Takydromus albomaculosus, Liu & Wang, 2017

Liu, Ying-Yong Wang Shi-Ping Gong Peng & Wang, Xin, 2017, A new species of the genus Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Tianjingshan Forestry Station, northern Guangdong, China, Zootaxa 4338 (3), pp. 441-458 : 447-453

Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov.

Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 : A

Holotype. SYS r001624, adult male, from the Tianjingshan Forestry Station (24.69°N, 113.03°E; 699 m a.s.l., datum = WGS84; see Fig. 1 ), Ruyuan County, Guangdong Province, China, collected on 1 May 2009 by Shi-Ping Gong.

Paratype. SYS r001292, adult female, from the Zhongdong Village (24.69° N, 112.98°E; 618 m a.s.l., datum = WGS84), Ruyuan County, Guangdong Province, China, collected on 31 July 2015 by Ying-Yong Wang.

Etymology. The specific name “ albomaculosus ” refers to the “white round spots” on the flanks of body, which are the diagnostic features of this new species. We propose the standard English name “white spotted East Asian Grass Lizard”, and the Chinese name “Tianjingshan Cao Xi”.

Diagnosis. Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. differs from other species of the genus Takydromus by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) body size large, SVL 70.9 mm in female, 65.5 mm in male; (2) hindlimb relatively long in male, HLL 55% of SVL, 1.11 times as long as ALL; (3) subdigital lamellae 23–24 under the fourth finger, 29–30 under fourth toe; (4) chin-shields four on each side; (5) femoral pores, three or four on each side; (6) supraoculars three, rarely four, the posterior loreal either in contact with the anteriormost supraocular or not; (7) supraciliary granules present; (8) presence of six ventral scale rows, strongly keeled in male, smooth but outermost row keeled in female; (9) enlarged and keeled lateral scales in a row above ventrals, but shorter than ventrals; (10) presence of a pair of white longitudinal dorsolateral stripes and a pair of white longitudinal ventrolateral stripes; (11) dorsal surface brown, ventral surface green, flank dark brown or brown black with several particular white round spots.

Description of Holotype. An adult male; body size slightly large, SVL 65.5 mm; trunk of body relatively short, ALL 32.4 mm, 49% of SVL; head slightly long, HL 16.1 mm, HW 9.2 mm, HH 7.8 mm, HL 25% of SVL; skull almost equal to the head length, SKL 16.2 mm; snout moderately long, SEL 6.9 mm, 43% of HL; rostral large, pentagonal, in contact with left and right first supralabials posteriorly and supranasals dorsolaterally; nostril surrounded by a supranasal, a postnasal and first supralabial on each side; supranasal single on each side, large, in contact with each other dorso-medially, separating rostral from frontonasal, and in contact with anterior loreal posteriorly; postnasal one, in contact with supranasal dorsally, with anterior loreal posteriorly, with first supralabial ventrally; supralabials six on each side, the fifth one largest, under the eye; loreals two on each side, anterior one smaller than posterior one; posterior loreal in contact with anteriormost supraocular and anteriormost supraciliary scale posteriorly; supraoculars three on each side, the posteriormost one much smaller than others; supraciliaries four on each side, second one longest, posterior three separated from supraoculars by supraciliary granules; frontonasal large, smooth, separated from frontal by a pair of prefrontals; prefrontals two, weakly keeled, in contact with each other medially, with frontal and anteriormost supraoclar posteriorly, with loreals laterally, respectively; a single frontal hexagonal, weakly keeled, in contact with anterior two supraoculars laterally, with frontoparietals and parietals posteriorly; frontoparietals two, pentagonal, in contact with each other medially, with parietal and interparietal posteriorly, respectively; interparietal diamond, surrounded by two frontoparietals and two parietals; parietal pit visible; parietals two, large, weakly keeled, slightly in contact with each other medially; a single occipital between two parietals; temporal scales granular, slightly keeled; supratemporals three on each side, keeled, anteriormost one largest, longer than total length of posterior two; mental large, semielliptical; infralabials six on each side; four pairs of chin-shields, anterior two pairs in contact with each other medially, posterior two pairs separated from each other by longitypical gular scales; following gular scales gradually increasing in size, keeled, and imbricated; enlarged, strongly keeled median gular scales extending anteriorly to the line joined posterior edges of ears; collars clear, composed of scales in 12 rows pointed backwards, and forming a free serration; enlarged, imbricated dorsal scales on body with strong keel oriented posteriorly that form continuous ridges, extending anteriorly beyond forelimbs on to the nape, in six rows in position of forelimbs, six rows in position of hindlimbs; seven rows at mid-body, including a much smaller and discontinuous central row; longitudinal dorsal scales (LDSN) 53; ventrals in six rows, imbricate, strongly keeled and pointed posteriorly; longitudinal ventral scales ( VN) 23; lateral body scales in 15 (left) and 14 (right) rows in the mid-body region, including a row of scales adjoining the ventrals, enlarged and keeled, shorter than ventrals; five rows of scales on lower flanks reduced, flattened, keeled; eight (left) and seven (right) rows of small granular scales on upper flanks; a discontinuous row of scales adjoining outermost dorsal scale row reduced, flattened, keeled; a total of 42 scales in a transverse row in mid-body region; a single preanal entire, enlarged, surrounded by continuous series of moderate sized scales anteriorly and laterally; four femoral pores on each side.

