology for living in vegetation except for the type series of C. ngati whose divergent morphology may be due to a derived habitat preference for seeking refuge in the crevices of karstic outcroppings (Le et al 2021). Given that C. ngati from the type locality has a significantly smaller body, a smaller and flatter head with smaller eyes, a shorter snout, and smaller ear openings, as well as shorter hind limbs (Fig.…”

“…Given that C. ngati from the type locality has a significantly smaller body, a smaller and flatter head with smaller eyes, a shorter snout, and smaller ear openings, as well as shorter hind limbs (Fig. 7C; Table 5), leads us to hypothesize that reduction in these particular morphometric traits (SVL, AG, HL, HW, and HD) may be an adaption for taking refuge in narrow crevices of karst formations (Le et al 2021;Fig. 8) as seen in other species of Cyrtodactylus from different species groups (Grismer et al 2016;Nielson and Oliver 2017;Quah et al 2019;Wood et al 2020;Kaatz et al 2021).…”

“…Morphological data included both meristic and morphometric characters. To reduce the degree of researcher bias, data were taken using the protocol of Le et al (2021) and where possible, double checked by LLG using high resolution digital photographs and/or the actual specimens. All data were taken on the left side of the body (when possible) and measured to the nearest 0.1 mm using dial calipers under a dissecting microscope.…”

Integrative taxonomy delimits and diagnoses cryptic arboreal species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata, Gekkonidae) with descriptions of four new species from Thailand

“…Morphological data included both meristic and morphometric characters. To reduce the degree of researcher bias, data were taken using the protocol of Le et al (2021) and Grismer et al (2022) and where possible, double checked by LLG using high resolution digital photographs and/or the actual specimens. All data were taken on the left side of the body (when possible) and measured to the nearest 0.1 mm using digital calipers under a Nikon SMZ745 stereomicroscope.…”

How many more species are out there? Current taxonomy substantially underestimates the diversity of bent-toed geckos (Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus) in Laos and Vietnam

“…Members of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group, recently discovered in Vietnam (Le et al 2021), are present in both countries. The genetic divergence between the Vietnamese and Lao populations of C. ngati is 2.13% and they are ~ 3.81-4.41% separated from C. cf.…”