Scalation Characters Research Articles

Two new cave-dwelling species of Bent-toed Geckos from Saraburi and Loei provinces, Thailand (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus)

We describe Cyrtodactylus meesookae sp. nov. from a cave on Khao Nam Phu (14°34’33.2”N, 101°08’42.6”E), a limestone hill in Saraburi Province, central Thailand, and C. wiboonatthapoli sp. nov. (previously confused with C. papilionoides) from a cave on Phu Pha Sana (17°10’33.8”N 101°57’52.5”E), a limestone hill in Loei Province, northeastern Thailand. These two micro-endemic, trogloxene species, separated by a distance of about 300 airline km, share a typical habitus for limestone-dwelling species and a relatively similar dorsal pattern, but they are readily distinguished by scalation characters.

Taxonomic reassessment of the Herpetoreas xenura (Wall, 1907) (Squamata: Serpentes: Natricidae) from Myanmar with description of a new species

The review of the taxonomic status of Herpetoreas xenura species complex, based on morphological and molecular data, revealed a new species from Myanmar, which we describe as Herpetoreas davidi sp. nov. from the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Wildlife Sanctuary in Rakhine State. It is suggested to be a sister species to Herpetoreas pealii and Herpetoreas xenura sensu stricto, and can be separated from the latter species by a combination of morphological and scalation characters, and by its pattern. Another population from the Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Sagaing Region, was previously confused with H. xenura. However, as a closer examination of its morphology, shows it to be closer to Hebius khasiensis, we herein tentatively refer to this population as Hebius khasiensis, pending further molecular data confirming its taxonomic status. Consequently, we propose to temporarily remove Herpetoreas xenura from the fauna of Myanmar. Further studies, especially in the northwestern region of Myanmar, such as near border with India in Chin Hills and Naga Hills, are required. An updated key for the species of Herpetoreas is also provided.

Hidden diversity in semi-fossorial Melanesian forest snakes: A revision of the Toxicocalamus loriae complex (Squamata, Elapidae) from New Guinea

With its conservative set of scalation characters, Toxicocalamus loriae is a morphologically confusing species to which a wide array of phenotypes has been assigned. Careful analysis of 224 museum specimens reveals that multiple distinct species remain hidden under the name T. loriae and that diagnostic, species-level differences are more nuanced in this group of snakes than among other members of the genus. Our taxonomic reassessment leads us to resurrect the species T. lamingtonicomb. nov., T. loennbergiicomb. nov., and T. nymanicomb. nov. from synonymy with T. loriae, retain only T. pratti as a synonym, and describe three new species. As a consequence, T. loriae is no longer recognized as ranging throughout the entire island of New Guinea but is instead restricted to the southern versant of the Papuan Peninsula, and T. lamingtoni and T. spilorhynchussp. nov. are species restricted to that same peninsula’s northern versant. Toxicocalamus loennbergii is known only from the type series taken on the Onin Peninsula in West Papua, Indonesia, Toxicocalamus atratussp. nov. is a high-elevation (800–2200 m) Central Highlands endemic, and T. vertebralissp. nov. ranges from the Central Highlands of Papua New Guinea eastward into the Wau area of Morobe Province. Toxicocalamus nymani inhabits a geologically more heterogenous region, occurring from the Central Highlands eastward to the Huon Peninsula, including Karkar Island, and adjacent areas of Madang Province as well as the northernmost reaches of the Papuan Peninsula. We expect that denser geographic sampling across New Guinea and focussed specimen collection of a few known populations will result in the recognition of additional species in this complex.

A new lizard species (Scincidae: Ctenotus) highlights persistent knowledge gaps on the biodiversity of Australia’s central deserts

Australia harbors the most diverse lizard assemblages on Earth, yet the biodiversity of its vast arid zone remains incompletely characterized. Recent sampling of remote regions has revealed new species with unique phenotypes and unclear evolutionary affinities. Here, we describe a new species of scincid lizard that appears to be widely distributed across the Great Victoria Desert and adjacent regions. The new species was previously overlooked among specimens of the wide-ranging desert taxon Ctenotus schomburgkii but is distinguished from it by coloration and scalation characters. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial and genome-wide nuclear loci confirmed that the new species is highly divergent from C. schomburgkii, with which it appears to be sympatric across much of its range. In addition to the new species, our survey of genetic variation within C. schomburgkii as currently recognized revealed three additional lineages that approach one another in southern and northwestern Australia, and which may also represent distinct species. These results suggest that our knowledge of the extraordinary biodiversity of arid Australia remains incomplete, with implications for the conservation and management of this unique fauna. The targeted collection of voucher specimens in undersampled regions, coupled with population genetic screening of lineage diversity, will be crucial for characterizing species boundaries and understanding the composition of Australia’s vertebrate communities.