Forelimbs moderately long, RUL 8.3 mm, 13% of SVL; scales on anterior and dorsal surfaces of upper arm enlarged, keeled, rhomboid, imbricate, in seven rows; scales on rear of upper arm smooth, in two rows; scales on ventral surface of upper arm granular, homogeneous in size; one row of markedly enlarged smooth scales running on anterior surface of forearm; scales on ventral surfaces of forearm smooth, flatted, in four rows; scales on dorsal surface of forearm keeled, heterogeneous in size, extending to wrist; dorsal scales on hand smooth; scales on palm granular; dorsal scales on fingers in a row, smooth; subdigital lamellae under fingers I–V respectively (left/right) 10/9, 13/13, 19/19, 24/24, 13/13, most of subdigital lamellae entire; relative lengths of appressed fingers I <V <II <III <IV; hindlimbs slender and long, fourth toe beyond the collar when hindlimb adpressed along the side of the body; HLL 35.9 mm, 55%% of SVL, 111% of ALL; TFL 9.5 mm, 15% of SVL; LTL 11.8 mm, 18% of SVL; three rows of large smooth scales running beneath thigh with traces of a fourth; two rows of enlarged keeled scales and two rows of small keeled scales on dorsal surface of thigh; granular scales homogeneous in size on rear of thigh; internal tibial scale rows two, one formed by enlarged and smooth scales, another formed by weakly keeled scales; dorsal tibial scale flat, keeled, heterogeneous in size, extending to dorsal surface of foot; scales on sole of the foot granular; dorsal scales on toes in a row, smooth; subdigital lamellae under toes I–V respectively (left/right) 12/13, 15/15, 21/21, 29/30, 17/16; basal three subdigital lamellae of toe IV divided, most of remaining ones entire; relative lengths of appressed toes I <II <V <III <IV.

Tail regenerated, TaL 121.2 mm, with strongly keeled scales in 16 rows at base (fifth subcaudal scale), in 12 rows in position of the 13th to 15th subcaudal scales; paired vertebral series of large scales on tail extending on to hind body.

Color in life. Dorsal surface of head, body and tail bright brown, dorsal limbs grey brown; labial series and ventral surface of head, body, limbs and tail green; lateral surfaces of head, body and anterior tail brown black, dorsally extending to the outer half of the third dorsal scale row on body; a pair of longitudinal white dorsolateral stripes beginning at the supraciliary position, running along the supratemporals and outermost dorsal scale rows, posteriorly extending to the anterior part of the tail; a pair of longitudinal white ventrolateral stripes, separating the brown-black region from green region, beginning at the posterior edges of the postnasals, through the lower parts of the loreals, subocular position, lower parts of the temporal region, lower edges of ear openings, upper parts of upper arm insertions, extending to anterior parts of ventrolateral flanks; several white round spots present on flanks and lateral surfaces of basal tail.

Color in preservative. In 75% ethanol, labial series and ventral surface pale blue, dorsal surface brown, slightly tinged with blue; lateral surfaces of head and body black; white round spots and two pairs of longitudinal stripes more distinct.

Variation. Measurements, scalation and body proportions of the paratype are given in Tables 3 and 4.

