![Comparisons of lateral (Column 1) and ventral (Column 2) views of the head, and lateral views of the body (Column 3) among topotypic specimen of Japalura tricarinata (MCZ 58288; Row A), an historically identified female specimen of J. c.f. kumaonensis from Zhangmu, Nyalam County (¼Nielamu), Tibet, China (Chinese Academy of Sciences [CIB] 2571; Row B), female J. c.f. tricarinata specimen collected recently from the same locality in Zhangmu, Nyalam County, Tibet, China (California Academy of Sciences [CAS] 177533; Row C), topotypic female specimen of J. kumaonensis from Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India (Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science [CESG] 568; Row D), and syntype specimen of J. kumaonensis (British Museum of Natural History [BMNH] 1946.8.13.94, Row E). Photos by K. Wang, K. Jiang, and V. Deepak. A color version of this figure is available online.](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mian-Hou/publication/323595920/figure/fig2/AS:631107586371584@1527479182096/Comparisons-of-lateral-Column-1-and-ventral-Column-2-views-of-the-head-and-lateral_Q320.jpg)
![Comparisons among preserved male and female specimens of Japalura tricarinata from Zhangmu, Nyalam County, Tibet, PR China, and J. kumaonensis from Dhanaulti, Mussoorie, India. The male (California Academy of Sciences [CAS] 177542) and female (CAS 177533) of J. tricarinata are represented by images labeled (A) and (B), respectively; the male (Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science [CESG] 567) and female (CESG 568) of J. kumaonensis are represented by images labeled (C) and (D), respectively. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 represent lateral and ventral views of the head, and lateral views of the body, respectively. Photos by K. Wang and V. Deepak. A color version of this figure is available online.](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mian-Hou/publication/323595920/figure/fig3/AS:631107586363392@1527479182164/Comparisons-among-preserved-male-and-female-specimens-of-Japalura-tricarinata-from_Q320.jpg)
![Comparisons among live males and females of Japalura tricarinata (A: male, Chinese Academy of Sciences [KIZ] 011132; B: female, KIZ 011133) from Zhangmu, Nyalam County (¼Nielamu), Tibet, PR China, and J. kumaonensis (C: male, Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science [CESG] 567; D: female, CESG 568) from Dhanaulti, Mussoorie, India. Photos by K. Jiang, J. Che, and V. Deepak. A color version of this figure is available online.](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mian-Hou/publication/323595920/figure/fig4/AS:631107586367488@1527479182330/Comparisons-among-live-males-and-females-of-Japalura-tricarinata-A-male-Chinese_Q320.jpg)
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On the Occurrences of Japalura kumaonensis and Japalura tricarinata (Reptilia: Sauria: Draconinae) in China
Abstract and Figures
Although the recognized distribution of Japalura kumaonensis is restricted largely to western Himalaya, a single, isolated outlier population was reported in eastern Himalaya at the China-Nepal border in southeastern Tibet, China in Zhangmu, Nyalam County. Interestingly, subsequent studies have recognized another morphologically similar species, J. tricarinata, from the same locality in Tibet based on photographic evidence only. Despite these reports, no studies have examined the referred specimens for either record to confirm their taxonomic identifications with robust comparisons to congener species. Here, we examine the referred specimen of the record of J. kumaonensis from southeastern Tibet, China; recently collected specimens from the same locality in southeastern Tibet; type specimens; and topotypic specimens of both J. kumaonensis and J. tricarinata, to clarify the taxonomic identity of the focal population from southeastern Tibet, China. Our results indicate that individuals of the referred Tibetan population differ from J. kumaonensis in external morphology, but match descriptions and specimens of J. tricarinata. We conclude that the previous record of J. kumaonensis from Tibet was a misidentification of J. tricarinata, and J. kumaonensis should be recognized as occurring in western Himalaya only. To facilitate future taxonomic studies of the genus Japalura sensu lato in the Himalaya, we provide a detailed description of J. tricarinata and an updated diagnostic key to the genus from the Himalaya.