Stable climate corridors promote gene flow in the Cape sand snake species complex (Psammophiidae)

AbstractClimate shifts during the Quaternary Period have driven changes in regional range dynamics for many species, influencing population structure of species and in some cases promoting speciation. Within southern Africa, the psammophine snakes Psammophis trinasalis and P. namibensis were historically considered subspecies of P. leightoni but were elevated to species rank based on ecological differences. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses suggested intraspecific, not interspecific genetic variation between these taxa, but this finding was based on very limited data and could not be confirmed. To assess the level of genetic differentiation within the P. leightoni species complex, we explored the evolutionary history of these snakes by combining phylogenetic analyses, species distribution modelling and an examination of morphology. We generated a comprehensive, multi‐gene phylogeny for Psammophis that included wider geographic sampling of the three species in the complex. Using this phylogeny, Bayesian and distance‐based species delimitation analyses showed intraspecific, not interspecific divergences between taxa in the complex, suggesting that they collectively represent a single taxon. Furthermore, non‐metric multidimensional scaling analysis of scalation characters showed no differences between the species. Moreover, palaeo‐modelling at three time periods since the last interglacial period suggest that there have been varying levels of connectivity between these taxa, which has likely facilitated gene flow between them. Given the evidence, we propose that the P. leightoni complex represents a single species and therefore formally synonymise the three species.

Multivariate analysis of geographic variation in Darevskia clarkorum (Darevsky amp; Vedmederja, 1977), correlation with geographic and climatic parameters, and true status of Darevskia dryada (Darevsky amp; Tuniyev, 1997).

All the Turkish populations studied, both those previously assigned to D. dryada (Subaşı and Yoldere villages, near Hopa) and those attributed to D. clarkorum (the largest sample studied so far, 177 specimens in total), are indistinguishable from each other and therefore must all be ascribed to the natural variability of a monotypic D. clarkorum. The Georgian specimens from the Type Locality of D. dryada (Charnaly river gorge, Chevachauri district) are clearly different, so that taxon cannot be considered a simple synonym for D. clarkorum, but as a valid taxon, although its proper status (more probably as a subspecies of D. clarkorum), is yet to be clarified. It is a highly threatened population, so studies should be done in vivo or with as low intrusiveness as possible. Darevskia dryada is clearly larger (SVL) than any D. clarkorum studied, with strongly longer heads and pilei in adult males (and hence more teeth in dentary bone), and higher dorsalia counts. There also seem to be (but need to be studied in a larger sample) more longitudinal rows of temporal scales between tympanic and parietal plates, a tendency to have more supralabial scales; comparatively smaller values for longitudinal rows of scales on the ventral surface of the thigh between the femoral pores and the outer row of enlarged scales, and higher collaria, and circumanalia scales. Other differences in femoralia and gularia are also reflected in Darevsky Tuniyev's (1997) tables and should also be investigated with more Georgian specimens. Two supposed discriminant characters, the frontonasal index and the presence of developed masseteric, are not valid. The frontonasal index does not discriminate both taxa; D dryada specimens fall inside the variation of D. clarkorum for this character. Also the presence of a developed masseteric plate is supposed to be rare if at all in D. clarkorum but always present in D. dryada; however, it appears in nearly 75% of D. clarkorum studied and in all D. dyada, so is also no longer valid for taxa discrimination. Although very similar, D. clarkorum and D. dryada are morphologically different, and genetic studies (as the unpublished results mentioned by Fu, 1999) do not make the provenance of the specimens clear, and hence the correct identification of the supposed specimens of D. dryada used. There are no geographical clines in D. clarkorum. However, as stated by Schmidtler et al. (2002), there is an inverse relationship between altitude and dorsalia values in D. clarkorum. Both the general differentiation between populations and the scalation (dorsalia) appear statistically correlated with the altitude and also with latitude (being both factors not strictly the same). The correlation seems to be stronger with morphology in general (multiple scalation characters and head biometry) than only with dorsalia. In the case of the general differentiation among samples, it is also significantly correlated with temperatures during the activity period (April-September) and with precipitation during incubation (July-August). As these climatic parameters of temperature and precipitation are not directly correlated with the dorsalia variation, the relation with altitude (and perhaps latitude) must be linked to some other climatic parameter not studied here, perhaps solar radiation or evapotranspiration.

