Abstract

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

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.