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... We examined a total of 217 specimens representing 27 species of Japalura s.l. and 31 specimens representing 11 species from seven genera of outgroup agamid diversity (Supporting Information, Appendix S3). Following previous studies (Moody, 1980;Mahony, 2010;Grismer et al., 2016a), and our prior knowledge on morphological characteristics of Draconinae (Mahony, 2010;Wang et al., 2018b), we chose a suite of pholidosis characteristics to examine for all specimens, as they are shown to be most useful in delimiting generic-level diversity (abbreviations given in parentheses): presence of modified scales on dorsal body (MDS), defined as presence of scales on dorsal body that are modified in shape, size or texture (e.g. enlarged, keeled, flat or raised in conical shape); degree of modification of dorsal modified scales (DMDS), defined as the level of modification compared to the ground or normal scales on dorsal body, defined as strongly modified or weakly modified; presence of dorsolateral ridges (PDR), defined as presence of regularly and closely arranged, lateral rows of enlarged, keeled dorsal scales on the body; presence of V-shaped ridges on dorsal body (PVR), defined as presence of enlarged, keeled scales that are arranged in V-shape ridges on dorsal body; and presence of head spines (PS), defined as presence of elongated spines on the post-orbital, occipital and supratympanic regions of head. ...
... Although species of both clades are from the Himalayan region, they are recovered in distantly related groups within Draconinae with strong support (Fig. 2). Statistical topology tests further support the phylogenetic results, rejecting the assumed monophyly of the Himalayan congeners (PP = 0.00; Table 4; Stuart-Fox & Owens, 2003;Mahony, 2010;Ananjeva et al., 2011;Wang et al., 2018b). Second, we reject the previously hypothesized sister relationship between island Japalura species and Malayodracon (Pyron et al., 2013). ...
... However, we recognize Japalura sensu stricto to represent this clade for the following reasons: (1) Japalura sensu stricto has temporal priority over the other two generic names; (2) recognizing the synonym Oriotiaris as a valid genetic name would render itself and Japalura sensu stricto both paraphyletic (Fig. 2); (3) for Oreocalotes, although we do not have access to the genetic materials of the type species, the morphology of the type species (O. major or J. major as currently recognized) falls within the morpho-cluster of species of Japalura sensu stricto, and the type species is morphologically most similar to J. kumaonensis (Wang et al., 2018b), which is a confirmed member of Japalura sensu stricto (Figs 2, 3). Therefore, we treat both Oriotiaris and Oreocalotes as junior synonyms of Japalura sensu stricto. ...
Although the genus Japalura s.l. has long been recognized as paraphyletic based on limited genetic sampling, its problematic taxonomy has not been revised, and phylogenetic relationships among the majority of congeners remain unknown. Here we utilize a densely sampled dataset of both multilocus genetic and morphological data to provide the first phylogenetic inference of relationships among Japalura s.l.species. Our results show that Japalura s.l. is paraphyletic, consisting of four major clades that are scattered across the phylogeny of the subfamily Draconinae: the first clade from the western, central and middle-eastern Trans-Himalayas, the second clade from the far eastern Trans-Himalayas, the third clade from East Asia and the last clade from Indochina. To address this widespread paraphyly of the genus and to stabilize the taxonomy within the family Draconinae, we revise the current taxonomy and split Japalura s.l. into four genera. By doing so, we recognize two existing generic names, Japalura sensu stricto and Pseudocalotes, resurrect one name available in the literature, Diploderma, and describe one new genus, Cristidorsa gen. nov. We discuss phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy within Japalura s.l. and present a diagnostic key to all recognized genera of the subfamily Draconinae.
