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A phylogenetic taxonomy of the gekkonid genus Hemiphyllodactylus based on molecular, morphological, and ecological data recovered 28 species, including three new species from the upland regions of the Shan Plateau in eastern Myanmar. Hemiphyllodactylus linnwayensis sp. nov. is a forest-adapted species that may also be a human commensal and H. montawaensis sp. nov. and H. tonywhitteni sp. nov. are karst forest-adapted species. The discovery of three new species from montane regions in eastern Myanmar extends the distribution of a larger monophyletic group of Hemiphyllodactylus westward to the eastern edge of the Ayeyrawady Basin through a series of semi-contiguous, parallel mountain ranges originating in western China and northern Thailand. The discovery of the karst forest-adapted H. montawaensis sp. nov. and H. tonywhitteni sp. nov. further emphasizes the unrealized herpetological diversity endemic to karst ecosystems and the need for increased field work throughout such habitats in South-East Asia. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E42FA075-E8E0-4005-98AB-12E8D5F23A07 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A time-calibrated phylogenetic tree indicates that the evolution of sympatric, montane, endemic species from closely related, co-distributed lineages of the Hemiphyllodactylus harterti group were not the result of rapid, forest-driven, climatic oscillations of the Last Glacial Maximum, but rather the result of infrequent episodes of environmental fluctuation during the Late Miocene. This hypothesis is supported by genetic divergences (based on the mitochondrial gene ND2) between the three major lineages of the H. harterti group (17.5-25.1%), their constituent species (9.4-14.3%), and the evolution of discrete, diagnostic, morphological, and colour pattern characteristics between each species. Sister species pairs from two of the three lineages occur in sympatry on mountain tops from opposite sides of the Thai- Malay Peninsula, but the lineages to which each pair belongs are not sister lineages. A newly discovered species from Gunung Tebu, Terengganu State, H emiphyllodactylus bintik sp. nov., is described. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent studies of forest lizards in Southeast Asia have highlighted spectacular morphological and cryptic genetic diversity in several poorly known clades. Unfortunately, many of the included species have microhabitat preferences for forested environments, and therefore they are threatened by extensive forest destruction throughout the region. This is particularly true in the Philippines, an archipelago with a strikingly high proportion (84%) of endemic geckos. Abundances inferred from historical museum collections suggests that we are in a critical period where apparent declines in population viability and species’ abundance have taken place faster than the growth in our understanding of alpha diversity. This phenomenon is exemplified in the exceedingly rare Philippine slender forest geckos of the genus Pseudogekko. Most of the known species are rarely encountered by field biologists, and species boundaries are unclear; this poor state of knowledge impedes effective conservation measures. Using the first multilocus phylogeny for these taxa, and phylogenetic and population genetic approaches, we elucidate evolutionary lineages and delimit species-level conservation targets in this unique radiation of endemic Philippine geckos. The results support the presence of widespread cryptic diversity in the genus, providing a framework for the re-evaluation of conservation priorities aimed at protecting these rare, forest-obligate species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conserving the planet's biodiversity is greatly handicapped, in that only a small fraction of it (∼14-75%) has been described so far. Integrative taxonomy is making significant inroads in light of this challenge by incorporating multiple data sets across a wide range of disciplines that simultaneously elucidate phylogenetic structure and delimit species-level lineages within a unified species concept. An integrative taxonomic approach to the classification of the gekkonid genus Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 reveals that it is far more diverse than posited by a recent taxonomic revision based solely on morphology, and that it is composed of at least 19 species, most of which are montane upland or insular endemics. Three new species ( Hemiphyllodactylus dushanensis sp. nov., Hemiphyllodactylus jinpingensis sp. nov., and Hemiphyllodactylus longlingensis sp. nov.) from southern China previously considered to be subspecies of Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis (Boulenger, 1903) are elevated to full species status, and 10 new species-level lineages ranging from Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia are identified. One new species, Hemiphyllodactylus tehtarik sp. nov. from Gunung Tebu, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, is described herein, and is differentiated from all other species of Hemiphyllodactylus on the basis of morphology, colour pattern, and an 18.1-31.5% sequence divergence from all other congeners. Hemiphyllodactylus larutensis (Boulenger, 1900) is removed from the synonymy of H. harterti (Werner, 1900). Using an integrative taxonomic approach imbues the revised classification of Hemiphyllodactylus with more objectivity, stability, and phylogenetic history, while identifying undescribed species-level lineages in potential need of conservation. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heinicke, M. P., Greenbaum, E., Jackman, T. R. & Bauer, A. M. Phylogeny of a trans-Wallacean radiation (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Gehyra) supports a single early colonization of Australia. - Zoologica Scripta, 40, 584-602. The genus Gehyra (34 species) is rare among squamate reptile radiations in spanning continents, extending from southeast Asia to Australia and Polynesia. Among the family Gekkonidae sensu stricto, Gehyra is the only genus that is species rich in Australia. We performed molecular phylogenetic, divergence timing, and ancestral area analyses to investigate the evolutionary and biogeographic history of Gehyra. Phylogenetic analyses resolve Hemiphyllodactylus as the closest relative of Gehyra. Some data also link Perochirus to this group, but previously suggested relationships with other morphologically similar genera of geckos are not supported. Within Gehyra, three geographically discrete clades are recovered, respectively, concentrated in Asia, the Pacific islands and Australia. Ancestral area analyses suggest that Gehyra originated in Asia, with a single colonization of Australia occurring in the mid-Cenozoic. This date places the time of Gehyra colonization prior to those of other Australian gekkonid geckos, but after the near-endemic pygopodoid geckos, a Gondwanan relictual group. Based on these dates, times of origin may best explain relative differences in species diversity among Australian gekkotans. In contrast, although originating earlier, Gehyra is less diverse in Asia than in Australia. This pattern may be explained by the long-term presence of many competing, ecologically similar genera in Asia (e.g. Gekko, Hemidactylus, Lepidodactylus), whereas nearly all pygopodoids in Australia (the only gekkotans present at the time of colonization of Australia by Gehyra) are ecologically distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the three little known species of reptile that can be found in the Araku Valley in Eastern Ghats, India. The distribution of the species were collected from two surveys in the area on December 3-10, 2006 and February 16-19, 2007. The species discovered were the Hemiphyllodactylus Aurantiacus found on hilltops, the Calodactylodes aureus in the rock crevices near Shova village, and the Uropeltis ellioti from the Public Works Department personnel.

A recent herpetofaunal survey in Andhra Pradesh resulted in many noteworthy findings. We report new localities of Hemiphyllodactylus aurantiacus (Beddome, 1870) on the basis of collected specimens, sightings and literature records. We present the current distribution of this endemic gecko in Andhra Pradesh, southern India and add morphometric, meristic and natural history notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the Indo-Pacific slender gecko with a scientific name of Hemiphyllodactylus typus found at the Mount Harriet National Park in Andaman Islands, India. These species are endemic in the island's primary evergreen forest. Furthermore, the classification as well as the gecko's physical description are also mentioned.