Research Article |
Corresponding author: Anchalee Aowphol ( fsciacl@ku.ac.th ) Academic editor: Thomas Ziegler
© 2022 Siriporn Yodthong, Attapol Rujirawan, Bryan L. Stuart, L. Lee Grismer, Akrachai Aksornneam, Korkhwan Termprayoon, Natee Ampai, Anchalee Aowphol.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Yodthong S, Rujirawan A, Stuart BL, Grismer LL, Aksornneam A, Termprayoon K, Ampai N, Aowphol A (2022) A new species in the Cyrtodactylus oldhami group (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. ZooKeys 1103: 139-169. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1103.84672
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Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. is described from Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, in western Thailand. The new species superficially resembles C. zebraicus Taylor, 1962 from southern Thailand. However, differences between the new species from C. zebraicus and other congeners were supported by an integrative taxonomic analysis of molecular and morphological data. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene showed that the new species is a member of the C. oldhami group and closely related to Cyrtodactylus sp. MT468911 from Thong Pha Phum National Park, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province. Uncorrected pairwise genetic divergences (p-distances) between the new species and its congeners, including C. zebraicus, ranged from 7.7–17.7%. Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. can also be distinguished from all members of the C. oldhami group by having a unique combination of morphological characters, including a snout to vent length of 53.7–63.3 mm in adult males and 58.6–75.8 mm in adult females; 22–34 paravertebral tubercles; 34–42 ventral scales; 30–39 enlarged contiguous femoroprecloacal scales; femoral pores and precloacal pores absent in both sexes; four or five rows of postprecloacal scales; enlarged median subcaudal scales absent; weak ventrolateral folds present; 4–7 rows of paired, paravertebral, dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white; and two rows of small, diffuse, yellow or yellowish white spots on flanks. The new species occurs in a narrow range of forest at mid to low elevations associated with karst landscapes in the Tenasserim mountain range.
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus zebraicus, integrative taxonomy, mitochondrial DNA, morphology, phylogeny, Southeast Asia
The Bent-toed Gecko genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 is the third largest vertebrate genus in the world and one of the most species-rich radiations of gekkonid lizards (
The Cyrtodactylus oldhami group is restricted to a narrow geographic range on the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Myanmar northward into Kanchanaburi Province in western Thailand (
Cyrtodactylus peguensis zebraicus Taylor, 1962 was originally described from Ron Phibun (“Ronpibon”) District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in southern Thailand. The taxonomic status of this species was long uncertain, and often confused with C. peguensis (Boulenger, 1893).
During our fieldwork in 2019 and 2021, we collected Cyrtodactylus specimens of the C. oldhami group from three localities in Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. These specimens closely resembled C. zebraicus in body size, color pattern and habitat usage. The taxonomic status of the Si Sawat specimens was investigated using mitochondrial DNA and morphological data. The datasets corroborated differences in the Si Sawat specimens from C. zebraicus and other species of the C. oldhami group. Herein, we describe this population as a new species.
A total of 22 specimens (eleven adult males, nine adult females, and two juveniles) of the Si Sawat Cyrtodactylus were collected by hand during fieldwork in April and November 2019, and November 2021 from Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand (Fig.
Map illustrating the type locality at Tham Phrathat Protection Unit (yellow star) and paratype localities (yellow cycle) at Erawan Waterfall (1) and at Tham Than Lot Noi-Tham Than Lot Yai Nature Trail (2), Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand of Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov., and the type locality (pink star) at Ron Phibun (= “Ronpibon”) District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand of C. zebraicus (“C. peguensis zebraicus”).
Total genomic DNA were extracted from preserved liver tissue of nine individuals of the Si Sawat species (Table
Specimens used in this study, including localities, museum numbers and GenBank accession numbers of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene and flanking tRNA regions.
Species | Locality | Voucher No. | Accession No. | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ingroup | ||||
Cyrtodactylus amphipetraeus | Tha Ra Rak Waterfall, Mae Sot Dist., Tak Prov., Thailand | ZMMU R 16626 | MT550630 |
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Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus | Khao Ramrome, Ron Phibun Dist., Nakhon Si Thammarat Prov., Thailand | AUP-00573 | MT468899 |
|
Cyrtodactylus dammathetensis | Dammathet Cave, 19.8 km east of Mawlamyine, Mawlamyine Dist., Mon State, Myanmar | LSUHC 12864 | MF872278 |
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Cyrtodactylus doisuthep | Doi Suthep, Mueang Dist., Chiang Mai Prov., Thailand | AUP-00777 | MT497801 |
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Cyrtodactylus dumnuii | Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai Prov., Thailand | AUP-00768 | MW713972 |
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Cyrtodactylus erythrops | Coral Cave, Pang Mapha Dist., Mae Hong Son Prov., Thailand | AUP-00771 | MT497806 |
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Cyrtodactylus interdigitalis | Nakai Dist., Khammouan Prov., Laos |
|
JQ889181 |
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Cyrtodactylus inthanon | Tiger Head mountain, Doi Inthanon National Park, Chom Thong Dist., Chiang Mai Prov., Thailand | AUP-00156 | MT497800 |
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Cyrtodactylus lenya | The proposed Lenya National Park Extension, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar | USNM 587789 | KY041652 |
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Cyrtodactylus lenya | The proposed Lenya National Park Extension, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar | USNM 587788 | KY041653 |
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Cyrtodactylus lenya | The proposed Lenya National Park Extension, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar | CAS 260233 | KY041655 |
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Cyrtodactylus linnoensis | Linno Cave region 5 km south-west of Hpa-an, Hpa-an Dist., Kayin State, Myanmar | LSUHC 12825 | MF872295 |
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Cyrtodactylus linnwayensis | 12.7 km north-east of Ywangan, Linn-Way Village, Yum Twing Gyi Cave, Taunggyi Dist., Shan State, Myanmar, | BYU 52214 | MF872280 |
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Cyrtodactylus maelanoi | Tha Pha Pum Subdist., Mae La Noi Dist., Mae Hong Son Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00858 | MT823267 |
