New Species of Mountain Lizard Discovered in China
A team of researchers from China has recently identified and described a new species of mountain lizard, Diploderma bifluviale, found in teh upper Dadu River Valley in the Hengduan mountains of Sichuan Province. This finding brings the total number of known Diploderma species in China to 47.
Unique Characteristics and Naming
The newly discovered lizard measures around 6-7 cm long and has a distinct wheat-colored tongue with intricate markings. It was named after its location at the confluence of two rivers, Chuosijia and Jiaomuzu – “bifluviale” meaning “two rivers” in Latin.
Molecular Analysis Confirms New Species
The research team conducted numerous surveys in the upper reaches of the Dadu River sence 2018. During their fieldwork, they encountered a lizard species that showed unique characteristics not previously observed among known diploderma species in the region. Through molecular biological analyses and morphological studies, they confirmed that this was indeed a previously unrecognized species.
Importance of the Discovery
The discovery of Diploderma bifluviale highlights the rich biodiversity found in the Hengduan mountains of Sichuan Province. This region is known for its high levels of endemism, meaning many species are found only in this specific area. The identification and description of new species are crucial for conservation efforts and understanding the evolutionary history of these unique mountain ecosystems.
In conclusion
The discovery and description of Diploderma bifluviale add to our understanding and appreciation of the diverse wildlife found in ChinaS Hengduan mountains.It also serves as a reminder that ther are still many unknown species waiting to be discovered, highlighting the importance of continued research and conservation efforts in these unique ecosystems.
if you’re interested in learning more about this new lizard species, you can read the full study published by Pensoft Publishers: https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/61311/
A new species of Diploderma, Diploderma bifluviale, has been discovered in China. This is the 47th species of Diploderma found in the country. The genus is mainly distributed across East Asia and the northern part of the Indochinese Peninsula.
diploderma bifluviale has a unique appearance with its wheat-colored tongue and distinct coloration. Unlike its closest relatives, it inhabits semi-arid shrublands in warm-dry valleys at elevations ranging from 2,100 to 2,500 meters. It can be found residing in arid shrublands with small leaves and scattered rock piles.
The discovery of this new species sheds light on the understudied biodiversity of the upper Dadu River valley. This finding was published in an open-access journal called ZooKeys by researchers Liu F., Wu Y., Zhang J., yang G., Liu S., Chen X., Chang J., Xie Q., and cai B.
The length of Diploderma bifluviale ranges from 6-7 cm.Its habitat is characterized by rocky and sandy surfaces where it can easily camouflage itself to avoid predators.
this new species adds to the already diverse range of agamid lizards found in China’s Hengduan Mountains region. The researchers believe that there are still many more undiscovered species waiting to be found in this area.Research Article:
Liu F, Wu Y, Zhang J, Yang G, Liu S, Chen X, Chang J,
Xie Q,
Cai B (2025) A new species of diploderma Hallowell,
1861 (Squamata,
Agamidae) discovered in the upper Dadu River valley
of
the Hengduan Mountains,
Sichuan,
China.
ZooKeys 1251: 17-38.
https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.153705
Image credit: Bo Cai
Related:
The upper Dadu River valley is home to a diverse range of species, and this new discovery adds to the growing list of unique creatures found in this region. With more research and exploration, we can continue to uncover the hidden biodiversity of this area.
That’s amazing, so cool to see the world of science making new discoveries!