Systematic and taxomonic revaluation of four little known Asian agamid species, Calotes kingdonwardi Smith, 1935, Japalura kaulbacki Smith, 1937, Salea kakhienensis Anderson, 1879 and the monotypic genus Mictopholis Smith, 1935 (Reptilia: Agamidae)

Abstract

The systematic status of many Asian Draconine agamids has long been in dispute. Herein, four such species, Mictopholis austeniana, Japalura kaulbacki, Calotes kingdonwardi and Salea kakhienensis are examined on the basis of external morphological characters. The monotypic genus Mictopholis was compared to other Asian Draconine genera and found to be indistinguishable from Pseudocalotes, with which it is here considered a synonym. Japalura kaulbacki is compared to other members of the genus Japalura as well as other similar species. Based on external morphology it is found to be separable from Japalura and conspecific with Calotes kingdonwardi, under which it is considered a junior subjective synonym. Salea kakhienensis is redefined morphologically based on nontype material and shown to represent a close member of this group. C. kingdonwardi is most similar to Salea kakhienensis both of which share a complement of characters with M. austeniana. The generic placement of S. kakhienensis relative to Salea, both with strongly overlapping synapomorphic characters is briefly discussed with respect to biogeographical implications that strongly support the exclusion of this species from the genus. Mictopholis austeniana, Calotes kingdonwardi and Salea kakhienensis are redescribed in detail and transferred to Pseudocalotes. The inclusion of these three species provides a generic range extension of approximately 800 km north-west of the previously considered range. The nomen Oriocalotes discolor is considered a primary objective synonym of Pseudocalotes kakhienensis new comb. and the systematic status of Calotes kingdonwardi bapoensis is briefly discussed.