A REVIEW OF GENUS CYRTODACTYLUS (REPTILIA: SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) IN FAUNA OF LAOS WITH DESCRIPTION OF FOUR NEW SPECIES

Nikolai Orlov

The chaetophthalmus species-group of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from India with description of a new species Группа видов chaetophthalmus рода Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Индии с описанием нового вида Abstract. The chaetophthalmus species-group of Culicoides Latreille, 1809 of India is reviewed and a new species Culicoides ateripes sp. n. is described. Key characters are given to discriminate the later species from two other species belonging to the same group: C. majorinus Chu, 1977 and C. yadongensis Chu, 1984. Резюме. В статье сделан обзор группы видов chaetophthalmus рода Culicoides Latreille, 1809 Индии с описанием нового вида Culicoides ateripes sp. n. Дана определительная таблица для различения нового вида от двух других видов этой группы – C. majorinus Chu, 1977 и C. yadongensis Chu, 1984.

Труды Зоологического института РАН Том 318, № 4, 2014, c. 391–423 УДК 575+598.1 A REVIEW OF GENUS CYRTODACTYLUS (REPTILIA: SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) IN FAUNA OF LAOS WITH DESCRIPTION OF FOUR NEW SPECIES R.A. Nazarov1*, N.A. Poyarkov Jr.2,3, N.L. Orlov4, N.S. Nguyen5, K.D. Milto4, A.A. Martynov2, E.L. Konstantinov 6 and A.S. Chulisov 6 1 Zoological Museum, Moscow State University, B. Nikitskaya St. 6, 125009 Moscow, Russia; e-mail: r_nazarov@mail.ru; 2 Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 119991 Moscow, GSP-1, Russia;.e-mail: n.poyarkov@gmail.com 3 Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center under the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, South Branch, 3, Street 3/2, 10 District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 4 Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya Emb. 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; e-mail: azemiops@zin.ru 5 Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 85 Tran Quoc Toan St., District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; e-mail: ngocsangitb@yahoo.com 6 Institute of Natural Sciences, Kaluga State University named after K.I. Tsiolkovskii, Stepana Razina St. 26, 248023 Kaluga, Russia; e-mail: nepentes@list.ru ABSTRACT We describe four new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on the results of phylogenetic analysis of 673 bp of the COI mtDNA gene and morphological description of voucher specimens from Khammouane and Vientiane provinces, Laos. The three of the new species, namely Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. and Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov., are described from a small area in monsoon tropical forests on limestone in the environs of Nahome Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, Central Annamites. Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. differs from all other Laotian Cyrtodactylus by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) maximum SVL up to 100 mm; (2) dorsal pattern formed by the narrow dark nuchal band and 4–5 dark transverse breaking bands with light yellowish posterior edges between limbs; (4) 38–46 ventral scales; (5) continuous series of 38–44 precloacal and femoral pores in males and 24–34 precloacal and femoral pores in females; (6) preclocal groove lacking; (7) 4–5 postcloacal spurs present in both sexes; (8) one median row of subcaudal scales. Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. appears to be closely related to the recently described C. jaegeri Luu et. al., 2014 and can be distinguished from this species and the remaining Laotian congeners by a combination of the following morphological features: (1) medium size, with a maximum SVL up to 73 mm; (2) males with continuous series of 40–44 precloacal and femoral pores; (3) preclocal groove lacking; (4) 32–38 longitudinal rows of ventral scales at midbody; (5) weakly keeled tubercles present on the dorsum and lacking on the head; (6) 5–6 enlarged postcloacal spurs in both sexes; (8) one median row of subcaudal scales; (7) dorsal pattern consisting of wide dark nuchal band and 4–5 dark wide transverse bands. Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. is distinguished by a combination of the following morphological attributes: (1) maximum SVL of up to 98 mm; (2) dorsal patterns consisting of dark irregular separate spots between limbs and on the dorsal surface of the head; (3) nuchal band absent; (4) 30–38 ventrals; (5) continuous series of 58–60 precloacal and femoral pores in males; (6) preclocal groove lacking; (7) 5–6 postcloacal spurs present in both sexes; (8) one median row of subcaudal scales. Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. is described from a cave in north of Vientiane Province of Laos and differs from other congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) maximum SVL of 98 mm; (2) dorsal pattern formed by oblong dark irregular butterflyshaped blotches with light contrast margins; (3) nuchal band with light edging consists of two separate parts, which contact in occipital region; (4) 37–39 ventral scales; (5) 7–8 precloacal pores in males; (5) preclocal groove lacking; (6) 2–3 postcloacal spurs present in both sexes; (7) ten rows of enlarged dorsal tubercles. Our study increase the number of Cyrtodactylus species known for Laos to fifteen. COI DNA-barcoding is successfully applied to reveal cryptic diversity within the genus Cyrtodactylus. Key words: Central Annamites, COI barcoding, Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov., Laos, sympatry, taxonomy *Corresponding author / Автор-корреспондент 392 R.A. Nazarov et al. ОБЗОР РОДА CYRTODACTYLUS (REPTILIA: SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) ФАУНЫ ЛАОСА С ОПИСАНИЕМ ЧЕТЫРЕХ НОВЫХ ВИДОВ Р.А. Назаров1, Н.А. Поярков2,3, Н.Л. Орлов4, Н.Ш. Нгуен5, К.Д. Мильто4, А.А. Мартынов2, Е.Л. Константинов6 и А.С. Чулисов6 Научно-исследовательский Зоологический музей Московского государственного университета им. М.В. Ломоносова, Б. Никитская ул. 6, Москва 125009, Россия; e-mail: r_nazarov@mail.ru 1 Биологический факультет Московского государственного университета им. М.В. Ломоносова, Ленинские Горы, 119991 Москва, ГСП 1,Россия; e-mail: n.poyarkov@gmail.com 2 Совместный Российско-Вьетнамский Научно-Исследовательский и Технологический Центр, Южное Отделение, Хошимин, Вьетнам 3 4 Зоологический Институт Российской академии наук, Университетская наб. 1, 199034 Санкт-Петербург, Россия; е-mail: azemiops@zin.ru 5 Институт Тропической Биологии, Вьетнамская Академия Наук и Технологии (ВАНТ), ул. Тян Куок Тоан 85, 3 район, Хошимин, Вьетнам; e-mail: ngocsangitb@yahoo.com 6 Калужский государственный педагогический университет имени К.Э. Циолковского, ул. Степана Разина 26, 248023, Калуга, Россия; e-mail: nepentes@list.ru РЕЗЮМЕ В статье по результатам филогенетического анализа фрагмента гена первой субъединицы цитохром с-оксидахы мтДНК (COI) длиной 673 п.о. и морфологического исследования ваучерных экземпляров приводится описание четырех новых видов кривопалых гекконов рода Cyrtodactylus из провинций Кхаммуан и Вьентьян, Лаос. Три из описанных новых для науки видов, а именно Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. и Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov., обнаружены на небольшой территории, покрытой мусонными тропическими лесами и карстовыми массивами, в окрестностях деревни Нахом, район Буалапха, провинция Кхаммуан, центральная часть Аннамского хребта. Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. отличается от всех прочих кривопалых гекконов фауны следующей комбинацией морфологических признаков: (1) максимальная длина тела SVL до 100 мм; (2) окраска дорзальной стороны тела сорфмирована узкой темной затылочной (нухальной) полосой и 4–5 темными поперечными прерывистыми полосами с тонкой желтой окантовкой между передними и задними конечностями; (4) 38–46 рядов брюшных чешуй; (5) непрерывающиеся ряды из 38–44 предклоакальных и бедренных пор у самцов и 24–34 предклоакальных и бедренных пор у самок; (6) предклоакальная бороздка отсутствует; (7) 4–5 постклоакальных шипов развиты обоих полов; (8) выражен один медиальный ряд подхвостовых чешуй. Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. по-видимому близок к описанному недавно виду C. jaegeri Luu et. al., 2014, однако отличается от него вида, как и других лаосских Cyrtodactylus, cледующими признаками внешней морфологии: (1) средний размер, с максимальной длиной тела SVL до 73 мм; (2) самцы с непрерывным рядом из 40–44 предклоакальных и бедренных пор; (3) предклоакальная бороздка отсутствует; (4) 32–38 продольных рядов брюшных чешуй в средней части туловища; (5) слабо-килеватые бугорки расположены на дорзальной поверхности тела, но отсутствуют на голове; (6) 5–6 увеличенных постклоакальных шипов как у самцов, так и у самок; (8) выражен один медиальный ряд подхвостовых чешуй; (7) рисунок спинной поверхности тела образован широкой затылочной полосой и 4–5 темными поперечными полосами. Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. отличается от других видов рода следующим сочетанием морфологических характеристик: (1) максимальная длина туловища SVL до 98 mm; (2) рисунок дорзальной поверхности тела представлена отдальными темными пятнами неправильной формы, разбросанными по спине и заходящими на дорзальную поверхность головы; (3) затылочная полоса отсутствует; (4) 30–38 брюшных чешуй; (5) у самцов 58–60 преклоакальных и бедренных пор расположенных в непрерывном ряду; (6) предклоакальная бороздка отсутствует; (7) 5–6 увеличенных постклоакальных шипов как у самцов, так и у самок; (8) выражен один медиальный ряд подхвостовых чешуй. Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. описан из пещеры в северной части провинции Вьентьян, Лаос, и отличается от других кривопалых гекконов региона следующими морфологическими признаками: (1) максимальная длина тела SVL до 98 мм; (2) окраска спинной поверхности тела образована продолговатыми темными пятнами со светлой окантовкой по краю; (3) затылочная полоса имеет тонкую светлую окантовку и состоит из двух частей, конатктирующих в затылочной части черепа; (4) 37–39 брюшных чешуй; (5) 7–8 предклоакальных A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 393 пор у самцов; (5) предклоакальная бороздка отсутсвует; (6) 2–3 увеличенных постклоакальных шипа как у самцов, так и у самок; (7) десять рядов увеличенных спинных бугорков. Наше исследование увеличивает число видов рода Cyrtodactylus, известных для Лаоса, до пятнадцати. Мы также успешно применили методы ДНК индентификации (COI ДНК-баркодинг) к оценке криптического разнообразия рода Cyrtodactylus. Ключевые слова: центральный Аннам, COI barcoding, Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov., Лаос, симпатрия, систематика INTRODUCTION The genus Cyrtodactylus is one of the largest genera of the gekkonid lizards and to date includes about 196 recognized species, distributed in the mainland Southern and Southeast Asia, Himalayas, Indonesia, northern Australia and Oceania (Uetz et al. 2014). Cyrtodactylus thus forms the most diverse genus of Gekkonidae to date, with Indochina representing one of the centers of undiscovered species diversity of this genus. Over the last decade, the diversity of the genus has increased at several times as a result of numerous descriptions of new species from poorly studied areas of Indochina and Indonesia. In 1997 only 18 species of the genus Cyrtodactylus were recorded from the huge territory of Southeast Asia (Manthey and Grossmann 1997). The number of described species has increased rapidly since 2007; in Vietnam, for example, the number of recognized species has increased from just 5 species known in 2006 to 33 species recognized in 2014 (Nguyen et al. 2014). There has been an enormous increase in the number of new species of the genus from Southeast Asia and Oceania, resulting in a total of at least 90 species recognized by 2008 (Ngo and Bauer 2008). At least 44 species of the genus Cyrtodactylus were reported from Indochina – Thai region for 2011 (Uetz et al. 2011). The numerous new records and discoveries from mainland Southeast Asia have been documented mainly for Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. From Laos only ten species of Cyrtodactylus have been recorded to date: C. buchardi David, Teynié et Ohler, 2004, C. interdigitalis Ulber, 1993, Cyrtodactylus jaegeri Luu, Calame, Bonkowski, Nguyen et Ziegler, 2014; C. jarujini Ulber, 1993, C. lomyenensis Ngo et Pauwels, 2010, Cyrtodactylus pageli Schneider, Nguyen, Schmitz, Kingsada, Auer et Ziegler, 2011; Cyrtodactylus roesleri Ziegler, Nazarov, Orlov, Nguyen, Vu, Dang, Dinh et Schmitz, 2010; C. teyniei David, Nguyen, Schneider et Ziegler, 2011; Cyrtodactylus vilaphongi Schneider, Nguyen, Duc Le, Nophaseud, Bonkowski et Ziegler, 2014; C. wayakonei Nguyen, Kingsada, Rösler, Auer et Ziegler, 2010; suggesting that our knowledge of Laotian herpetofauna is still far from being complete (Stuart 1999; David et al. 2004; Teynié et al. 2004; Teynié and David 2010; Ngo and Pauwels 2010; Nguyen et al. 2010; David et al. 2011; Luu et al. 2013). Our field research in Laos at 2009 and 2011 led to discovery of four new populations of Cyrtodactylus of unclear taxonomic status. Methods of DNA identification, or DNA barcoding, serve as important tools for biodiversity assessment since they can be especially useful for identification of cryptic species (Hebert et al. 2003, 2004; Smith et al. 2008). Herein we use DNA barcoding with COI to reexamine the taxonomic status of known species of Laotian bent-toed geckos as well as to explore the status of newly collected specimens in the region. We use this gene, in part, because of its application in documenting genetic diversity through the Cold Code project (Murphy et al. 2013), and also referring to its successful application to biodiversity assessment of the genus Cyrtodactylus (Nazarov et al. 2012; Nguyen et al. 2013, 2014; Schneider et al. 2014a, 2014b). Our investigation results in the description of four new species of Cyrtodactylus based on both genetics and morphology. