@article {104895, title = {The delusion of stripes: A century-old mystery of five-lined sun skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae: Eutropis) of Peninsular India elucidated}, journal = {Zoologischer Anzeiger}, volume = {296}, year = {2022}, month = {01/2022}, pages = {71-90}, abstract = {

We re-evaluate the taxonomic identities of five-lined skinks of the genus Eutropis (E.\ trivittata, E. beddomei, E. nagarjunensis, and E.\ bibronii) inhabiting the Indian subcontinent. Previously it has been considered that E.\ trivittata is distributed in the western India and E. dissimilis in the northern India (from north-eastern India up to Pakistan). Based on our analysis, we revealed that the illustration (iconotype) of the untraceable type specimen of E. trivittata depicted by Hardwicke in Gray (1834) from {\textquotedblleft}Dumdum{\textquotedblright} near Kolkata, West Bengal matches the typical E. dissimilis, also described from {\textquotedblleft}Bengal{\textquotedblright}. The senior synonym, E. trivittata is a morphologically unique species, which is also supported by divergence in the mitochondrial 12S and 16S regions. E. trivittata is clearly separated with divergences of 5{\textendash}7\% from E. beddomei, E. vertebralis and E. nagarjunensis for 16S rRNA. After placing E.\ dissimilis with the synonymy of E.\ trivittata, the taxonomic status of the western Indian {\textquoteleft}E.\ trivittata{\textquoteright} required to be clarified. Therefore, we resurrect Mabuia vertebralis Boulenger, 1887, a junior synonym of western Indian E. trivittata, and redescribe its holotype collected from {\textquotedblleft}Belgaum{\textquotedblright}, Karnataka. Although, morphologically closest to E. beddomei, Eutropis vertebralis comb. nov. is a sister taxon to E. nagarjunensis with divergence of 4\% in the same mitochondrial regions. Based on our update of the currently confirmed localities for E. vertebralis comb. nov. and E. trivittata, we conducted a Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) using the Maximum Entropy algorithm to predict their distribution range, and we discuss their conservation status.

}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcz.2021.11.004}, author = {Amarasinghe, AA Thasun and Ganesh, S.R. and Mirza, Zeeshan A and Campbell, Patrick D. and Pauwels, Olivier S.G. and Schweiger, Silke and Kupfer, Alexander and Patel, Harshil and Karunarathna, Suranjan and Deuti, Kaushik and Ineich, Ivan and Hallermann, Jakob and Abinawanto, A. and Supriatna, Jatna} } @article {105471, title = {A new ancient lineage of ablepharine skinks (Sauria: Scincidae) from eastern Himalayas with notes on origin and systematics of the group}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {10}, year = {2022}, month = {01/2022}, pages = {e12800}, abstract = {

The Himalayas represent a renowned biodiversity hotspot and an important biogeographic realm that has influenced origin and diversification of multiple taxa. A recent herpetological investigation of the eastern Himalayas of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh led to the discovery of a unique lineage of ablepharine skink, which is herein described as a new genus along with a new species. The findings are based an integrated taxonomic approach incorporating data from external morphology, microCT scans of the skull and molecular data. The molecular phylogeny of ablepharine skinks is also presented that suggests taxonomic amendments. Discovery of this unique lineage of skinks further highlights the biogeographic importance of the eastern Himalayas as a source for origin of several relic biota.

}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.12800}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Bragin, Andrey M. and Bhosale, Harshal and Gowande, Gaurang and Patel, Harshil and Poyarkov, Nikolay A.} } @article {111039, title = {A new cryptic species of green pit viper of the genus Trimeresurus Lac{\'e}p{\`e}de, 1804 (Serpentes, Viperidae) from northeast India.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {17}, year = {2022}, month = {2022}, pages = {e0268402}, abstract = {

A new cryptic species of green pit viper is described from northeast India, based on specimens collected from the state of Mizoram and Meghalaya. The new species is a member of the subgenus Viridovipera and is sister to Trimeresurus medoensis based on molecular data for mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, whereas resembles Trimeresurus gumprechti morphologically. A combination of characters helps delimit the new species from its congeners. Description of the new species highlights the need for dedicated surveys across northeast India to document its reptilian diversity, as this represents the third new species of the genus to be described in the past three years.