... We examined a total of 217 specimens representing 27 species of Japalura s.l. and 31 specimens representing 11 species from seven genera of outgroup agamid diversity (Supporting Information, Appendix S3). Following previous studies (Moody, 1980;Mahony, 2010;Grismer et al., 2016a), and our prior knowledge on morphological characteristics of Draconinae (Mahony, 2010;Wang et al., 2018b), we chose a suite of pholidosis characteristics to examine for all specimens, as they are shown to be most useful in delimiting generic-level diversity (abbreviations given in parentheses): presence of modified scales on dorsal body (MDS), defined as presence of scales on dorsal body that are modified in shape, size or texture (e.g. enlarged, keeled, flat or raised in conical shape); degree of modification of dorsal modified scales (DMDS), defined as the level of modification compared to the ground or normal scales on dorsal body, defined as strongly modified or weakly modified; presence of dorsolateral ridges (PDR), defined as presence of regularly and closely arranged, lateral rows of enlarged, keeled dorsal scales on the body; presence of V-shaped ridges on dorsal body (PVR), defined as presence of enlarged, keeled scales that are arranged in V-shape ridges on dorsal body; and presence of head spines (PS), defined as presence of elongated spines on the post-orbital, occipital and supratympanic regions of head. ...
... Although species of both clades are from the Himalayan region, they are recovered in distantly related groups within Draconinae with strong support (Fig. 2). Statistical topology tests further support the phylogenetic results, rejecting the assumed monophyly of the Himalayan congeners (PP = 0.00; Table 4; Stuart-Fox & Owens, 2003;Mahony, 2010;Ananjeva et al., 2011;Wang et al., 2018b). Second, we reject the previously hypothesized sister relationship between island Japalura species and Malayodracon (Pyron et al., 2013). ...
... However, we recognize Japalura sensu stricto to represent this clade for the following reasons: (1) Japalura sensu stricto has temporal priority over the other two generic names; (2) recognizing the synonym Oriotiaris as a valid genetic name would render itself and Japalura sensu stricto both paraphyletic (Fig. 2); (3) for Oreocalotes, although we do not have access to the genetic materials of the type species, the morphology of the type species (O. major or J. major as currently recognized) falls within the morpho-cluster of species of Japalura sensu stricto, and the type species is morphologically most similar to J. kumaonensis (Wang et al., 2018b), which is a confirmed member of Japalura sensu stricto (Figs 2, 3). Therefore, we treat both Oriotiaris and Oreocalotes as junior synonyms of Japalura sensu stricto. ...
Although the genus Japalura s.l. has long been recognized as paraphyletic based on limited genetic sampling, its problematic taxonomy has not been revised, and phylogenetic relationships among the majority of congeners remain unknown. Here we utilize a densely sampled dataset of both multilocus genetic and morphological data to provide the first phylogenetic inference of relationships among Japalura s.l.species. Our results show that Japalura s.l. is paraphyletic, consisting of four major clades that are scattered across the phylogeny of the subfamily Draconinae: the first clade from the western, central and middle-eastern Trans-Himalayas, the second clade from the far eastern Trans-Himalayas, the third clade from East Asia and the last clade from Indochina. To address this widespread para-phyly of the genus and to stabilize the taxonomy within the family Draconinae, we revise the current taxonomy and split Japalura s.l. into four genera. By doing so, we recognize two existing generic names, Japalura sensu stricto and Pseudocalotes, resurrect one name available in the literature, Diploderma, and describe one new genus, Cristidorsa gen. nov. We discuss phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy within Japalura s.l. and present a diagnostic key to all recognized genera of the subfamily Draconinae.
... jerdoni" has been reported from two localities, namely from the Nepal-China border region in Zhangmu (Zhao and Adler 1993) and from Medog County . While the record from Zhangmu has been shown to represent a misidentified Japalura tricarinata (Schleich and Kästle 2002;Wang et al. 2018;Uetz et al. 2023), the record from the India-China border region in Medog has been overlooked by most authors (Hu et al. 1987;Zhao et al. 1999;Li et al. 2010;Uetz et al. 2023). This overlooked Xizang record of "C. ...