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sample collection. Field work was conducted in the Laotian provinces of Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Khammouane in 2009–2013. Specimens were anaesthetized, ethanol-fixed and subsequently deposited in the collections of the Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg (ZIN), Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia; Zoological Museum, Lomonosov Moscow State University (ZMMU), Moscow, Russia. The geographic position of the surveyed localities and 394 the distribution of the known Cyrtodactylus species in the Central Annamite Mountains (Truong Son) and adjacent regions of southern Indochina (central and northern Vietnam, Laos, north-eastern part of Thailand) are shown in Fig. 1. For localities of Cyrtodactylus distribution in Laos and adjacent areas see Fig. 1. Morphology. For the morphological descriptions and comparisons, the following measurements (taken with caliper rule to the nearest 0.1 mm) and scalation characters were used (after Darevsky, Szczerbak 1997; Bauer 2002, 2003; Bauer et al. 2002, 2003; Ziegler et al. 2002; David et al. 2004; Nguyen et al. 2006; Hoang et al. 2007; Nazarov et al. 2008): Snoutvent length (SVL, from tip of snout to vent); tail length (TailL, from vent to tip of tail); head length (HeadL, distance between retroarticular process of jaw and snout-tip); head width (HeadW, maximum width of head); head height (HeadH, maximum height of head, from occiput to underside of jaws); orbital diameter (OrbD, greatest diameter of orbit); snout to eye distance (SnEye, distance between anterior most point of eye and tip of snout); ear length (EarL, longest dimension of ear); trunk length (TrunkL, distance from axilla to groin measured from posterior edge of forelimb insertion to anterior edge of hind limb insertion); shoulder length (LS); forearm length (ForeaL, from base of palm to elbow); femur length (FemurL); crus length (Crus L, from base of heel to knee); length of finger IV (LF4); length of toe IV (LT4); eye to ear distance (EyeEar, distance from anterior edge of ear opening to posterior corner of eye); scales across the belly in the middle of the body (V); number of scales along the midbody from mental shield to anterior edge of cloaca (SLB), supralabials (SL); infralabials (IL); precloacal pores (PP); femoral pores (FP); enlarged femoral scales (EFS); number of basal and distal subdigital lamellae under fourth finger (SDL4A); number of basal and distal subdigital lamellae under fourth toe (SDL4P), number of longitudinal rows of enlarged tubercles in the middle of dorsum between ventrolateral folds (TubL); number of transversal rows of enlarged tubercles between occipital region and middle of sacrum along the middle of dorsum (TubW); number of scales along middle of head, between occiput sinus and supranasals (SLH); scales across head, between top of ear openings (SAH); rostral width, between supralabials (RW); rostral height, between anterior and posterior margins of rostral (RH). R.A. Nazarov et al. We also obtained comparative morphological data on Cyrtodactylus species found in Laos and surrounding parts of Vietnam and Thailand: C. bichnganae, C. buchardi, C. chauquangensis, C. cryptus, C. cucphuongensis, C. huongsonensis, C. interdigitalis, C. jaegeri, C. jarujini, C. kunyai, C. lomyenensis, C. martini, C. pageli, C. phongnhakebangensis, C. pseudoquadrivirgatus, C. puhuensis, C. roesleri, C. taynguyenensis, C. teyniei, C. vilaphongi, C. wayakonei from literature (Ngo and Grismer 2010; David et al. 2004; Hoang et al. 2007; Heidrich et al. 2007; Ngo and Chan 2011; Luu et al. 2011; Ulber 1993; Luu et al. 2014; Pauwels et al. 2014; Ngo and Pauwels 2010, Ngo 2011; Schneider et al. 2011; Ziegler et al. 2003; Rösler et al. 2008; Nguyen et al. 2014; Ziegler et al. 2010; Nguyen et al. 2013; David et al. 2011; Schneider et al. 2014b; Nguyen et al. 2010). Due to the high undiagnosed diversity within the genus, where available, we relied on examination of topotypic material and/or original species descriptions. Molecular comparisons. List of the samples and sequences with GenBank Accession Numbers is given in the Table 1. In the molecular analyses we included 64 samples Cyrtodactylus species from Laos and central Vietnam. For the Laotian populations we tried to include several specimens per population where it was possible. We also included all sequences on Cyrtodactylus species from Laos, central and northern Vietnam and southern China available in the GenBank (published in recent papers: Nguyen et al. 2013, 2014; Schneider et al. 2014b). COI gene fragment sequences of a Gekko gecko from southern China (Wang et al. 2012) was used as outgroup within the phylogenetic analyses. DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing. Total genomic DNA was extracted from ethanol-preserved muscle or liver tissues using a glass-fiber automatic DNA isolation protocol following Ivanova et al. (2006) or using standard phenol–chloroform extraction procedures (Hillis et al. 1996) followed with isopropanol precipitation. We amplified 673 bp of Cytochrome oxidase I (COI), a mitochondrial marker proved to be useful for species identification in reptiles and widely used as a barcoding marker for vertebrates (Hebert et al. 2003, 2004; Smith et al. 2008; Solovyeva et al. 2011, 2012; Murphy et al. 2013; Hartmann et al. 2013; Nazarov and Poyarkov 2013), and successfully applied to the studies of cryptic diversity in the genus Cyrtodactylus (Nazarov et al. 2012; Nguyen et al. 2013, 2014; Schneider A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 395 Table 1. Specimens and localities of Cyrtodactylus used in our molecular analysis. Specimen ID GenBank A.N. Species Country Province Locality Reference PNKB4 KF169972 C. cryptus Vietnam Quang Binh U Bo, Phong Nha– Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2013 PNKB3 KF169971 C. cryptus Vietnam Quang Binh U Bo, Phong Nha– Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2013 PNKB2 KF169970 C. cryptus Vietnam Quang Binh U Bo, Phong Nha– Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2013 PNKB1 KF169969 C. cryptus Vietnam Quang Binh U Bo, Phong Nha– Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2013 ZMMU RAN 1999 HQ543944 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 185 HQ967222 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 188 HQ967225 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 186 HQ967224 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 187 HQ967223 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 256 HQ967221 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZINFN189 KF929541 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha Nguyen et al. 2014 ZINFN187 KF929540 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha Nguyen et al. 2014 ZINFN186 KF929539 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha Nguyen et al. 2014 ZINFN185 KF929538 C. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha Nguyen et al. 2014 IEBR A.2013.89 KJ817429 C. cf. darevskii sp. nov. Laos Khammouane ITBCZ-10023 KP199951 C. irregularis ITBCZ-10016 KP199952 ITBCZ-10025 – Schneider et al. 2014 Vietnam Lam Dong – this paper C. irregularis Vietnam Lam Dong – this paper KP199953 C. irregularis Vietnam Lam Dong – this paper ZMMU R-13980-2 KP199946 C. spelaeus sp. nov. Laos Vientiane Khuang Lang N.P., Kasi this paper ZMMU R-13980-3 KP199947 C. spelaeus sp. nov. Laos Vientiane Khuang Lang N.P., Kasi this paper ZMMU R-13980-1 KP199948 C. spelaeus sp. nov. Laos Vientiane Khuang Lang N.P., Kasi this paper ZIN FN 192 HM888468 C. khammouanensis sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 257 HM888469 C. khammouanensis sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 191 HM888467 C. khammouanensis sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN257 KF929544 C. khammouanensis sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha Nguyen et al. 2014 ZIN FN192 KF929543 C. khammouanensis sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha Nguyen et al. 2014 ZIN FN191 KF929542 C. khammouanensis sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha Nguyen et al. 2014 IEBR KM2012.52 KP199942 C. lomyenensis Laos Khammouane Lomyen, Gnommalath this paper IEBR KM2012.53 KP199943 C. lomyenensis Laos Khammouane Lomyen, Gnommalath this paper IEBR KM2012.54 KJ817436 C. lomyenensis Laos Khammouane KIZ201103 KF929537 C. cf. martini China Yunnan – Xishuangbanna Schneider et al. 2014 Nguyen et al. 2014 396 R.A. Nazarov et al. Table 1.( Continued). Specimen ID GenBank A.N. Species Country Province Locality Reference ZMMU RAN 1994-2 HQ967191 C. multiporus sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZMMU RAN 1996-2 HQ967193 C. multiporus sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 3 HM888472 C. multiporus sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 2 HM888471 C. multiporus sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZIN FN 1 HM888470 C. multiporus sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZMMU RAN 1998 HQ543943 C. multiporus sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZMMU RAN 1995-2 HQ967192 C. multiporus sp. nov. Laos Khammouane Na Home, Boulapha this paper ZFMK91827 KJ817431 C. pageli Laos Vientiane PNKN2011119 KF929528 C. phongnhakebangensis Vietnam Quang Binh Phong Nha–Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2014 PNKN201132 KF929527 C. phongnhakebangensis Vietnam Quang Binh Phong Nha–Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2014 PNKN201130 KF929526 C. phongnhakebangensis Vietnam Quang Binh Phong Nha–Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2014 ITBCZ3002 KF169964 C. pseudoquadrivirgatus Vietnam Thua Thien–Hue A Luoi Nguyen et al. 2013 ITBCZ3001 KF169963 C. pseudoquadrivirgatus Vietnam Thua Thien–Hue A Luoi Nguyen et al. 2013 ZMMU R-13095-2 KP199949 C. cf. pseudoquadrivirgatus Vietnam KIZ11665 KF929529 C. puhuensis Vietnam Thanh Hoa IEBR A.2013.109 KJ817428 C. cf. puhuensis Laos PNKB201134 KF929532 C. roesleri Vietnam Quang Binh Phong Nha–Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2014 PNKB20113 KF929531 C. roesleri Vietnam Quang Binh Phong Nha–Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2014 PNKB20111 KF929530 C. roesleri Vietnam Quang Binh Phong Nha–Ke Bang NP Nguyen et al. 2014 IEBR A.2013.112 KJ817437 C. cf. roesleri Laos ROM32120 KF169979 C. taynguyenensis Vietnam Gia Lai Krong Pa, K Bang Nguyen et al. 2013 ROM32119 KF169978 C. taynguyenensis Vietnam Gia Lai Krong Pa, K Bang Nguyen et al. 2013 IEBR KM2012.14 KP199944 C. teyniei Laos Khammouane – this paper IEBR KM2012.77 KP199945 C. teyniei Laos Khammouane – this paper IEBR KM2012.77 KJ817430 C. teyniei Laos Khammouane – Schneider et al. 2014 NUOL R-2013.5 KJ817434 C. vilaphongi Laos Luang Prabang – Schneider et al. 2014 IEBR A.2013.103 KJ817435 C. vilaphongi Laos Luang Prabang – Schneider et al. 2014 ZMMU R-13981-1 KP199950 C. wayakonei Laos Luang Nam Tha – this paper ZFMK91016 KJ817438 C. wayakonei Laos Luang Nam Tha – Schneider et al. 2014 ITBCZ2532 KF169962 Cyrtodactylus sp. 1 Vietnam Da Nang IEBR A.2013.110 KJ817432 Cyrtodactylus sp. 2 Laos Luang Prabang – Schneider et al. 2014 IEBR A.2013.111 KJ817433 Cyrtodactylus sp. 2 Laos Luang Prabang – Schneider et al. 2014 JF920657 Gekko gecko China – Wang et al. 2012 – – – – Pu Hu Houphan – this paper Nguyen et al. 2014 – Khammouane Schneider et al. 2014 – Ba Na Schneider et al. 2014 Schneider et al. 2014 Nguyen et al. 2013 A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 397 Fig. 1. General distribution of the genus Cyrtodactylus in Central Annamites and surrounding areas; dot in the center of icon indicates the type locality; large dot indicates type localities for several species of Cyrtodactylus: 1 – Cyrtodactylus cf. martini – Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China; 2 – C. martini – Lai Chau, Lai Chau Province, Vietnam; 3 – C. bichnganae – Son La, Son La Province, Vietnam; 4 – C. wayakonei – Kao Rao Cave, Ban Nam Eng, Vieng Phoukha, Luang Nam Tha Province, Laos; 5 – C. huongsonensis – Huong Son, My Duc, Hanoi, Vietnam; 6 – C. cucphuongensis – Cuc Phuong N.P., Nho Quan, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam; 7 – С. puhuensis – Pu Hu, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam; 8 – C. cf. puhuensis – Houphan Province, Laos; 9 – C. vilaphongi – Ban Xieng Muak, Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos; 10 – C. chauquangensis – Chau Quang, Quy Hop, Nghe An Province, Vietnam; 11 – C. cf. interdigitalis and C. spelaeus sp. nov. – Khuang Lang N.P., Kasi, Vientiane Province, Laos; 12 – C. pageli – Phoukham Cave, Ban Na Thong, Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province, Laos; 13 – C. teyniei – Ban Na Hin, Nam Kading NBCA, Borikhamxay Province, Laos; 14 – C. jarujini – Phu Wua W.S., Nong Dern, Bung Kan, Nong Khai Province, Thailand; 15 – C. cf. teyniei –Nahin, Khammouane Province, Laos; 16 – C. lomyensis – Lomyen Cave, Gnommalath, Khammouane Province, Laos; 17 – C. darevskii sp. nov., C. khammouanensis sp. nov. and C. multiporus sp. nov.