}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0268402}, author = {Rathee, Yashpal Singh and Purkayastha, Jayaditya and Lalremsanga, Hmar Tlawmte and Dalal, Siddharth and Biakzuala, Lal and Muansanga, Lal and Mirza, Zeeshan A} } @article {109299, title = {A new species of bent-toed geckos of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from western Arunachal Pradesh, India}, journal = {HERPETOZOA }, volume = {35}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, pages = {65-76}, abstract = {

A new species of bent-toed geckos of the genus Cyrtodactylus is described from western Arunachal Pradesh. The new species is a member of the Indo-Burma clade and is embedded within the {\textquoteleft}peguensis" group, a relationship deduced contingent on a partial fragment of mitochondrial NADH subunit 2 gene. Cyrtodactylus kamengensis sp. nov. is morphologically similar to C. himalayicus from which it differs in bearing a distinct ventrolateral fold and 6-8 basal lamellae on digit IV of pes. Genetically, the new species is sister to the Indian lineage of the {\textquoteleft}peguensis" group containing C. bhupathyi and C. gubernatoris. The Indian lineage of the {\textquoteleft}peguen-sis" group diverged from its Burmese relatives during the mid-Oligocene likely followed by the beginning of the Himalayan uplift, highlighting the role of the Himalayas in the diversification of biota.

}, doi = {10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e80610}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Bhosale, Harshal and Ansari, Faizan and Phansalkar, Pushkar and Sawant, Mandar and Gowande, Gaurang and Patel, Harshil} } @article {99940, title = {Diversifying on the Ark: multiple new endemic lineages of dwarf geckos from the Western Ghats provide insights into the systematics and biogeography of South Asian (Reptilia: Squamata).}, journal = {Zool Res}, volume = {42}, year = {2021}, month = {2021 Nov 18}, pages = {675-691}, abstract = {

The highly speciose gekkonid genus Strauch, 1887 is polyphyletic, with three distantly related and geographically isolated clades from Africa, South Asia (SA), and Southeast Asia. At present, there are 85 known species within SA , although the number continues to increase rapidly with focused surveys and rigorous taxonomic work. Recent studies have provided valuable insights into the diversity and evolutionary history of SA ; however, most of these studies lack sufficient sampling in the Western Ghats (WG), where the genus has its greatest diversity. We addressed this research gap by conducting extensive sampling across the WG and re-examining museum specimens, thus providing a systematic account of various extant species along with their distribution and natural history. We described 12 new species and a southern WG endemic clade of SA Ten of the newly described species are endemic to the forests of the southern WG. We also identified 10 well-supported subclades that can be separated across morphological, geographic, and phylogenetic axes. A time-calibrated phylogeny and ancestral area reconstructions confirmed the Paleocene origin of SA in the WG and provide insights into its evolutionary history and biogeography. The discovery of multiple endemic and deeply divergent lineages further highlights the evolutionary significance of the WG for lizards.

}, issn = {2095-8137}, doi = {10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.074}, author = {Pal, Saunak and Mirza, Zeeshan A and Dsouza, Princia and Shanker, Kartik} } @article {104887, title = {A new species of geckos of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from Arunachal Pradesh, India}, journal = {Evolutionary Systematics}, volume = {5}, year = {2021}, month = {01/2021}, pages = {13-23}, abstract = {

We here describe a new species of bent-toed geckos from the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which is widespread across the Dafla and Mishmi hills, occurring at elevations ranging from 179 m to 1400 m. The new species is recovered as sister to the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis clade based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, subunit 2 gene. Intraspecific uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence (p-distance) for the new species was found to be between 0 and 5\%, whereas the interspecific divergence from the closely-related congeners was between 19 and 30\%. The new species can be differentiated from members of the C. khasiensis clade using a suite of morphological characters: moderate body size (SVL 64.9{\textendash}81.7); 8{\textendash}11 supralabials; 8{\textendash}10 infralabials; 24{\textendash}26 bluntly conical, feebly keeled dorsal tubercles; 50{\textendash}60 paravertebral tubercles; ~38 ventral scales between ventrolateral folds; no precloacal groves; 6{\textendash}10 precloacofemoral pores in a continuous series; 10{\textendash}16 distal subdigital lamellae on IV of pes; subcaudal scalation of original tail without enlarged plates. This is the fourth reptile species described from Arunachal Pradesh from the expedition led by the team, and this further highlights the need for further herpetological investigations into the region.