The new species exhibits noticeable sexual dimorphism. All ventrals show strong longitudinal keels, with enlarged keeled median gular scales extending anteriorly to the line joining the posterior edges of ears in the male holotype; whereas in the adult female paratype SYS r001292, the intermediate four rows smooth, with only the outermost row keeled, enlarged keeled median gular scales not extending anteriorly to the level of the ears. In the female paratype, the trunk of the body relatively elongated, ALL 57% of SVL (49% in the male holotype), rather more longitudinal ventral scales, VN 26 (23 in holotype); hindlimbs relatively short , HLL 47% of SVL, fourth toe reaches the anterior belly when hindlimb adpressed along the side of the body, whereas in the holotype, HLL is 55% of SVL, with the fourth toe beyond the collar. In addition, the paratype also shows the following variations ( Fig. 3 : B, Fig. 4 : Af): prefrontals three; supraoculars four on left side, the first one very small, granular, in contact with posterior loreal, whereas on the right side, there supraoculars, the anteriormost one not in contact with the posterior loreal; two parietals completely divided by interparietal and occipital; lateral surfaces of head, body and anterior tail dark brown; white dorsolateral longitudinal stripes beginning from anterior neck.

Distribution, ecological notes and behavior. Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. is currently only found in the Tianjingshan Forestry Station, located on the southern slope of the Nanling Mountains, Ruyuan County, Guangdong Province, southern China ( Fig. 1 ). They are montane dwellers, living near water and roads: the holotype SYS r001624 was found in the drain at the roadside at 17:00 in early summer; paratype SYS r001292 was found sleeping on a drooping leaf of false reed ( Neyraudia reynaudiana ) at height of 1.6 m from the ground around 22:00 on a midsummer night, surrounded by rice fields, about 5 m away from the road.

Comparisons. In this study we only compare the new species with the other 21 recognized species, excluding T. haughtonianus , which is currently an uncertain species and poorly known ( Arnold 1997; Jordan 1870).

Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. can be distinguished from the recognized 21 congeners by the following characteristics: (1) the presence of several particular white round spots on the flanks vs. flanks with white ocellus bordered by black edges in T. sexlineatus ( Fig. 4 : Bm, Bf), same white spots absent in the remaining 20 species; (2) the presence of a pair of distinct longitudinal dorsolateral stripes white in adult male and female vs. absent or dorsolateral stripes blurred, pale brown only present in old individuals in T. amurensis , T. wolteri , T. intermedius ( Fig. 4 : Em, Ef), T. kuehnei ( Fig. 4 : Fm, Ff), T. sikkimensis , T. dorsalis , T. smaragdinus , T. sauteri , T. toyamai , T.

formosanus , T. hsuehshanensis , T. tachydromoides and T. hani ; yellowish, only present in adult males in T. septentrionalis ( Fig. 4 : C); yellowish white, only present in old individuals in T. sylvaticus ( Fig. 4 : D); white in mature males, pale brown in females T. luyeanus and T. viridipunctatus ; (3) three supraoculars, rarely four, the posterior loreal in contact with the anteriormost supraocular or not vs. always having four supraoculars on each side, the posterior loreal in contact with the anteriormost supraocular in T. amurensis , T. wolteri , T. septentrionalis , T. sylvaticus , T. intermedius , T. kuehnei , T. dorsalis , T. smaragdinus , T. sauteri , T. stejnegeri , T. toyamai , T. formosanus , T. hsuehshanensis , T. tachydromoides , T. luyeanus , T. viridipunctatus and T. hani ; usually four, occasionally three in T. septentrionalis ; (4) the presence of 3–4 pairs of femoral pores vs. only one pair in T. septentrionalis , T. wolteri , T. khasiensis , T. smaragdinus , T. sauteri , T. stejnegeri , T. toyamai , 1–2 pairs in T. sexlineatus , 2 pairs in T. formosanus , T. hsuehshanensis , T. tachydromoides , T. luyeanus , T. viridipunctatus ; 6–8 pairs in T. hani ; (5) the presence of 6 ventral scale rows vs. 8 ventral scale rows in T. septentrionalis , T. wolteri , T. amurensis , T. sexlineatus , T. khasiensis , T. formosanus , T. hsuehshanensis , T. tachydromoides , T. stejnegeri , T. toyamai , and T. hani ; 12 rows in T. sikkimensis ; (6) the presence of four pairs of chin-shields vs. 3 pairs in T. septentrionalis , T. sexlineatus , T. khasiensis , T. sikkimensis , T. formosanus , T. smaragdinus , T. toyamai , T. hsuehshanensis , T. luyeanus , and T. viridipunctatus ; (7) dorsal surface of head and body brown vs. green in T. dorsalis , T. sauteri , T. smaragdinus , T. toyamai , T. sylvaticus and T. hani . In addition, T. albomaculosus sp. nov. differs from T. madaensis , described in Vietnam, by having two loreals on each side (vs. three), subdigital lamellae under toe IV 29–30 (vs. 17), ventral surface pale blue in 75% ethanol (vs. ventral surface of head and body grey, subcaudals light color).

