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Issue: Vol. 5752 No. 2: 26 Jan. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-01-26
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.1.4
Page range: 85-104
Abstract views: 207
PDF downloaded: 2

Description of a New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Nepal

Central Department of Zoology; Institute of Science and Technology; Tribhuvan University; Kathmandu 44618; Nepal; Conservation Himalaya; Chandragiri-14; Kathmandu 44619; Nepal; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming; Yunnan 650223; China
Central Department of Zoology; Institute of Science and Technology; Tribhuvan University; Kathmandu 44618; Nepal; International Centre for Biodiversity and Primates Conservation; Dali University; Dali; Yunnan 671003; China
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming; Yunnan 650223; China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Yezin; Nay Pyi Taw 05282; Myanmar
Central Department of Zoology; Institute of Science and Technology; Tribhuvan University; Kathmandu 44618; Nepal
Central Department of Zoology; Institute of Science and Technology; Tribhuvan University; Kathmandu 44618; Nepal
Central Department of Zoology; Institute of Science and Technology; Tribhuvan University; Kathmandu 44618; Nepal
Central Department of Zoology; Institute of Science and Technology; Tribhuvan University; Kathmandu 44618; Nepal; Conservation Himalaya; Chandragiri-14; Kathmandu 44619; Nepal
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming; Yunnan 650223; China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Yezin; Nay Pyi Taw 05282; Myanmar
Reptilia bent-toed geckos endemic taxa Gekkonidae Himalayan geckos integrated taxonomy

Abstract

Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827, represents the most diverse reptile genus in the Himalayan region. Despite ongoing research, Cyrtodactylus diversity remains incompletely documented in Nepal. We describe a new species from Sunsari District in eastern Nepal using integrated morphological and genetic evidence. Belonging to the C. khasiensis group, Cyrtodactylus khambui sp. nov. is distinguished from regional congeners by: (1) smaller body size (SVL < 60 mm), (2) proportional head dimensions, (3) interorbital-head width proportion (IO/HW%), (4) dorsal patterning of 7–9 irregular transverse crossbars, (5) absence of a mid-dorsal line, (6) presence of eight small precloacal pores, and (7) >12% mitochondrial ND2 sequence divergence from its closest relative (C. martinstolli). Phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference) and species delimitation unanimously support its distinct evolutionary status. Cyrtodactylus khambui sp. nov. exhibits color variation among individuals, lacks femoral pores and grooves, and inhabits diverse ecosystems including anthropogenic structures (abandoned walls) and natural forests (Sal-dominated and mixed deciduous).

 

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How to Cite

Subba, A., Khanal, L., Wang, K., Ulak, S., Singh, A.K., Limbu, K., Upadhyaya, L.P. & Che, J. (2026) Description of a New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Nepal. Zootaxa, 5752 (2), 85–104. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.1.4