}, doi = {10.3897/evolsyst.5.61667}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Harshal Bhosale and Ansari, Faizan and Phansalkar, Pushkar and Sawant, Mandar and Gowande, Gaurang and Patel, Harshil} } @article {104891, title = {A new species of snake of the genus Oligodon Boie in Fitzinger, 1826 (Reptilia, Serpentes) from the Western Himalayas}, journal = {Evolutionary Systematics}, volume = {5}, year = {2021}, month = {11/2021}, pages = {335-345 }, abstract = {

A new species of Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826 is described based on specimens collected from Churah Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The new species is related to O. arnensis based on molecular as well as morphological data, however differs from it in several aspects. The new species shows a pairwise sequence divergence of 6{\textendash}20\% from congeners for mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Lack of pterygoid and palatine teeth of the new species suggests that the diet may largely comprise of eggs. Discovery of the new species is not surprising, as the Western Himalayas has been poorly explored in terms of its herpetofaunal diversity. Considerable genetic divergence in the sampled sequence suggests Oligodon arnensis is a species complex, likely represents multiple species and a revision of the group would be desirable.

}, doi = {10.3897/evolsyst.5.72564 }, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Bhardwaj, Virender Kumar and Patel, Harshil} } @article {104889, title = {On the systematics and the phylogenetic position of the poorly known, montane dragon-lizard species Pseudocalotes austeniana (Annandale, 1908) (Squamata, Agamidae, Draconinae)}, journal = {Evolutionary Systematics}, volume = {5}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, pages = {141-150 }, abstract = {

The montane agamid species Pseudocalotes austeniana has had a complicated taxonomic history, as the species was initially described as a member of the genus Salea Gray, 1845. Later, the species was placed in a monotypic genus Mictopholis Smith, 1935, which was erected only to include this species; however, the species was later on transferred to the genus Pseudocalotes Fitzinger, 1843, owing to the morphological similarities, and lack of strong characters to diagnose the genus Mictopholis. Nonetheless, its precise phylogenetic and systematic position has remained unresolved due to the lack of molecular sequence data. During a herpetological expedition to Arunachal Pradesh, specimens of P. austeniana were collected from the hills near the type locality. The mitochondrial 16S rRNA, ND2 and ND4, and the nuclear RAG1 regions were subjected to molecular phylogenetics. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference gene trees revealed that P. austeniana is a member of the subfamily Draconinae. The analyses showed that the genus Pseudocalotes is polyphyletic, and P. austeniana was embedded within the genus Japalura Gray, 1853 sensu stricto. We here, thus, propose to transfer the species P. austeniana to the genus Japlaura, as Japalura austeniana comb. nov. Biogeographic and evolutionary significance of the findings are discussed.

}, doi = {10.3897/evolsyst.5.67137}, author = {Gowande, Gaurang and Bhosale, Harshal and Phansalkar, Pushkar and Sawant, Mandar and Mirza, Zeeshan A} } @article {81590, title = {On the systematic status of Calliophis macclellandi nigriventer Wall, 1908 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae)}, journal = {ZOOTAXA}, volume = {4821}, year = {2020}, month = {07/2020}, pages = {105-120}, abstract = {

Sinomicrurus macclellandi (Reinhardt, 1844) is a species of coral snakes distributed across the forests of Southeast Asia and the Himalayas. The species exhibits distinct forms across its range, and it has been classified into four subspecies. Calliophis macclellandi nigriventer Wall, 1908 a population from Western Himalayas, which was described as a variety, has not been attended to until now. Our study of a recently collected specimen from near Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India and existing museum material has allowed us to assess the validity of this population based on molecular and morphological data and has given us enough evidence to suggest its elevation to a species rank. Sinomicrurus nigriventer comb. nov. was found to be embedded within a clade comprising S. peinani, but not S. macclellandi s. l., with a genetic distance of 7-16\% from its congeners. Morphologically, it differs from its congeners in having a reddish brown dorsum and a mid-dorsal black vertebral strip extending from the nape to the vent and with three thin bands on the tail, belly white with black smear up to the vent, tail dorsum with a few band-like blotches, and males with 230-235 ventral scales.

