How many more species are out there? Current taxonomy substantially underestimates the diversity of bent-toed geckos (Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus) in Laos and Vietnam.

ABSTRACT: Cyrtodactylus is the most diverse genus of the family Gekkonidae and the world's third largest vertebrate genus. The number of species has increased more than fourfold over the last two decades. Indochina, especially Vietnam and Laos, has witnessed a surge in new species discoveries over the last three decades. The species number reported from Laos and Vietnam has remarkably increased from five in 1997 to 71 species in 2021. However, within the genus, several taxonomic issues have not yet been fully resolved. Based on recently collected samples from Laos and Vietnam, we conducted a comprehensive molecular review of Cyrtodactylus occurring in Laos and Vietnam. Our molecular analysis with support from morphological comparisons showed that C.thuongae is a junior synonym o

SUBMITTER: Ngo HT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9848914 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature