Sitana thondalu, Deepak & Khandekar & Chaitanya & Karanth, 2018

Deepak, V., Khandekar, Akshay, Chaitanya, R. & Karanth, Praveen, 2018, Descriptions of two new endemic and cryptic species of Sitana Cuvier, 1829 from peninsular India, Zootaxa 4434 (2), pp. 327-365 : 343-351

Sitana thondalu sp. nov.

Fig. 13–14 & 16 ; Table 3 & 4; Appendix 9 & 10

Holotype. BNHS 2492 , adult male ( Fig.13 , 14a ) from East Bank of Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India (16.55557°N, 79.30134°E), 200 m asl, collected on 0 8.08.2015 by V. Deepak, Praveen Karanth, Aniruddha Datta-Roy, Rama Harvey and Aparna Lajmi .

Paratypes. CES 141175 adult male (Appendix 9b) and CES 141178 adult female (Appendix 9a) collected on 0 8.08.2015 by V. Deepak, Praveen Karanth, Aniruddha Datta-Roy, Rama Harvey and Aparna Lajmi both same collection data as holotype.

Diagnosis. A large sized Sitana with a maximum SVL of 56.3 mm, distinguished from its congeners by the combination of characters: 1) dewlap feebly serrated without bright orange patches (vs well serrated in S. ponticeriana , S. visiri , S. marudhamneydhal , S. devakai with bright orange patches in breeding males), 2) dewlap extending beyond forearm insertion (vs not extending in S. sivalensis and S. fusca ), 3) four prominent enlarged non spine like scales bordering occipital region (vs enlarged spine like scales in S. spinaecephalus ); 4) relatively higher head HH/HL: mean 0.53 +/- 0.05 SD and HH/HW: mean 0.79 +/-0.06 (vs relatively depressed head HH/HL: mean 0.50 +/- 0.02 SD and HH/HW: mean 0.73 +/- 0.03 SD in S. gokakensis sp. nov.) ( Fig. 15 ). Although these ratios have overlaps S. gokakensis overall have a depressed head compared S. thondalu sp. nov. ( Fig. 15 ). 5) higher number of vertebral scales in females 49–53 (vs lower 45–47 in S. gokakensis sp. nov. however, this needs further verification with a larger sample size). 6) Geographic location confined to Northern Andhra, Guntur District (vs known only from Gokak plateau S. gokakensis sp. nov.). 7) Sitana thondalu sp. nov. has an uncorrected p- distance of 11% in the ND2 gene and 1.5 % in R35 gene, from its sister species Sitana gokakensis sp. nov. (Appendix 3 & 11).