Owing to the harsh terrain, few biodiversity surveys have been carried out in the Pan-Himalaya Region. Among the understudied taxa from this region, Jerdon’s forest lizard, Calotes jerdoni, is believed to have a wide distribution, from northeast India to southwestern China. However, given the heterogeneous environment across its range and the lack of studies on this species, its taxonomy remains questionable. Using integrative taxonomic methods, we combined both morphological and genetic data from the type and topotypic specimens and examined the current taxonomic hypothesis of C. jerdoni across its range. Molecular data reveal that C. jerdoni as currently recognized, contains three deeply diverged lineages: one from the type locality in Northeast India, one from Western Myanmar, and another one from Southwestern China. The uncorrected genetic distances of mitochondrial coding gene ND2 among these three clades ranged over 10%. The Chinese population is sister to C. medogensis and paraphyletic to the remaining two clades of C. jerdoni. Morphological analyses confirm the results of the molecular analyses, where the Myanmar and Chinese populations can be diagnosed statistically in both univariate and multivariate space from the true C. jerdoni, as well as by a suite of reliable categorical morphological characters, including the size and shape of gular scales and ventral scales. To resolve the current taxonomic confusion, we resurrect the junior synonym, C. yunnanensis, for the Chinese population and expand its distribution to Myanmar, redescribe the elusive C. maria and C. medogensis based on its type material, and describe the remaining western Myanmar population as a new species. We further discuss the possibility of additional cryptic species within the complex in the Pan-Himalaya Region and provide a diagnostic key to all recognized members of the C. jerdoni complex.
... Because species of the genus Diploderma are known to be sexually dimorphic in morphometric measurements Wang et al., 2015Wang et al., , 2018, morphometric data of each sex are treated separately for analyses and comparisons. ...
Cryptic diversity not only introduces confusion to taxonomic studies, but it also poses major challenges to conservation and environmental legislation. One such troubling group are the Mountain Dragons in the genus Diploderma in Southwest China. Previous studies have suggested that the genus contains considerable cryptic diversity, particularly in the D. flaviceps complex. Owing to taxonomic confusion, micro‐endemic lineages are still neglected by the Chinese wildlife protection laws, despite their urgent conservation needs. Combining multivariate morphological and multi‐locus phylogenetic data, we provide the first integrative systematic revision of the genus Diploderma. Specifically, we confirm that the six examined populations of D. cf. flaviceps from the upper Jinsha and Yalong River Valleys in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces represent six cryptic, undescribed lineages, and we describe each of them as a new species. With the updated taxonomy and distribution information, we discuss the taxonomy of the D. flaviceps complex in Southwest China, provide an updated diagnostic key along with distributional ranges for all species of the genus, and discuss some of the suspicious records of other congeners in China. Lastly, we evaluate the IUCN status of each of the six new species and highlight the major challenges for Diploderma conservation in China due to delayed environmental legislation and misleading conservation assessments.
... All specimens were measured by using a digital caliper to the nearest 0.1 mm, except for tail length, which was measured to the nearest 1 mm using a ruler. The morphometric characters were measured following Wang et al. (2018), with some additional morphological characteristics added (Supplementary material (Methods)). Color names and codes follow Köhler (2012). ...
Despite continuous studies on the cryptic diversity of the Diploderma flaviceps complex in Southwest China for the pastdecade, little attention has been given to other widespreadcongeners in China. Combining both morphological and phylogenetic data, we describe a new species of Diplodermafrom populations identified previously as D. dymondi in thelower Yalong River Basin in southern Sichuan Province. Thenew species is morphologically most similar to D. dymondiand D. varcoae, but it can be differentiated by a considerablegenetic divergence and a suite of morphological characters,including having taller nuchal crest scales, smaller tympana,and a distinct oral coloration. Additionally, we discuss otherputative species complexes within the genus Diploderma inChina.
This species is listed as Least Concern because it is widely distributed, its population is presumed stable and because there are no major widespread threats currently affecting its population.
