Descriptions of three new species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Hainan Island, China

Abstract

Three new species of the gekkonid lizard genus Hemiphyllodactylus are described from Hainan Island, China, based on morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses based the ND2 gene. This brings the total number of the known species from one to four, revealing the previously underestimated diversity of Hainan’s herpetofauna. The three new species, along with Hemiphyllodactylus typus, are placed into three different clades, suggesting multiple colonization events and independent evolutionary histories of the genus on Hainan Island.

The known distribution of H. typus was further expanded in this study, and its current status on this island was examined, highlighting the cryptogenic nature of the species with unclear native and introduced ranges. These findings emphasize the need for detailed molecular studies using sensitive genetic markers and extensive geographical sampling to clarify its origins.