Description of holotype: The holotype is in good condition; hemipenis everted, exposed and seen on both sides when viewed dorsally ( Fig. 13a ). Tail entire, curved towards the right; loose folds of skin on the dorsum are artefacts of preservation. An adult male, SVL 54.25 mm. Head relatively long (HL/SVL ratio 0.26), wide (HW/HL ratio 0.67), not depressed (HH/HL ratio 0.56), distinct from neck. Snout short (SE/HL ratio 0.38), longer than eye diameter (OD/SE ratio 0.88), obtusely pointed in profile when viewed dorsally ( Fig. 13c ); rostral wider than high (RH/RW ratio 0.55), contacted laterally on either side by first supralabial, a prenasal and dorsally by two large scales. Canthus rostralis and supraciliary edge sharp ( Fig. 13e ). Nostril roughly circular, laterally positioned and placed roughly in the centre of a large, undivided nasal scale ( Fig. 13e ). Nasal scale bordered by seven scales on the right and six on the left, one supranasal, two postnasals, one prenasal, the last two of a series of enlarged scales bordering the supralabials, first supralabial only on the right. Ten supralabials on the right side (11 on left side), first higher than others, broader than high, roughly rectangular, rest more elongate, weakly keeled, bordered above by a row of slightly smaller, rectangular, weakly keeled scales, which start at posterior margin of first supralabial, decreasing in size posteriorly and terminating above the eigth (right side). Twelve infralabials on the right side (11 on left), first slightly smaller, the rest elongate, weakly keeled increasing in size posteriorly. Loreal region concave, with scales of heterogeneous shape and size. Canthals enlarged, overlapping, slightly protruding on supraorbital ridge laterally. Loreal region with few weekly keeled scales. Eye large (ED/HL ratio 0.34); pupil rounded, covered under the eyelids; eyelids covered with scales that are heterogeneous in shape and size, predominantly smooth; supraciliaries longer than broad. Orbital scales small but not granular. Scales on postorbital and temporal region heterogeneous (size and shape), sub-imbricate, strongly keeled, directed backward and upwards. Tympanum naked. Canthal scales, and orbit bordered below by a row of fourteen scales that are heterogeneous (size and shape) anteriorly, roughly rectangular under the eye, weekly keeled, starting at the posterior margin of nasal scale and terminating after the posterior margin of the orbit. Scales on dorsal surface of snout, forehead, interorbital and occipital region highly heterogeneous (size and shape), mostly elongate, imbricate, strongly keeled longitudinally ( Fig. 13c ); scales on snout large, those on forehead slightly larger, interorbital region largest; occipital region with much smaller scales; 11 scales anterior and 13 scales posterior to eyelids in the interorbital region; supraorbital scales along the supraciliary edge elongate, keeled, decreasing in size posteriorly, following curvature of orbit. Parietals larger than surrounding scales, longer than broad, strongly keeled, separated from each other by a series of three smaller scales; single inter-parietal, roughly pentagonal, with no visible pineal eye. Mental shield narrower than rostral, roughly pentagonal, pointed posteriorly, a pair of elongate, curved postmentals, slightly longer than mental, in strong contact with each other ( Fig. 13d ); scales on the gular region homogenous in shape, those behind mental smooth, increasing in size and carination posteriorly. Dewlap large (DEW/SVL ratio 0.62), extends posteriorly over 41% of trunk; about seven to eight rows of anterior dewlap scales smaller, elongate, pointed, keeled; remainder of scales much enlarged, keeled, ending obtusely, gradually increasing in size towards margin; single marginal row largest. Enlarged scales on dewlap in 21 rows. Nuchal and dorsal crest absent ( Fig. 13a ). Scales on nuchal region smaller, less than half the size of those on interorbital region, imbricate, strongly keeled. Body slender (TORW/SVL ratio 0.23), 60 rows of scales around midbody; vertebral scale row with 49 scales, four or five dorsal scale rows on either side of the slightly smaller alternating pair of vertebral scale row, the 4 or 5 dorsal scale rows are larger than those on the neck and the largest enlarged scale on the flank, these scales starts from back of neck until groin, sub equal in size, shape, imbricate, pointed, keeled, directed backwards forming regularly arranged longitudinal rows; those on flanks heterogeneous in size and shape, smaller than those on back, pointed, keeled, upper rows directed backwards and upwards, lower rows backwards and downwards; ventral scales imbricate around the dewlap, subimbricate posteriorly, keeled, homogenous in size and shape, arranged in 94 rows. Fore and hindlimbs relatively slender, tibia short (CL/SVL ratio 0.32); digits moderately long, ending in strong, elongate, slightly recurved claw; inter-digital webbing absent; subdigital lamellae entire, bi-mucronate, 23 subdigital lamellae on toe IV including claw sheath; relative length of fingers (right) 3> 4> 2> 5> 1, toes (right) 4> 3> 2> 1. Fore and hindlimbs covered above and below with regularly arranged, enlarged, pointed, strongly keeled scales. Tail long (TL/SVL ratio 2.72), entire, base swollen, uniformly covered with similar sized, keeled, pointed, regularly arranged, backwardly directed imbricate scales; subcaudal scales keeled, weakly pointed near base, becoming pointed posteriorly.

