Two more new species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Shan Hills of eastern Myanmar (Burma) Author Grismer, L. Lee Author Wood, Perry L. Author Zug, George R. Author Thura, Myint Kyaw Author Grismer, Marta S. Author Murdoch, Matthew L. Author Quah, Evan S. H. Author Lin, Aung text Zootaxa 2018 2018-09-21 4483 2 295 316 journal article 29509 10.11646/zootaxa.4483.2.4 4d3eeab0-3ed0-4cac-87d2-836086d988f5 1175-5326 1437713 E406BBAB-13C6-4118-9E79-61E2F5EF8F98 Hemiphyllodactylus ywanganensis sp. nov. Ywangan Slender Gecko ( Figs 4 , 5 ) Holotype . Adult male ( LSUHC 13139 ) collected on 28 March 2017 at 1600 hrs by L. Lee Grismer , Matthew L. Murdoch, and Toby Smith from 2.7 km southwest of Ywangan , Ywangan Township , Taunggyi District , Shan State, Myanmar ( 21.14643°N , 96.42178°E ; 1157 m in elevation). Paratype . Adult female ( LSUHC 13138) bears the same collection data as the holotype . Diagnosis. Hemiphyllodactylus ywanganensis sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of Hemiphyllodactylus by possessing the unique combination of having a maximum SVL of 38.0 mm; 10 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; five circumnasals; two or three intersupranasals (=postrostrals); nine or 10 supralabials; 10 infralabials; 13–15 longitudinally arranged dorsal scales at midbody and seven or eight ventral scales contained within one eye diameter; varied digital formulae ( Tables 5 , 6 , & 7); three subdigital lamellae on the first finger; two or three subdigital lamellae on the first toe; 26 continuous pore-bearing femoroprecloacal scales in the male; no plate-like subcaudal scales; adult females not being yellow; a dark postorbital stripe not extending onto trunk; no pairs of paravertebral light spots on trunk; no dark, diffuse, dorsolateral stripe; dark paravertebral markings on trunk; dorsal body pattern not unicolor; postsacral marking bearing light-colored anteriorly projecting arms; and unpigmented ceacum and gonads. These characters are scored across all species of the eastern Myanmar clade in Tables 5 and 6 and from all other species of Hemiphyllodactylus from southern China and western Thailand (clades 3 and 4 in Grismer et al. [2017b : Table 3 ]). Description of holotype . Adult male; head triangular in dorsal profile, depressed, distinct from neck; lores and interorbital regions flat; rostrum moderate in length (NarEye/HeadL 0.29); prefrontal region flat to weakly concave; canthus rostralis smoothly rounded, barely discernable; snout moderate, rounded in dorsal profile; eye large; ear opening elliptical, small; eye to ear distance greater than diameter of eye; rostral wider than high, bordered posteriorly by small supranasals; two intersupranasals (=postnasals); external nares bordered anteriorly by rostral, dorsally by supranasal, posteriorly by two postnasals, ventrally by first supralabial (=circumnasals); 10 (R,L) rectangular supralabials tapering to below posterior margin of orbit; 10 (R,L) rectangular infralabials tapering to below posterior margin of orbit; scales of rostrum, lores, top of head, and occiput small, granular, those of rostrum largest and slightly raised; dorsal superciliaries flat, mostly square, subimbricate, largest anteriorly; mental triangular, bordered laterally by first infralabials and posteriorly by two large postmentals; each postmental bordered laterally by a single slightly enlarged sublabial; 10 chin scales; gular scales small, subimbricate, grading posteriorly into slightly larger, subimbricate throat and even larger pectoral scales which grade into slightly larger, subimbricate ventrals. TABLE 5. Descriptive and diagnostic characters among species of the eastern Myanmar clade.
montawaensis tonywhitteni linnwayensis uga sp. nov. ywanganensis sp. nov.