Morphological and genetic diversity of the Balearic lizard, Podarcis lilfordi (Günther, 1874): Is it relevant to its conservation?

AbstractAimsTo characterize the genetic and morphological diversification of the endangered Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi and to assess the relevance of this diversity, and how it is described, to conservation measures.LocationThis study covers all the populations of the Balearic lizard, Podarcis lilfordi, present in its range of distribution at coastal islets of Menorca, Mallorca and Cabrera Archipelago.MethodsWe analysed genetic and morphological variation across the 43 known extant populations of the Balearic lizard, using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We examined morphometric and scalation characters using, in some cases, phylogenetically independent contrasts. We also incorporated the study of dorsal coloration and dorsal colour pattern including the analysis of melanism in several populations.ResultsWe detected clear genetic divergence between Menorcan populations and populations from Mallorca and Cabrera, in both nuclear and mtDNA markers, but genetic divergence is relatively low among different insular populations within these groups. In contrast, morphological divergence was substantial both between Menorcan and remaining populations and within these groups. Morphological traits, such as dorsal coloration, body size and the number and size of scales, seemed to be linked with differences in climatic conditions between populations. In addition, some traits, as melanism, showed a strong phylogenetic signal.Main conclusionsThe morphological and genetic diversity of the Balearic lizard is incongruent with the subspecies described in the classical taxonomic literature. Moreover, current populations differ not only in some genetic and morphological features, but also in several ecological and ethological characteristics, in many cases unique to one population. Based on our results, we propose abandoning the use of subspecies to describe the extraordinary morphological diversity of the Balearic lizard and its replacement with the concept of evolutionary significant units (ESUs). ESUs are particularly suitable to describe and recognize such diversity and, especially, to ensure the continuity of the evolutionary process.

Dragons in neglect: Taxonomic revision of the Sulawesi sailfin lizards of the genus Hydrosaurus Kaup, 1828 (Squamata, Agamidae).

Currently three different species are recognized within the Southeast Asian agamid genus Hydrosaurus: H. amboinensis (Schlosser, 1768) from Ambon, Seram, Sulawesi and New Guinea, H. pustulatus (Eschscholtz, 1829) from the Philippines and H. weberi Barbour, 1911 from Halmahera and adjacent islands. Historically, two additional species were described from the island of Sulawesi, but were synonymized with H. amboinensis more than a century ago and have been treated as such in most subsequent publications. In order to revise the taxonomy and diversity of these enigmatic agamid lizards, we examined the corresponding type specimens and additional material originating from Sulawesi and compared them to photographs of live specimens from field trips. Due to differences in colour pattern and scalation characters, we resurrect the taxa celebensis Peters, 1872 and microlophus Bleeker, 1860 from the synonymy of H. amboinensis, which in turn is restricted to the central Moluccas and New Guinea. Hence, Sulawesi is currently the only known island within the genus' range to be inhabited by two different species of sailfin lizards. Our systematic investigation brings the number of recognized species within the genus Hydrosaurus to five.

The Kei Islands Monitor Lizard (Squamata: Varanidae: <i>Varanus</i>: <i>Euprepiosaurus</i>) as a Distinct Morphological, Taxonomic, and Conservation Unit

We describe a new species of the Varanus indicus group (subgenus Euprepiosaurus ) from the Kei Islands, Indonesia, which differs from its close relative V. indicus by a light tongue, a conspicuous color pattern composed of distinct yellowish ocelli on a blackish ground color and by some scalation characters. From its more distantly related, but morphologically similar relative V. finschi it differs by its midbody scale count and by some peculiarities of its scale microstructure. The new taxon, endemic to the Kei Islands, is also discussed in the light of conservation problems for many Indonesian island endemics.