Colour of holotype in life. Head visibly darker than body ( Fig. 14a ). Dorsum of the torso dark brown, darker

than flank region and tail. Blue tinge on the upper labials, neck and upper eyelids. Iris yellow, lower jaws pale

cream, tympanum cream coloured. Forebody with two prominent cream yellow/orange stripes. First stripe starts from the nasal scale and extends till above the forearm insertion, the second shorter and thinner stripe starts above the tympanum and extends to the dorsum. Confluent with the second thinner stripe are the two prominent dark brown stripes on the dorsum which are discontinous and broken by lighter patches starting from the neck and end before 1/4th of the tail. Enlarged scale rows on the dorsum grayish brown in contrast to flank region which is brick red in colour ( Fig. 14a ). Some enlarged scales on the flank and thigh cream in colour. Most belly scales were cream yellow, scales adjoining the dewlap with brown speckles. Most scales on belly without speckles. Forelimbs and hindlimbs dark brown on dorsal side and pale on the ventral side; both limbs with dark brown bands on the dorsal side. Dewlap white with most scales having clustered brown speckles and some plain. Tail with broad dark brown bands, darker on the dorsal than the ventral side ( Fig. 14a ).

Colour of holotype in preservative. Head dark brown, darker than body, with a faded Carolina blue patch on the neck and a pale white stripe with brown speckles that starts below the eye approximately in the middle directed downwards which broadens and ends at the anterior edge of the forearm insertion. A dark brown stripe below the off-white stripe on the head starting from the 10th supralabials on the left and 9th supralabial on the right, extends into the neck and ends near the forearm insertion. Tympanum off white with small light brown speckles, slightly lighter than the surrounding scales. A prominent dark brown band between the supraciliaries on top of the head. Dorsum light brown with 5 rhomboidal markings on the back that are variable in size and almost indistinguishable from the dorsal colouration; behind the hind limb insertion is a small rhomboidal marking on the dorsal side of tail base with small dark brown bars found throughout the tail. The 4–5 enlarged rows of scales on the dorsum markings, dark brown coloured. A off white stripe starting from neck bordering the 4th and the 5th lower enlarged scale rows on the dorsum ends near the tail base. Flanks light brown with the ventro-lateral scales paler with dark brown speckles. Venter off white ( Fig 13b ). Faint brown bars on the dorsal side of limbs. Enlarged scales on dewlap mottled with dark brown/black spots with a pale white spot in the center that is interspersed with dark brown/black spots. Anterior of each dewlap scale pale white without any spots/speckles, the throat region on either side of the enlarged scale on dewlap pale white with the dark blue colouration on the throat visible.

Variation in paratypes. The two paratypes agree with the holotype in overall scalation with some exceptions. CES 141175 has 105 ventral scales, 32 belly ventral scales (VENB) and 46 dorsal scales. The female CES 141178 agrees with the holotype in overall scalation except that it lacks a dewlap, and has 68 ventral scales, one additional supralabial on the right and one less supralabial on the left, 53 vertebral scales. CES 141175 differs in colouration from the holotype in having a light brown stripe staring below the eye and ending near the forearm insertion. The thin black stripe near the labium starts from the angle of the jaw instead of the supralabials. The throat region on either side of the enlarged scale on dewlap off white with blue speckles. The first three bands on the tail broader than the rest. CES 141178 differs in colouration from the holotype in having head colouration similar to body, rhomboidal patterns prominent, pale white stripe on the dorsum, absent. Instead, the edges of the enlarged row on the dorsum that is dark brown starting from neck to tail base, forms two stripes on the dorsum. Light brown stripe starting below the eye ends anterior to the tympanum. Stripe near labium faint and brown in colour . Venter mottled with pale brown colouration . Throat region pale white in colour . Bands on the tail broader than the holotype.