}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4821.1.5}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Varma, Vishal and Campbell, Patrick D.} } @article {67826, title = {"Endangered or an artifact of unsound taxonomy? Case of the critically~endangered bush frog Philautus sanctisilvaticus Das and Chanda, 1997".}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4683}, year = {2019}, month = {2019 Oct 10}, pages = {zootaxa.4683.4.6}, abstract = {

We investigated the phylogenetic relationship of the Critically Endangered bush frog Philautus sanctisilvaticus Das and Chanda, 1997 and other species distributed across the fragmented forests of Deccan Peninsula and the northern Eastern Ghats. A short fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was employed to assess phylogenetic relationships across Philautus sanctisilvaticus Das and Chanda, 1997, Raorchestes terebrans (Das and Chanda, 1998) and Philautus similipalensis Dutta, 2003. All sequenced specimens, including material from near the type localities of P. sanctisilvaticus (Amarkantak) and P. similipalensis (Simlipal) were genetically extremely similar, with pairwise uncorrected distances 1\% in the 16S gene, and were phylogenetically placed within the genus Raorchestes. The results based on morphology are ambiguous and do not go hand in hand with molecular data, which however do not provide support for a three species hypothesis either. our findings advocate the need for making nomenclatural amendments. Philautus sanctisilvaticus Das and Chanda, 1997, is the first available nomen for this taxon, and we propose to include this species in Raorchestes as Raorchestes sanctisilvaticus (Das and Chanda, 1997), and to consider the nomina Philautus terebrans Das and Chanda, 1998 syn. nov. and Philautus similipalensis Dutta, 2003 syn. nov. as junior subjective synonyms for this nomen following the Principle of Priority in article 23.1 of the ICZN. The findings are notable from the point of conservation of the species and present a novel case with remarkable genetic homogeneity across the fragmented forests of Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats.

}, keywords = {Animals, Anura, Fishes, Phylogeny, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S}, issn = {1175-5334}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4683.4.6}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Warekar, Priya and Mohapatra, Pratyush P and Raju, David and Patil, Pranad and Dutta, Sushil K and Pal, Saunak} } @article {68510, title = {A new species of fossorial natricid snakes of the genus Trachischium G{\"u}nther, 1858 (Serpentes: Natricidae) from the Himalayas of northeastern India.}, journal = {C R Biol}, year = {2019}, month = {2019 Nov 19}, abstract = {

A new species of natricid snakes, Trachischium apteii sp. nov. is described from the northeastern Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh. The new species differs from its congeners in the following suite of characters: dorsal scales in 15:15:15 rows, SVL 293-299mm, higher ventral count 143-150, very faint dorsal longitudinal lines, absence of yellow patch on the neck and the belly being pale yellow. Preliminary discussion on the phylogenetic position of the members of the genus Trachischium is presented. This discovery of a new snake species advocates the need for dedicated surveys to document biodiversity across Arunachal Pradesh and the neighbouring States of northeastern India.

}, issn = {1768-3238}, doi = {10.1016/j.crvi.2019.10.003}, author = {Bhosale, Harshal S and Gowande, Gaurang G and Mirza, Zeeshan A} } @article {43854, title = {First appearance deceives many: disentangling the species complex using an integrated approach.}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {6}, year = {2018}, month = {2018}, pages = {e5341}, abstract = {