Amolops splendissimus Orlov and Ho, 2007 and A. caelumnoctis Rao and Wilkinson, 2007 were described almost simultaneously from either side of the China-Vietnam border. The two species share a strong morphological resemblance, and their taxonomic distinctiveness has been questioned, yet no one has confirmed the taxonomic relationship and status between the two taxa. To resolve this taxonomic issue, we collected additional topotypic and near-topotypic specimens of A. splendissimus and A. caelumnoctis from both China (A. caelumnoctis: Wenshan County, Yunnan Province; type locality Luchun County, Yunnan Province), and Vietnam (A. splendissimus: Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province; type locality Mount Ky Quan San, Bat Xat, Lao Cai Province). Molecular analysis based on a 16S rRNA fragment revealed minimal genetic divergences between the two taxa (0.0%-0.4% uncorrected p-distance), and both species are closely related to A. viridimaculatus (2.1%-2.3%) and A. medogensis (3.5%-3.7%). Morphological comparisons between the newly collected specimens and the original descriptions of both species further support the lack of distinctiveness of the two species, hence, we conclude that A. caelumnoctis is a junior synonym of A. splendissimus.
From the perspectives of biodiversity conservation and management, there is an urgent need to have at hand current synopses of classification and distributions of species. In this paper, we review and summarize the classifica tions, Chinese and English names, type specimens, type localities and distributions of China's lizard fauna to promote scientific exchange and species conservation among relevant people in China and internationally. As of December 31, 2020, a total of 230 species of lizard, belonging to 44 genera and 12 families, have been recorded from China, including 4 invasive species: 2 in the family Gekkonidae, 1 in Iguanidae and one in Dactyloidae. There are 115 endemic species, accounting for 50% of this group. The proportion of endemic species to China was the highest in the family Eublepharidae (84.62%), and the number of endemic species to China was the highest in the family Agamidae (42 species). The species distributions and classification in the "Fauna Sinica (Reptilia 2): Squamata (Lacertilia)" were updated. Among the provincial administrative units, there is a larger number of species in the southern provinces, such
Mountain Dragons of the genus Japalura Gray 1853 have gained increasing systematic attention recently as a result of the availability of new, vouchered collections and a resurgence of interest in Indochinese agamid diversity. This is particularly true for the J. flaviceps Barbour, Dunn 1919 complex from southwest China. However, many species of the complex are still known from few historical specimens only, and little is known about their general biology and conservation status. As one of such understudied members of the complex, Japalura yulongensis Manthey, Denzer, Hou, and Wang 2012 was described on the basis of seven historical specimens from the type locality in northwest Yunnan, PR China in 1914. Little was known at the time of the general biology and conservation status of the species, and the species has not been documented in the wild since the original description. Herein, we report the re-discovery of this secretive species based on a series of newly collected specimens from the vicinity of the type locality. We provide the first accounts of body coloration in life and microhabitat preferences, expand upon what is known of the species’ morphological variation and ecology, revise the morphological diagnosis of the species, and offer suggestions on its IUCN conservation status and protection status in China.
Background:
The Indian Tectonic Plate split from Gondwanaland approximately 120 MYA and set the Indian subcontinent on a ~ 100 million year collision course with Eurasia. Many phylogenetic studies have demonstrated the Indian subcontinent brought with it an array of endemic faunas that evolved in situ during its journey, suggesting this isolated subcontinent served as a source of biodiversity subsequent to its collision with Eurasia. However, recent molecular studies suggest that Eurasia may have served as the faunal source for some of India's biodiversity, colonizing the subcontinent through land bridges between India and Eurasia during the early to middle Eocene (~35-40 MYA). In this study we investigate whether the Draconinae subfamily of the lizard family Agamidae is of Eurasian or Indian origin, using a multi locus Sanger dataset and a novel dataset of 4536 ultraconserved nuclear element loci.
Results:
Results from our phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses revealed support for two independent colonizations of India from Eurasian ancestors during the early to late Eocene prior to the subcontinent's hard collision with Eurasia.