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Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park, Khao Chot Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00923 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park, Khao Chot Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00924 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park, Khao Chot Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00925 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park, Khao Chot Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00926 |
ON231266
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00927 |
ON231267
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00928 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00929 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00930 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00931 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00932 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00933 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00934 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00935 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00936 |
ON231268
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00937 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00938 | – | This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00939 |
ON231269
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00940 |
ON231270
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00941 |
ON231271
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00942 |
ON23172
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00943 |
ON231273
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. | Erawan National Park, Tha Kradan Subdist., Si Sawat Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00944 |
ON231274
|
This study |
Cyrtodactylus cf. oldhami | Suan Phueng Distc., Ratchburi Prov., Thailand | HLM 0307 | MW713967 |
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Cyrtodactylus oldhami | Kraburi Dist., Phang-nga Prov., Thailand | MS 460 | MF872301 |
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Cyrtodactylus oldhami | Muang Dist., Ranong Prov., Thailand | MS 585 | MF872302 |
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Cyrtodactylus oldhami | Chumpon Prov., Thailand | LSUHC 9486 | MH940241 |
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Cyrtodactylus payarhtanensis | in the proposed Lenya National Park, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar | USNM 587409 | KY041656 |
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Cyrtodactylus payarhtanensis | in the proposed Lenya National Park, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar | USNM 587792 | KY041657 |
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Cyrtodactylus payarhtanensis | in the proposed Lenya National Park, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar | USNM 587791 | KY041658 |
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Cyrtodactylus pharbaungensis | Pharpoun Cave, 38.4 km south-east of Mawlamyine, Mawlamyine Dist., Mon State, Myanmar | BYU 52215 | MF872303 |
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Cyrtodactylus sadanensis | Sadan Cave, 17 km south-east of Hpa-an, Hpa-an Dist., Kayin State, Myanmar | LSUHC 12853 | MF872324 |
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Cyrtodactylus sadansinensis | Sadan Sin Cave 10.5 km north-west of Mawlamyine, Mawlamyine Dist., Mon State, Myanmar | BYU 52220 | MF872325 |
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Cyrtodactylus saiyok | Sai Yok National Park, Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | MS 484 | MF872308 |
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Cyrtodactylus saiyok | Sai Yok National Park, Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | MS 480 | MF872309 |
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Cyrtodactylus saiyok | Sai Yok Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | AUP-00773 | MT497805 |
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Cyrtodactylus sanook | Tham Sanook, Muang Dist., Chumphon Prov., Thailand | AUP-00570 | MT468898 |
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Cyrtodactylus sanpelensis | Sanpel Cave, 21.3 km south-east of Mawlamyine, Mawlamyine Dist., Mon State, Myanmar | LSUHC 12886 | MF872343 |
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Cyrtodactylus shwetaungorum | 5.3 km north of Pyinyaung Village at the Apache Cement factory mining site, Mandalay Region, Myanmar | BYU 52227 | MF872348 |
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Cyrtodactylus sp. | Moe Cham Pae Dist., Mae Hong Son Prov., Thailand | HLM 0357 | MW713961 |
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Cyrtodactylus sp. | Krabi, Trang Prov., Thailand | HLM 0358 | MW713969 |
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Cyrtodactylus sp. MT468910 | Thong Pha Phum National Park, Thong Pha Phum Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | AUP-01718 | MT468910 |
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Cyrtodactylus sp. MT468911 | Near Vajiralongkorn dam, Thong Pha Phum National Park, Thong Pha Phum Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | AUP-01722 | MT468911 |
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Cyrtodactylus thirakhupti | Tham Khao Sonk hill, Surat Thani Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00732/LSUHC 12467 | MF872357 |
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Cyrtodactylus thirakhupti | Tham Khao Sonk hill, Surat Thani Prov., Thailand | ZMKU R 00733/ LSUHC 12468 | MF872358 |
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Cyrtodactylus tigroides | Ban Tha Sao, Sai-Yok Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | IRSNB2380 | JX440562 |
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Cyrtodactylus tigroides | Wang Krachae Subdist., Sai Yok Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | AUP-00776 | MT497804 |
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Cyrtodactylus yathepyanensis | Yathe Pyan Cave, 9 km south-west of Hpa-an, Hpa-an Dist., Kayin State, Myanmar | LSUHC 12823 | MF872367 |
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Cyrtodactylus zebraicus | Mueang Krabi, Krabi, Thailand | HLM 0344 | MW713971 |
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Cyrtodactylus zebraicus | Khao Luang National Park, Thailand | CUMZR 2005.07.30.54 | GU550727 |
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Cyrtodactylus zebraicus | Ron Phibun, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand |
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– | This study |
Outgroup | ||||
Dixonius siamensis | Thong Pha Phum National Park, Thong Pha Phum Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | AUP-01724 | MT468896 |
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Gekko gecko | Shwesettaw wildlife sanctuary, Mimbu Township, Magway Div., Myanmar | CAS 213628 | JN019053 |
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Gekko kaengkrachanense | Thong Pha Phum National Park, Thong Pha Phum Dist., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand | AUP-01710 | MT468895 |
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Hemidactylus frenatus | Rathegala, Sri Lanka | AMB 7420 | EU268359 |
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All available ND2 sequences of related species in the genus Cyrtodactylus from Myanmar-Thai populations and the outgroups Dixonius siamensis (Boulenger, 1899), Gekko gecko (Linnaeus, 1758), G. kaengkrachanense (Sumontha, Pauwels, Kunya, Limlikhitaksorn, Ruksue, Taokratok, Ansermet & Chanhome, 2012), and Hemidactylus frenatus Duméril & Bibron, 1836 were downloaded from GenBank following
Models of molecular evolution selected for the maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses.
