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Type: Article
Published: 2017-09-14
Page range: 183–192
Abstract views: 160
PDF downloaded: 2

Implication of variable characters for the taxonomy of Altiphylax stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1867) and Altiphylax yarkandensis (Anderson, 1872) (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) with comments on the ZSI ‘syntype’ of the latter taxon’

Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata-700073, West Bengal, India.
Reptilia Section, Zoological Survey of India, Fire-proof Spirit Building, Kolkata-700016, West Bengal, India
Badu Reptile Conservation Society, Badu, Kolkata-700128, West Bengal, India
Amphibia Section, Zoological Survey of India, Fire-proof Spirit Building, Kolkata-700016, West Bengal, India
Reptilia Ladakh Tenuidactylus Altiphylax Yarkand Expedition synonym

Abstract

We studied the available specimens of Altiphylax stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1867) collected during the Second Yarkand Expedition (1873–74) by Ferdinand Stoliczka. During our study we found some characters that exhibit intrapopulational variation which were not reported in previously published works on this species. We also examined ZSI 3792, said to be the ZSI syntype of Altiphylax yarkandensis (Anderson, 1872) and provide comments on its taxonomy and true status. Based on our study of specimens of A. stoliczkai and comparison with the published description and photographs of the Natural History Museum (NHM) syntype of A.yarkandensis, we regard the former to be a junior synonym of A. stoliczkai.

 

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