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Type: Article
Published: 2015-11-10
Page range: 48–58
Abstract views: 23
PDF downloaded: 1

A new species of Dixonius (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Phu Quy Island, Vietnam

AG Zoologischer Garten Köln, Riehler Straße 173, D–50735 Köln, Germany.
Dong Khoi 9A, Tam Hiep, Bien Hoa, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.
Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA.
Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA.
AG Zoologischer Garten Köln, Riehler Straße 173, D–50735 Köln, Germany. Zoological Institute, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47b, D–50674 Cologne, Germany
Reptilia Dixonius taoi sp. nov. coastal forest molecular phylogeny taxonomy Binh Thuan Province southern Vietnam South China Sea

Abstract

We describe a new species of Dixonius on the basis of five specimens from Phu Quy Island, Binh Thuan Province, in southern Vietnam. The new species can be distinguished from congeners based on molecular and morphological differences. Diagnostic features are: small size (SVL up to 44 mm); 7 or 8 supralabials; 11 or 12 rows of keeled tubercles on dorsum; 21–23 ventral scale rows; 5 or 6 precloacal pores in males; a canthal stripe running from rostrum through the eye and terminating behind the head; second pair of postmentals about one third to one half size of first pair; ground color of dorsum brown, with one or two rows of light yellow or orange spots in one or two rows along flanks, and irregular bands or a reticulated network of dark marks on dorsum. This is the fifth species of Dixonius known to occur in Vietnam.