Gene | Model selected | Model applied for ML | Model applied for BI |
---|---|---|---|
ND2 | |||
1st position | TVM+F+I+G4 | TVM+F+I+G4 | GTR+I+Γ |
2nd position | TPM3u+F+I+G4 | TPM3u+F+I+G4 | GTR+I+Γ |
3rd position | TIM3+F+G4 | TIM3+F+G4 | GTR+I+Γ |
tRNAs | TIMe+G4 | TIMe+G4 | GTR+I+Γ |
The BI analysis was performed on CIPRES Science Gateway (
Mensural, meristic, and qualitative characters were taken using a Nikon SMZ 745 Zoom Stereomicroscope. Measurements were taken on the left side of the body when possible, with digital calipers (Mitutoyo CD-6” ASX Digimatic Caliper, Japan) to the nearest 0.1 mm. Characters and abbreviations were modified from
SVL Snout to vent length, taken from the tip of snout to the vent;
HL Head length, the distance from the posterior margin of the retroarticular process of the lower jaw to the tip of the snout;
HW Head width, measured at the angle of the jaws;
HD Head depth, the maximum height of head measured from the occiput to the mandibles;
ED Eye diameter, the greatest horizontal diameter of the eyeball;
EE Eye to ear distance, measured from the anterior edge of the ear opening to the posterior edge of the eyeball;
ES Eye to snout distance, measured from anterior most margin of the eyeball to the tip of snout;
EN Eye to nostril distance, measured from the anterior margin of the eyeball to the posterior margin of the external nares;
IO Interorbital distance, measured between the anterior edges of the orbit;
EL Ear diameter, the greatest vertical distance of the ear opening;
IN Internarial distance, measured between the nares across the rostrum;
FL Forearm length, taken on the dorsal surface from the posterior margin of the elbow while flexed 90° to the inflection of the flexed wrist;
TBL Tibia length, taken on the ventral surface from the posterior surface of the knee while flexed 90° to the base of the heel;
AG Axilla to groin length, taken from the posterior margin of the forelimb at its insertion point on the body to the anterior margin of the hind limb at its insertion point on the body;
TL Tail length, taken from the vent to the tip of the tail, original and regenerated;
TW Tail width, taken at the base of the tail immediately posterior to the postcloacal swelling.
Meristic characters were taken on both right and left (R/L) sides when possible. The presence, absence, and/or numbers of the characters were recorded as follows:
SL The numbers of supralabial scales, counted from the largest scale immediately below the posterior margin of the eyeball to the rostral scales;
SL-mideye The numbers of supralabial scales, counted from the largest scale immediately below the middle of the eyeball to the rostral scales;
IL The numbers of infralabial scales, counted from the largest scale immediately below the posterior margin of the eyeball to the mental scales;
IL-mideye The numbers of infralabial scales, counted from the largest scale immediately below the middle of the eyeball to the mental scales;
PVT The number of paravertebral tubercles between limb insertions, counted in a straight line immediately left of the vertebral column;
LRT The number of longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles, counted transversely across the center of the dorsum from one ventrolateral fold to the other;
VS The number of longitudinal rows of ventral scales, counted transversely across the center of the abdomen from one ventrolateral fold to the other;
4FLE The number of expanded subdigital lamellae proximal to the digital inflection on the fourth finger, counted from the base of the first phalanx where it contacts the body of the hand to the largest scale on the digital inflection;
4FLU The number of small, unmodified subdigital lamellae distal to the digital inflection on the fourth finger, counted from the digital inflection to the claw;
4FL The total number of subdigital lamellae beneath the fourth finger;
4TLE The number of expanded subdigital lamellae proximal to the digital inflection on the fourth toe, counted from the base of the first phalanx where it contacts the body of the foot to the largest scale on the digital inflection;
4TLU The number of small, unmodified subdigital lamellae distal to the digital inflection on the fourth toe, counted from the digital inflection to the claw;
4TL The total number of subdigital lamellae beneath the fourth toe;
FPS The number continuous femoroprecloacal scales in males and females;
PP Presence or absence precloacal pores in males and females;
PPS The number of rows of post-precloacal scales on the midline between the enlarged precloacal scales and the vent;
PPT The number of postcloacal tubercles;
BB The number of body bands between the nuchal loop (dark band running from eye to eye) and the hind limb insertions not including the nape or postsacral bands;
LCB The number of light caudal bands on an original tail;
DCB The number of dark caudal bands on an original tail.