chin scales 4–7 5–8 4–6 8–10 10
circumnasal scales 4–6 3–5 5 5 5
intersupranasals 1–4 2–4 2 2 or 3 2 or 3
supralabial scales 8–10 8 or 9 9 or 10 9 or 10 9 or 10
infralabial scales 8 or 9 8 8 8–10 10
dorsal scales 13 or 14 13–16 13 or 14 13–15 13–15
ventral scales 7 or 8 7–9 8 6–8 7 or 8
variation in lamellar formula on hand 3-4-4-3 3-3-3-3 4-4-4-4 4-5-5-5 4-4-5-4 4-4-4-4 3-3-3-3 2-3-3-3 3-2-3-3 3-3-3-3 3-3-4-3
variation in lamellar formula on foot 3-4-4-4 3-5-5-5 4-4-4-4 4-4-4-4 4-5-5-4 4-5-5-5 3-4-4-4 4-5-5-4 4-5-4-4 3-3-3-3 3-3-3-3
subdigital lamellae on first finger 3 or 4 3 3 or 4 2 or 3 3
subdigital lamellae on first toe 3 or 4 3 or 4 4 or 5 2 or 3 2 or 3
femoral pores present yes yes / yes yes
precloacal and femoral pore series continuous yes yes / yes yes
femoroprecloacal pores 19–21 20–26 / 18–22 26
cloacal spurs on each side 1 1 1 1 1
adult females yellow yes no no no no
dark postorbital stripe yes variable yes yes yes
pairs of light-colored paravertebral spots on trunk no yes yes variable no
dark dorsolateral stripe on trunk no no no no no
dark reticulate or zig-zag pattern on dorsum yes no no variable no
dark paravertebral markings on trunk no no no no yes
postsacral marking bearing light-colored anteriorly projecting arms variable yes no no yes
maximum SVL (mm) 40.1 38.8 41.5 39.0 38.0
Trunk/SVL 0.48–0.42 0.43–0.52 0.48–0.49 0.44–0.52 0.49–0.50
HeadL/SVL 0.23–0.26 0.24–0.27 0.23–0.25 0.23–0.24 0.24–0.26
HeadW/SVL 0.16–0.17 0.17–0.19 0.17 0.15–0.18 0.16–0.18
SnEye/HeadL 0.41–0.44 0.41–0.50 0.40–0.42 0.41–0.43 0.41–0.42
NarEye/HeadL 0.29–0.34 0.29–0.34 0.30–0.31 0.30–0.33 0.29–0.32
EyeD/HeadL 0.22–0.24 0.21–0.23 0.22–0.25 0.23–0.26 0.24
SnW/HeadL 0.13–0.15 0.13–0.14 0.14 0.13–0.16 0.11–0.15
TABLE 6. Data for the type series of Hemiphyllodactylus ywanganenis sp. nov . and H. uga sp. nov . / = data unavailable.
Hemiphyllodactylus ywanganenis sp. nov Hemiphyllodactylus uga sp. nov
LSUHC LSUHC USNM USNM USNM USNM
13139 13138 570732 570734 570733 570735
holotype paratype paratype paratype holotype paratype
Sex m f m f m f
chin scales 10 10 11 10 8 8
postmentals distinctly enlarged yes yes yes yes yes yes
circumnasal scales 5 5 5 5 5 5
intersupranasals 2 3 3 2 2 2
supralabial scales 10 9 10 9 9 10
infralabial scales 10 10 10 8 8 10
dorsal scales 15 13 14 13 15 14
ventral scales 7 8 8 8 7 6
lamellar formula on hand 3343 3333 3333 3333 3333 3333
lamellar formula on foot 3333 3333 3333 3333 3333 3333
subdigital lamellae on first finger 3 3 3 2 2 2
subdigital lamellae on first toe 2 3 3 2 2 2
precloacal and femoral pore series continuous yes / yes / yes /
femoroprecloacal pores 26 / 22 / 18 /
cloacal spurs on each side 1 0 1 0 1 0
subcaudals enlarged, plate-like / no / no no no
dark postorbital stripe yes yes yes no yes yes
adult females yellow no no / / / /
pairs of paravertebral light spots on trunk no no no yes yes yes
dark dorsolateral stripe on trunk no no no no no no
dark ventrolateral stripe on trunk no no yes no no no
dorsal pattern unicolor no no no no no no
dark dorsal transverse blotches/bands no no no no no no
dark reticulate pattern on dorsum no no no no no no
dark transverse zig-zag pattern on dorsum no no yes no yes faint
dark paravertebral markings on trunk yes yes faint faint yes faint
postsacral marking bearing light-colored anteriorly projecting arms yes yes no no no no
caecum pigmented no no no no no no
gonads pigmented no no no no no no
SVL 35.3 38.0 36.6 39.0 35.5 34.9
trunk 16.9 19.1 16.3 19.4 16.2 18.3
HeadL 9.3 9.2 9.5 8.7 8.9 8.4
HeadW 6.3 6.2 6.4 6.0 6.4 5.8
SnEye 3.8 3.9 3.8 3.6 3.8 3.6
NarEye 2.7 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.9 2.5
EyeD 2.2 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.2
SnW 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.1
......continued on the next page TABLE 6. (Continued)
Hemiphyllodactylus ywanganenis sp. nov Hemiphyllodactylus uga sp. nov
LSUHC LSUHC USNM USNM USNM USNM
13139 13138 570732 570734 570733 570735
holotype paratype paratype paratype holotype paratype
Trunk/SVL 0.49 0.50 0.50 0.44 0.46 0.52
HeadL/SVL 0.26 0.24 0.24 0.24 0.23 0.24
HeadW/SVL 0.18 0.16 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.17
SnEye/HeadL 0.41 0.42 0.41 0.41 0.43 0.43
NarEye/HeadL 0.29 0.32 0.33 0.32 0.33 0.30
EyeD/HeadL 0.24 0.24 0.25 0.26 0.23 0.26
SW/HL 0.11 0.15 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.13
Body somewhat elongate (Trunk/SVL 0.48), dorsoventrally compressed; ventrolateral folds absent; dorsal scales small, granular, 15 dorsal scales at midbody contained within one eye diameter; ventral scales flat, subimbricate much larger than dorsal scales, seven ventral scales contained within one eye diameter; precloacal scales slightly larger than abdominal scales; pore-bearing precloacal scales continuous with pore-bearing femoral scales, totaling 26 femoroprecloacal pore-bearing scales; single enlarged tubercle on anterior margin of hemipenial swelling; forelimbs short, robust in stature, covered with flat, subimbricate scales dorsally and ventrally; palmar scales flat, subimbricate; all digits except digit I well-developed; digit I vestigial, clawless; distal subdigital lamellae of digits II–V undivided, angular and U-shaped, lamellae proximal to these transversely expanded; lamellar formula of digits II–V 3-3 -4-3 (R,L); three transversely expanded lamellae on digit I; claws on digits II–V well developed, unsheathed; distal portions of digits strongly curved, terminal joint free, arising from central portion of lamellar pad; hind limbs short, more robust than forelimbs, covered with flat, juxtaposed scales dorsally and by larger, flat subimbricate scales ventrally; plantar scales low, flat, subimbricate; all digits except digit I welldeveloped; digit I vestigial, clawless; distal subdigital lamellae of digits II–V undivided, angular and U-shaped, lamellae proximal to these transversely expanded; lamellar formula of digits II–V 3-3 -3-3 (R,L); two transversely expanded lamellae on digit I; claws on digits II–V well