An integrative taxonomic revision of the Trimeresurus popeiorum group of pitvipers (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae) with descriptions of two new species from the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot

Vertebrate Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 74, P. 303 - 342

Published: April 4, 2024

Abstract Despite recent progress in our understanding of diversity within the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804, subgenus Popeia Malhotra & Thorpe, 2004, distributed across most parts East and Southeast Asia, remains taxonomically challenging. We applied an integrative taxonomic approach including analyses morphological data four mitochondrial genes (12S 16S rRNA, cytochrome b , NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4), along with examination available type material, to address longstanding questions one clade T. popeiorum group, reveal a high level hidden these snakes Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. confirm that Smith, 1937 sensu stricto is restricted Northeast India, eastern Nepal, southern Bhutan, southeastern Bangladesh, western Yunnan Province (China), northern southwestern Myanmar. further recently described species yingjiangensis Chen et al., 2019 junior synonym . In addition, we discovered combination Trimesurus [sic] elegans Gray, 1853 valid senior threatens stability latter taxon. Therefore, order protect nomen accordance Article 23.9 International Code Zoological Nomenclature, regard taxon as oblitum render protectum. Examination larger series specimens allows us describe two new cryptic from Region. This study brings total number six also suggests subspecific taxonomy sabahi complex requires investigation. urge adequate actions regarding conservation newly recommend studies on their toxicology.

Language: Английский

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Another new species of karst-associated pitviper (Serpentes, Viperidae: Trimeresurus) from the Isthmus of Kra, Peninsular Thailand

European Journal of Taxonomy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 930

Published: March 27, 2024

We describe a new species of karst-dwelling pitviper from Chumphon Province Peninsular Thailand, in the Isthmus Kra, based on morphological and molecular data (2427 bp cyt b, ND4 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes). Morphologically, Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. is distinguished other congeners by following combination characters: dark/bottle-green dorsum with reddish-brown or purple crossbands; pale green venter lacking dark dots; stripes present lateral sides ventrals; internasals generally contact; one large supraocular scale each side head; iris copper; tail brown purplish-brown crossbars; dorsal scales 21–21–15 rows; ventral 167 single male, 169–171 females; subcaudal 62 52–54 females, all paired. White vertebral spots males, located approximately every two four scales; forming discontinuous pattern 1–3 males postocular stripe jagged edges. The differs morphologically similar venustus s. str. notable divergence cytochrome b gene sequences (p = 5.9%).

Language: Английский

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Bewildering biogeography: Waves of dispersal and diversification across southern Wallacea by bent-toed geckos (genus: Cyrtodactylus)

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 186, P. 107853 - 107853

Published: June 15, 2023

Bent-toed Geckos, genus Cyrtodactylus, are one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate groups, and their range extends from South Asia into Australo-Papua adjacent Pacific islands. Given generally high faunal endemism on Wallacean islands, it is rather paradoxical that diversity in these geckos appears to be so low (21 species Wallacea, 15 Philippines) compared with continental shelf assemblages (>300 Sunda + Sahul Shelves islands). To determine whether this shortfall was real or an artifact historical undersampling, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequences hundreds southern samples (Lesser Sundas Maluku). After screening guide sample selection for target capture data collection, obtained a 1150-locus genomic dataset (1,476,505 bp) 119 closely related lineages. The results suggest Cyrtodactylus Wallacea vastly underestimated, phylogenomic clustering analyses suggesting as many 25 candidate species, contrast 8 currently described. Gene exchange between absent minimal across archipelago only case >0.5 migrants per generation. Biogeographical analysis suggests hitherto unrecognized result at least three independent dispersals Sulawesi its offshore islands 6–14 Ma, invasion producing small-bodied other two larger-bodied geckos. smaller-bodied laevigatus group able coexist members either clade, but have yet find clades occurring sympatry, ecological partitioning competitive exclusion may shaping individual island assemblages.

Language: Английский

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A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Thai-Malay Peninsula and the independent evolution of cave ecomorphology on opposite sides of the Gulf of Thailand

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5352(1), P. 109 - 136

Published: Oct. 1, 2023

An integrative taxonomic analysis recovers a distinctive new species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from Satun Province in extreme southern Thailand as sister to intermedius group Indochina, approximately 600 km northeast across Gulf Thailand. Based on 1449 base pairs mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and its flanking tRNAs, species, C. disjunctus sp. nov., bears pairwise sequence divergence mean divergences ranging 17.9–23.6%. Three different principal component analyses (PCA) multiple factor (MFA) recover nov. highly karst cave-adapted based morphology color pattern. Its relationship group—to which it is added here—further underscores growing body that have recovered trans-Gulf connection submerged Sunda Shelf between Thai-Malay Peninsula Indochina. Fragmented karstic archipelagos stretching Indochina served foci for independent evolution nearly 25% Cyrtodactylus. The description continues highlight fact habitats support an ever-increasing number threatened site-specific endemics compose much reptile diversity many Asian nations but, yet, most these landscapes no legal protection.