Variation in live colouration. Some of the male specimens collected during this study matched with the holotype in live colouration but there were some specimens which were different from the holotype. All of the breeding males had blue colouration on the eyelids, upper labials, nasal and the nuchal region (e.g. 14A & B; 16A & B). In two individuals, the blue colouration on the nuchal region extended most of the dorsum most prominent immediately after euthanization (Appendix 10). The gray band marking between the supraciliaries on top of the head, were darker in some males. The last row on the enlarged scale rows on the dorsum were bordered with continous/broken cream coloured or dark brown stripes till the vent. The rhomboidal patch on the neck was relatively darker than the other 4–5 rhomboidal markings which were faint and broken ( Fig. 16 a,b ).

Hemipenial morphology. Hemipenis of seven specimens including the type and the paratype were examined (BNHS 2492, CES 141175, CES 141198, CES 141200, CES 141201, CES 141202 – 141203). Hemipenis bilobed, relatively small, longer than wide and shallowly forked ( Fig. 17 a,b ). Sulcus spermaticus bifurcated ( Fig. 17a ). Sulcal lips raised and papillate. Sulcus smooth, originating from the side of the base. Apex with close irregular row of small calyces and the sulcal region of apex nude, medial projection absent ( Fig. 17a,d ). Ornamentation is differentiated and combination of flounces, calyces observed ( Fig. 17a–d ). Papillae present between the apical lobes. Calyces are relatively larger at the base of the lobes. Calyces are deep regular pits on the asulcal side and become shallow at basal region ( Fig. 17b ). Ridges between the calyces are smooth. Eight to eleven flounces present, all of them, prominent on the asulcal side.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition, derived from the Telugu word thondalu for an agamid lizard in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states.

Suggested English name. Nagarjuna Sagar fan-throated lizard

Distribution. Sitana thondalu sp. nov. is found in Macherala and Nagarjuna Sagar, Guntur District, in Andhra Pradesh state. This species was only recorded from these two localities during this study ( Fig. 1 ). The altitudinal distribution is between 180 and 200 m a.s.l.

Habitat and Natural history. Sitana thondalu sp. nov. is found in dry rocky outcrops with boulders ( Fig. 18a ) and with sparse vegetation predominantly shrubs and few stunted trees (dominated by Mundulea sericea . Macherla receives annual rainfall between 380 to 508 mm ( Talukder & Pal, 2007). In the second site Macherla, the habitat is dominated by the invasive Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. ( Fig. 18b ). Calotes versicolor (Daudin, 1802) and Eutropis nagarjunensis ( Sharma, 1969) are the two sympatric diurnal lizards found in this region. Breeding males were recorded during June and August months.

useđ in the analyses.

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Figures

FIGURE 1. Map showing sampling localities where we found different Sitana spp. during this study. Rivers and hills referred in this study are labelled. Locality where the two new species were collected are marked in red (S. gokakensis sp. nov.) and blue (S. thondalu sp. nov.). Localities referred in table 1.

FIGURE 13. Holotype of Sitana thondalu sp. nov. (BNHS 2492) from Nagarjun Sagar, Andhra Pradesh. (A) full body dorsal (B) flank region (C) dorsal view of head (D) lateral view of head. Scale bar: 10 mm.

FIGURE 14. Sitana thondalu sp. nov. colouration in life. A. Holotype (BNHS 2492) in life, B. another adult male (CES 141174) collected during 2016 from the type locality. Note the blue colouration on the eyelids, labials, nuchal and nasal region and two cream stripes on the neck that are characteristic of males in this species.

FIGURE 15. Box plot showing head ratios of the two new species of Sitana. Note this data includes both males and females, Sitana gokakensis sp. nov. have an overall depressed head compared to Sitana thondalu sp. nov. which is variable.

FIGURE 16. Sitana thondalu sp. nov. colouration in life. A, B. An uncollected male photographed in situ, C. an uncollected female from the type locality, D. one of the females collected from the type locality.

FIGURE 17. Hemipenis Sitana thondalu sp. nov. (CES 141177): (A) sulcal view; (B) asulcal view; C) lateral view; (D) apical view. Scale bar:10 mm.

FIGURE 18. Habitat of Sitana thondalu sp. nov. in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh A. Type locality Nagarjuna Sagar, East bank, B. Macherla.