A new species of the genus Microgecko Nikolsky, 1907 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the southern Zagros Mountains, Iran.

The dwarf geckos of the genus Microgecko Nikolsky, 1907 comprise five recognized species, ranging from western Iran to northwestern India. Iran harbors four species of the genus Microgecko. Until now, all populations of the genus Microgecko with a single pair of the postmental shields (as a key diagnostic character) were assigned to M. helenae. Here, based on significant differences in scalation characters, distinct coloration, and ecological peculiarities of habitat as well as support of our present molecular study we distinguish and describe a new species, Microgecko varaviensis sp. nov. within the M. helenae complex, from the southern regions of the Zagros Mountains in Fars Province, southern Iran. Detailed information and an updated identification key for the genus Microgecko are also presented.

A new species of patch-nosed snake (Colubridae: Salvadora Baird and Girard, 1853) from Oaxaca, Mexico.

A new species of snake of the genus Salvadora from Oaxaca, Mexico, is described. This taxon was confused with S. intermedia in previous taxonomic descriptions. It is characterized by lacking a pale vertebral stripe and by having incomplete dorsolateral stripes that do not reach the posterior part of the body, which is typical of congeners; by having both dorsolateral stripes separated each other by five to six scale rows on anterior part of body; and other scalation characters as well as the number maxillary teeth. The importance of this snake and its conservation is discussed.

A study on Ptyas doriae (Boulenger, 1888) with comments on the status ofPtyas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1900) (Squamata: Colubridae: Colubrinae).

Ptyas doriae is a rare snake in northeastern India, Myanmar and southern China. The original description and subsequent accounts of this species were all very brief. We studied most of the available specimens of this species and on this basis we provide a detailed redescription of the species. We give an account of intrapopulational variation in scalation characters and colouration and we also report on a previously undescribed colour morph from Manipur, India. We have examined the holotype of Ptyas hamptoni and found that characters used to distinguish it from P. doriae are inadequate and therefore we herein synonymize the former with the latter species. We also predict the potential distribution of P. doriae by using Maximum Entropy modeling.

A new species of Eremiascincus (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from the Pilbara region of Western Australia

Lizards of the genus Eremiascincus Greer, 1979 include species from the Australian monsoonal tropics and the Lesser Sundas as well as a widespread radiation of banded forms from the Australian arid zone, some of which are ‘sand-swimmers.’ Here we describe a new, rusty red-coloured species of Eremiascincus from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Unlike other Eremiascincus, E. rubiginosus sp. nov. is saxicolous and usually associated with deep gorges in the Hamersley Range. The new species differs morphologically from all other members of the genus by a combination of numerous mensural and scalation characters, including typically seven supralabials, three pairs of chin shields, a moderate-sized elliptical ear opening, smooth scales on dorsum and dorsal surface of tail lacking longitudinal ridges, scales on dorsal surface of fourth toe arranged in multiple rows with oblique sutures with only the terminal 1 – 4 single scales possessing transverse sutures, 24 – 31 subdigital lamellae under fourth toe that are grooved and bluntly callused, 10 – 13 plantar scales from heel to base of third toe and dark brownish-black calli on scales of palmar and plantar surfaces. Colouration and pattern are also unique in the genus, with a rich rusty red background colour on dorsum and tail, 17 – 24 narrow irregular bands on nape and dorsum that are at most a single scale wide and > 40 narrow bands on tail. The new species is the seventh Eremiascincus from Western Australia and also the sixth narrow-banded species in the genus.

Diversity of Tropidurus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) in Paraguay-an integrative taxonomic approach based on morphological and molecular genetic evidence.

