Hemiphyllodactylus dalatensis

A new species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus has been discovered based on four specimens found in Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park, located in the Da Lat Plateau of Lam Dong Province in Vietnam. 

DO, Q. H., NGUYEN, K. V., LE, M. D., ZIEGLER, T., & NGUYEN, T. Q. 2021. A new species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Da Lat Plateau, Vietnam. Zootaxa 5023 (1): 93-10

This newly identified species, Hemiphyllodactylus dalatensis sp. nov., can be distinguished from other related species by specific characteristics. It is a bisexual species with a maximum size of 45.9 mm. It possesses 16 rows of dorsal scales, 8 or 9 rows of ventral scales, 7–10 chin scales, enlarged postmental scales, a continuous series of 23–25 femoral and precloacal pores in males (absent in females), and a unique digital lamellae formula. Additionally, both male and female specimens have 2 or 3 cloacal spurs on each side, normal-sized subcaudal scales, and a distinct dorsal trunk pattern with specific markings. Despite being closely related to species found in India based on phylogenetic analyses, Hemiphyllodactylus dalatensis is considered a distinct species within the genus.