New lizard species discovered in Hoa Binh Province, northern Vietnam

26/12/2024

During a field survey in the limestone mountains of the Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong Nature Reserve, Hoa Binh Province, a research team from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, the Institute of Genome Research, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Science and Cologne Zoo, discovered and described a new skink species named Scincella ouboteri based on integrated analyses of molecular biology and morphological comparisons.

Globally, the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 currently includes 37 recognized species, of which 13 species have been recorded in Vietnam. However, detailed taxonomic studies on the Scincella genus in Vietnam remain relatively limited and have yet to be fully evaluated, suggesting that more species await discovery. During fieldwork in the mountainous forests of northern Vietnam, the research team found a population of skinks in the Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong Nature Reserve, Hoa Binh Province. Based on morphological and molecular differences, this Scincella population in Hoa Binh was described as a new species to science.

Field image of the newly discovered Scincella ouboteri in nature

Molecular analysis results showed that the new skink species in Hoa Binh Province has a minimum genetic divergence of ~8% from other species, based on mitochondrial COI gene segment analysis. Morphologically, this new species can be distinguished from others in the Scincella genus by the following characteristics: medium body size (SVL up to 58.6 mm), two main temporal scales, an external ear opening with 3 or 4 lobed scales on the anterior edge, two scales between the nostril and eye, seven upper labial scales, 6 or 7 lower labial scales, 2–4 pairs of nuchal scales, 30–32 rows of midbody scales, smooth dorsal scales arranged in six transverse rows across the back, 65–73 paravertebral scale rows (not widened), 65–71 ventral scale rows, 10–12 subdigital lamellae under the fourth foretoe, and 18–20 under the fourth hind toe. The dorsal and tail surfaces are brown with a central black stripe on the back (two dorsal scale rows wide), two light stripes running from behind the head to the mid-tail, and a black stripe extending from the nostril to the eye and from the posterior corner of the eye along the upper flanks and tail.

Image of the holotype of the new species Scincella ouboteri (code IEBR 5042): Head: A) Lateral view, B) Dorsal view, C) Ventral view; D) Ventral view of toes, and E) Ventral view of fingers

Although Hoa Binh Province has a large area of natural forest, the new species’ distribution range is relatively small, estimated to be less than 2,000 km². Additionally, environmental degradation impacts have been observed, though their adverse effects on the species have not been conclusively determined. The study recommends further evaluation and proposes listing the new species under the “Data Deficient (DD)” category based on the IUCN Red List 2024 criteria.

Publication link: https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5428.1.4

Pham et al., 2024, A new skink of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Hoa Binh Province, northern Vietnam. Zootaxa 5428 (1): 091-106.

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version