developed, unsheathed; distal portions of digits strongly curved, terminal joint free, arising from central portion of lamellar pad; dorsal and subcaudal scales of regenerated tail small, subcycloid, subimbricate, subcaudals slightly larger than dorsals, not plate-like. Morphometric data are presented in Table 6 . Coloration in life ( Fig. 4 ). All Hemiphyllodactylus are capable of considerable change in the intensity and boldness of their coloration and pattern. The description below is of that at the time the specimens were photographed the next morning approximately 12 hours after the time of collection. Ground color of top of head, body, limbs, and tail densely mottled in dark-gray; top of head overlain with small white, diffuse specking; broad, dark, diffuse postorbital stripe extends to neck; pairs of indistinct, dark, paravertebral markings extend from forelimb insertions to base of tail transforming into a distinct post-sacral marking; postsacral marking bears faint, light-colored, anteriorly projecting arms; dorsum and flanks faintly mottled with light-colored speckling lacking distinct pairs of paravertebral light spots; limbs bearing irregularly shaped dark markings; regenerated tail generally gray, patternless; gular region generally immaculate, except for darker lateral areas and faint stippling in scales; and pigmentation density increases posteriorly with the abdomen being generally gray. Variation ( Figs. 4 , 5 ). The color pattern of the paratype (LSUHC 13138) generally matches that of the holotype . LSUHC 13138 is slightly darker overall and has an original tail bearing 10 indistinct, wide, dark bands countershaded posteriorly with more narrow, cream-colored bands. Slightly enlarged, dull-orange colored ventrolateral caudal scales occur at the base of each cream-colored band. The dorsal caudal scales of original tail are subimbricate, larger than the dorsal body scales, and grad laterally into larger, slightly flared scales along the side of the tail bearing elevated posterior margins. The subcaudal scales are larger than the dorsal caudals, flat, imbricate, and not plate-like. Differences in scales counts are presented in Table 6 .
FIGURE 4. A. Adult female paratype (LSUHC 13138) of Hemiphyllodactyus ywanganensis sp. nov. from 2.7 km southwest of Ywangan, Ywangan Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar (Photo by L. L. Grismer). B and C: Adult male holotype (USNM 570733) and adult female paratype (USNM 570734) of H. uga sp. nov. , respectively, from the Pyin Oo Lwin, Kandawgyi National Gardens, Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, Myanmar (Photos by G. R. Zug). D. Adult female (LSUDPC 10666) of H. montawaensis from the new locality of Ruby Cave, 5.1 km northeast of the type locality of Montawa Cave, 3.7 km southwest of Taunggyi, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar (Photo by L. L. Grismer). FIGURE 5. Upper row: Type series of Hemiphyllodactyus ywanganensis sp. nov. from 2.7 km southwest of Ywangan, Ywangan Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar. Lower row: Type series of H. uga sp. nov. from the Pyin Oo Lwin, Kandawgyi National Gardens, Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, Myanmar. Photos by L. L. Grismer. Distribution. Hemiphyllodactylus ywanganensis sp. nov. is known only from the type locality of 2.7 km southwest of Ywangan, Ywangan Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar ( Fig. 1 ). Natural History. The area surrounding the collection site at the type locality is a generally flat, open and disturbed landscape with low, short, vegetated karstic ridges and small, isolated, scattered karst outcrops ( Fig. 6 ). The holotype was found 1 m above the ground on the trunk of a small tree and the paratype—a gravid female carrying two eggs—was found approximately 10 m away 1 m above the ground on a karst boulder. The fact that the female was gravid indicates that March falls within the reproductive season of this species. TABLE 7. Summary statistics of meristic characters among the species of the eastern Myanmar clade.
montawaensis tonywhitteni linnwayensis uga sp. nov. ywanganensis sp. nov.