Non-meristic morphological characters examined were the degree of body tuberculation, weak tuberculation refers to low and weakly keeled dorsal body tubercles whereas prominent tuberculation refers to raised and prominently keeled dorsal body tubercles; body tubercles extending past the base of the tail or not; enlarged femoral scales and precloacal scales contiguous or separated by a diastema at the base of the femora; a precloacal depression or groove present or absent; transversely expanded, median subcaudal scales present or absent; and the relative length to width ratio of the transversely expanded, median subcaudal scales. Color pattern characters evaluated were the nuchal loop being continuous from eye to eye, or separated medially into paravertebral blotches; the dorsal body bands bearing paired, paravertebral elements or fused medially; dark dorsal body bands edged with light-colored tubercles or not; dark markings present or absent in the dorsal interspace; ventrolateral body folds weak or prominent; top of head bearing combinations of dark diffuse mottling or dark distinct blotches overlain with a light-colored reticulating network or not; light-colored caudal bands encircling tail or not; and regenerated tail bearing a pattern of distinct, dark spots or not.
Morphological comparisons were based on examination of the holotype of C. zebraicus (
The total aligned dataset contained 1,444 mtDNA characters with gaps from 50 individuals of Cyrtodactylus species and four individuals of the outgroup species. The standard deviation of split frequencies among the two BI runs was 0.001410, and the ESS of all parameters were ≥ 10,325.8, indicating that the two runs had been sufficiently sampled and converged. The maximum likelihood value of the best ML tree was lnL = -19,837.548. The 50% majority rule consensus tree from BI analysis and the best ML tree had identical ingroup topologies, and so the ML topology was used herein (Fig.
The best maximum likelihood tree showing the relationships of the Cyrtodactylus oldhami group and other related species distributed in Southeast Asia based on 1,444 bp of the ND2 gene and flanking tRNAs. Support values on branches are ultrafast bootstrap (UFB) followed by posterior probabilities (PP) resulting from a separate partitioned Bayesian analysis.
In both analyses, the Si Sawat species represented a deeply divergent mtDNA lineage and a strongly supported monophyletic group (1.0 PP, 100 UFB; Fig.
The uncorrected pairwise sequence divergences (p-distances) between the Si Sawat species and all others in the C. oldhami species group used in this study are given in Table
Uncorrected pairwise sequence divergences (p-distances) in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene and flanking tRNA regions of Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. and related species. 1 = Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov., 2 = Cyrtodactylus sp. MT468911, 3 = Cyrtodactylus cf. oldhami, 4 = Cyrtodactylus sp. MT 468910, 5 = Cyrtodactylus sp. MW713969, 6 = C. thirakhupti, 7 = C. payarhtanensis, 8 = C. sanook, 9 = C. oldhami MF872302, 10 = C. oldhami MF872301, 11 = C. oldhami MH940241, 12 = C. saiyok, 13 = C. lenya, and 14 = C. zebraicus.
No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||
(N = 9) | (0.0–1.2) | |||||||||||||
2 | 7.7 | – | ||||||||||||
(N = 1) | (7.7–8.0) | |||||||||||||
3 | 11.5 | 10.8 | – | |||||||||||
(N = 1) | (11.2–11.7) | (10.8) | ||||||||||||
4 | 11.6 | 11.2 | 1.8 | – | ||||||||||
(N = 1) | (11.4–11.7) | (11.2) | (1.8) | |||||||||||
5 | 11.8 | 10.0 | 9.3 | 9.3 | – | |||||||||
(N = 1) | (11.7–12.0) | (10.0) | (9.3) | (9.3) | ||||||||||
6 | 12.0 | 11.3 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 9.7 | 0.0 | ||||||||
(N = 2) | (11.4–12.4) | (11.1–11.4) | (9.0) | (9.1–9.2) | (9.7) | (0.0) | ||||||||
7 | 12.3 | 11.1 | 10.6 | 10.9 | 7.4 | 8.3 | 0.1 | |||||||
(N = 3) | (11.7–13.2) | (10.7–11.9) | (10.2–11.4) | (10.5–11.6) | (7.1–8.1) | (7.7–9.7) | (0.0–0.1) | |||||||
8 | 12.7 | 12.1 | 9.9 | 9.6 | 6.0 | 7.1 | 8.02 | – | ||||||
(N = 1) | (12.6–12.8) | (12.1) | (9.9) | (9.6) | (6.0) | (7.0–7.2) | (7.7–8.7) | |||||||
9 | 12.8 | 11.3 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 7.7 | – | |||||
(N = 1) | (12.7–12.9) | (11.3) | (9.7) | (9.9) | (6.5) | (6.6–7.2) | (7.4–8.3) | (7.7) | ||||||
10 | 12.3 | 11.6 | 9.7 | 9.53 | 5.49 | 7.17 | 9.1 | 7.4 | 7.8 | – | ||||
(N = 1) | (12.13–12.57) | (11.58) | (9.7) | (9.53) | (5.49) | (6.61–7.18) | (8.63–9.97) | (7.43) | (7.8) | |||||
11 | 13.0 | 12.1 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 10.7 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 11.0 | 10.6 | 11.4 | – | |||
(N = 1) | (12.7–13.2) | (12.1) | (9.3) | (9.3) | (10.7) | (10.4–11.2) | (10.9–11.7) | (11.0) | (10.6) | (11.4) | ||||
12 | 15.4 | 14.6 | 14.2 | 14.8 | 14.4 | 14.9 | 14.8 | 15.1 | 14.6 | 15.5 | 15.3 | 0.1 | ||
(N = 3) | (15.2–15.6) | (14.3 –14.8) | (14.1–14.3) | (14.7–14.9) | (14.2–14.6) | (14.6–15.2) | (14.1–16.4) | (14.9–15.3) | (14.4–14.8) | (15.2–15.8) | (15.0–15.5) | (0.1–0.2) | ||
13 | 16. | 15.1 | 16.5 | 16.6 | 15.5 | 14.9 | 16.3 | 16.9 | 16.1 | 16.7 | 17.5 | 16.1 | 0.5 | |
(N = 3) | (16.6–17.0) | (15.0–15.1) | (16.4–16.6) | (16.4–16.7) | (15.4–15.7) | (14.1–15.6) | (15.6–17.6) | (16.7–17.1) | (16.0–16.1) | (16.6–16.8) | (17.3–17.6) | (15.7–16.4) | (0.2–0.6) | |
14 | 17.6 | 16.3 | 16.8 | 17.0 | 16.9 | 16.3 | 17.7 | 17.5 | 17.3 | 17.2 | 17.4 | 17.2 | 13.2 | 6.0 |
(N = 2) | (17.3–17.7) | (16.2–16.3) | (16.6–16.9) | (16.9–17.0) | (16.8–16.9) | (15.3–17.2) | (16.7–19.2) | (17.5) | (17.2–17.4) | (17.2–17.4) | (17.2–17.6) | (15.7–16.4) | (13.0–13.2) | (6.0) |
Based on the results of mtDNA and morphological comparisons (see below), the Cyrtodactylus specimens from Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand distinctly differed from C. zebraicus and other species of the oldhami group. Thus, we hypothesize that the Si Sawat specimens represent a distinct species that is described as new, as follows.