Conclusion:
These results are consistent with other faunal groups and new geologic models that suggest ephemeral Eocene land bridges may have allowed for dispersal and exchange of floras and faunas between India and Eurasia during the Eocene.
A new species of the agamid genus Japalura is described based on 15 specimens from the upper Lancang
(Mekong) Valley of eastern Tibet, PR China. Populations of the new species, Japalura vela sp. nov., were previously recognized as J. flaviceps. The new species is morphologically most similar to J. batangensis, J. micangshanensis, J. variegata, and J. zhaoermii, but is distinguished from the four species and all remaining congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: 1) small adult size (SVL 56–69 mm in males, 59–66 mm in females); 2) ratio of tail TAL/SVL 1.85–2.06; 3) ratio of hind limb HLL/SVL 0.72–0.81; 4) T4S 24 or 25; 5) concealed tympanum; 6) transverse gular fold present; 7) gular pouch present; 8) axillary fold present; 9) a pronounced, continuous, sail-like vertebral crest along length of body in males; 10) ground dorsal coloration black in males; 11) distinct gray transverse streaks on dorsal surface of head; 12) black radiated streaks around eyes; 13) distinct, black vermiculate stripes on ventral surface of head in both sexes; 14) a strongly jagged dorsolateral stripe from neck to base of tail on each side of vertebral crest in males; and 15) absence of gular spots in both sexes. General distribution patterns of the genus in the Hengduan Mountains region are also discussed.
Based on taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, we presented a comprehensive reassessment of the
classification systems, updated corresponding Chinese scientific names and concluded the Checklist of Chinese Reptilia. Our analysis suggested that in China there are a total of 3 orders, 30 families, 132 genera, and 462 reptile species. The order Crocodylia includes one family, one genus, and one species. The order, Testudines
includes 6 families, 18 genera, and 33 species. The order Squamata includes the suborder Lacertilia and
Serpentes. Lacertilia includes 10 families, 41 genera, and 189 species and Serpentes includes 13 families, 72 genera, and 239 species. Compared to Fauna Sinica (Reptilia 1): General Accounts of Reptilia,Testudoformes and Crocodiliformes, Fauna Sinica (Reptilia 2): Squamata (Lacertilia) and Snakes of China, we added 81 species, revised 2 species and excluded 12 synonymous, 6 hybrid, and 7 undistributed reptile species. At the genus level, there are 23 additional, 6 revised, 15 synonymous genera. At the family level, there are 5 additional and 2 revised families. There is no change at the order or suborder levels. Studies of morphology and molecular phylogeny on taxonomic categories of reptiles reflects several divergences. We discusssed these controversies and explained choices of the Checklist of Chinese Reptilia in this article.
Results of the analysis of taxonomic diversity and representation of different evolutionary lineages of agamid lizards (Reptilia, Sauna, Agamidae) are provided in this article. For comparison with the fauna of China, the following territories were selected: North Eurasia, Iran and different countries of South and Southeast Asia. There are 49 agamid species in China, comprising 12 genera and 4 subfamilies. Annotated check-list and identification keys to genera are provided. Among the 49 species of agamids present in China, the percent of endemic species is relatively high (22 species; 45%). Endemic species refer to 4 genera with the genus Japalura having the most, 10 of 14 species, proceeded by members of Tibetan Plateau lineage of Phrynocephalus, 8 of 12 soecies, and Calotes with 1 species and Laudakia with 3.
The assembly of a DNA barcode library for Australian Lepidoptera revealed that Oenochroma vinaria Guenée, 1858, as currently understood, is actually a mix of two different species. By analyzing DNA barcodes from recently collected specimens and the 150 year-old female lectotype of O. vinaria, we propose a reliable assignment of the name vinaria to one of these two species. A lectotype is designated for Monoctenia decora, a confirmed synonym of O. vinaria, and a new species, Oenochroma barcodificata sp. nov., is described. This species is only known from Tasmania and New South Wales; its biology and immature stages are described in detail.