– Na Home, Boulapha, Khammouane Province, Laos; 18 – C. phonghnakebangensis, C. cryptus and C. roesleri – Phong Nha – Ke Bang N.P., Minh Hoa, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam; 19 – C. jaegeri – Thakhek, Khammouane Province, Laos; 20 – C. kunyai – Suan Hin Pha Ngam, Nong Hin District, Loei Province, Thailand; 21 – C. interdigitalis – Tham Yai Nam Nao, Nam Nao N.P., Petchabun Province, Thailand; 22 – C. pseudoquadrivirgatus – Huong Hoa, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam; 23 – C. pseudoquadrivirgatus – A Luoi, Thua Thien – Hue Province, Vietnam; 24 – Cyrtodactylus sp. 1 – Ba Na, Da Nang, Vietnam; 25 – C. buchardi – Kiatngong, Xepian NBCA, Champasak Province, Laos; 26 – C. cf. taynguyenensis – Kon Plong, Kon Tum Province, Vietnam; 27 – C. taynguyenensis – Krong Pa, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam. 398 et al. 2014a, 2014b). Primers used both for PCR and sequencing were the VF1-d (5’-TTCTCAACCAACCACAARGAYATYGG-3’) and the VR1-d (5’-TAGACTTCTGGGTGGCCRAARAAYCA-3’) (following Ivanova et al. 2006). The obtained fragments were sequenced in both directions for each sample, and a consensus sequence was generated. PCRs were performed in 25 μl reactions using ca. 50 ng genomic DNA, 10 pmol of each primer, 15 nmol of each dNTP, 50 nmol additional MgCl 2, Taq PCR buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.3, 50 mM KCl, 1.1 mM MgCl 2 and 0.01% gelatine) and 1 U of Taq DNA polymerase. The PCR conditions were: an initial denaturation step at 95 °C for 3 min; 5 cycles at 95 °C for 30 s, annealing at 45 °C for 1 m, extension at 72 °C for 2 min followed with 35 cycles at 95 °C for 30 s, annealing at 51 for 1 m, extension at 72 °C for 2 min and final extension of 5 min at 72 °C. PCR products were loaded onto 1% agarose gels, stained with GelStar gel stain (Cambrex), and visualized in a Dark reader transilluminator (Clare Chemical). If results were satisfying, products were purified using 2 μl, from a 1:4 dilution of ExoSapIt (Amersham), per 5 μl of PCR product prior to cycle sequencing. A 10 μl sequencing reaction included 2 μL of template, 2.5 μl of sequencing buffer, 0.8 μl of 10 pmol primer, 0.4 μl of BigDye Terminator version 3.1 Sequencing Standard (Applied Biosystems) and 4.2 μl of water. The sequence reaction was 35 cycles of 10 sec at 96 °C, 10 s at 50 °C and 4 min at 60 °C. Cycle sequencing products were purified by ethanol precipitation. Sequence data collection and visualization were performed on an ABI 3730xl automated sequencer (Applied Biosystems). Obtained sequences are accessible at BOLD systems website (http://www.boldsystems.org) and are deposited in GenBank under accession numbers HM888467–HM888472; HQ543943–HQ543944; HQ967191–HQ967193; HQ967221–HQ967225; KP199942–KP199953 (see Table 1). Phylogenetic analysis. Final alignment used for phylogenetic analysis contained 673 bp of COI gene for 64 specimens belonging to approximately 19 Cyrtodactylus species and 1 outgroup sequence of Gekko gecko (summarized in Tabl. 1). Sequences were initially aligned automatically by ClustalX 1.81 (Thompson et al. 1997) and then optimized by eye using BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor 5.0.9 (Hall 1999). Sequences were also submitted to a BLAST search in GenBank to confirm that the intended sequences had been amplified. Mean un- R.A. Nazarov et al. corrected genetic distances (p-distances) between sequences were determined with MEGA 6.0 (Tamura et al. 2013). MODELTEST v.3.06 (Posada and Crandall 1998) was used to estimate the optimal evolutionary models to be used for the data set analysis. The best-fitting model as suggested by the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was the (GTR + I + G) model of DNA evolution. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in PAUP version 4.0b4a (Swofford 1998) and MEGA6.06 (Tamura et al. 2013) software. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in Treefinder (Jobb et al. 2004) and MrBayes 3.1.2 (Huelsenbeck, Ronquist 2001; Ronquist, Huelsenbeck 2003) software. The Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses were conducted using Treefinder (Jobb et al. 2004). Transitions and transversions were equally weighted, and gaps were treated as missing data. Confidence in tree topology was tested by nonparametric bootstrap analysis (Felsenstein 1985) with 1000 replicates, and by posterior probability (PP) for Bayesian inference (BI) in MrBayes 3.1.2 (Huelsenbeck, Ronquist 2001). We a priori regarded tree nodes with bootstrap values 70% or greater and posterior probabilities values over 0.95 as sufficiently resolved, those between 75% and 50% (0.95 and 0.90 for BI) were regarded as tendencies, those below 50% (0.90 for BI) were considered to be non-resolved (Huelsenbeck and Hillis 1993). RESULTS Molecular differentiation of Laotian Cyrtodactylus Sequence statistics. The final alignment of the studied COI mtDNA fragment consisted of 673 sites in which 407 sites were conserved, 266 variable and 258 of them were potentially parsimony-informative; the transition–transversion bias was estimated as 2.49 (all data given for ingroups only). Substitution rates were estimated under the Kimura’s 2-parameter model (+G+I). Nucleotide frequencies were A = 23.0%, T = 26.0%, C = 31.0%, and G = 20.0%. Sequence divergence. The uncorrected p-distances among and within COI gene fragment sequences of the studied Cyrtodactylus taxa and the outgroup (Gekko gecko) are shown in the Table 2. Phylogenetic relationships. As shown by a number of previous studies, phylogenetic analysis of the COI fragment is a powerful tool for molecular diagnostics of biodiversity within the taxonomi- A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus cally complicated genus Cyrtodactylus (Nazarov et al. 2012; Nguyen et al. 2013, 2014; Schneider et al. 2011, 2014a, 2014b). Though resolving phylogeny of the genus Cyrtodactylus would require more genes and taxa to be studied (see Wood et al. 2012), the 673-bp fragment of the COI analyzed herein demonstrates phylogenetic signal which is strong enough to provide significant support values for some nodes in the resulted tree. These phylogenetic patterns are briefly discussed below. The results of the phylogenetic analysis of the COI gene are shown in Fig. 2. Phylogenetic relationships between the accessed taxa of Cyrtodactylus are poorly resolved with major basal nodes in the tree having low (BS < 75%) or insignificant levels (BS < 50%; BPP < 0.95) of support, whereas monophyly of species-level groups and species complexes is significantly supported (BS > 90%; BPP  0.95). Both ML and BI analyses resulted in essentially similar topologies. They differed only in associations at poorly supported nodes. The ML tree (Fig. 2) infers the following set of phylogenetic relationships among studied Cyrtodactylus species, which in general corresponds well to the preliminary tree for Laotian species reported by Schneider et al. (2014b): (1) The phylogenetic analyses revealed 21 lineages mtDNA haplotypes in Cyrtodactylus of Laos and adjacent parts of Vietnam and China included in the present work (see groups 1–21 in Fig. 2). These groups roughly correspond to species-level of differentiation and have high levels of BS and PP statistical support of their monophyly. (2) Altogether, the revealed 21 matrilineal lineages of Cyrtodactylus are grouped into three major clades, corresponding to the level of species groups in the genus Cyrtodactylus (see groups A–C in Fig. 2). The level of statistical support of their monophyly varies from high (for groups A and C) to moderate (for group B). (3) Group A, which we here tentatively indicate as C. phongnhakebangensis species group, includes lineages 1–9 which represent species associated with limestone habitats in central Vietnam (C. phongnhakebangensis (2, indicates lineage number in Fig. 2 and Tabl. 2), C. roesleri (3)) and central and eastern Laos (C. lomyenensis (6) and C. teyniei (7) from Khammouane Province, C. pageli (9) from Vientiane Province). The latter species, C. pageli (lineage 9) appears to be more distantly related to others, though its’ phylogenetic position is recovered in alternative 399 ways in ML and BI analyses (always with non-significant values of node support). (4) The sample IEBR A.2013.112 from Khammouane Province in Laos, indicated as “Cyrtodactylus sp. 4” in the original publication by Schenider et al. (2014b) with absolute values of node support (BS/ PP = 100/1.0) groups with samples of C. roesleri from Quang Binh Province, Vietnam (lineage 4 – C. cf. roesleri in Fig. 2). Certain level of genetic differentiation between this lineage and C. roesleri from the type locality (p = 6.12%, see Tabl. 2) may be explained by incomplete taxonomy of this group as well as by interspecific differentiation of local populations. Thus, our analysis confirms the presence of C. roesleri or a very closely related form of Cyrtodactylus in Laos; herein we tentatively indicate this lineage as C. cf. roesleri, further morphological examination and analysis of nuclear DNA markers might help to clarify the taxonomic status of this lineage. (5) The three syntopic morpho-species of Cyrtodactylus found by us in limestone forests in the environs of Na Home, Khammouane Province, eastern Laos, group into three distantly related clades; all belonging to the C. phongnhakebangensis species group. Among them, clade 1 includes the sample IEBR A.2013.89, indicated as “Cyrtodactylus sp. 3” in the original publication by Schenider et al. (2014b), genetic distance from our samples is less than p = 1.0% (see Tabl. 2). This species is recovered as a sistergroup of C. phongnhakebangensis from Quang Binh Province of Vietnam (see Fig. 2); it was indicated as “Cyrtodactylus sp. 3” (Schenider et al. 2014b) or as “Cyrtodactylus sp. 4” (Nguyen et al. 2014; please note that sample IDs and GenBank AN’s are erroneously mixed in the Table 1 of this publication) by previous researchers. The uncorrected genetic distinace of the clade 1 from its sister species C. phongnhakebangensis reaches p = 9.34% (see Tabl. 2). Based on significant genetic distance in COI gene and morphological differences, below we describe the representatives of this clade as a new species, Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. (6) The clade 5 also from Na Home Village in Khammouane Province of Laos forms a clearly distinct mtDNA lineage (see Fig. 2). This species was also included in the recent paper of Nguyen et al. (2014) where it was indicated as “Cyrtodactylus sp. 5” (Nguyen et al. 2014; please note that sample IDs and GenBank AN’s are erroneously mixed in the Table 1 of this publication). Genetic differentiation of this lineage from other members of the C. phongnhakeban- Species 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1. C. darevskii sp. nov. 0.99 1.14 1.66 1.54 1.45 1.52 1.46 1.53 1.40 1.63 1.72 1.63 1.79 1.62 1.61 1.66 1.59 1.65 1.68 2.19 1.73 1.72 2. C. phongnhakebangensis 9.34 0.00 1.60 1.64 1.50 1.54 1.42 1.52 1.54 1.66 1.76 1.75 1.71 1.63 1.67 1.68 1.67 1.90 1.71 2.13 1.77 1.64 3. C. roesleri 17.23 15.33 0.24 1.11 1.68 1.69 1.46 1.53 1.65 1.53 1.60 1.70 1.69 1.78 1.78 1.74 1.65 1.50 1.78 2.35 1.81 1.73 4. C. cf. roesleri 15.93 16.36 6.12 — 1.67 1.71 1.49 1.52 1.61 1.51 1.56 1.75 1.57 1.79 1.75 1.70 1.65 1.46 1.77 2.36 1.91 1.82 5. C. khammouanensis sp. nov. 14.93 15.54 16.42 16.69 0.10 1.49 1.51 1.55 1.46 1.47 1.50 1.67 1.61 1.61 1.57 1.65 1.66 1.75 1.63 2.10 1.57 1.75 6. C. lomyenensis 14.56 14.69 17.67 17.97 15.60 0.12 1.30 1.35 1.33 1.47 1.55 1.79 1.62 1.65 1.56 1.63 1.60 1.65 1.71 2.04 1.65 1.75 7. C. teyniei 15.34 15.27 17.52 17.82 17.18 14.57 0.00 0.86 1.50 1.56 1.46 1.64 1.62 1.64 1.55 1.71 1.64 1.56 1.76 2.32 1.64 1.70 8. C. multiporus sp. nov. 15.45 15.27 16.97 17.09 16.57 14.39 6.00 0.00 1.56 1.54 1.45 1.65 1.62 1.65 1.57 1.69 1.58 1.59 1.77 2.35 1.68 1.65 9. C. pageli 17.74 17.64 17.52 16.73 18.59 17.06 17.64 17.45 — 1.41 1.41 1.69 1.45 1.60 1.62 1.72 1.70 1.57 1.91 2.01 1.57 1.70 10. C. puhuensis 22.88 21.45 19.73 20.09 22.09 21.10 20.91 21.36 20.09 3.27 0.96 1.33 1.49 1.57 1.52 1.38 1.33 1.44 1.49 1.77 1.45 1.77 11. C. vilaphongi 20.48 20.55 20.55 20.00 21.85 20.95 18.36 19.64 19.27 9.45 0.00 1.27 1.47 1.51 1.51 1.39 1.50 1.43 1.55 1.91 1.52 1.67 12. C. spelaeus sp. nov. 23.53 20.79 20.00 20.00 21.65 23.38 21.03 21.21 21.45 11.48 12.30 0.61 1.49 1.51 1.50 1.61 1.49 1.68 1.71 1.97 1.68 1.82 13. C. sp. 2 Luang Prabang 20.71 18.73 20.24 19.27 19.32 19.98 21.64 21.27 20.36 15.00 13.45 14.48 0.00 1.49 1.57 1.49 1.62 1.56 1.50 1.91 1.65 1.70 14. C. martini 21.82 18.91 20.48 20.91 20.26 22.04 22.36 22.18 19.45 17.18 15.45 15.39 14.55 — 0.97 1.58 1.57 1.70 1.60 2.03 1.53 1.62 15. C. wayakonei 21.05 19.91 21.58 20.91 20.54 21.40 22.45 22.27 20.55 18.23 16.55 16.67 16.09 6.82 0.91 1.64 1.50 1.71 1.61 2.07 1.67 1.68 16. C. cryptus 20.61 19.64 22.24 20.73 20.69 20.58 20.36 20.36 19.64 20.00 18.73 19.94 20.55 19.27 18.55 0.00 1.23 1.40 1.46 1.78 1.41 1.88 17. C. sp. 1 Da Nang 22.36 20.36 21.15 21.82 22.55 21.31 20.18 19.64 20.00 18.73 17.82 19.39 19.09 17.45 18.18 9.27 — 1.44 1.31 1.79 1.41 1.68 18. C. irregularis 22.24 21.39 22.12 20.97 22.91 21.62 21.39 22.30 21.52 20.52 18.42 22.06 19.52 19.88 19.52 16.06 15.52 0.12 1.54 1.81 1.36 1.79 19. C. taynguyenensis 21.64 21.09 23.27 21.45 20.87 20.58 20.36 22.00 22.36 20.00 19.27 20.55 21.09 19.64 18.82 15.09 15.82 16.61 0.00 1.42 1.24 1.79 20. C. cf. pseudoquadrivirgatus 22.75 19.73 22.07 22.70 21.08 20.33 21.89 21.62 20.54 19.59 19.73 20.81 19.46 17.57 18.92 15.68 13.24 13.78 10.27 — 1.37 2.19 21. C. pseudoquadrivirgatus 20.63 19.82 21.15 22.00 20.20 21.74 20.00 21.64 20.91 18.36 18.36 19.58 21.27 17.27 17.82 13.27 14.55 13.70 12.73 8.11 0.00 1.67 22. Gekko gecko 23.09 22.36 23.09 23.27 22.67 22.89 24.91 23.82 26.00 23.09 24.00 24.61 23.09 22.91 23.36 24.00 24.18 25.39 25.64 24.86 25.09 — R.A. Nazarov et al. 1 400 Table 2. Uncorrected p-distance (percentage) between COI sequences of studied Cyrtodactylus species (below diagonal), within group mean p-distances (on diagonal) and calculation errors (above diagonal). A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 401 Fig. 2. ML-tree of studied Cyrtodactylus species based on the analysis of 673 bp of COI mtDNA gene. Node colour indicates support value: black for well-supported and sufficiently supported nodes (ML BS > 90%; BI PP > 0.95), greyfor moderately or poorly supported nodes and white for unresolved nodes with low or no support. Bootstrap support (BS) and posterior probability (PP) values are shown above or below tree nodes for ML/BI analyses respectively. Genbank accession numbers of samples corresponds to those in Table 1. 