*: Three chin-shields only present on left side of SYS r001338

#: Four supraoculars only present on right side of SYS r001292

■: Three supraoculars only present on one side in three of 25 specimens

Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. further differs from seven known species occurring on the Chinese mainland in the following characteristics: (1) body size relatively large, SVL 65.5 mm and 70.5 mm for two specimens vs. small, SVL not exceeding 60 mm in T. sylvaticus , T. intermedius and T. kuehnei ; (2) longitudinal ventral scale number 23–26 vs. 26–29 in T. sylvaticus , 21–24 in T. intermedius , 27–29 in T. kuehnei ; (3) longitudinal dorsal body scales (LDSN) 52–53 vs. 34–35 in T. sexlineatus , 37–46 in T. septentrionalis , 46 in two specimens of T. amurensis , 36–46 in T. intermedius , 42–47 in T. kuehnei 67–81 in T. sylvaticus ; (4) scales in a transverse row at mid-body (MBSR) 42–43 vs. 34–42 in T. septentrionalis , 33–38 in T. amurensis , 45–47 in T. sylvaticus ; (5) relatively more subdigital lamellae, SDLF-IV 2 3–24, SDLT-IV 29–30 vs. SDLF-IV 20–21, SDLT- IV 26–27 in T. intermedius , SDLF-IV 18–20, SDLT-IV 23–24 in T. kuehnei , SDLF-IV 18–19, SDLT-IV 24–25 in T. amurensis , SDLF-IV 18–19, SDLT-IV 24–25 in T. wolteri ; (6) ventral surface green vs. pale grey, or pale brown in males, pale green in females in T. septentrionalis , white, slightly stained pale green in T. sexlineatus , pale beige to white in T. kuehnei , grey white in T. amurensis , white in T. wolteri . In addition, T. albomaculosus sp. nov. differs from T. septentrionalis (in parenthesis) in having lateral surfaces brown black or dark brown (vs. green in adult individuals), most of the subdigital lamellae entire (vs. almost all divided). Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. differs from T. sexlineatus in the presence of supraciliary granules between supraoculars and supraciliaries (vs. absent). Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. differs from T. sylvaticus in the presence of one row of enlarged and keeled scales above the ventrals (vs. absent); and longitudinal ventrolateral stripes extended posteriorly to the anterior flanks (vs. to groins of thighs). Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. differs from T. kuehnei in having a single postnasal (vs. two). Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. differs from T. amurensis in having relatively long hindlimbs in the male, HLL 55% of SVL (vs. 43%), fourth toe beyond the collar when hindlimb adpressed along the side of the body in male (vs. reaching the anterior belly), trunk of body relatively short in male, ALL 49% of SVL (vs. 59%), ventrals strongly keeled in male (vs. intermediate four rows smooth, outer two rows weakly keeled), temporal scales granular, slightly keeled (vs. flat, smooth). Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov. differs from T. wolteri in having relatively long hindlimbs in the male, HLL 55% of SVL (vs. 43%), fourth toe beyond the collar when hindlimb adpressed along the side of the body in male (vs. reaching the anterior belly), temporal scales slightly keeled (vs. smooth), most of the subdigital lamellae entire (vs. almost all divided).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Map of southern and eastern China showing the collection locality (black round dot) of specimens of Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov.: Tianjingshan Forestry Station, Ruyuan County, Guangdong Province, China.

FIGURE 3. Showing the main morphological features of Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov.: M: male holotype SYS r 001624; F: female paratype SYS r 001296. a: dorsal view of head and nape; b: ventral view of head and neck; c: lateral view of head and neck; d: showing ventral scales on posterior belly and hindlimbs, femoral pores, preanal scales and subcaudals; e: dorsal head and body.

FIGURE 4. The general aspects (in life) of six species occurring on the Chinese mainland. A: Takydromus albomaculosus sp. nov., Am: adult male holotype SYS r 001624; Af: adult female paratype SYS r 001292; B: T. sexlineatus, Bm: adult male SYS r 000127; By: subadult female SYS r 001335; C: T. septentrionalis, upper: adult female; lower: adult male; D: T. sylvaticus, adult male topotype SYS 001276; E: T. intermedius, Em: adult male topotype SYS r 001601; Ef: adult female topotype SYS r 001602; F: T. kuehnei, Fm: adult male specimen SYS r 001268; Ff: adult female specimen SYS r 001338.