The gekkonid lizard genus Oken is the second most species-rich genus of geckos with greatest diversity in the tropical regions of the world. Some species of the genus are commensal and widespread; however, there are several endemic lineages with restricted distribution. India is home to at least 35 species, with 20 endemic species and the number is steadily increasing with exploration of new habitats and integrated taxonomic approach including molecular data. We made investigations into the molecular and morphological variation throughout the distribution of Daudin, 1802 based on fresh specimens, literature review, museum material and molecular data. Results from morphological, molecular and micro-CT based anatomical data are unequivocal and show that is a species complex represented by three species, sensu stricto and two undescribed taxa. Jerdon, 1854 syn. nov. was found to be morphologically similar to the type specimen of , and genetically embedded in a clade containing sensu stricto and is here treated as a junior synonym of , whereas Deraniyagala is referred to as given that the types are presently not traceable and the original description is inadequate in diagnosing the taxon. The populations from western-central India and parts of Pakistan, and from southern Karnataka are distinct and diagnosable, and are herein described as two new species, respectively. Morphological and molecular data support the distinctiveness of the new species. The present work resolves a taxonomic turmoil that lasted over two centuries highlighting the need for studies that integrate morphological and molecular data.

}, issn = {2167-8359}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.5341}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Gowande, Gaurang G and Patil, Rishikesh and Ambekar, Mayuresh and Patel, Harshil} } @article {48918, title = {A new cryptic species of ground-dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern India}, journal = {Phyllomedusa}, volume = {17}, year = {2018}, month = {12/2018}, pages = {169-180}, abstract = {

A new cryptic species of ground-dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern India. Recently collected specimens of a gecko resembling Hemidactylus reticulatus from northern Karnataka State in southwestern India led me to investigate variation in the species with regards to its morphology and molecular divergence. Results based on existing museum material, combined with molecular data for the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene support the presence of cryptic species within the broadly distributed H. reticulatus complex. Here, I describe a new species of Hemidactylus from northern Karnataka as the frst contribution in resolving the species complex. The integration of molecular and morphological data supports the distinctness of the new species described herein.

}, doi = {10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v17i2p169-180}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A} } @article {43880, title = {A new genus Gravelyia with two species of the family Nemesiidae (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from India}, journal = {Acta Arachnologica}, volume = {67}, year = {2018}, month = {08/2018}, pages = {43-48}, abstract = {

Re-examination of the syntypes of Damarchus excavatus Gravely 1921 raised doubts on its generic allocation. A new genus Gravelyia gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the species. A new combination Gravelyia excavatus (Gravely 1921) comb. nov. is proposed, and a lectotype is designated for the species. Furthermore, a new species Gravelyia striatus sp. nov. is described from West Bengal.

}, doi = {10.2476/asjaa.67.43}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Mondal, A} } @article {12890, title = {Back from the dead! Resurrection and revalidation of the Indian endemic snake genus Wallophis Werner, 1929 (Squamata: Colubridae) insights from molecular data.}, journal = {Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Jan 27}, pages = {1-7}, abstract = {

The monotypic colubrid snake genus Wallophis is revalidated and rediagnosed. Partial sequence for nuclear gene Oocyte maturation factor Mos (c-mos), mitochondrial Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) and cytochrome b (cyt b) were used to assess phylogenetic relationship. Wallophis brachyura type species for the genus was found to be a member of the Western Palearctic clade of Colubrinae and is recovered as a sister taxa to Wallaceophis gujaratensis. Wallophis differs from Wallaceophis in an uncorrected pairwise p-distance of 17\% for mitochondrial ND4 gene. Wallaceophis gujaratensis was described in three different spellings in the literature hence we here propose Wallaceophis gujaratensis as the correct spelling for the species based on provisions in the article 24.2.3. of the International Code for Zoological Nomenclature.

}, issn = {2470-1408}, doi = {10.1080/24701394.2016.1278536}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Patel, Harshil} } @article {28244, title = { Description of a new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Hormuridae) from India}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4365}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, pages = {217-230}, abstract = {

Scorpions of the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 are widespread in forests of the Indo-Pacific region; however, its species diversity is poorly resolved. A new species of the genus Liocheles is herein described from northeast India after examination of freshly collected specimens and available museum material. The new species, Liocheles schalleri sp. nov., occurs in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, a region that has been poorly explored for its arachnid diversity.

}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4365.2.6}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A} } @article {33714, title = {Description of a new species of Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 (Hormuridae) from India.}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4365}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Dec 17}, pages = {217-230}, abstract = {

Scorpions of the genus Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 are widespread in forests of the Indo-Pacific region; however, its species diversity is poorly resolved. A new species of the genus Liocheles is herein described from northeast India after examination of freshly collected specimens and available museum material. The new species, Liocheles schalleri sp. nov., occurs in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, a region that has been poorly explored for its arachnid diversity.

