Diploderma formosgulae WANG, GAO, WU, DONG, SHI, QI, SILER & CHE, 2021
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Diploderma formosgulae
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| Higher Taxa | Agamidae (Draconinae), Sauria, Iguania, Squamata (lizards) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | E: Vibrant-gulared Mountain Dragon Chinese: 丽喉龙蜥 (Pinyin: Li Hou Long Xi) |
| Synonym | Diploderma formosgulae WANG, GAO, WU, DONG, SHI, QI, SILER & CHE in WANG et al. 2021 Japalura flaviceps — ZHAO & YANG 1997: 165 Japalura flaviceps — ZHAO et al. 1999: 111 Japalura flaviceps — YANG & RAO 2008: 200 |
| Distribution | China (Sichuan: Muli County) Type locality: Yangla Village, Deqin County, Yunnan Province, China (99.1113˚ E, 28.8905˚ N, elevation 2355m, WGS 84). |
| Reproduction | |
| Types | Holotype: KIZ 044425, adult male, collected by Kai Wang, Zhuoyu Lu, Man Fu, and Xiankun Huang on 17 June 2019. Paratypes: KIZ 044373, 044417, adult males; KIZ 044418, subadult male; KIZ 044424, 044427, 044428, 044435, juvenile males; KIZ 044375, 044420, 044421, 044423, adult females; KIZ 044429, 044430, 044437, juvenile females. All share the same collection information as the holotype. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: The new species can be diagnosed based on a combination of the following morphological characters: 1) body size moderate, SVL 55.5–60.9 mm in males, 55.9–60.2 mm in females; 2) tail long, TAL 195.8–223.5% SVL in males, 186.1–194.8% in females; 3) HW 66.2–75.4% HL; 4) HLL 73.0–80.3% SVL; 5) nuchal and dorsal crests developed on moderate skin folds; 6) MD 37–48; 7) F4S 13–16; 8) T4S 18–24; 9) PTS 2–4; 10) PTY 3–6; 11) PRS 4–8; 12) subocular regions and chin pale Pink [Color 242] in most individuals; 13) dorsolateral stripes jagged and Cream Color [Color 12] in males, narrow and Sulphur Yellow [Color 80] or indistinct in females; 14) ventral body uniform Pale Pinkish Buff [Color 3] to Pale Sulfur Yellow [Color 92]; 15) gular spots always present in males, Pinkish Flesh Color [Color 253] to Lilac [Color 222], either as Sulphur Yellow [Color 80] gular spots or Sulphur Yellow [Color 80] reticulated stripes in females (Wang et al. 2021). |
| Comment | Nomenclature: The proper spelling of the species Latin name is Diploderma formosgula, instead of D. formosgulae, which is what the original description used (personal communication with Dr. W. Denzer to K. Wang, pers. comm., 28 Apr 2021 ) Similar species: D. drukdaypo and D. vela Conservation: Currently, it is known only along a short section of the upper Jinsha River valley, with an estimated range of about 50km in linear distance, and about 350 km2 in area of occupancy. Serious habitat degradation was observed at the type locality, due to both natural causes (i.e. recent flooding from the barrier lake upstream in 2018), as well as anthropogenic causes (i.e. constructions for road repair) (Fig. 11 C1 and C2). In comparison with congeners in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River (i.e. D. aorun, and D. qilin), the population density of D. formosgula is relatively lower. Currently, the new species’ range overlaps with major roads and townships in the area, and the habitat is not protected by any existing nature reserve. Following the IUCN listing criteria B 2b (iii) (area of occupancy estimated less than 500km2, observed continuing decline in quality of habitat), we recommend listing the new species as Endangered (EN), and we recommend listing it as Class II protected for Chinese Wildlife Protecting Act, in the hope this will bring protection to its degrading valley habitats. |
| Etymology | The Latin species epithet formosgulae means “beautiful gular”, which describe the vibrant and diagnostic gular spots of the species. Although it is incorrect Latin and should be formosgula, the original spelling needs to be preserved, following ICZN article 32.3. |
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