What is Sphenomorphus maculatus (Blyth, 1854 “ 1853 ”) (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae)? Validating cryptic diversity and the designation of a neotype Author Borah, Pranoy Kishore School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, An OCC of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Khordha, Jatni, Odisha, India 752050. Author Grismer, L. Lee La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, California 92505, USA. & Department of Herpetology, San Diego Natural History Museum, PO Box 121390, San Diego, California 92112, USA. & Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Author Das, Abhijit Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. PIN 248001. Author Purkayastha, Jayaditya Help Earth, 16, RNC Path, Lachitnagar, Guwahati, Assam, India, PIN 781007. Author Deuti, Kaushik Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Prani Vigyan Bhawan, M-Block, New Alipore Kolkata, West Bengal, India. PIN 700053. Author Lalremsanga, Hmar Tlawmte Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India. PIN 796004. Author Datta-Roy, Aniruddha School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, An OCC of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Khordha, Jatni, Odisha, India 752050. text Zootaxa 2024 2024-12-05 5543 4 579 590 https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.4.5 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.5543.4.5 1175-5326 14386884 E7291590-59FC-4706-9DC0-4F2FC0237955 Sphenomorphus maculatus ( Blyth, 1854 “1853”) Lissonota maculata Blyth 1854 “1853”: 653 Hinulia maculata Theobald 1868: 25 Lygosoma maculatum Boulenger 1887: 242 Sphenomorphus maculatus Pope 1935: 483 Sphenomorphus maculatus maculatus Yamasaki et al. 2001: 29 Neotype (designated herein). Adult female . ZSI-28718 , SVL 57.0 mm, from Nilachal Hills , Kamakhya temple complex, Guwahati , Assam , India ( 26º1’0’7.53” N , 91º42’17.03” E ). Collected by Sanath C. Bohra. Description of the Neotype . Adult female, 57.0 mm SVL, pointed head; head length (HL) 9.4 mm ; head width (HW) 7.5 (HL 16.50% of SVL, HL 31.01% of axilla to groin distance, HW 79.36% of HL, HW 13.15% of SVL). Midbody scale rows 39. Number of para-vertebrals 82. Number of ventrals 80. Head distinct from neck. Rostral scale concave in dorsal view. Prefrontals widely separated, contacting first supraocular and supraciliary. Seven supralabials on each side, 4 th –6 th beneath eyes [ Figure 3 (b) & (c)]. Eight infralabials on each side. Eight infralabials on either side. Eight and nine supraciliaries on left and right side respectively, first largest [ 1–9 in Figure 3 (b); 1–8 in Figure 3 (c)]. Nuchal scales absent. Five supraocular scales on each side, first largest. Snout length 4.4 mm ; eye to nostril distance 2.8 mm ; nostril to snout tip distance 1.2 mm ; and eye diameter 1.4 mm . Tympanum moderately large, anteroposteriorly compressed, oval, and diameter 1.4 mm . Eye to tympanum distance 3.6 mm ; inter-narial distance 2.6 mm ; and inter-orbital distance 5.8 mm . Brachium length 5.9 mm ; antebrachium length 6.2 mm ; and palm length 5.6 mm . Fourth finger with 10 unicarinate lamellae [ Figure 3 (d)]; fourth finger length 3.7 mm ; and axilla groin distance 30.5 mm . Finger lamellae on I, II, III, and V fingers are respectively 6, 9, 10, and 7. Thigh length 9.0 mm; shank length 8.9 mm ; and foot length 9.7 mm . Fourth toe with 15 unicarinate lamellae [ Figure 3 (e)], and fourth toe length 6.8 mm . Toe lamellae on I, II, II, and V toes are respectively 8, 11, 11, and 8. Paired median cloacal shields present, enlarged, overlapping lateral pairs. Limbs robust and well-developed; tail extremely slender. (see Figure 3 ). For comparison of morphometric and meristic data of the neotype with the other specimens, see supplementary material S5 Colour in life. Dorsum: Bronze to brownish-pink. Lateral features are darker, with a blackish patch extending from the naris to the tail tip, with light spots on the patch. Two rows of dark spots on the dorsum. Limbs variegated with dark markings on dorsal surfaces. FIGURE 4. Map showing the collection localities of the Sphenomorphus maculatus specimens for this study. Colour in preservative. In 70% alcohol, the bronze/brownish colour turns to a darker shade of brown/black after fixation in formalin, and the colouration changes further while keeping them in ethanol. The spots or speckles become indistinct.