Taxonomic re-evaluation of the status of Draco cornutus Günther, 1864 (Reptilia: Agamidae)

Abstract

The taxonomic status of the flying lizard, Draco cornutus Günther, 1864, recently frequently regarded as a junior synonym of D. volans Linnaeus, 1758, is reassessed. Our field observations in Borneo confirmed sympatric occurrence of two morphotypes of D. volans sensu lato, one of which showed a diagnostic character of D. cornutus. The two morphotypes also differ from each other in live coloration, allozyme pattern and mitochondrial DNA sequence. From these results, it is concluded that D. cornutus is a valid species.