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Calotes zolaiking GIRI, CHAITANYA, MAHONY, LALRONUNGA, LALRINCHHANA, DAS, SARKAR, KARANTH & DEEPAK, 2019

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Higher TaxaAgamidae (Draconinae), Sauria, Iguania, Squamata (lizards)
Subspecies 
Common NamesE: Mizoram Montane Forest Lizard 
SynonymCalotes zolaiking GIRI, CHAITANYA, MAHONY, LALRONUNGA, LALRINCHHANA, DAS, SARKAR, KARANTH & DEEPAK 2019: 467 
DistributionNE India (Mizoram)

Type locality: Synod Hospital Compound (23°46´19.06´´N, 92°43´56.37´´E, 1290 m a.s.l.), Durtlang, Aizawl District, Mizoram state, Northeast India  
Reproduction 
TypesHolotype. NCBS AU152, Adult female, collected by C. Lalrinchhana and Samuel Lal- rounga on 10 June 2014.
Paratypes. Two subadult females, NCBS AU153 and ESV 105, an adult female, NCBS AU154, and a subadult male, NCBS AU155, collection data same as holotype; subadult male, BNHS 2327, from Hmuifang (23°27´17.93´´N, 92°45´07.05´´E, 1478 m a.s.l.), Aizawl District, Mizoram state, Northeast India, collected by C. Lalrinchhana and Samuel Lalrounga. 
DiagnosisDiagnosis: A medium sized Calotes, snout to vent length averaging 64.7 ± 8.17, and maximum to at least 77.0 mm. Body feebly compressed laterally with a weak dorsal crest; scales on top of head highly heterogeneous, keeled, those above orbits are largest, scales surrounding parietal are unequal in size; three spines on each side of head, one above or- bit, one above tympanum and one on temporal region; dorsal scales heterogeneous, composed of medium sized, weakly pointed, strongly keeled scales, intermixed with similar but slightly larger scales which are distinct on flanks, upper rows directed backwards and upwards and a few lower rows directed backwards; 49–52 midbody scale rows; a weakly devel- oped fold anterior to forelimb insertion having granular scales; tympanum small; tail rounded; eight to nine supralabials and seven to ten infralabials; lamellae bicarinate, 21–24 on fourth finger and 23–27 on fourth toe.
Calotes zolaiking sp. nov can be easily diagnosed from all congeners except Calotes paulus comb. nov. in pos- sessing heterogeneous scales on the dorsum and a weakly developed dorsal crest. Based on dorsal pholidosis, the new species is most similar to Calotes paulus comb. nov., but differs with respect to the following (Calotes paulus comb. nov. given in parentheses): greater number of midbody scales rows, 49–52 (versus 42–46), greater number of caudal vertebrae, 50 (versus 35–45), and fewer caudal vertebrae with transverse processes 12 (versus 14). 
Comment 
EtymologyThe species is named for its occurrence in high elevation regions. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition, derived from the Mizo language and is a portmanteau word for a lizard that inhabits high elevations (Mizo: Zo = highland/cold region, Laiking = agamid lizard). 
References
  • GIRI, VARAD. B.; R. CHAITANYA, STEPHEN MAHONY, SAMUEL LALROUNGA, C. LALRINCHHANA, ABHIJIT DAS, VIVEK SARKAR, PRAVEEN KARANTH, V. DEEPAK 2019. On the systematic status of the genus Oriocalotes Günther, 1864 (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae) with the description of a new species from Mizoram state, Northeast India. Zootaxa 4638 (4): 451–484 - get paper here
 
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