Holotype. ZMKU R 00943, adult male (Figs
Adult male holotype of Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. (ZMKU R 00943) in life from Tham Phrathat Protection Unit, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand A lateral view B dorsal view C ventral view D precloacal region showing distribution of continuous, enlarged femoroprecloacal scales E palmar view of the left hand F plantar view of the left foot, and G ventral view of tail showing not enlarged median subcaudal scales.
Adult male holotype of Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. (ZMKU R 00943) in preservation A dorsal view B ventral view C dorsal view showing the rostral, supranasal, and internasal scales D ventral view showing the mental and postmental scales E lateral view of head of the left side F lateral view of flank of the left side.
Paratypes
(Fig.
Paratypes of Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. in life showing variation in color pattern A adult male (ZMKU R 00935) B adult male (ZMKU R 00944) from Tham Phrathat Protection Unit C adult female (ZMKU R 00927) from Erawan Waterfall D adult female (ZMKU R 00926) from Tham Than Lot Noi-Tham Than Lot Yai Nature Trail, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.
One juvenile (ZMKU R 00923), collected from Thailand, Kanchanaburi Province, Si Sawat District, Khao Chot Subdistrict, Chaloem Ratanakosin National Park, Tham Than Lot Noi-Tham Than Lot Yai Nature Trail (14° 39.767'N, 99°18.314'E, 233 m elevation) on 19 April 2019 by Siriporn Yodthong, Akrachai Aksornneam, Korkhwan Termprayoon, and Natee Ampai. One juvenile (ZMKU R 00933), same data as holotype except collected on 26 November 2019 by Siriporn Yodthong, Attapol Rujirawan, Akrachai Aksornneam, and Korkhwan Termprayoon.
The specific epithet monilatus is taken from monile (L.) for necklace or string of beads and latus (L.) for flank, in reference to the new species having two rows of small, diffuse, yellow or yellowish white spots on the flanks that resemble a beaded necklace. These spots are an important color pattern difference between the new species and C. zebraicus. We propose “Kanchanaburi Spotted Bent-toed Gecko” for the common English name and “ตุ๊กแกป่่่าลายจุดเมืองกาญจน์” (Took kae pa lai jud mueang kan) for the common Thai name of the new species.
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. is assigned to the C. oldhami group on the basis of its recovered phylogenetic position (Fig.
(Figs
Body slender, relatively short (AG/SVL 0.44), with weak ventrolateral folds; scales on dorsum small, mostly homogenous, granular, interspersed with larger, irregularly arranged, slightly prominent trihedral keeled tubercles; tubercles extending from occiput beyond to the base of the tail but not farther than 1/3 of tail; tubercles on occiput, nape and anterior of body at level above shoulder smaller, subconical; those mid-dorsally and on the posterior section of the body larger, being more dense, slightly more prominently keeled, and more regularly arrange in sacral region and tail base; tubercles on flanks sparse; approximately 16 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; approximately 28 paravertebral tubercles; 38 flat, imbricate, smooth ventral scales, those near midline larger than those laterally and dorsal scales; femoral scales enlarged, extending along 2/3 of femora and contiguous with enlarged precloacal scales; precloacal scales smooth, approximately twice the size of femoral scales; 33 contiguous femoroprecloacal scales; femoral pores and precloacal pores absent; four rows of enlarged postprecloacal scales; and precloacal groove or depression absent.