Tropidurus is a Neotropical genus of iguanoid lizards characterized by a conspicuously enlarged interparietal plate, the presence of gular folds, presence of infradigital keels, and the absence of femoral pores. Currently, 29 species are recognized within the genus, seven of which are present in Paraguay: T. etheridgei, T. torquatus, T. guarani, T. lagunablanca, T. spinulosus, T. tarara, and T. teyumirim. We generated genetic data based on two DNA mitochondrial markers (16S and COI) and one nuclear (PRLR) marker for all the seven Paraguayan species with the goal to identify the taxonomic relationships among taxa based on the intra- and interspecific genetic variation and the construction of molecular clusters. ML and BI analyses match in the recognition of two main clusters: groups torquatus and spinulosus, and within the torquatusgroup the differentiation between T. catalanensis and T. etheridgei is highly supported. Nevertheless, there is a complete lack of congruence between mitochondrial and nuclear genes in the topology within the spinulosus group. Tropidurus guarani and T. spinulosus are more differentiated from the remaining species of the spinulosus group with genetic p-distances from 4.0 to 6.0. Low distances were found between T. lagunablanca and T. tarara (1.0-1.1%), and slightly higher, among T. teyumirim, T. lagunablanca, and T. tarara (2.0-2.6% respectively). From a morphological perspective, species of the Tropidurus torquatus group are easily distinguished; but we found strong overlaps of scalation characters in the spinulosus group. We interpret the low genetic distances documented among the nominal taxa Tropidurus lagunablanca, T. tarara, and T. teyumirim as evidence for conspecificity. This hypothesis is supported by the lack of morphological characters that would diagnose any of the three taxa. Similarly, we found low genetic distances among populations assigned to the nominal taxa T. guarani and T. spinulosus, including samples from near the type locality of the former, and therefore we recognize only two species of the T. spinulosus complex in Paraguay: T. spinulosus and T. lagunablanca.

Scale Morphology and Micro-Structure of Monitor Lizards (Squamata: Varanidae: Varanus spp.) and their Allies: Implications for Systematics, Ecology, and Conservation.

We analysed scale morphology and micro-structure from five different body regions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) across all nine recognized subgenera of the monitor lizard genus Varanus including 41 different species investigated. As far as we are aware, this qualitative visual technique was applied by us for the first time to most monitor lizard species and probably also to the primary outgroup and sister species Lanthanotus borneensis. A comprehensive list of 20 scalation characters each with up to seven corresponding character states was established and defined for the five body regions sampled. For the phylogenetic approach, parsimony analyses of the resulting morphological data matrix as well as Bremer and bootstrap support calculations were performed with the software TNT. Our results demonstrate that a variety of micro-ornamentations (i.e., ultra- or micro-dermatoglyphics) as seen in various squamate groups is hardly present in monitor lizards. In several species from six out of nine subgenera, however, we found a honeycomb-shaped micro-structure of foveate polygons. Two further samples of Euprepiosaurus Fitzinger, 1843 exhibit each another unique microscopic structure on the scale surface. Notably, the majority of species showing the honeycombed ultra-structure inhabit arid habitats in Australia, Africa and the Middle East. Therefore, it can be inferred that this microscopic scalation feature, which has also been identified in other desert dwelling lizard species, is taxonomically and ecologically correlated with a xeric habitat type in varanids, too. In addition, the systematic affiliation of V. spinulosus, an endemic monitor lizard species from the Solomon Islands with an extraordinary scale shape, is discussed in the light of current hypotheses about its phylogenetic position within the Varanidae. Due to its unique scalation characteristics, in combination with other morphological evidence, a new monotypic subgenus, Solomonsaurus subgen. nov., is erected for this enigmatic monitor lizard species. Furthermore, we propose a taxonomic splitting of the morphologically and ecologically heterogeneous subgenus Euprepiosaurus comprising the Pacific or mangrove and the tree monitor lizards, respectively, again based on the SEM data. Thus, for the members of the highly arboreal V. prasinus species group erection of a new subgenus, Hapturosaurus subgen. nov., is justified based on the autapomorphic scale shape in concert with further morphological, phylogenetic and ecological evidence. In addition, V. reisingeri originally described as a distinct species is considered conspecific with the wide-spread V. prasinus due to joint synapormorphic features in the ventral scale micro-structure. Consequently, V. prasinus is (again) rendered polytypic with the taxon reisingeri being assigned subspecies status here. In conclusion, the established scalation characters allow discrimination of single species even among closely-related Varanus species, such as the members of the V. indicus species group. Together with a recently published identification key for Southeast Asian monitor lizards based on macroscopic phenotypic characters (Koch et al. 2013), the SEM-pictures of the present study may serve as additional references for the microscopic identification of CITES-relevant monitor lizard skins and products, respectively.