402 gensis species group is significant, with minimal p-distances found between this species and C. roesleri from Quang Binh Province of Vietnam and Khammouane Province of Laos (p = 16.42–16.69%, see Tabl. 2). Based on high genetic distances between COI gene sequences and significant morphological differences, below we describe the members of this clade as a new species, Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. (7) The members of the clade 8 from environs of Na Home Village in Khammouane Province of Laos form a significantly supported monophyletic group with another Laotian species C. teyniei (see Fig. 2), which also inhabits limestones of Khammouane Province (see Fig. 1). These lineages appear to be very close with minimal uncorrected genetic distance observed between them: p = 6.00%. The genetic distances of this lineages from another limestone species from the Khammouane Province, C. lomyenensis, is much grater (p = 14.39–14.57%, see Tabl. 2). However, stable differences in unique states of morphological features (see below) allow us to designate this lineage as a new species, Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. (8) Monophyly of the group B, encompassing limestone and cave species of Cyrtodactylus from central, western and northern Laos and adjacent China, is moderately supported (BS / PP = 74/0.94); tentatively we indicate it as C. wayakonei species group (see Fig. 2). This group is subdivided into two subclades, one joining C. wayakonei from northern Laos and Cyrtodactylus sp. from Xishuangbanna (which, based on preliminary examination of vouchers, we tentatively indicate here as C. cf. martini) and the second one, joining all other species. Among the latter, the sample Cyrtodactylus from Houphan Province in Laos (IEBR A.2013.109) indicated as “Cyrtodactylus sp. 1” in the original publication by Schenider et al. (2014b) is undoubtedly with absolute levels of statistical support (BS/PP = 100/1.0) conspecific with the recently described C. puhuensis from Thanh Hoa Province of Vietnam (see Fig. 2). Genetic differentiation between Laotian and Vietnamese populations of this species is minimal (p = 3.27%; see Tabl. 2); thus our analysis provides evidence for including C. puhuensis in the herpetofaunal list of Laos. The species appears to be closely related to C. vilaphongi from Luang Prabang Province in north-central Laos (p = 9.45%, see Tabl. 2). (9) The species indicated as “Cyrtodactylus sp. 2” in the original publication by Schenider et al. (2014b) appears to be quite distant from other members of the R.A. Nazarov et al. group (p = 13.45–15.00%, see Tabl. 2). The population of cave-dwelling Cyrtodactylus from Khuang Lang N.P., Kasi District, Vientiane Province, also appears to be quite distant from other members of C. wayakonei species group (p = 11.48–11.48%). Based on distinct morphological differences and significant differentiation in mtDNA we below describe this species as Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. (10) The members of the clade C belong to the C. irregularis species group, which in our analysis includes only central-Vietnamese taxa: C. cryptus from Quang Binh Province, Cyrtodactylus sp. 1 from Da Nang, C. irregularis from Lam Dong Province, C. taynguyenensis from Gia Lai Province, C. cf. pseudoquadrivirgatus and C. pseudoquadrivirgatus from Thua Thien – Hue Province. Phylogenetic relationships between these closely-related taxa in general correspond to those reported by previous researchers (Nazarov et al. 2012; Nguyen et al. 2013, 2014). Taxonomic accounts Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. (Fig. 3) Holotype. Adult male ZMMU R-13980 (field number F185) collected on 18 June 2009 by Nikolai Orlov, Sang Ngoc Nguyen and Konstantin Milto in environs of Na Phao Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos (17°34´57.1´´N and 105°44´37.3´´E; elevation 170 m a.s.l.). Paratypes. Three adult males (ZMMU R-139811; 13981-2 (FN 186, 187); ZIN 28247 (FN 256), two adult females (ZMMU 13981-3 (1999); ZIN 28248 (FN 188) and one subadult ZIN 28249 (FN 189). All members of the type series with the same collection data as the holotype. Diagnosis. A large sized, slender Cyrtodactylus with a maximum SVL of 100 mm; the new species is distinguished from all congeners by the following morphological characters. Dorsal color pattern consisting of narrow dark nuchal band and 4–5 dark transversal breaking bands with light yellowish edge between limbs and 8–10 transversal dark bands on the tail. Dorsal surface of head very light brown, sometimes with a yellowish tinge, with few small irregular roundish dark brown spots. Dorsal of head and temporal region, body, hind limbs and base of tail covered by rounded, keeled tubercles, which are 2–3 times larger than the surrounding scales. Ventrals in A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 403 Fig. 3. Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov.: A – general view of holotype; B – precloacal region with continuous row of femoral and precloacal pores; C – dorsum surface with the rows of enlarged tubercles; D – dorsal surface of the head; E – ventral surface of the head with mental scalation. 404 38–46 longitudinal rows at midbody, lateral folds are not strongly developed. Continuous series of 38–44 precloacal and femoral pores in males and 24–34 precloacal and femoral pores in females. Subcaudals in transversally enlarged median row, flat, smooth, imbricate. No enlarged keeled tubercles on the dorsal surface of the tail; 4–5 postcloacal spurs in both sexes. Holotype description. The holotype is an adult male, in good state of preservation; it has the following measurements: SVL 90.0 mm, TailL 105.0 mm, HeadL 24.8 mm, HeadW 15.8 mm, HeadH 9.7 mm , SnEye 10.5 mm, OrbD 5.5 mm, EarL 2.2 mm, EyeEar 6.2 mm; proportions are as follows: SVL/HeadL 3.62, HeadL/HeadW 1.56, HeadL/HeadH 2.55, SnEye/ EyeEar 1.69. Rostral is large, wider than high (RW 3.9 mm, RH 2.2 mm, RW/RH 1.77) with an inverse Y–shaped median suture; supralabials 10/10; infralabials 9/10; nares surrounded by rostral anteriorly, first supralabial laterally, supranasal and two nasals posteriorly; rostral about 4–5 times larger than supranasal; supranasals in broad contact with each other; upper anterior ciliaries two times larger than posterior ones; head scales granular, two times smaller than the median snout scales; no enlarged keeled tubercles on the dorsal surface of head (Fig. 3d); on temporal region enlarged tubercles are present, they are 3–4 times larger than the surrounding scales; mental triangular, as wide as rostral; two pairs of enlarged postmentals, first pair longer than wide and in broad contact (Fig. 3e); dorsal scales granular, 3–4 times smaller than the ventral scales; dorsal tubercles round, flat, keeled, surrounded by 8–10 granular scales, tubercles forming about 18 irregular longitudinal rows at midbody (Fig. 3c); ventral scales smooth, 38 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral folds weakly developed; dorsal surface of fore limbs without enlarged tubercles and hind limbs with smooth roundish enlarged tubercles; fingers and toes without web, basal lamellae more rounded than on distal surface of digits; row of enlarged femoral and precloacal scales with 43 pores, (Fig. 3b); fore pairs of enlarged postcloacal spurs; dorsal of tail without enlarged keeled tubercles; posterior part of tail covered by flattened and rounded scales; subcaudals with enlarged median plate row, flat, smooth, imbricate, twice wider than high. Coloration: Dorsal surface of head is light brown with the few roundish small dark irregular dots; nuchal band not wide with undulating edge posteriorly, dark brown with a distinct light margin, extending R.A. Nazarov et al. from the neck to the posterior margins of eyes; labials are light grey. Dorsal color pattern formed by five transversal dark brown bands with light yellowish edge between limbs. Dorsal surface of limbs and digits light brown or yellowish with unclear dark bands. The lower surfaces of toes and fingers are light grey. Tail with eight, wide, dark brown bands, which are wider than the light grey interceptions in-between. Ventral body surfaces white, tail dark with light spots. For coloration in life see Fig. 3a. Variation of paratypes. For the variation of the type series see Table 3. The dorsal pattern is somewhat variable. Sexual dimorphism is not well developed, males somewhat smaller than females, maximal SVL for males is 93.2 mm and for females is 100 mm. Precloacal and femoral pores present in both sexes, but males have more developed postcloacal spurs. Comparisons with Laotian congeners. Below we compare the new species with eleven Laotian congeners. Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. differs from C. buchardi David, Teynie et Ohler, 2004 by the singe median row of subcaudals (vs. subcaudals not enlarged in C. buchardi), enlarged femoral scales (lacking in C. buchardi), fewer dorsal tubercle rows (16–20 vs. 25), more ventral scales (38–46 vs. 30), and more subdigital lamellae under the fourth finger and toe (17–20 and 18–22 vs. 14 and 12). From C. interdigitalis Ulber, 1993 new species differs by transversal enlarged subcaudal scales; higher number of precloacal and femoral pores in the singe row (38–44 for males and 24–38 for females vs. 14 precloacal and 9+9 femoral pores for C. interdigitalis); roundish tail versus flattened tail; dorsal patterns of new species consisting of 4–5 dark transverse narrow bands versus 4–5 wide brownish jagged transversal bands; no webbing between toes versus developed web on the basis of toes. Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. can be distinguished from C. jaegeri Luu, Calame, Bonkowski, Nguyen et Ziegler, 2014 by larger body size (maximum SVL 100 mm vs. 68.5 mm), a higher number of ventral scales (38–46 vs. 31–32), dorsal color patterns (dark narrow transverse wavy bands vs. wide transversal dark bands). The new species is distinguished from C. jarujini Ulber, 1993 by having smaller number of femoral and precloacal pores arranged in a continuous row (38–44 vs. 52–54 pores in an irregular row), more ventral scales (38–46 vs. 30–38), and also can be further distinguished by number of subdigital lamellae (LF4 17–20 and LT4 18–22 vs. 12–17 and 11–18 respectively). The new A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 405 Table 3. Measurements and selected morphological characters of the type series of Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov.; f = female, m= male, sub = subadult. Holotype Paratypes ZMMU R-13980 ZMMU R-13981-2 ZMMU R-13981-1 ZIN 28247 ZMMU R-13981-3 ZIN 28248 ZIN 28249 m m m m f f sub SVL 90 93.2 90 73.7 100 84.6 50.6 TailL 105 * 113 95 * 45* * 15.0 Sex Head L 24.8 25.3 24.5 21.5 27.6 23.2 Head W 15.8 15.8 16 13 17.7 14.2 9.0 Head H 9.7 9.4 10 7.7 10.8 8.7 5.2 SnEye 10.5 10.6 10.3 8.6 11.2 9.0 4.7 OrbD 5.5 5.7 5.2 4.8 5.8 5.0 3.9 EarL 2.2 2.6 1.8 2.0 2.7 2.5 1.0 EyeEar 6.2 5.7 6.2 5.3 6.5 5.7 3.6 TrunkL 40.1 39.5 38.2 32.6 44.3 38 19.8 LS 15.5 16.1 15.3 12.9 16.7 14.2 7.8 ForeaL 14 14.8 14.4 11.5 15.3 13.2 7.2 FemurL 18.5 21 17.7 16.6 21.2 18.3 10.7 Crus L 14.7 17 15.3 12 16.2 13.8 8.3 LD4A 9.1 9.2 9.0 8.0 9.6 7.7 4.6 LD4P 9.8 12.4 11.7 9.7 12.0 10.5 5.7 V 38 43 40 40 44 46 40 SLB 193 194 216 180 192 208 190 LF 4 19 17 20 19 19 19 17 18 LT 4 20 18 20 18 22 20 PP+FP 43 44 38 38 34 24 0 SL 10 12 10 11 11 10 12 IL 9 10 10 9 10 9 11 TubL 42 43 43 40 44 48 38 TubW 18 16 16 20 16 18 18 SLH 93 97 95 85 90 91 94 SAH 78 72 82 71 74 75 80 species is distinguishable from C. lomyenensis Tri et Pauwels, 2010 by the larger body size (maximum SVL 100 mm vs. 72.1 mm in C. lomyenensis), a higher number of ventral scales (38–46 vs. 35–36), dorsal color pattern (narrow dark transverse bands vs. wide bands in C. lomyenensis). Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. can be further differentiated from C. pageli Schneider, Nguyen, Schmitz, Kingsada, Auer et Ziegler, 2011 by the following morphological attributes: continuous row of precloacal and femoral pores (38–44 vs. 4–6 precloacal pores in C. pageli), greater number of enlarged dorsal tubercle rows (16–20 vs. 9–14)*. From C. roesleri Ziegler, Nazarov, Orlov, Nguyen, Vu, Dang, Dinh et Schmitz, 2010 the new *The number of pores in the single known female is ambiguously stated in the original description of C. teyniei; in Tab. 1 (p. 37, David et al. 2011) the number of pores is given as 13, whereas in the diagnosis on the page 30 and in the Fig. 3a of the same publication the number of pores is stated as 14. 406 species is distinguishable by having a higher number of precloacal and femoral pores (38–44 vs. 20–28), larger maximum body size (100 mm vs. 75.3 mm), dorsal pattern (irregular, dark transverse bands vs. wide transverse dark bands in C. roesleri). The new species differs from C. teyniei David, Nguyen, Schneider et Ziegler, 2011, by the higher number of pores in females (24–34 vs. 13 or 14 ), dorsal color pattern (narrow bands vs. blotches in C. teyniei), presence of nuchal loop (present in the new species vs. absent in C. teyniei). The new species can be further diagnosed from C. puhuensis Nguyen, Yang, Thi Le, Nguyen, Orlov, Hoang, Nguyen, Jin, Rao, Hoang, Che, Murphy et Zhang, 2014 by a higher number of precloacal and femoral pores (38–44 vs. 5 precloacal pores in C. puhuensis), and by a different dorsal pattern (dark transverse bands vs. light narrow bands in C. puhuensis). From C. vilaphongi Schneider, Nguyen, Duc Le, Nophaseud, Bonkowski et Ziegler, 2014 the new species differs by having enlarged median row of subcaudals (absent in C. vilaphongi), higher number of ventral scales (38–46 vs. 34–36 in C. vilaphongi) and different dorsal color pattern (dark transverse bands vs. narrow yellowish white bands in C. vilaphongi). From C. wayakonei Nguyen, Kingsada, Roesler, Auer et Ziegler, 2010 the new species is distinguished by a higher number of precloacal and femoral pores (38– 44 vs. 6–8 precloacal pores), different dorsal pattern (dark bands vs. blotched to reticulated pattern in C. wayakonei), and by subcaudal scalation (enlarged median row of subcaudals vs. somewhat enlarged and broadened subcaudals). Etymology. Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. is named for the honor of the famous Russian herpetologist Ilya Sergeevich Darevsky (1924–2009). The recommended vernacular name in English: Darevsky’s Bent-toed Gecko. Habitat description. The study area is located in environs of Na Phao Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, eastern Laos. (17°34´57.1´´N and 105°44´37.3´´E, elevation 170 m a.s.l.). Field work was conducted there during 15–20 June, 2009. The study area is situated near Phou Hinboun (Limestone) National Biodiversity Conservation Protected Area. The area is dominated by sparsely vegetated limestone karst. Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. was found at the altitude 170 m a.s.l. in a karst cave (Fig. 8). All the geckos are found on the walls in small-sized caves. They are recorded at night near numerous cracks that serve as shelters. The new R.A. Nazarov et al. species was recorded in synbiotopy with Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. (see below). Distribution. To date the new species is known only from the type locality. Phylogenetic position. A member of C. phongnhakebangensis species group; most closely related to its sister species C. phongnhakebangensis, distributed in Quang Binh Province of Vietnam (p = 9.34%). Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. (Fig. 4) Holotype. Adult male ZMMU R-13982 (field number FN 192) collected on 16 June 2009 by Nikolai Orlov, Sang Ngoc Nguyen and Konstantin Milto in the environs of Na Phao Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos (17°34´57.1´´N and 105°44´37.3´´E, elevation 170 m a.s.l.). Paratypes. One adult male ZIN 28250 (FN 193) and two adult females ZMMU R-13983 (FN 257); ZIN 28251 (FN 191). All type specimens are with the same data as the holotype. Diagnosis. Relatively small Cyrtodactylus with a maximum SVL of 73 mm; the new species is distinguished from all other congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters. Dorsal pattern consisting of wide dark nuchal band and 4–5 dark wide transverse bands with smooth edges. Widths of interspaces between dorsal bands are less than widths of the bands. Dorsal surface of head is light yellowish, without any clear pattern. Dark wide transverse bands present on the tail. Roundish weakly keeled tubercles present on the dorsum, hind limbs, temporal region of the head, on the tail base and absent on the dorsal surface of the head. Ventrals in 32–38 longitudinal rows at midbody. Lateral folds weakly developed. Continuous series of 40–44 precloacal and femoral pores in males reach the bend of knee. Enlarged femoral scales present, 5–6 enlarged postcloacal spurs in both sexes. Subcaudal scales transversally enlarged in one median row. Holotype description. Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. – adult male, the holotypehas the following measurements: SVL 70.8 mm, TailL 95.0 mm, HeadL 19.8 mm, HeadW 12.2 mm, HeadH 7.4 mm , SnEye 7.5 mm, OrbD 4.4 mm, EarL 2.0 mm, EyeEar 5.2 mm; proportions are as follows: SVL/HeadL 3.57, HeadL/HeadW 1.62, HeadL/HeadH 2.67, SnEye/ EyeEar 1.44. A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 407 Fig. 4. Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov.: A – general view of type specimen; B – precloacal region with continuous row of femoral and precloacal pores; C – ventral surface of the head with mental scalation; D – dorsal surface of the head without enlarged tubercles; E – dorsum surface with the rows of enlarged tubercles. 408 Rostral large, somewhat wider than high (RW 3.0 mm, RH 1.9 mm, RW/RH 1.57) with an inverse Y-shaped median suture; supralabials 12/12; infralabials 10/11; nares surrounded by rostral anteriorly, first supralabial laterally, supranasal and two nasals posteriorly; rostral about 7–8 times larger than supranasal; supranasals in contact with each other; dorsum of head covered by small granular scales without enlarged keeled tubercles (Fig. 4c); on the temporal region rounded, weakly keeled tubercles, which are ca. three times larger than the surrounding scales, are present; mental pentagonal, as wide as rostral; two pairs of enlarged postmentals, first pair longer than wide in broad contact (Fig. 4d); dorsal scales granular, 2–3 times smaller than the ventral scales; dorsal tubercles not large (3–4 times larger than the surrounding scales), conical, weakly keeled, surrounded by 8–10 granular scales, tubercles forming about 18 irregular longitudinal rows at midbody (Fig. 4e); ventral scales smooth, 38 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral folds weakly developed; dorsal surface of forelimbs without enlarged tubercles and hindlimbs with smooth roundish enlarged tubercles; fingers and toes without web, basal lamellae more rounded than on distal surface of digits; row of enlarged precloacal and femoral scales with 44 pores (Fig. 4b); five pairs of enlarged postcloacal spurs; dorsal surface of tail without enlarged keeled tubercles; posterior part of tail covered by flattened and rounded scales; subcaudals flat, smooth, imbricate, with enlarged median plate row, about two times wider than high. Coloration: Dorsal head surface light without any markings; nuchal band broadened posteriorly, dark brown with distinct white margin, extending from the neck to the posterior edges of eyes; labials light with brown spots. Dorsum brownish with six wide regular, dark, transverse bands with light posterior margins; flanks grayish white. Venter white, the lower side of toes and fingers light colored; dorsal surface of limbs and digits brownish without any contrasting markings. Dorsal surface of tail with 3 dark brown bands which are wider than the light bands in-between. Ventral sides of tail dark grey. For coloration in life see Fig. 4a. Variation of paratypes. For the variation of the type series see Table 4. The dorsal pattern is nt variable. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced, precloacal and femoral pores present in males only; males also have better developed postcloacal spurs. R.A. Nazarov et al. Comparisons with Laotian congeners. Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. differs from C. buchardi by the singe median row of subcaudals (vs. subcaudals not enlarged in C. buchardi), enlarged femoral scales (lacking in C. buchardi), fewer dorsal tubercle rows (16 or 21 vs. 25), greater number of ventral scales (32–38 vs. 30), and greater number of subdigital lamellae under the fourth finger and toe (18 or 20 and 20–23 vs. 14 and 12, respectively), moreover, dorsal pattern of the new species consists of six wide regular, dark, transverse bands versus five transverse series of irregular blotches in C. buchardi. From C. interdigitalis the new species clearly differs by transverse enlarged subcaudal scales; higher number of precloacal and femoral pores in the singe row (40–44 in the new species vs. 14 precloacal and 9+9 femoral pores in C. interdigitalis); roundish tail versus flattened tail; dorsal pattern of the new species consists of six wide regular, dark, transverse bands versus 4–5 wide brownish transverse bands with jagged edges; no webbing between toes versus developed web on the basis of toes. Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. seems to be closely related to recently described C. jaegeri and differs from this species by the following combination of morphological attributes: the new species has small smooth and round dorsal tubercles in 16–21 irregular longitudinal rows at midbody, which are not present on the occipital region versus round conical dorsal tubercles in 15–17 irregular longitudinal rows which continue on the occipital region, the new species has yellowish head coloration with a wide nuchal loop (approximately the same size as transverse bands, located posteriorly) versus light brown head with narrow nuchal loop (notably more narrow than the subsequent transverse dorsal bands), somewhat greater number of ventral scales (32–38 vs. 31–32). These two species can be further diagnosed by body and head proportions: the new species has relatively smaller head (SVL/HL 3.57 vs. 3.27); comparatively smaller orbit (HL/OrbD 4.5 vs. 3.89) and comparatively larger temporal region (HL/EyeEar 3.8 vs. 4.81). The new species differs from C. jarujini by the smaller body size (73 mm vs. 90 mm in C. jarujini), lesser number of femoral and precloacal pores (40–44 vs. 52–54), dorsal color pattern (banded vs. blotched in C. jarujini). The new species is similar to C. lomyenensis but is distinguishable from it by the following combination of morphological characters: lesser number of dorsal tubercle rows (16–21 vs. 20– 24), continuous row of femoral and precloacal pores A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 409 Table 4. Measurements and selected morphological characters of the type series of Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov.; f = female, m= male. Holotype Paratypes ZMMU R-13982 ZIN 28250 ZMMU R-13983 ZIN 28251 Sex m m f f 68.5 SVL 70.8 73 72 TailL 95 83 90* * Head L 19.8 20.0 19.2 19.3 Head W 12.2 12.2 12 12.5 Head H 7.4 7.6 7.5 8.0 SnEye 7.5 7.8 7.7 7.2 OrbD 4.4 4.8 4.8 4.3 EarL 2.0 2.1 1.8 2.0 EyeEar 5.2 4.7 4.7 4.8 TrunkL 30.7 30.8 32 29 LS 11.6 11.6 11 11.8 ForeaL 10.8 10.7 11 10.5 FemurL 16.5 14.8 15.2 15 Crus L 12.7 12.3 12 11.7 LD4A 6.6 6.2 7.2 6.4 LD4P 8.7 9.3 8.2 8.6 V 38 32 34 36 155 SLB 169 172 159 LF 4 18 19 20 19 LT 4 20 22 22 23 PP+FP 44 40 0 17 SL 12 11 11 11 IL 10 10 10 9 TubL 37 48 47 45 TubW 18 16 21 19 SLH 87 83 87 77 SAH 63 66 57 56 reaching the bend of knee versus not reaching at one third in C. lomyenensis, and dorsal pattern (bands with smooth margins vs. bands with wavy margins); furthermore, the new species has relatively smaller orbit (HL/OrbD 4.5 vs. 3.75) and relatively larger temporal region (HL/EyeEar 3.8 vs. 3.3). Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. n. differs from C. pageli by the following characters: continuous row of precloacal and femoral pores (40–44 vs. 4–6 precloacal pores), lesser number of ventral scale rows (32–38 vs. 41–46), greater number of enlarged dorsal tubercle rows (16–21 vs. 9–14), and the dorsal pattern (bands with smooth margin vs. bands with wavy margins in C. pageli). The new species is distinguishable from C. roesleri by having a greater number of precloacal and femoral pores (40–44 vs. 20–28) and by dorsal pattern (the width of dorsal transverse bands is greater than the widths of interspaces between them vs. the width of dorsal bands is less than of the interspaces in-between). The new species differs from C. teyniei by smaller body size (maximum SVL 73 mm vs. 89.9 mm in C. teyniei), dorsal pattern (bands vs. blotched pattern in C. teyniei), nuchal loop (present vs. absent in C. teyniei). The new species is distinguished from 410 C. puhuensis by having greater number of precloacal and femoral pores (40–44 vs. 5 precloacal pores in C. puhuensis), and by a different dorsal color pattern (dark broad bands vs. light narrow bands). From C. vilaphongi, the new species can be distinguished by having an enlarged median row of subcaudals and a different dorsal color pattern (dark broad bands vs. narrow yellowish white bands in C. vilaphongi). From C. wayakonei the new species is distinguished by having a greater number of precloacal and femoral pores (40–44 vs. 6–8 precloacal pores), by having a different dorsal color pattern (dark broad bands on the dorsum and no patterns on the head vs. head and dorsum with blotched to reticulated pattern in C. vilaphongi), and by differences in subcaudal scalation (distinctly enlarged median row of subcaudals vs. somewhat enlarged and broadened subcaudals in C. vilaphongi). Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. differs from Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. by smaller body size (maximum SVL 73 mm vs. 100 mm in C. darevskii sp. nov.), fewer numbers of ventral scales (32–38 vs. 38–46) and dorsal color pattern (wide transverse bands vs. narrow transverse bands). Etymology. The specific epithet of the new species is derived from the name of Khammouane Province of Laos, renowned for its great diversity of Cyrtodactylus geckoes. Suggested common name in English: Khammouane Bent-toed Gecko. Habitat description. The new species was recorded in the environs of Na Phao Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, eastern Laos. (17°34´57.1´´N and 105°44´37.3´´E, elevation 170 m a.s.l.). Field work was conducted in this area during 15–20 June, 2009. The study area is situated near Phou Hinboun (Limestone) National Biodiversity Conservation Protected Area. The area is dominated by sparsely vegetated limestone karst. Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. was found at the altitude 170 m a.s.l. in a karst cave (Fig. 8). All specimens were found on the walls of the cave; the new species shares this habitat with Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. Distribution. The new species is to date known only from the envrions of the type locality. Phylogenetic position. A member of C. phongnhakebangensis species group; most closely related to C. roesleri, distributed in Quang Binh Province of Vietnam and Khammouane Province of Laos (p = 16.42–16.69%). R.A. Nazarov et al. Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. (Fig. 5) Holotype. Adult male ZMMU R–13984 collected on 19 June 2009 by Nikolai Orlov, Sang Ngoc Nguyen and Konstantin Milto in the environs of Na Home Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, eastern Laos (17°32´40.3´´N and 105°41´43.0´´E, elevation 230 m a.s.l.). Paratypes. Two adult males ZMMU R–13985–1 (FN 4); ZIN 28252 (FN 3), six adult females ZMMU R-13985-2; 13985-3; 13985-4 (FN 5, 6, 7); ZIN 28253; 28254; 28255 (FN 1, 2, the third without field number), and three subadult specimens ZMMU R-13985-5 (FN 8); ZIN 28256; 28257 (FN 9, 10). All members of the type series have the same collection data as the holotype. Diagnosis. Relatively large-sized species of Cyrtodactylus with a maximum SVL of 98 mm; the new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological features. Dorsal pattern consisting of dark irregular separate spots and blotches between limbs and on the dorsal part of the head. The nuchal band is not developed, 6–8 dark wide transversal bands with irregular edges present on the dorsal surface of tail. Small smooth roundish dorsal tubercles present on the occipital region and sides of the head, body, hind limbs and the base of tail. Ventrals in 30–38 longitudinal rows at midbody. Continuous series of 58–60 precloacal and femoral pores in males, 5–6 postcloacal spurs in both sexes. Tail not segmented without whorls and keeled tubercles on its dorsal surface, one median row of transversally enlarged subcaudal scales. Holotype description. Adult male, medium sized; the holotype has the following measurements: SVL 86.8 mm, TailL 95.0 mm, HeadL 24.2 mm, HeadW 15.3 mm, HeadH 9.0 mm , SnEye 9.6 mm, OrbD 5.8 mm, EarL 2.4 mm, EyeEar 5.0 mm; proportions are as follows: SVL/HeadL 3.58, HeadL/HeadW 1.58, HeadL/HeadH 2.68, SnEye/EyeEar 1.92. Rostral is large, somewhat wider than high (RW 4.0 mm, RH 2.25 mm, RW/RH 1.7) with an inverse T-shaped suture on the median part; supralabials 10/10; small scales between orbit and the seventh supralabial 4/4; infralabials 11/9; nares surrounded by rostral anteriorly, first supralabial laterally, supranasal and 3 nasals posteriorly; rostral about 7–8 times larger than supranasal; supranasals in contact to each other; upper anterior ciliaries two times larger than poste- A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 411 Fig. 5. Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov.: A – general view of type specimen; B – precloacal region with continuous row of femoral and precloacal pores; C – ventral surface of the head with mental scalation; D – dorsal surface of the head with enlarged tubercles; e – dorsum surface with the rows of enlarged tubercles. 412 rior ones; head scales granular, some smaller than the median snout scales; dorsum of head and temporal region with rounded, keeled tubercles, that are 2–3 times larger than the surrounding scales (Fig. 5c); mental triangular; one pair of enlarged postmental, longer than wide, in broad contact (Fig. 5d); dorsal scales granular, 3–4 times smaller than the ventral scales; dorsal tubercles round, flat, not keeled, surrounded by 7–10 granular scales, tubercles forming about 20 irregular longitudinal rows at midbody (Fig. 5e); ventral scales smooth, 30 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral folds weakly developed; dorsal surface of fore- and hindlimbs with granular scales and weakly keeled conical tubercles; fingers and toes without web, basal lamellae more rounded than on distal surface of digits; a row of precloacal scales with 58 pores (Fig. 5b); enlarged femoral scales (without pores) are present; five pairs of enlarged postcloacal spurs; not segmented tail without whorls and keeled tubercles on dorsal surface; subcaudals with row of enlarged plates, smooth and imbricate. Coloration: Dorsal surface of head is light brown with small irregular rounded dark brown spots; continuous nuchal band not developed; labials brownish grey with white spots. Dorsal body surfaces brownish with dark irregular separate spots with light margins. Ventral surface is white, the lower side of toes and fingers grey; dorsal surface of limbs and digits brownish with irregular bands. First third of the tail with three dark brown bands; they are wider than the light-grey interspaces in-between them. Ventral side of tail dark brown with light spots that are becoming more distinct posteriorly. For coloration in life see Fig. 5a. Variation of paratypes. For the variation of the type series see Table 5. The dorsal pattern is somewhat variable. Sexual dimorphism is well developed, males are smaller then females, maximal SVL for males is 86.8 mm and for females 98 mm; precloacal pores are present in males only and males have also more developed postcloacal spurs. Comparisons with Laotian congeners. Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. differs from C. buchardi by the singe median row of subcaudals (vs. subcaudals not enlarged in C. buchardi), enlarged femoral scales (lacking in C. buchardi), fewer dorsal tubercle rows (16–20 vs. 25), more ventral scales (30–38 vs. 30), and more subdigital lamellae under the fourth finger and toe (18–20 and 18–22 vs. 14 and 12, respectively). From C. interdigitalis the new species is clearly different in having transversal enlarged subcaudal scales; R.A. Nazarov et al. higher number of precloacal and femoral pores in the singe row (58–60 in the new species vs. 32 precloacal and femoral pores in C. interdigitalis); roundish tail versus flattened tail; blotched irregular dorsal pattern versus 4–5 wide brownish jagged transversal bands; no webbing between toes versus developed webbing on the toe basis in C. interdigitalis. Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. differs from C. jaegeri by larger body size (maximum SVL 98 mm vs. 68.5 mm); blotched dorsal patterns versus wide transversal bands; small, smooth and rounded dorsal tubercles in 16–20 longitudinal rows at midbody versus round conical dorsal tubercles in 15–17 longitudinal rows; in lacking a continuous nuchal loop versus distinct nuchal loop in C. jaegeri; somewhat greater number of ventral scales (30–38 vs. 31–32). The new species is similar to C. jarujini by the body size and dorsal color pattern but can be diagnosed from this species by having a higher number of femoral and precloacal pores (58–60 pores in continuous row vs. 52–54 pores in irregular rows) and in having more subdigital lamellae (LF4 18–20 and LT4 18–22 vs. 11–17 and 11–18 respectively). From C. lomyenensis the new species differs by the larger body size (maximum SVL 98 mm vs. 72.1 mm in C. lomyenensis), a higher number of pores (58–60 vs. 32–40), lesser number of dorsal tubercle rows (16–20 vs. 20–24), and by dorsal color pattern (blotches vs. wide bands in C. lomyenensis). Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. can be differentiated from C. pageli by the following characters: a continuous row of precloacal and femoral pores (58–60 vs. 4–6 precloacal pores in C. pageli), lesser number of ventral scale rows (30–38 vs. 41–46), greater number of enlarged dorsal tubercle rows (16–20 vs. 9–14) and dorsal pattern (separate irregular spots vs. bands with wavy margins). The new species is distinguishable from C. roesleri by having a higher number of precloacal and femoral pores (58–60 vs. 20–28), a higher number of enlarged dorsal tubercle rows (16–20 vs. 10–12), by different dorsal pattern (blotches vs. wide dorsal bands in C. roesleri), by lacking nuchal band versus distinct nuchal loop in C. roesleri. The new species is morphologically similar to C. teyniei and can be distinguished from this species by lacking of femoral and precloacal pores in females versus 13 or 14 pores in the single known female of C. teyniei; by numeorus roundish dark spots on dorsal surface of head versus few dark spots on the head; by the dorsal color pattern having wide roundish dark blotches (vs. dorsal A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 413 Table 5. Measurements and selected morphological characters of the type series of Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov.; f = female, m= male, sub = subadult. ZIN 28253 f f f f ZIN 28257 ZMMU R- 13985-4 m ZIN 28256 ZMMU R- 13985-3 m ZMMU R- 13985-5 ZMMU R- 13985-2 m ZIN 28255 ZMMU R- 13985-1 Sex ZIN 28254 ZIN 28252 Paratypes ZMMU R-13984 Holotype f f sub sub Sub 54 SVL 86.8 81.3 84.6 86.6 81 79.6 82 91 98 54.3 53.3 TailL 95* 85* 25* 105 98 97 102 100 76* 55 62 * Head L 24.2 22.7 23.5 23.7 22.2 21.3 24 23.6 25.7 15.8 15.4 16.2 Head W 15.3 14.8 15.7 15.7 14.7 14.8 15.3 16.7 16.7 10 10.3 10.3 Head H 9.0 8.8 9.3 9.3 8.8 8.6 8.9 10 9.5 6.5 6.4 6.3 SnEye 9.6 9.1 9.3 9.4 8.8 8.4 8.8 9.8 10 6.3 6.2 6.3 OrbD 5.8 5.0 5.2 5.6 4.5 4.7 5.1 5.2 5.5 2.8 3.5 3.4 EarL 2.4 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.0 2.5 2.5 2.1 2.8 1.5 1.3 1.3 EyeEar 5.0 5.4 6.0 5.9 5.2 5.0 5.8 5.8 6.0 4.1 3.6 4.2 TrunkL 40.2 38.3 37.8 40.8 36.0 36 40.8 40.7 43.7 21.2 21.8 23.1 LS 15.2 14.5 14.1 14.5 12.9 13.2 13.8 14.7 15 9.4 8.6 9.2 ForeaL 13.2 12.8 13.2 13.5 12.5 12.0 12.7 13.6 13.3 8.7 8.0 8.2 FemurL 17.5 17.6 18.6 18.2 16.8 15 16.9 18.6 18.6 12.1 11.4 12.1 Crus L 14.1 13.6 14.2 14.8 13.0 12.8 13.5 14.0 14.4 9.0 9.4 9.6 LD4A 8.8 8.2 9.2 8.5 8.4 7.8 8.6 8.6 9.3 6.2 5.2 5.8 LD4P 11 9.5 9.6 10.4 9.5 10.0 9.6 9.8 10 6.7 6.6 6.3 V 30 30 36 37 36 34 36 38 34 34 37 32 SLB 174 168 168 178 173 177 180 171 181 177 164 174 LF 4 18 19 18 18 19 18 20 18 18 20 18 19 20 LT 4 22 19 22 21 19 18 20 19 18 22 19 PP+FP 58 60 58 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SL 10 11 9 10 9 10 11 10 9 10 11 11 IL 11 11 10 10 9 9 11 10 9 10 10 10 TubL 42 44 42 41 41 34 45 43 42 45 41 40 TubW 20 18 20 20 18 16 18 18 18 18 18 18 SLH 89 93 96 94 88 81 96 89 86 92 89 100 SAH 89 76 72 79 75 68 83 78 76 73 70 80 pattern formed by thin and elongate blotches in C. teyniei). The new species is distinguished from C. puhuensis by having a higher number of precloacal and femoral pores (58–60 vs. 5 precloacal pores), and a different dorsal pattern (dark blotches vs. light narrow bands in C. puhuensis). From C. vilaphongi the new species difers in having an enlarged median row of subcaudals and a different dorsal color pattern (dark blotches vs. narrow yellowish white bands in C. vilaphongi). From C. wayakonei the new species is distinguished by having a higher number of precloacal and femoral pores (58–60 vs. 6–8 precloacal pores), 414 and different subcaudal scalation (distinctly enlarged median row vs. subcaudals somewhat enlarged, broadened in C. wayakonei). From Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. the new species differs in lacking of pores in females versus 24–34 pores in C. darevskii sp. nov. females; and also in higher number of pores in males (58–60 vs. 38–44), nuchal loop (absent vs. present in C. darevskii sp. nov.). The new species is distinguished from Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. by its larger body size (maximum SVL 98 mm vs. 73 mm in C. khammouanensis sp. nov.), and by higher number of pores (58–60 vs. 40–44). Etymology. The species epithet “multiporus” is a Latin adjective in masculine, indicating the high number of precloacal and femoral pores typical for this species; derived from “multus” – “many” (Latin) and “porus” – “pore”, “canal” (Latinized Greek). Habitat description. The new species was recorded in a limestone forested area near Na Home Village in Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, eastern Laos (17°32´40.3´´N and 105°41´43.0´´E, elevation 230 m a.s.l.). Field work was conducted there during 15–19 June, 2009. The study area is situated near Phou Hinboun (Limestone) National Biodiversity Conservation Protected Area. The area is dominated by sparsely vegetated limestone karst (Fig. 9). Distribution. At the present moment the new species is known only from the environs of the type locality. Phylogenetic position. A member of C. phongnhakebangensis species group; very closely related to C. teyniei, also found in Khammouane Province of Laos; uncorrected genetic distance between C. teyniei and the new species comprise p = 6.00%. Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. (Figs. 6–7) Holotype. Adult male ZMMU R–14399 from Khuang Lang Cave National Park, Kasi District, Vientiane Province, Laos (18°09.876´N and 104°30.387´E, elevation 183 m a.s.l.). Collected on 22 November 2011 by E.L. Konstantinov and A.B. Gavrilov. Paratypes. One adult female ZIN 28258 and one subadult male ZMMU R–14400. All specimens of the type series have the same collection data as the holotype. Diagnosis. The new species of Cyrtodactylus with a maximum SVL of 91 mm, is distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of R.A. Nazarov et al. morphological characteristics. Dorsal pattern formed by oblong dark irregular butterfly-shaped blotches (Fig. 6a), with light contrast margins and a light middorsal medial stripe running across them. Nuchal band with light edging consists of two separate parts, which contact in the occipital region. Dorsal head surface is light brown with roundish dark spots. The intact (not regenerated) tail with ten dark transverse bands. Roundish weakly keeled tubercles present on the dorsum, limbs, temporal region of the head and absent on the dorsal surface of the head. Ventrals in 36–39 longitudinal rows at midbody. Lateral folds weakly developed. Males with 8–9 precloacal pores in an angular continuous series. No femoral pores and enlarged femoral scales, 2–3 enlarged postcloacal spurs. One median row of transversally enlarged subcaudals. Holotype description. The male of Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. have the following measurements: SVL 88.9 mm, regenerated tail 80.1 mm, HeadL 26.3 mm, HeadW 16.9 mm, HeadH 10.8 mm , SnEye 10.2 mm, OrbD 5.6 mm, EarL 2.3 mm, EyeEar 8.0 mm; proportions are as follows: SVL/HeadL 3.38, HeadL/HeadW 1.55, HeadL/HeadH 2.43, SnEye/ EyeEar 1.27. Rostral large, somewhat wider than high (RW 3.9 mm, RH 2.5 mm, RW/RH 1.56) with a median groove; supralabials 12/11; infralabials 9/10; nares surrounded by rostral anteriorly, first supralabial laterally, supranasal and two nasals posteriorly; rostral about 5–6 times larger than supranasal; supranasals separated by one small scale from each other; dorsal surface of the head covered by small granular scales without enlarged tubercles (Fig. 7a); on the temporal region rounded, weakly keeled tubercles present; mental triangular, as wide as rostral; two pairs of enlarged postmentals, first pair in broad contact (Fig. 7b); dorsal scales granular, 2–3 times smaller than the ventral scales; dorsal tubercles smooth, rounded, not large (5–6 times larger than surrounding scales), surrounded by 8–9 granular scales; tubercles form ten irregular longitudinal rows at midbody (Fig. 7c); ventral scales smooth, 39 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral folds weakly developed; dorsal surface of fore- and hindlimbs covered by smooth rounded enlarged tubercles; no webbing on fingers and toes, basal lamellae more rounded than on the distal part of digits; eight precloacal pores in an angle series (Fig. 6b); enlarged postcloacal spurs – three (on the right side) and two (on the left side); dorsal surfaces of the A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 415 Fig. 6. Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov.: A – general view of type specimen; B – precloacal region with angular row of precloacal pores. 416 R.A. Nazarov et al. Fig. 7. Morphological comparison of Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. (A–C) and Cyrtodactylus wayakonei (D–F): A – dorsal surface of the head; B – ventral surface of the head with mental scalation; C – dorsum surface with ten rows of enlarged tubercles; D – dorsal surface of the head with reticulated pattern; E – ventral surface of the head with mental scalation; F – dorsum surface with higher number rows of enlarged tubercles. tail without enlarged keeled tubercles; posterior part of regenerated tail covered by flattened and rounded scales; subcaudals forming enlarged median row. Coloration: Dorsal head surface light grey with few irregular dark brown butterfly–shaped blotches; nuchal band dark brown with light contrast margin, consists of two separate parts which contact posteriorly, extending from the neck to the posterior corners of eyes; labials light brown. Dorsum light with seven irregular, dark brown transverse blotches with light A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 417 Table 6. Measurements and selected morphological characters of the type series of Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov.; f = female, m= male, sub = subadult. Holotype Sex Paratypes ZMMU R – 14399 ZMMU R – 14400 ZIN 28258 m f m, sub. SVL 88.9 91 61.8 TailL 80.1* 83* 69.3 Head L 26.3 26.4 19.6 Head W 16.9 18 12.1 Head H 10.8 10.4 7.5 SnEye 10.2 10.4 7.6 OrbD 5.6 6.1 4.6 EarL 2.3 2.3 1.5 EyeEar 8 7.6 5.5 TrunkL 30.8 42.8 23.8 LS 17.3 17 12.1 ForeaL 15.3 15.7 10.8 FemurL 20 21.4 15.1 Crus L 16.6 18.8 12.8 6.8 LD4A 9.1 10 LD4P 12.3 11.5 9 V 39 36 37 183 SLB 156 178 LF 4 19 20 19 LT 4 24 22 23 PP 8 0 9 SL 12 9 11 IL 10 8 9 TubL 24 28 32 TubW 10 10 10 SLH 90 92 89 SAH 84 82 81 margins, a median longitudinal light stripe runs along the vertebral column flanked by dark blotches. Flanks grayish white. Venter white, the lower side of toes and fingers light; dorsal surface of limbs and digits light gray with brown transverse bands. Tail basis with three dark brown bands which are wider than the light interspaces in-between, bands absent on regenerated part of the tail. Ventral surface of tail light. For coloration in life see Fig. 6a. Variation of paratypes. For the variation of the type series see Table 6. Sexual dimorphism is well developed, precloacal and femoral pores are present in males only and males have better developed postcloacal spurs. Comparisons with Laotian congeners. The new species Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. differs from C. buchardi by having the singe median row of subcaudals and enlarged femoral scales (both lacking in C. buchardi), fewer dorsal tubercle rows (10 vs. 25), more ventral scales (37–39 vs. 30), and greater number of subdigital lamellae under the fourth finger and toe (19–20 and 22–24 vs. 14 and 12, respectively). The new species can be distinguished from C. interdigitalis by having transversal enlarged subcaudal 418 R.A. Nazarov et al. Fig. 8. Habitat of Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. and Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. nearly Na Phao Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos. scales (absent in C. interdigitalis); lesser number of precloacal and femoral pores in the singe row (8–9 vs. 32 in C. interdigitalis); roundish tail versus flattened tail; blotched dorsal pattern in the new species versus 4–5 wide brownish jagged transversal bands; no webbing between toes versus developed web on toe basis in C. interdigitalis. Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. can be diagnosed from C. jaegeri by the larger body size (maximum SVL 91 mm vs. 68.5 mm), a higher number of ventral scales (37–39 vs. 31–32) and dorsal color pattern (dark irregular butterflyshaped blotches vs. wide transversal dark bands in C. jaegeri). The new species differs from C. jarujini by having lesser number of pores (8–9 vs. 52–54 in C. jarujini), more ventral scales (37–39 vs. 30–38), and greater number of subdigital lamellae (LF4 19–20 and LT4 23–24 vs. 12–17 and 11–18 respectively). The new species is distinguishable from C. lomyenensis by its larger body size (maximum SVL 91 mm vs. 72.1 mm in C. lomyenensis), a higher number of ventral scales (37–39 vs. 35–36), and dorsal coloration pattern (butterfly-shaped blotches vs. wide bands in C. lomyenensis). Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. differs from C. pageli by the following morphological characters: dorsal color pattern (blotches vs. transversal dark bands in C. pageli), greater number of precloacal pores (8–9 vs. 4–6 in C. pageli), somewhat fewer rows of enlarged dorsal tubercles (10 vs. 9–14 in C. pageli). From C. roesleri the new species is distinguishable by having a lesser number of pores (8–9 vs. 20–28), larger maximum body size (91 mm vs. 75.3 mm) and by dorsal pattern (irregular, dark blotches vs. wide transverse dark bands in C. roesleri). The new species differs from C. teyniei in absence of pores in females versus 13 or 14 pores known for C. teyniei, as well as in dorsal coloration pattern (dark irregular butterfly-shaped blotches vs. dark brown oblong blotches in C. teyniei) and presence of a nuchal loop (vs. nuchal loop absent in C. teyniei). A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus 419 Fig. 9. Habitat of Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. in environs of Na Home Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, Laos. The new species is distinguishable from C. puhuensis by a higher number of precloacal pores (8–9 vs. 5 precloacal pores in C. puhuensis), and by a different dorsal coloration pattern (dark irregular blotches vs. light narrow bands in C. puhuensis). The new species differs from C. vilaphongi in having enlarged median row of subcaudals, higher number of ventral scales (37–39 vs. 34–36) and different dorsal coloration pattern (irregular, dark blotches vs. narrow yellowish white bands in C. vilaphongi). The new species is morphologically quite similar with C. wayakonei, sharing many diagnostic features, such as the number of precloacal pores 8–9 in the new species versus 6–8 in C. wayakonei, quite similar dorsal color pattern, lacking of femoral pores and similar state of subcaudal scalation in both species. But the new species is greately different from C. wayakonei in COI gene sequences (p = 16.7%) and can be further diagnosed from this species by having a fewer number of longitudinal rows of enlarged dorsal tubercles (10 vs. 17–19 in C. wayakonei) (Fig. 7c,f), somewhat higher number of subdigital lamellae (LF4 19–20 and LT4 22–24 vs. 17–18 and 19–20 respectively), by presence of distinct nuchal band versus not developed nuchal band in C. wayakonei, and by dorsal surface of head having few dark roundish spots versus reticulated grey-brown patterns in C. wayakonei (Fig. 7a, d). Etymology. The species epithet “spelaeus” is a Latin adjective in masculine, derived from the Latin “spelaeum”, “spelaean”, “living in a cave” referring to the habitat and the type locality of the new species – the Khuang Lang Cave in Kasi District of the Vientiane Province of Laos. Habitat description. The new species inhabits typical limestone karst area covered with lush vegetation. All specimens were found on the wall inside the karst cave. Distribution. To date the new species has been reported only from the environs of its type locality 420 in Khuang Lang Cave National Park, Kasi, Vientiane Province, Laos. Phylogenetic position. A member of C. wayakonei species group; most closely related to a clade joining C. vilaphongi from Luang Prabang Province of Laos and C. puhuensis from Houphan Province of northern Laos and Thanh Hoa Province of northern Vietnam; uncorrected genetic distance between these taxa and the new species comprise p = 11.48–12.30%. DISCUSSION Taxonomic diversity of South-East Asian benttoed geckoes is astonishing and in many areas still remains unexplored. In Vietnam, the number of described species of the genus Cyrtodactylus has increased rapidly since 2007, growing from 5 species known in 2006 to 33 species recognized in 2014 (Nguyen et al. 2014). However diversity of Cyrtodactylus in such areas of Indochina as Laos and Cambodia is comparatively poorly studied (Schneider et al. 2014b). The recent and rapidly increasing number of described species indicates the need for further exploration. DNA barcoding (using fragment sequences of COI, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) allows the estimation of biodiversity and species identity, and serves an efficient tool may point to populations in need of further investigation and was successfully applied to many groups of reptiles, including the genus Cyrtodactylus (Nazarov et al. 2012; Nagy et al. 2012; Murphy et al. 2013; Nguyen et al. 2013, 2014; Schneider et al. 2014a, 2014b). Herein we successfully applied COI DNA barcoding for scrutinizing diversity of Laotian Cyrtodactylus. This work includes 11 of 15 recognized species (73.3%) of Cyrtodactylus in Laos, including our four new species. At least one additional undescribed taxon occurs in Luang Prabang Province of Laos (Schneider et al. 2014b). DNA barcoding using COI efficiently guided species delimitation and discovery of new lineages (Nazarov et al. 2012; Nguyen et al. 2014). Further application of molecular methods including COI DNA barcoding is required for proper assessment of Cyrtodactylus taxonomic diversity. Application of molecular methods is also important for re-evaluation of morpohological characters used in Cyrtodactylus taxonomy. Such important features of external morphology as subcaudal scalation, number and position of precloacal and femoral pores R.A. Nazarov et al. agree well with grouping of taxa proposed by the results of COI barcoding. Thus, the tree species of Cyrtodactylus described from Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province of Vietnam (C. phonghnakebangensis, C. roesleri and C. cryptus) are superficially quite similar to each other and have similar dorsal patterns. However, C. cryptus (showing absence of enlarged subcaudals and femoral pores; features characteristic to the members of C. irregularis species complex), based on the phylogenetic hypothesis derived from COI sequence data and in full agreement with morphology, is clearly grouped with other members of C. irregularis species complex. Morphologically, Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. is most similar to C. teyniei from Khammouane Province, especially in its dorsal pattern. Both species are limestone-dwelling bent-toed geckos and the distance between the type localities of these species is approximately 100 km. Nonetheless, C. darevskii sp. nov. is distantly related to C. teyniei based on the molecular data, which suggests that similarity in dorsal pattern and other morphological features might be caused by morphological convergence evolution. Our analysis indicate that C. darevskii sp. nov. is closely related to C. phongnhakebangensis, whereas C. teyniei is genetically quite close to morphologically distant C. multiporus sp. nov. It is noteworthy that both C. darevskii sp. nov. and C. phongnhakebangensis show well-pronounced comlete nuchal loop, whereas both C. teyniei and C. multiporus lack nuchal loop. Three of the four new Cyrtodactylus species described herein (C. darevskii sp. nov., C. khammouaensis sp. nov. and C. multiporus sp. nov.) were found in the same locality in the environs of the Na Home Village, Khammouane Province; two of them (C. darevskii sp. nov., C. khammouaensis sp. nov.) occurred in the same biotope. This example illustrates the amazing diversity of the genus Cyrtodactylus even in a very limited area; it is undoubtful that number of recognized Cyrtodactylus species will only continue to grow in future. According to our data, to date the following species of Cyrtodactylus are documented to occur in Laos: C. buchardi, C. darevskii sp. nov., C. interdigitalis, C. spelaeus sp. nov., C. jaegeri, C. jarujini, C. khammouanensis sp. nov., C. lomyenensis, C. multiporus sp. nov., C. pageli, C. puhuensis, C. roesleri, C. teyniei, C. vilaphongi, C. wayakonei. A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Collecting permits were made available through National University of Laos, Faculty of Forestry Science, Vientiane, Lao PDR and Agriculture and Forestry of Khammouane Province, Lao PDR. Export permits were made available through Division of Forest Resource Conservation of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Department of Forestry, Lao PDR. Special thanks to Head of Wildlife Managements Section, Chaynoy Sisomphane, Head of CITES Section, Bounsou Sovan and Deputy Head of Forestry section, Khammoune Province, Soukanh Inthanouhack. We are indebted to all the people of Ban Doy Community, Thakhek District, Khammouane Province, Lao PDR for their invaluable help and cordial hospitality. We sincerely thank Evgeniya N. Solovyeva for help in the laboratory and data analysis. This research was partly supported by Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center (JRVTRTC). Molecular analysis was partially carried out within the NPRPV project of the BOLD. We thank Alex Borisenko, Natalia Ivanova and Paul D.N. Hebert for collaboration. The research was partially supported by NSERC, Genome Canada, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Canada Foundation for Innovation and Ontario Innovation Trust, Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (BIO, ON, Canada) and funded through Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute (2008-OGI-ICI-03). We thank Thomas Ziegler (Cologne Zoo, Germany) for the loan of specimens and tissue samples and his kind support and Le Duc Minh (Vietnam National University, Vietnam) for providing sequences for analysis and useful information. For permission to study specimens under their care, we thank Valentina F. Orlova (ZMMU) and Natalia B. Ananjeva (ZIN). The study was supported by the Russian Foundation of Basic Research (Grants No. RFBR_Taiwan No. 14-04-92000, RFBR 12-04-01552_a, 15-04-08393_а and 15-04-02029_a) and by Grants of the President of Russian Federation (MK-5815.2014.4 and NS-2990.2014.4). REFERENCES Bauer A.M. 2002. Two new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Myanmar. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 53: 73–86. Bauer A.M. 2003. Descriptions of seven new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with a key to the species of Myanmar. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 54: 463–498. Bauer A.M., Pauwels, O.S.G. and Chanhome L. 2002. A new species of cave-dwelling Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Thailand. The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University, 2: 19–29. Bauer A.M., Sumontha M. and Pauwels O.S.G. 2003. Two new species of Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Thailand. Zootaxa, 376: 1–18. 421 Darevsky I.S. and Szczerbak N.N. 1997. A new gecko of the genus Gonydactylus (Sauria: Gekkonidae) with a key to the species from Vietnam. Asiatic Herpetological Research, 7: 19–22. David P., Nguyen T.Q., Schneider N. and Ziegler T. 2011. A new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from central Laos (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Zootaxa, 2833: 29–40. David P., Teynie A. and Ohler A. 2004. A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Laos. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 52: 621–627. Felsenstein J. 1985. Confidence limits on phylogenies: an approach using the bootstrap. Evolution, 39(4): 783–791. Geissler P., Nazarov R., Orlov N.L., Bohme W., Phung T.M., Nguyen T.Q. and Ziegler T. 2009. A new species of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 2161: 20–32. Hall, T.A. (1999) BioEdit: a user-friendly biological sequence alignment editor and analysis program for Windows 95/98/NT. Nuclear Acids Symposium Series, 41: 95–98. Hartmann T., Geissler P., Poyarkov N.A., Jr., Ihlow F., Galoyan E.A., Rödder D. and Böhme W. 2013. A new species of the genus Calotes Cuvier, 1817 (Squamata: Agamidae) from southern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 3599(3): 246–260. Hebert P.D.N, Cywinska A., Ball S.L. and deWaard J.R. (2003) Biological identifications through DNA barcodes. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 270: 313–321. Hebert P.D.N., Stoeckle M.Y., Zemlak T.S. and Francis C.M. (2004) Identification of birds through DNA barcodes. PLoS Biology, 2: e312. Heidrich A., Rosler H., Vu N.T., Bohme W. and Ziegler, T. 2007. Another new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, central Truong Son, Vietnam. Zootaxa, 1445: 35–48. Hillis D.M, Moritz C. and Mable B.K. 1996. Molecular Systematics. 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc, Sunderland, Massachusetts, xvi + 655 pp. Hoang Q.X., Orlov N.L., Ananjeva N.B., Johns A.G., Hoang T.N. and Dau V.Q. 2007. Description of a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the karst of North Central Vietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 14: 98–106. Huelsenbeck J.P. and Hillis D.M. 1993. Success of phylogenetic methods in the four-taxon case. Systematical Biology, 42: 247–264. Huelsenbeck J.P. and Ronquist F. 2001. MRBAYES: Bayesian inference of phylogeny. Bioinformatics, 17: 754–755. 422 Ivanova N.V., de Waard J. and Hebert P.D.N. 2006. An inexpensive, automation-friendly protocol for recovering high-quality DNA. Molecular Ecology Notes, 6: 998–1002. Jobb G., von Haeseler A. and Strimmer K. 2004. TREEFINDER: a powerful graphical analysis environment for molecular phylogenetics. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 4: 18. Luu V.Q., Calame T., Bonkowski M., Nguyen T.Q. and Ziegler T. 2014. A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammouane Province, Laos. Zootaxa, 3760 (1): 54–66. Luu V.Q., Nguyen T.Q., Calame T., Hoang T.T., Southichack S., Bonkowski M. and Ziegler T. 2013. New country records of reptiles from Laos. Biodiversity Data Journal, 1: 1–14. Luu V.Q., Nguyen T.Q., Do H.Q. and Ziegler, T. 2011. A new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Huong Son limestone forest, Hanoi, northern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 3129: 39–50. Manthey U. and Grossmann W. 1997. Amphibien und Reptilien Südostasiens. Natur und Tier – Verlag, Berlin. 512 p. Murphy R.W., Crawford A.J., Bauer A.M., Che J., Donnellan S.C., Fritz U., Haddad C.F.B., Nagy Z.T., Poyarkov N.A., Vences M., Wang W.Z. and Zhang Y.P. (2013) Cold Code: the global initiative to DNA barcode amphibians and nonavian reptiles. Molecular Ecology Resources, 13:161–167. Nagy Z.T., Sonet G., Glaw F. and Vences M. (2012) First large-scale DNA barcoding assessment of reptiles in the biodiversity hotspot of Madagascar, based on newly designed COI primers. PLoS ONE, 7: e34506. Nazarov R. and Poyarkov N. 2013. A taxonomic revision of the genus Tenuidactylus Szczerbak et Golubev 1984 (Reptila, Squamata, Gekkonidae) with a description of a new species from Central Asia. Zoologicheskiy Zhurnal, 92(11): 1312–1332. Nazarov R., Poyarkov N.A., Orlov N.L., Phung T.M., Nguyen T.T., Hoang D.M. and Ziegler T. 2012. Two new cryptic species of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 3302: 1–24. Nazarov R.A., Orlov N.L., Nguyen S.N. and Ho C.T. 2008. Taxonomy of naked-toe geckos Cyrtodactylus irregularis complex of South Vietnam and description of a new species from Chu Yang Sin Natural Park (Krong Bong District, Dac Lac Province, Vietnam). Russian Journal of Herpetology, 15: 141–156. Ngo T.V. and Bauer A.M. 2008. Descriptions of two new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) endemic to southern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 1715: 27–42. Ngo T.V. and Chan K.O. 2011. A new karstic cave-dwelling Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Northern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 3125: 51–63. R.A. Nazarov et al. Ngo T.V. and Grismer L.L. 2010. A new karst dwelling Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Son La Province, northwestern Vietnam. Hamadryad, 35: 84–95. Ngo T.V. and Pauwels O.S.G. 2010. A new cave-dwelling species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammuane Province, southern Laos. Zootaxa, 2730: 44–56. Ngo T.V. 2011. Cyrtodactylus martini, another new karstdwelling Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Northwestern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 2834: 33–46. Nguyen S.N., Yang J.X., Le T.N.T., Nguyen L.T., Orlov N.L. and Van C. 2014. DNA barcoding of Vietnamese bent-toed geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) and the description of a new species. Zootaxa, 3784(1): 048–066. Nguyen S.N., Le N.T.T., Tran D.T.A., Orlov N.L., Lathrop A., Macculloch R.D., Le D.T.T., Jin J.-Q., Nguyen L.T., Nguyen T.T., Hoang D.D., Che J., Murphy R.W. and Zhang Y.-P. 2013. Phylogeny of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis species complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Vietnam with the description of two new species. Zootaxa, 3737(4): 399–414. Nguyen S.N., Orlov N.L. and Darevsky I.S. 2006. Descriptions of two new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from southern Vietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 13: 215–226. Nguyen T.Q., Kingsada P., Rösler H., Auer, M. and Ziegler T. 2010. A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northern Laos. Zootaxa, 2652: 1–16. Orlov N.L., Nguyen Q.T., Nazarov R.A., Ananjeva N.B. and Nguyen S.N. 2007. A new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 and redescription of Cyrtodactylus paradoxus (Darevsky et Szczerbak, 1997) [Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae]. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 14: 145–152. Pauwels O.S.G. and Sumontha M. 2014. Cyrtodactylus samroiyot, a new limestone-dwelling Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata:Gekkonidae) from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, peninsular Thailand. Zootaxa, 3755 (6): 573–583. Posada D. and Crandall K.A. 1998. MODELTEST: testing the model of DNA substitution. Bioinformatics, 14, 817–818. Ronquist F. and Huelsenbeck J.P. 2003. MRBAYES 3: Bayesian phylogenetic inference under mixed models. Bioinformatics, 19, 1572–1574. Schneider N., Nguyen T.Q., Le Duc M., Nophaseud L., Bonkowski M. and Ziegler T. 2014b. A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the karst forest of northern Laos. Zootaxa, 3835(1): 080–096. Schneider N., Nguyen T.Q., Schmitz A., Kingsada P., Auer M. and Ziegler T. 2011. A new species of karst A review of the genus Cyrtodactylus dwelling Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northwestern Laos. Zootaxa, 2930: 1–21. Schneider N., Phung T.M., Le M.D., Nguyen T.Q. and Ziegler T. 2014a. A new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khanh Hoa Province, southern Vietnam. Zootaxa, 3785(4): 518–532. Smith A.M., Poyarkov N.A. and Hebert P.D.N. 2008. CO1 DNA barcoding amphibians: take the chance, meet the challenge. Molecular Ecology Notes, 8(2): 35–246. Solovyeva E.N., Dunayev E.A. and Poyarkov N.A. 2012. Interspecific taxonomy of sunwatcher toadhed agama species complex (Phrynocephalus helioscopus, Squamata). Zoologicheskiy Zhurnal, 91(11): 1377–1396. Solovyeva E.N., Poyarkov N.A., Dunaev E.A., Duysebayeva T.N. and Bannikova A.A. 2011. Molecular differentiation and taxonomy of the sunwatcher toad headed agama species complex Phrynocephalus superspecies helioscopus (Pallas 1771) (Reptilia: Agamidae). Russian Journal of Genetics, 47(7): 842–856. Stuart, B.L. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles. In: J.W. Duckworth, R.E. Salter and K. Khounboline (Eds), Wildlife in Lao PDR: 1999 status report. Vientianne: IUCN, Wildlife Conservation Society, Centre for Protected Area and Watershed: 43–68, annex 3, annex 6. Swofford D.L. 1998. PAUP*. Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parsimony (and Other Methods). Version 4. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts. Tamura K., Stecher G., Peterson D., Filipski A. and Kumar S. 2013. MEGA6: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version 6.0. Molecular Biology and Evolution 30: 2725–2729. Teynie A. and David P. 2010. Voyages naturalistes au Laos. Les Reptiles. Editions Revoir, Nohanent, France, 315 p. Teynie A., David P., Ohler A. and Luanglath K. 2004. Notes on a collection of amphibians and reptiles from 423 southern Laos, with a discussion of the occurrence of Indo-Malayan species. Hamadryad, 29: 33–62. Thompson J.D., Gibson T.J., Plewniak F., Jeanmougin F. and Higgins D.G. 1997. The ClustalX windows interface: Flexible strategies for multiple sequence alignment aided by quality analysis tools. Nucleic Acids Research, 25: 4876–4882. Uetz P. and Hosek J. (Eds.) 2011. The Reptile Database. Available from: http://www.reptile database.org (accessed 1 April 2011) Uetz P., Hallermann J. and Hosek J. (Eds.) 2014. The Reptile Database. Available from: http://www.reptiledatabase.org (accessed 27 November 2014). Ulber T. 1993. Bemerkungen uber cyrtodactyline Geckos aus Thailand nebst Beschreibungen von zwei neuen Arten (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin, 69: 187–200. Wang G., Peng Q., Wu L., Wang T., Peng R., Li L., Zeng X. and Zou F. 2012. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA reveals significant intraspecific genetic differentiation of tokay gecko in southern China and northern Vietnam. Journal of Zoology, 287: 215–223. Wood L. Jr., Heinicke M., Jackman T. and Bauer A. 2012. Phylogeny of bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus) reveals a west to east pattern of diversification. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 65: 992–1003. Ziegler T., Nazarov R., Orlov N., Nguyen T.Q., Vu T.N., Dang K.N., Dinh T.H. and Schmitz A. 2010. A third new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam. Zootaxa, 2413: 20–36. Ziegler T., Rösler H., Herrmann H.-W. and Vu T.N. 2002. Cyrtodactylus phongnhakebangensis sp. n., ein neuer Bogenfingergecko aus dem annamitischen Karstwaldmassiv, Vietnam. Herpetofauna, 24: 11–25. Submitted December 11, 2014; accepted December 20, 2014.

Log In

A REVIEW OF GENUS CYRTODACTYLUS (REPTILIA: SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) IN FAUNA OF LAOS WITH DESCRIPTION OF FOUR NEW SPECIES

A REVIEW OF GENUS CYRTODACTYLUS (REPTILIA: SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) IN FAUNA OF LAOS WITH DESCRIPTION OF FOUR NEW SPECIES

Related Papers

RELATED PAPERS