Limbs moderately slender; forelimbs relatively short (FL/SVL 0.15); scales on dorsal surface domed to subconical, granular, slightly larger than those on body, interspersed with sparsely enlarged, subconical and trihedrally keeled tubercles; dorsal scales of wrist and palm flat, smooth, round, imbricate; ventral scales of palm flat, weakly rounded, slightly raised, not imbricate, smaller than those on body; 16/16 (right/left) total subdigital lamellae on fourth finger, 4/4 proximal subdigital lamellae rectangular with rounded to weakly rounded corners, broadly expanded proximal to joint inflection on fourth finger, 12/12 distal subdigital lamellae, slightly expanded immediately distal to joint, becoming gradually more expanded near the claw; digits well-developed, relatively long, inflected at basal interphalangeal joints; digits slightly narrower distal to inflections; no interdigital webbing; claw well-developed, relatively short, claw base sheathed by a dorsal and ventral scales; hind limbs more robust than forelimbs, moderate in length (TBL/SVL 0.18); dorsal scales domed to subconical, granular, interspersed with enlarged subconical and trihedrally keeled tubercles, and anterior part of thigh covered by flat, slightly larger, imbricate scales; ventral scales of femora flat, smooth, imbricate, smaller than those on body; small postfemoral scales form an abrupt union with large, flat ventral scales of posteroventral margin of thigh; ventral scales of tibia flat, imbricate; dorsal scales of plantar surface relatively smooth, rounded, imbricate; ventral scales of plantar surface low flat, weakly rounded; 18/19 (right/left) total subdigital lamellae on fourth toe, 5/6 proximal subdigital lamellae, rectangular with rounded to weaky rounded corners, broadly expanded proximal to joint inflection on fourth toe, 13/13 distal subdigital lamellae, slightly expanded immediately distal to joint, becoming gradually more expanded near the claw; digits well-developed, relatively long, inflected at basal, interphalangeal joints; and claw well-developed, relatively short, claw base sheathed by a dorsal and ventral scales.
Tail 58.1 mm in length, original, slightly longer than SVL (TL/SVL 1.03), moderate in proportions, segmented, cylindrical, wide anteriorly, 4.6 mm in width at base, tapering to a tip, covered with small scales on the dorsal surface but slightly larger scales on ventral surface; dorsal scales of tail base granular, round, becoming larger, flatter, subimbricate posteriorly; those on tail base bearing trihedrally keeled tubercles forming paravertebral rows, four dorsal longitudinal tubercles rows, two transverse rows of dorsal tubercles extend from tail base to posterior margin of third caudal band, 7.1 mm from tail base, approximately 1/8 of tail; no enlarged median row of transverse scales on subcaudal region; no caudal furrow; base of tail forming hemipenial swelling; 2/2 (right/left) postcloacal tubercles on the enlarged smooth hemipenial swelling; and postcloacal tubercles approximately equal size.
(Fig.
(Fig.
Morphometric, meristic and color pattern characters of the type series and referred specimens of C. monilatus sp. nov. are presented in Tables
Descriptive measurements in millimeters of the type series of Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. Abbreviations are defined in the text.
Characters | Holotype male | Holotype and paratype males | Paratype females | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N = 1 | N = 11 | N = 9 | |||
Min–Max | Mean ± SD | Min–Max | Mean ± SD | ||
SVL | 56.4 | 53.7–63.3 | 58.0 ± 3.4 | 58.6–75.8 | 68.7 ± 5.6 |
HL | 16.4 | 15.5–18.10 | 16.6 ± 0.9 | 16.8–22.0 | 19.3 ± 1.7 |
HW | 10.6 | 10.1–12.1 | 11.0 ± 0.6 | 11.5–15.4 | 13.3 ± 1.2 |
HD | 6.5 | 5.8–7.5 | 6.6 ± 0.6 | 6.4–9.1 | 7.7 ± 0.9 |
ED | 4.8 | 4.3–5.3 | 4.7 ± 0.4 | 4.8–5.4 | 5.2 ± 0.3 |
EE | 5.1 | 4.0–5.3 | 4.9 ± 0.4 | 5.1–6.7 | 5.9 ± 0.6 |
ES | 6.6 | 5.9–7.4 | 6.6 ± 0.4 | 6.5–8.8 | 7.4 ± 0.7 |
EN | 5.2 | 4.3–5.4 | 4.9 ± 0.3 | 4.8–6.5 | 5.5 ± 0.5 |
IO | 5.3 | 5.1–6.4 | 5.7 ± 0.4 | 5.7–7.6 | 6.6 ± 0.7 |
EL | 1.5 | 1.1–1.8 | 1.4 ± 0.2 | 1.3–1.7 | 1.5 ± 0.2 |
IN | 1.9 | 1.7–2.1 | 1.9 ± 0.1 | 1.8–2.4 | 2.1 ± 0.2 |
AG | 24.7 | 22.3–27.8 | 25.4 ± 1.7 | 26.1–34.4 | 31.1 ± 2.8 |
FL | 8.3 | 8.0–9.6 | 8.8 ± 0.5 | 9.1–11.8 | 10.4 ± 1.0 |
TBL | 10.4 | 9.8–11.7 | 10.8 ± 0.7 | 11.4–14.1 | 12.8 ± 1.0 |
TL (original) | 58.1 | 58.1–62.10a | 59.9 ± 1.7a | 64.0–77.7c | 71.4 ± 5.7c |
TL (regenerated) | NA | 41.8–60.0b | 49.5 ± 5.8b | 25.7–55.1d | 42.8 ± 12.9d |
TW | 4.6 | 4.0–5.4 | 4.9 ± 0.5 | 4.5–5.3 | 4.9 ± 0.3 |
TD | 4.0 | 4.0–5.6 | 4.7 ± 0.5 | 4.3–5.4 | 4.8 ± 0.4 |
Meristic characters (right/left) and color patterns of Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. Abbreviations are defined in the text. Key: NA = data unavailable or unapplicable.