A new species of the genus Microgecko Nikolsky, 1907 (Sauria: Gekkonidae)from southern Iran.

The dwarf geckos of the recently revived genus Microgecko Nikolsky, 1907 comprise four species, ranging from western Iran to northwestern India. Iran hosts three species of the four recognized species of the genus Microgecko. Here, we describe a new species of this genus based on two and single specimens from southeastern and southern Iran, respectively. Combinations of scalation characters and distinct morphology, coloration and habitat peculiarities in calcareous mountains distinguish Microgecko chabaharensis sp. nov. from its congeners. Detailed information and an updated identification key for the genus Microgecko are also presented.

A reassessment of Melanophidium Günther, 1864 (Squamata: Serpentes: Uropeltidae) from the Western Ghats of peninsular India, with the description of a new species.

A new species of the uropeltid snake genus, Melanophidium Günther, 1864 is described based on a series of eight specimens. Melanophidium khairei sp. nov. is the fourth species described in the genus, and the first for 144 years. Superficially M. khairei sp. nov. resembles M. punctatum Beddome, 1871 in being piebald and punctate (and it was previously misidentified as M. punctatum), but in many scalation characters it more closely resembles M. wynaudense (Beddome, 1863). The new species occurs in southern Maharashtra, Goa, and northern Karnataka, in the Western Ghats region of peninsula India. It is the most northerly member of its genus. Lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated for M. wynaudense, M. bilineatum Beddome, 1870, and M. punctatum. A new key to the species of Melanophidium is presented. Aspects of the morphology, taxonomy and distribution of the three previously described species of Melanophidium are reviewed and revised.

Revision of the genus Lepidoblepharis (Reptilia: Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) in Central America, with the description of three new species.

Based on morphological and molecular data, we describe three new species of the genus Lepidoblepharis with granular dorsals from Panama (Lepidoblepharis emberawoundule sp. nov., Lepidoblepharis rufigularis sp. nov., and Lepidoblepharis victormartinezi sp. nov.). The results of our molecular analyses confirm the existence of five deeply differentiated genealogical lineages among Panamanian Lepidoblepharis. We present detailed descriptions of their morphology, including some new valuable scalation characters (ventral and subfemoral escutcheon) and hemipenes, as well as comparisons with the other two species of the genus known to occur in Panama (L. sanctaemartae and L. xanthostigma) and their South American congeners. Last, we provide an updated identification key for the genus Lepidoblepharis in Central America.

A new species of spectacularly coloured flat lizard Platysaurus (Squamata: Cordylidae: Platysaurinae) from southern Africa.

We describe a new species of flat lizard (Platysaurus attenboroughi sp. nov.) from the Richtersveld of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa and the Fish River Canyon region of southern Namibia. This species was formerly confused with P. capensis from the Kamiesberg region of Namaqualand, South Africa. Genetic analysis based on one mtDNA and two nDNA loci found Platysaurus attenboroughi sp. nov. to be genetically divergent from P. capensis and these species can also be differentiated by a number of scalation characters, coloration and their allopatric distributions. To stabilize the taxonomy the type locality of Platysaurus capensis A. Smith 1844 is restricted to the Kamiesberg region, Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa.

A new species of Acanthodactylus Fitzinger 1834 (Sauria: Lacertidae) from southern Iran.

A new and distinctive species of lacertid genus Acanthodactylus Fitzinger, 1834 is described from 7 km east of Khamir Port, Hormozgan Province, southern Iran at an elevation of 30-40m above sea level (asl). Analyses of morphological characters and the comparison with other formerly known species of this genus have proven the status of this taxon as a new, distinct species. Combinations of scalation characters and distinct morphology, coloration and habitat peculiarities in calcareous mountains distinguish Acanthodactylus khamirensis sp.nov from all remaining species of the genus in the area. In order to show the validity of the new species, we carried out a comparative statistical analysis using 13 metric and six meristic morphological characters on all of the neighboring congeners of the new species using descriptive (one-way ANOVA) as well as multivariate analyses (PCA and DFA). The results confirm the specific status of the new taxon. Detailed information and an updated identification key for the genus A canthodactylus in Iran are presented.