[Herpetology • 2020] Cnemaspis nicobaricus • A New Species of Dwarf Gecko of the Genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Nicobar Archipelago with an expanded description of C. andersonii (Annandale 1905) of the Andaman Islands

Cnemaspis nicobaricus

Chandramouli, 2020

Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 9(1)

 Researchgate.net/publication/342764271

ABSTRACT

 A new species of gekkonid lizard of the genus Cnemaspis is described from the southern group of Nicobar Islands. It is distinguished from the Andaman endemic C. andersonii and the species of the adjacent Mentawai archipelago by: small body size (27.64 - 31.08 mm SVL); presence of four enlarged conical tubercles on the flanks; 2 post-mentals separated from each other by a single scale; presence of 2-3 internasals; presence of 6-7 supralabials; 8 infralabials; 16-18 subdigital lamellae under toe IV; smooth pectoral, abdominal and femoral scales; presence of 3 femoral pores on each thigh; absence of precloacal pores and irregularly shaped, small sized subcaudal scales. The description of C. andersonii, endemic to the Andaman archipelago is expanded based on new material along with several new, specific distribution records that are mapped. Conservation status of these geckos is discussed. 

Key words: Gekkonid, Cnemaspis, Nicobar Islands, endemic species

Cnemaspis nicobaricus sp. nov.
Dorsal (top) and ventral (middle) views of a living individual, lateral view of the head (bottom left), and precloacal region of a male (bottom right) (not collected)

Cnemaspis nicobaricus sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species of Cnemaspis restricted to Great and Little Nicobar Islands in the Nicobar archipelago, characterized by: small body size (27.64 – 31.08 mm SVL); presence of four enlarged conical tubercles on the flanks; 2 post-mentals separated from each other by a single scale; presence of 2-3 internasals; presence of 6-7 supralabials; 8 infralabials; 16-18 subdigital lamellae under toe IV; smooth pectoral, abdominal and femoral scales; presence of 3 femoral pores on each thigh; absence of precloacal pores and irregularly shaped, small sized subcaudal scales. 

Ecological notes: Most of the individuals of this species observed in the field were seen on tree trunks at heights below 2 m from the ground, and on buttresses and shrubs. Some were seen along the culverts along roadsides. Individuals were seen active both during the day and at night. A juvenile was observed in July. This species was observed in evergreen forests, human habitation and plantations. 

Etymology: The specific epithet nicobaricus is a toponym referring to the geographic distribution of the new species.

S.R. Chandramouli. 2020. A New Species of Dwarf Gecko of the Genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887(Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Nicobar Archipelago with an expanded description of Cnemaspis andersonii (Annandale 1905) of the Andaman Islands. Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 9(1); 3-10. 

Researchgate.net/publication/342764271_A_new_species_of_Cnemaspis_from_the_Nicobar_archipelago

[Herpetology • 2020] Cyrtodactylus nicobaricus & C. camortensis • A Review of the Gekkonid Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago with the Description of Two New Species from the Nicobar Islands

 Cyrtodactylus nicobaricus 

Chandramouli, 2020

 Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 9(1) 

 Researchgate.net/publication/342764385

ABSTRACT 

A comprehensive review of members of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was undertaken to assess the true diversity of the genus in this region. Samples collected across different islands within the archipelago show significant and consistent morphological variation associated with the region of origin. Detailed redescriptions are presented for the two known species Cyrtodactylus rubidus and C. adleri. Two new species Cyrtodactylus nicobaricus sp. nov. and C. camortensis sp. nov. are described from the northern and central group of islands of the Nicobar archipelago based on morphological distinction and geographic separation from the above two named species from this archipelago. Information on geographic distribution, natural history and conservation status for all of these species are presented. 

Key words: cryptic species, geographic distribution, insular endemic, allopatry, Gekkonid

 Cyrtodactylus nicobaricus sp. nov. Above: 

Holotype ZSI ZSI/ANRC/T/ 11074; 

below: living individuals from Car Nicobar

Cyrtodactylus camortensis sp. nov. 

Above: Holotype ZSI/ANRC/T / 11075 in preservation; 

middle and below: living individuals from Camorta

 Cyrtodactylus nicobaricus 

Cyrtodactylus camortensis 

S.R. Chandramouli. 2020. A Review of the Gekkonid Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago with the Description of Two New Species from the Nicobar Islands. Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 9(1); 

 Researchgate.net/publication/342764385_A_review_of_Cyrtodactylus_in_the_Andaman_and_Nicobar_archipelago

[Herpetology • 2012] Coryphophylax brevicaudus • A New Species of Coryphophylax Fitzinger in: Steindachner, 1867 (Iguania: Agamidae) from the Andaman Islands, India

ABSTRACT 

The systematic position of the agamid genus Coryphophylax (Squamata: Agamidae) is given as monotypic and endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. After having surveyed intensively in thirteen different Islands and examined several individuals in the Andamans group of islands, we describe a second species of Coryphophylax from the lowland rainforests of the South Andaman Island. Coryphophylax brevicaudus sp. nov. is differentiated from its congener, C. subcristatus (Blyth, "1860" 1861) by its smaller size, relatively shorter tail, presence of nuchal and dorsal crests in both sexes, midbody scale row counts and colour pattern. The new species lives in sympatry with C. subcristatus. The taxonomic history and systematic status of the genus Coryphophylax are discussed, and the need for continued surveys in the Islands is emphasized.

