Ophiops
Gymnops
Microlepis Blanford, 1870: 351–354
Two new species of the Ophisops microlepis (Squamata: Lacertidae) complex from northwestern India with a key to Indian Ophisops
Agarwal, Ishan
Khandekar, Akshay
Ramakrishnan, Uma
Vyas, Raju
Giri, Varad B.
Journal of Natural History
2018
2018-03-06
52
13 - 16
819
847
(Blanford 1870)
Blanford
1870
[438,877,399,425]
Reptilia
Lacertidae
Ophisops
Animalia
Squamata
9
827
Chordata
species
microlepis
Figures 3–7
Ophiops[ Gymnops] Microlepis Blanford, 1870: 351–354, Plate XV.
Holotype.ZSI 2236, ‘ Korba in Bilaspur, the eastern part of Chhatisgarhdivision, Central Province’(in Chhattisgarh, central India) ( Figure 3). Additional material. NCBS AU739–740, adult males, near Chuhiya, Korba District, Chhattisgarh, India[ 22.48307°N, 82.68985°E; elevation 300 mabove sea level, (asl)], collected 4 May 2015; NCBS AU741–742, adult males, NCBS AU743, adult female, near Ksheersagar( 23.40423°N, 81.44724°E; 400 masl), 6 May 2015and NCBS AU744– 745 adultfemales, NCBS AU746– 748 adultmales, near Tikri( 24.16784°N, 81.89611°E; 325 masl), 7 May 2015; latter two localities in Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh, India; collected by A . Khandekar, T. Khichi and I. Agarwal.
Diagnosis. Ophisops microlepiscan be distinguished from members of the smallbodied clade of Ophisopsby its larger body size (SVL up to 61.5 mmversus SVL < 45 mmin O. beddomei, O. jerdoniiand O. nictans), the higher number of scales in a transverse row around midbody (RBS 56–61 versus < 35 in O. beddomei, O. jerdoniiand O. nictans) and the higher number of dorsal scales in a longitudinal series (DS> 120 versus < 52 in O. beddomei, O. jerdoniiand O. nictans). Ophisops microlepiscan be distinguished from the other large-bodied Indian congener, O. leschenaultiby the larger body size of the former (SVL up to 61.5 mmversus SVL ≤ 50 mm), higher number of scales around midbody (56–61 versus 42–50) and the lower eyelid fused with the upper eyelid (versus lower eyelid distinct from upper in O. leschenaulti). Ophisops microlepisis most closely related to the two new species described herein, and diagnoses against the new species are provided after their descriptions. Figure 5.Ventral view of (a) Ophisops microlepis, NCBS AU747; (b) holotype of Ophisops pushkarensis sp. nov., BNHS 2031; (c) holotype of Ophisops kutchensis sp. nov., NCBS AU760. Scale bar 10 mm. Figure 6.Dorsal, ventral and right lateral views of head of (a) Ophisops microlepis, NCBS AU747; (b) holotype of Ophisops pushkarensis sp. nov., BNHS 2031; (c) holotype of Ophisops kutchensis sp. nov., NCBS AU760. Scale bar 10 mm. Figure 7.Members of the Ophisops microlepiscomplex in life: (a) Ophisops microlepis, NCBS AU739; (b) Ophisops pushkarensis sp. nov., holotype BNHS 2031; (c) Ophisops kutchensis sp. nov., paratype BNHS 2024. Colouration in life (based on additional material examined, Figure 7).Dorsal ground colour dark khaki; two prominent lighter lateral stripes, a dorsolateral stripe extending from behind the eye (indistinct in temporal region) onto the tail, and a ventrolateral stripe that runs from the labials, above the forearm insertion and terminating at the groin. Dorsolateral and ventrolateral stripe buff anteriorly, the former with more rufous near hind limb insertions and on the tail; ventrolateral stripe lightly to heavily speckled between the limbs. Interspaces between stripes heavily mottled with darker and lighter markings, anterodorsal margin of dorsolateral stripe with mainly darker mottling extending up to ~2× width of the dorsolateral line, markings on each side well separated from one another in the vertebral region. Flanks, below ventrolateral stripe, with marbled lighter and darker markings, some enlarged belly scales that extend onto flanks with yellow-green markings. Limbs with scattered, irregular lighter and darker markings, largest and most prominent on femur where lighter spots are enclosed by darker reticulation. Head similar to dorsum in colouration, labials with dark blotches, temporal region with dark markings, iris bronze. Venter immaculate white. Dorsolateral stripes meet on the tail, flanked by narrow darker markings that fade to white on the tail venter. Colouration in preservative ( Figures 3–5).Similar to life colouration, except colours relatively faded and shades of yellow completely lost.
Distribution and natural history.This species was observed by us in flat and mildly undulating sandy habitats along the banks of large rivers with large tussocks of grass and other low vegetation ( Figure 8). We only collected this species from three localities on a single fieldtrip in May 2015. These localities are at elevations of 300–400 masl on the northeastern edge of the Satpuda and Vindhya Ranges, and are the only confirmed localities for O. microlepis sensu stricto.
India
Central Province'
Korba in Bilaspur
Chhatisgarh
9
827
1
Chhattisgarh
holotype
2015-05-04
2015-05-07
2015-05-04
India
Shahdol District
300
24.16784
Chuhiya
1
81.89611
Tikri
9
827
1493
1493
Chhattisgarh
T
Khandekar
India
9
827
1
Chhattisgarh