Characters | Holotype | Holotype and paratypes |
---|---|---|
N = 1 | N = 20 | |
Min–Max | ||
SL | 12/11 | 10–13 |
SL-mideye | 8/7 | 6–9 |
IL | 9/10 | 8–11 |
IL-mideye | 5/7 | 5–8 |
Body tubercles pointed and keeled | Yes | Yes |
PVT | 28 | 25–34 |
LRT | 16 | 16–21 |
VS | 38 | 34–42 |
4FLU | 12/12 | 9–12 |
4FLE | 4/4 | 3–5 |
4FL | 16/16 | 12–16 |
4TLU | 13/13 | 10–13 |
4TLE | 5/6 | 4–6 |
4TL | 18/19 | 15–19 |
Enlarge femoral and precloacal scales continuous | Yes | Yes |
FPS | 33 | 30–39* |
PP | Absent | Absent |
PPS | 4 | 4–5 |
PPT | 2/2 | 2–3 |
Enlarged median subcaudal scales | No | No |
Nuchal loop discontinuous | Yes | Yes & No |
Paravertebral elements not in contact | Yes | Yes |
BB | 6 | 4–7 |
DCB | 11 | 9–12 |
LCB | 11 | 9–12 |
Meristic characters (right/left) and color patterns of the referred specimens of Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. Abbreviations are defined in the text. Key: NA = data unavailable or unapplicable.
Characters | ZMKU R 00933 | ZMKU R 00923 | Min–Max |
---|---|---|---|
Age | Juvenile | Juvenile | N = 2 |
SVL | 40.6 | 31.3 | 31.3–40.6 |
SL | 12/11 | 12/10 | 10–12 |
SL-mideye | 8/7 | 8/7 | 7–8 |
IL | 10/9 | 8/8 | 8–10 |
IL-mideye | 7/6 | 5/6 | 5–7 |
Body tubercles pointed and keeled | Yes | Yes | Yes |
PVT | 22 | 27 | 22–27 |
LRT | 16 | 17 | 16–17 |
VS | 34 | 40 | 34–40 |
4FLU | 11/11 | 10/10 | 10–11 |
4FLE | 4/4 | 4/4 | 4 |
4FL | 15/15 | 14/14 | 14–15 |
4TLU | 12/12 | 11/11 | 11–12 |
4TLE | 6/5 | 6/6 | 5–6 |
4TL | 18/17 | 17/17 | 17–18 |
Enlarge femoral and precloacal scales continuous | Yes | Yes | Yes |
FPS | 33 | 33 | 33 |
PPS | 5 | 5 | 5 |
PPT | 2/3 | 2/2 | 2–3 |
Enlarged median subcaudal scales | NA | No | No |
Nuchal loop discontinuous | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Paravertebral elements not in contact | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BB | 6 | 5 | 5–6 |
DCB | NA | 10 | 10 |
LCB | NA | 11 | 11 |
Internasal scales of ten specimens (ZMKU R 00923–00924, ZMKU R 00926, ZMKU R 00930, ZMKU R 00933, ZMKU R 00935, ZMKU R 00937, ZMKU R 00940–00941, ZMKU R 00944) are single and eight specimens (ZMKU R 00925, ZMKU R 00928–00929, ZMKU R 00932, ZMKU R 00934, ZMKU R 00936, ZMKU R 00938, ZMKU R 00942) are absent. Regenerated tail covered with flat, imbricate, round scales; enlarge median subcaudal scales absent; ground color of regenerated tail varies from beige, yellowish brown, brown to dark-brown bearing brown and dark markings; dark and light caudal bands absent (Fig.
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. is currently known from only three localities in Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand: Tham Phrathat Protection Unit, Erawan Waterfall in Erawan National Park, and Tham Than Lot Noi-Tham Than Lot Yai Nature Trail in Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park (Figs
At Tham Phrathat Protection Unit, the holotype (ZMKU R 00943) was found on 19 November 2021 on the forest floor covered with leaf litter, at a temperature 24.0 °C and relative humidity 90.0%. On the previous day with temperatures between 24.2–24.4 °C and relative humidity between 82.6–83.9%, three specimens (ZMKU R 00937, ZMKU R 00939–00940) were found on the forest floor covered with leaf litter, two specimens (ZMKU R 00934–00935) were found on shrub twigs with ≤ 10 cm above ground level, and three specimens (ZMKU R 00936, ZMKU R 00938 and ZMKU R 00941) were found on the karst boulder outcrops, including one gravid female (ZMKU R 00942) containing two eggs (externally visible). Juveniles and immatures (SVL < 50 mm) were found on the forest floor and on the karst boulder outcrops but not collected. During November of the previous year (2019) at a temperature 25.9 °C and relative humidity of 54.3%, one specimen (ZMKU R 00929) was found on the twig of a shrub approximately 30 cm above ground level, another specimen (ZMKU R 00930) was found on bamboo twig around 100 cm above ground level, and three specimens (ZMKU R 00928, ZMKU R 00931–00932) were found on the forest floor covered with leaf litter, including one juvenile (ZMKU R 00933). Other sympatric lizard species found at this locality included Acanthosaura crucigera Boulenger, 1885, Cnemaspis huaseesom Grismer, Sumontha, Cota, Grismer, Wood, Pauwels & Kunya, 2010, Cyrtodactylus tigroides Bauer, Sumontha & Pauwels, 2003, Dixonius hangseesom Bauer, Sumontha, Grossmann, Pauwels & Vogel, 2004, Dixonius siamensis (Boulenger, 1899), Eutropis macularia (Blyth, 1853), Gehyra mutilata (Wiegmann, 1834), and Subdoluseps bowringii (Günther, 1864).
At Erawan Waterfall, one gravid female (ZMKU R 00927) contained two eggs (externally visible) and was found on the forest floor near the waterfall stream during November 2019. Other sympatric lizard species found at this locality included Draco taeniopterus (Günther, 1861) and Sphenomorphus maculatus (Blyth, 1853).
