A review of the genus Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata: Scincidae) in southern Vietnam, with additional data on S. sheai and S. tridigitus

Abstract

Introduction: Among 14 species of forest skinks (genus Sphenomorphus) in Vietnam, seven were recorded from southern part of the country. Shea’s forest skink, S. sheai, was described from Kon Tum Plateau based on a single female. Similarly, the tridigital forest skink, S. tridigitus, was also described based on a single putrid and desiccated specimen found dead on a road in Bach Ma; specimens collected recently in Laos did not fully agree with the original description. Hence, additional specimens from type localities of both poorly known species are necessary to discern their morphological variation. In addition, little is known about hemipenis and distribution of the other forest skinks in southern Vietnam. Our study seeks to (1) confirm the occurrence of all known species in the area and access their distributions, (2) provide additional morphological data on poorly known S. sheai and S. tridigitus, and (3) describe hemipenial structure of known species. Methods: We analyzed the morphology of 47 specimens of forest skink collected from southern Vietnam to identify species. Scales were observed and counted under a zoom stereo microscope and measurements were taken with a digital caliper. Results: Analyses confirmed the occurrence of seven species of Sphenomorphus in southern Vietnam, including S. annamiticus, S. buenloicus, S. indicus, S. maculatus, S. sheai, S. tridigitus, and S. yersini. New specimens of S. sheai had one enlarged anterior temporal and eight or nine lamellae under fourth toe, which differed from the original description. Additional specimens of S. tridigitus from the type locality verified that the holotype has 20 mid-body scale rows and first supralabial and nasal fused, but they differed from the holotype in having upper temporal overlapped or overlapping the lower one. Fieldwork discovered 20 new localities for all seven species. The hemipenes of four species involved those with symmetric and asymmetric lobes. Conclusion: We confirm the occurrence of seven species of Sphenomorphus in southern Vietnam with 20 additional distribution records. Hemipenial structures of known species form two groups. New specimens of S. sheai and S. tridigitus differ slightly from the holotypes.