Language: Английский

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Ecomorphology of the Locomotor Apparatus in the Genus Cyrtodactylus (Gekkota, Squamata)

Evolutionary Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(1), P. 106 - 123

Published: Jan. 13, 2024

Abstract Adaptive radiations garner considerable interest from evolutionary biologists. Lizard diversifying along structural niche space often exhibit distinct changes in body and limb proportions. One prediction is that terrestrial species inhabiting open habitats will have relatively longer hindlimbs, associated with faster running speeds, while scansorial shorter limbs to keep the centre of mass closer substratum. Alternatively, densely vegetated could benefit prevent entanglement more frequently encountered obstacles, whereas promoting greater spans static stability. Cyrtodactylus , an ecologically diverse gekkonid genus, includes numerous specialists narrow niches, but degree morphological diversification exhibited by these largely unknown. We investigated associations between locomotor morphology microhabitat use test if either opposing predictions can be corroborated for this radiation. measured length relative dimensions 87 species, covering multiple independent transitions among preferences. Using data, we reconstructed phylomorphospace tested morphology. found strong separation groups accordance second hypothesis, although overlap evident functionally related niches such as those granite karst specialists.

Language: Английский

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Description of six new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northeastern India

Vertebrate Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 74, P. 453 - 486

Published: July 29, 2024

Abstract We describe six new species of Cyrtodactylus from the khasiensis group using morphological characteristics, supported by molecular analyses based on mitochondrial ND2 gene. used four different delimitation that recovered distinct undescribed lineages distributed across states in northeastern India. Our phylogenetic ML and Bayesian approaches a clade where recently described C. arunachalensis cayuensis align together with our other samples Arunachal Pradesh, north Brahmaputra River. Based these results overlapping characteristics we synonymize . provide updated comparative characters for available are tabulated males females separately. Including now contains 35 species, which 26 endemic to

Language: Английский

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A new species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from the uplands of western Thailand

ZooKeys, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 1141, P. 93 - 118

Published: Jan. 19, 2023

An integrative systematic analysis recovered a new species of the Cyrtodactylusbrevipalmatus group from uplands Thong Pha Phum National Park, Kanchanaburi Province in western Thailand. Cyrtodactylusthongphaphumensissp. nov. is deeply embedded within brevipalmatus group, bearing an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence 7.6-22.3% all other based on 1,386 base pair segment mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2) and adjacent tRNAs. It diagnosable by statistically significant mean differences meristic normalized morphometric characters as well categorical morphology. A multiple factor its unique non-overlapping placement morphospace significantly different that group. The description this contributes to growing body literature underscoring high degree herpetological diversity endemism across sky-island archipelagos upland montane tropical forest habitats Thailand, which like landscapes, are becoming some most imperiled ecosystems planet.

Language: Английский

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A new species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Phuket Island, Thailand with a discussion of the group’s potential biogeography

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5437(2), P. 193 - 222

Published: April 11, 2024

Model based integrative analyses supports the recognition of a new species Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group from Phuket Island, Thailand. thalang sp. nov. is most closely related to sister C. Thai-Malay Peninsula and cf. Langkawi Kedah State, Peninsular Malaysia. Based on mitochondrial gene ND2, bears an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence 14.7% 15.1% brevipalmatus, respectively, significantly different (p<0.05) mean values meristic morphometric characters, discrete categorical morphological differences. A multiple factor analysis morphospatially statistically placed well outside all other group. The BAYAREALIKE model BioGeoBEARS indicated origin was in western Indochina with subsequent south north speciation along Tenasserim Mountains followed by west east invasion northern Thailand, Laos, northwestern Vietnam northeast Chao Phraya Basin Khorat Plateau.

Language: Английский

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Establishing species boundaries in Bornean geckos

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Species delimitation using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) remains an important and accessible approach for discovering delimiting species. However, species with a single locus (e.g. barcoding) is biased towards overestimating diversity. The highly diverse gecko genus Cyrtodactylus one such group where mtDNA the paradigm. In this study, we use genomic data to test putative boundaries established within three recognized of on island Borneo. We predict that multi-locus will estimate fewer than mtDNA, which could have ramifications diversity genus. aim (i) investigate correspondence between delimitations data, (ii) infer trees each target species, (iii) quantify gene flow identify migration patterns assess population connectivity. find overestimated differ nuclear data. This underscores value reassess mtDNA-based taxa lacking clear boundaries. expect number continue increasing, but, when possible, should be included inform more accurate

Language: Английский

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

ZooKeys, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 1097, P. 135 - 152

Published: April 26, 2022

Cyrtodactylus is the most diverse genus of family Gekkonidae and world's third largest vertebrate genus. The number species has increased more than fourfold over last two decades. Indochina, especially Vietnam Laos, witnessed a surge in new discoveries three reported from Laos remarkably five 1997 to 71 2021. However, within genus, several taxonomic issues have not yet been fully resolved. Based on recently collected samples Vietnam, we conducted comprehensive molecular review occurring Vietnam. Our analysis with support morphological comparisons showed that C.thuongae junior synonym C.dati C.rufford C.lomyenensis. In total, 68 described distributed are undisputed strong both evidence. On other hand, analyses revealed there at least seven undescribed one C.angularis group, C.chauquangensis, C.irregularis group. This will likely increase significantly, as previous work suggested groups harbor six unnamed lineages, respectively. survey gaps identified our study, it clear additional be discovered poorly studied regions central northern southern Laos. As many facing high extinction risks, populations might already severely threatened by human activities countries. Therefore, urgent research needed before conservation assessments newly taxa can undertaken protect them anthropogenic threats.

Language: Английский

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