}, issn = {1175-5334}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4365.2.6}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A} } @article {24896, title = {A new large species of gecko of the genus Hemidactylus Oken, 1817 (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Eastern Ghats, India.}, journal = {C R Biol}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Oct 13}, abstract = {

A new large species of gecko superficially resembling Hemidactylus maculatus Dum{\'e}ril \& Bibron and its allied large Hemidactylus is described from Eastern Ghats. The new species, Hemidactylus kangerensis sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from members of the H.\ maculatus complex based on the number of femoral pores, i.e. 18-21 on each side, separated medially by 4\ non-pored scales. A phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequence of mitochondrial gene cytochrome b shows that the gecko is a member of the "H.\ prashadi" clade and is sister to H.\ maculatus, from which it differs in an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 10\%. The discovery of a new large gecko from Eastern Ghats advocates the need for biodiversity assessment across the neglected Eastern Ghats.

}, issn = {1768-3238}, doi = {10.1016/j.crvi.2017.09.003}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Bhosale, Harshal and Patil, Rishikesh} } @article {5907, title = {Neotype designation for Calotes versicolor Daudin, 1802 (Sauria: Agamidae) with notes on its systematics.}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4126}, year = {2016}, month = {2016}, pages = {271-9}, abstract = {

Calotes versicolor Daudin, 1802 is one of the most widespread agamid lizard species which was described without a locality. The type specimen of the species has long been considered lost; however most workers considered Pondicherry as the type locality for the species. Studies by Zug et al. 2006 confirmed that C. versicolor is a complex of multiple species which necessitates fixing type locality and specimen for the species in order to resolve the systematics of the species complex. An adult male from Pondicherry was collected and is here designated as the neotype. A re-description of the species is provided along with notes on systematics of the species.

}, issn = {1175-5334}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4126.2.7}, author = {Gowande, Gaurang and Mishra, Anurag and Mirza, Zeeshan A} } @article {5308, title = {A New Miocene-Divergent Lineage of Old World Racer Snake from India.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {11}, year = {2016}, month = {2016}, pages = {e0148380}, abstract = {

A distinctive early Miocene-divergent lineage of Old world racer snakes is described as a new genus and species based on three specimens collected from the western Indian state of Gujarat. Wallaceophis gen. et. gujaratenesis sp. nov. is a members of a clade of old world racers. The monotypic genus represents a distinct lineage among old world racers is recovered as a sister taxa to Lytorhynchus based on ~3047bp of combined nuclear (cmos) and mitochondrial molecular data (cytb, ND4, 12s, 16s). The snake is distinct morphologically in having a unique dorsal scale reduction formula not reported from any known colubrid snake genus. Uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence for nuclear gene cmos between Wallaceophis gen. et. gujaratenesis sp. nov. other members of the clade containing old world racers and whip snake is 21-36\%.

}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0148380}, author = {Mirza, Zeeshan A and Vyas, Raju and Patel, Harshil and Maheta, Jaydeep and Sanap, Rajesh V} } @article {8759, title = {A new species of the Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) collegalensis (Beddome, 1870) complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Western India.}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4170}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Sep 23}, pages = {339-354}, abstract = {

A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) from the C. collegalensis complex is described based on a series of specimens from western and central India. Morphological and molecular data support the distinctiveness of the new form, which can be diagnosed from other Cyrtodactylus (including other Geckoella) species by its small body size (snout to vent length to 56 mm), the absence of precloacal and femoral pores, no enlarged preanal or femoral scales, and a dorsal scalation consisting wholly of small, granular scales. The new species is most closely related to C. collegalensis, C. speciosus and C. yakhuna, from which it differs by the presence of a patch of enlarged roughly hexagonal scales on the canthus rostralis and beneath the angle of jaw, its relatively long limbs and narrow body, and a dorsal colour pattern of 4-6 pairs of dark spots.

}, issn = {1175-5334}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4170.2.7}, author = {Agarwal, Ishan and Mirza, Zeeshan A and Pal, Saunak and Maddock, Simon T and Mishra, Anurag and Bauer, Aaron M} }