chin scales (CS)
range 4–7 5–8 4–6 8–11 10
mean (±sd) 6.3 (±1.50) 6.6 (±1.14) 5.0 (±1.00) 9.3 (±1.5) 10.0 (±0.00)
N 4 5 2 4 2
postmentals distinctly enlarged yes yes yes yes yes
circumnasal scales (CN)
range 4–6 3–5 5 5 5
mean (±sd) 5.0(±0.82) 4.6(±0.89) 5.0(±0.00) 5.0(±0.00) 5.0 (±0.00)
N 4 5 2 4 2
intersupranasals (IS)
range 1–4 2–4 2 2 or 3 2 or 3
mean (±sd) 1.5 (±0.58) 2.8 (±0.84) 2.0 (±0.00) 2.3 (±0.58) 2.5(±0.71)
N 4 5 2 4 2
supralabial scales (SL)
range 8–10 8 or 9 9 or 10 9 or 10 9 or 10
mean (±sd) 8.5 (±1.00) 8.6 (±0.55) 9.5 (±0.71) 9.5 (±0.58) 9.5(±0.71)
N 4 5 2 4 2
infralabial scales (IL)
range 8 or 9 8 8 8–10 10
mean (±sd) 8.25 (±0.50) 8.0 (±0.00) 8.0 (±0.00) 9.0 (±1.15) 10.0 (±0.00)
N 4 5 2 4 2
dorsal scales (DS)
range 13 or 14 13–16 13 or 14 13–15 13–15
mean (±sd) 13.3 (±0.50) 14.8 (±1.30) 13.5 (±0.71) 14.0 (±0.82) 14.0(±1.41)
N 4 5 2 4 2
ventral scales (VS)
range 7 or 8 7–9 8 6–8 7 or 8
mean (±sd) 7.3 (0.50) 8.0 (±0.71) 8.0 (±0.00) 7.3 (±0.96) 7.5(±0.71)
N 4 5 4 4 2
first finger lamellae (FL1)
range 3 or 4 3 3 or 4 2 or 3 3
mean (±sd) 3.8 (±0.50) 3.0 (±0.00) 3.5 (±0.71) 2.3 (±0.50) 3.0 (±0.00)
N 4 5 2 4 2
first toe lamellae (TL1)
range 3 or 4 3 or 4 4 or 5 2 or 3 2 or 3
mean (±sd) 3.3 (±0.50) 3.6 (±0.55) 4.5 (±0.71) 2.3 (±0.50) 2.3 (±0.71)
N 4 5 2 4 4
femoroprecloacal pores (FP)
range 19–21 20–26 / 18–22 26
mean (±sd) 21.0 (±0.50) 22.0 (±2.83) / 20.0 (±2.83) 26.0(±0.0)
N 2 4 / 2 1
Etymology. The specific epithet, ywanganensis , is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality being near the town of Ywangan, Shan State. Comparisons. The molecular analyses indicate that Hemiphyllodactylus ywanganensis sp. nov. is embedded within eastern Myanmar clade and forms a monophyletic group with H. linnwayensis and H. uga sp. nov. Although not statistically significant due to small sample sizes, it is separated from H. uga sp. nov. by having 26 (n = 1) as opposed to 18–22 (n = 2) femoroprecloacal pores in males. Additional samples of each will bear out the significance or further insignificance of this difference. It does differ from H. uga sp. nov. in having, as opposed to lacking dark, paravertebral markings on the dorsum and light-colored, anteriorly projecting arms of the postsacral marking and lacking, as opposed to variably having, pairs of paravertebral light spots on trunk. From H. linnwayensis , H. ywanganensis sp. nov. it differs further in lacking distinct pairs of light-colored paravertebral spots on the dorsum and having a significantly higher mean number of chin scales (10.0 vs 5.0, p = 0.003; Table 7 ). Similarly, it differs from H. tonywhitteni and H. montawaensis in having a significantly higher mean number of chin scales (10.0 vs 6.6, p = 0.04 and 10.0 vs 6.3, p = 0.03, respectively) and from H. montawaensis it differs even further in having more femoroprecloacal pores in males (26, n = 1 vs 19–21, n = 2) and a non-reticulated dorsal pattern.