At Tham Than Lot Noi-Tham Than Lot Yai Nature Trail, one juvenile specimen (ZMKU R 00923) was found on karst boulder outcrops at a temperature 27.1 °C and relative humidity 72.0%, another adult female (ZMKU R 00925) was found on dry twig on the forest floor, and one gravid female (ZMKU R 00926) containing two eggs (externally visible) was found on the forest floor covered with leaf letter at a temperature 31.9 °C and relative humidity 56.9%. Other sympatric lizard species found at this locality included Cyrtodactylus sp., Dixonius siamensis, Draco taeniopterus, and Sphenomorphus maculatus.
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. is differentiated from all seven species of C. oldhami group and two additional species, C. phetchaburiensis and C. surin by having a unique combination of morphological characters, its phylogenetic placement (Fig.
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. lenya Mulcahy, Thura & Zug, 2017 by having 25–34 paravertebral tubercles (vs. 39–41 tubercles); 34–42 ventral scales (vs. 29 scales); enlarged median subcaudal scales absent (vs. present); top of head bearing dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. indistinctly mottled); dorsal body bands composed of paired, paravertebral, dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. broad dark-brown dorsal bands with narrow chocolate brown borders fore and aft, alternating with narrower medium to light-brown interspaces); and two rows of small, diffuse, yellow or yellowish white spots on flanks present (vs. absent).
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. oldhami (Theobald, 1876) by having 16–21 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles (vs. 30 rows); precloacal pores absent in both sexes (vs. present in males); top of head bearing large, dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. uniform brown); and dorsal body bands composed of paired, paravertebral, dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. elongated or rounded spots arranged in four longitudinal lines).
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. payarhtanensis Mulcahy, Thura & Zug, 2017 by being smaller, SVL 53.7–63.3 mm in adult males, 58.6–75.8 mm in adult females (vs. 61–80 mm in adult males, 74–83 mm in adult females); 22–34 paravertebral tubercles (vs. 40–45 tubercles); 34–42 ventral scales (vs. 26–32 scales); 15–19 total subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe (vs. 12 or 13); enlarged median subcaudal scales absent (vs. present); top of head bearing dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. indistinctly mottled, dusky brown marks); dorsal body bands composed of paired, paravertebral, dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. irregularly shaped and edged dark-brown); and two rows of small, diffuse, yellow or yellowish white spots on flanks present (vs. absent).
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. phetchaburiensis Pauwels, Sumontha & Bauer, 2016 which is not in the phylogeny by lacking precloacal pores in both sexes (vs. present in males); enlarged median subcaudal scales absent (vs. present); and dorsal body bands composed of paired, paravertebral, dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. absent).
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. saiyok Panitvong, Sumontha, Tunprasert & Pauwels, 2014 by having 34–42 ventral scales (vs. 23–24 scales); precloacal pores absent in both sexes (vs. present in males); enlarged median subcaudal scales absent (vs. present); and dorsal body bands composed of paired, paravertebral, dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. irregular, medially interrupted or not, black).
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. sanook Pauwels, Sumontha, Latinne & Grismer, 2013 by being smaller, SVL 53.7–63.3 mm in adult males (vs. 72.9–79.5 mm); precloacal pores absent in both sexes (vs. present in males); enlarged median subcaudal scales absent (vs. present); and dorsal body bands composed of paired, paravertebral, dark-brown blotches edged in thin yellow or yellowish white (vs. irregular pale narrow bands).
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. surin Chan-ard & Makchai, 2011 which is not in the phylogeny by having 34–42 ventral scales (vs. 25 ventral scales); enlarged median subcaudal scales absent (vs. present); and precloacal pores absent in both sexes (vs. present in males).
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. thirakhupti Pauwels, Bauer, Sumontha & Chanhome, 2004 by being smaller, SVL 53.7–63.3 mm in adult males (vs. 72.0–79.6 mm in adult males); 16–21 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles (vs. 14 rows); enlarged median subcaudal scales absent (vs. present); and dorsal body bands composed of paired, paravertebral, dark-brown blotches edged in yellow or yellowish white (vs. yellowish bands with very dark brown borders).
Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov. differs from C. zebraicus Taylor, 1962 by having precloacal pores absent in both sexes (vs. present in males; Fig.
The combination of morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence in this study corroborated the hypothesis that the Si Sawat population should be recognized as a distinct species, described here as Cyrtodactylus monilatus sp. nov., and that this new species is a member of the C. oldhami group. Morphologically, the new species superficially resembles C. zebraicus from southern Thailand in body shape and color pattern, but phylogenetically they are not closely related. Moreover, our phylogenetic analyses of the C. oldhami group indicated that populations in Thailand that are currently referred to C. oldhami are not monophyletic and likely represent additional, undescribed species (
Cyrtodactylus phetchaburiensis and C. surin were described from the Isthmus of Kra area (Phetchaburi Province and Surin Island, Phang-nga Provinces, respectively) based only on morphological data (
This work was financially supported by the Office of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; and the Thailand Science Research and Innovation through the Kasetsart University Reinventing University Program 2021. AR and AA were supported by Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI), the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University and Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (Grant No. RGNS 64-038). NA was supported by Srinakharinwirot University Research (Grant No. 596/2564). The study was ethical reviews and approvals by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University (project number ACKU61-SCI-008 and ACKU64-SCI-005) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thailand provided research permission (No. 0907.4/3328 and No. 0907.4/20535). We would like to thank Suchai Horradee (Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park), Porayoot Vaivong and Peerawat Sirothphiphat (Erawan National Park) for facilitating the fieldwork. Sang Nguyen and Han Ngo improved the manuscript.