Key words: Squamata, Iguania, Agamidae, Coryphophylax brevicaudus sp. nov., Andaman Islands, India

 Harikrishnan S., Karthikeyan Vasudevan, S.R. Chandramouli,  B.C. Choudhary, Sushil Kumar Dutta and Indraneil Das. 2012. A New Species of Coryphophylax Fitzinger in: Steindachner, 1867 (Sauria: Iguania: Agamidae) from the Andaman Islands, India.

Zootaxa. 3451:31-45.

ResearchGate.net/publication/255291590_A_new_species_of_Coryphophylax_Fitzinger_in_Steindachner_1867_(Sauria_Iguania_Agamidae)_from_the_Andaman_Islands_India

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03451p045f.pdf

facebook.com/novataxa/photos/409724819080882

[Herpetology • 2015] Taxonomic Reassessment of the Arboreal Toad Genus Pedostibes Günther 1876 (Anura: Bufonidae) and Some Allied Oriental Bufonid Genera

FIG. 3.— Dorsal aspect of the bodies of five species of arboreal toads collected from southern and Southeast Asia:
(A) holotype of Rentapia hosii BMNH 1947.2.19.29; (B) holotype of R. everetti BMNH 1947.2.18.27; (C) holotype of Rentapia rugosa (junior synonym of R. everetti) FMNH 81297; (D) a syntype of Pedostibes tuberculosus BMNH 1947.2.22.70; (E) a voucher specimen of Bufoides meghalayanus (WII uncatalogued); and (F) a syntype of Nectophryne kempi (ZSI 18481A).

In each panel, bar 5 5 mm. 
Chandramouli & Amarasinghe. 2016.  DOI 10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-15-00053

Abstract 

We reassessed the taxonomic status of an Asian genus of arboreal bufonids, Pedostibes, based on examination of preserved material of the two species currently attributed to this genus. Analysis of their morphological, morphometric, and geographic distribution data revealed that Pedostibes tuberculosus, the type species of this genus from the Western Ghats, southwestern India, is morphologically distinct from the geographically separated member, P. kempi, which is distributed in northeastern India. Hence, the generic nomen Pedostibes is restricted to the type species, rendering it a monotypic genus from the Western Ghats of peninsular India. A re-examination and detailed comparisons of the types of P. kempi with other bufonid genera revealed morphological similarities with another geographically proximate toad, Bufoides meghalayanus, from northeastern India. Hence, this taxon is formally transferred herein to Bufoides with a redescription. The composition of the recently described Southeast Asian toad genus Rentapia is reevaluated and the name-bearing type specimens of the currently ascribed taxa are redescribed. A detailed examination of the types of Rentapia everetti and R. rugosa revealed morphological congruence coupled with geographic sympatry. Hence, the latter nomen is synonymized with R. everetti in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature principle of priority.

 Keywords: Arboreal anuran, Morphometric analyses, Northeastern India, Western Ghats

S.R. Chandramouli and A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe. 2016. Taxonomic Reassessment of the Arboreal Toad Genus Pedostibes Günther 1876 (Anura: Bufonidae) and Some Allied Oriental Bufonid Genera.
 Herpetologica. 72(2): 137-147.  DOI 10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-15-00053

ResearchGate.net/publication/303599489_Taxonomic_Reassessment_of_the_Arboreal_Toad_Genus_P_Gunther_1876_Anura_Bufonidae_and_Some_Allied_Oriental_Bufonid_Genera

[Herpetology • 2016] Taxonomy and Natural History of Eutropis beddomei (Jerdon, 1870) (Reptilia: Scincidae), including a Redescription of the Holotype

Euprepes beddomei 

(Jerdon, 1870)

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4132.4.3  

Abstract

Euprepes beddomei was described by Jerdon (1870) from “Mysore” (Karnataka State, India). Simultaneously, Euprepes (Tiliqua) septemlineatus, which is morphologically similar to E. beddomei, was described by Blanford (1870) based on a single specimen collected from the Ganga River Valley, Southeast Berar, Madhya Pradesh, India. Smith (1935) synonymised the latter species (published in September, 1870) with Euprepes beddomei which in turn was published earlier (March, 1870). Jerdon’s publication should therefore be given priority. A comprehensive comparison between the holotypes of the above two species confirms that E. septemlineatus is a junior synonym of E. beddomei. Based on morphological characters, Eutropis beddomei is here clearly identified and can be considered a widespread species in India and Sri Lanka. The original description of E. beddomei is very short and lacks a description containing most of the important diagnostic characters; hence, we hereby provide a comprehensive description of the species based on the examination of its holotype.

Keywords: Reptilia, Biogeography, Euprepes, India, Mabuya, species complex, Sri Lanka, synonymy

A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Patrick D. Campbell, S. R. Chandramouli, Kaushik Deuti, Sujoy Raha, D.M.S. Suranjan Karunarathna and Ineich Ivan. 2016. Taxonomy and Natural History of Eutropis beddomei (Jerdon, 1870) (Reptilia: Scincidae), including a Redescription of the Holotype. Zootaxa. 4132(4); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4132.4.3

[Herpetology • 2016] Blythophryne beryet • A New Genus and Species of Arboreal Toad (Anura, Bufonidae) with Phytotelmonous Larvae, from the Andaman Islands, India

Andaman Bush Toad |  Blythophryne beryet

 Chandramouli, Vasudevan, Harikrishnan, Dutta, Janani, Sharma, Das & Aggarwal, 2016

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.555.6522 

Abstract

A new bufonid amphibian, belonging to a new monotypic genus, is described from the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, Republic of India, based on unique external morphological and skeletal characters which are compared with those of known Oriental and other relevant bufonid genera. Blythophryne gen. n. is distinguished from other bufonid genera by its small adult size (mean SVL 24.02 mm), the presence of six presacral vertebrae, an absence of coccygeal expansions, presence of an elongated pair of parotoid glands, expanded discs at digit tips and phytotelmonous tadpoles that lack oral denticles. The taxonomic and phylogenetic position of the new taxon (that we named as Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n.) was ascertained by comparing its 12S and 16S partial genes with those of Oriental and other relevant bufonid lineages. Resulting molecular phylogeny supports the erection of a novel monotypic genus for this lineage from the Andaman Islands of India.

Keywords: Amphibian, bufonid, tadpole, rRNA, molecular phylogeny, skeletal characters

Figure 1. Morphological characters of the Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n.: a dorso-lateral view b dorsal view c ventral view d ventral view of left palm e ventral view of left foot of the adult female holotype (ZSI_A-12521) in life f adult female holotype in preservation g dorsal view of the male paratype (ZSI_A-12529) in life showing inverted-V shaped markings and the inter-ocular band on the dorsum.

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.555.6522

Systematics

Blythophryne gen. n.

http://zoobank.org/2BAB0154-53B8-43E3-BB14-F36F12FDD8DE

Type species: Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n. by monotypy (Fig. 1, Table 4).

Etymology: The generic name is a patronym, coined in appreciation of Edward Blyth (1810–1873), the first curator of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, who initiated herpetological studies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, through his phenomenal, pioneering paper “Notes on the fauna of the Nicobar islands” (Blyth 1846). Das (1999) remarked, “Blyth is to be credited for the description of a large number of species from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that are still valid. Blyth (1846) wrote the first account on the vertebrate fauna of these islands, and in 1863, compiled the first check-list”. Further details of Edward Blyth and his contributions to studies on Indian natural history are in Das (2004) and Sridharan (2013). The specific epithet ‘beryet’ (in Great Andamanese language; Andamanese.net) refers to ‘small frog’. We believe that the Great Andamanese knew of the existence of this small arboreal anuran that is here described as new species to science. We hope the name given here will also raise awareness about the dwindling, indigenous tribal populations in the Andamans, their culture and extinction of their tribal languages.

Vernacular name: ‘Andaman Bush Toad’ is proposed as the common English name for this new species, indicating its arboreal habit and restricted distribution as understood currently.

Figure 5. a A live, uncollected specimen of Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n. showing milky white secretion from the parotoid gland b Amplecting pair (live, uncollected) of Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n. showing axillary amplexus.

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.555.6522

Figure 6. a Eggs and hatchling tadpoles of Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n.  b, c endotrophic larvae of Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n. showing pale white abdominal yolk d Lateral view of a Stage 43 tadpole of Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n. e Oral disc of a Stage 35 larva of Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n., showing absence of keratodont and the presence of keratinised jaw sheaths f a metamorph of Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n. showing initiation of tail absorption.

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.555.6522

Distribution: This species has been documented from five islands of the Andaman archipelago, namely, the South Andaman (Mt. Harriet), Rutland, Little Andaman, Havelock Island in the Ritchie’s Archipelago and North Andaman (Saddle Peak) (Fig. 4).

Figure 4. Map showing distribution of Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n. in the Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal, India. Holotype collected from Mt Harriet (indicated with a red triangle).

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.555.6522

S. R. Chandramouli, Karthikeyan Vasudevan, S Harikrishnan, Sushil Kumar Dutta, S Jegath Janani, Richa Sharma, Indraneil Das and Ramesh Aggarwal. 2016. A New Genus and Species of Arboreal Toad with Phytotelmonous Larvae, from the Andaman Islands, India (Lissamphibia, Anura, Bufonidae). ZooKeys. 555: 57-90. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.555.6522