Bronchocela danieli ( Tiwari & Biswas, 1973 )

Chandramouli, S. R., Adhikari, Omkar D., Amarasinghe, A. A. Thasun & Abinawanto, A., 2023, A review of the genus Bronchocela Kaup, 1827 (Reptilia: Agamidae) in the Nicobar Archipelago with the description of two new species, Zootaxa 5254 (4), pp. 493-516 : 502

Bronchocela danieli ( Tiwari & Biswas, 1973)

( Fig. 5 )

Calotes danieli Tiwari & Biswas, 1973

Bronchocela danieli — Moody (1980); Hallermann (2005, 2009)

Material Studied: DOSMB05025, an adult male from Shastri Nagar (6.80821ºN, 93.8859ºE, 0 m asl.), Great Nicobar and DOSMB05026, an adult female from East-West Road, (7.01893ºN, 93.92333ºE, 12 m asl.) Campbell Bay , Great Nicobar .

Holotype: ZSI 22455 from Campbell Bay , Great Nicobar ( Fig. 6 )

Differential diagnosis and comparisons: A species of Bronchocela endemic to Great Nicobar Island, in the southern group of Nicobar archipelago, characterized by: small body size (72.62–79.00 mm SVL); relative tail length (331–343 % SVL); 65–71 scale rows around mid-body, of which, the first three to six rows on the dorsum oriented posterodorsally, the next four rows oriented posteriorly, followed by 12–13 rows oriented posteroventrally; upto 10 slightly enlarged, relatively short scales forming the nuchal crest; dorsal crest rudimentary; three postmentals; 8–9 supralabials; 8–9 infralabials; 4–5 canthals; 6–7 supraciliaries; 25–27 subdigital lamellae under toe IV; 71–77 ventrals; pale green dorsal colouration with a distinct, black coloured patch behind the eye with two bright yellow or white spots ( Table 2 ).

Description and variation: A small species of Bronchocela (mean SVL 76.61 mm; n=3), with a long, tapering tail (TaL:SVL 3.31). Body rather long and slender (AG:SVL 0.45–0.54, n=3). Head large (HL:SVL 0.27); much longer than broad (HL:HW 1.91–1.93) and about as broad as deep (HW:HD 1.01). Snout less than half as long as the head (ES:HL 0.40) with a blunt, rounded tip. Canthus rostralis sharply defined, with four to five canthal scales. Eyes relatively large, a little larger than 1/4 th the length of the head (ED:HL 0.27); tympanum circular, relatively slightly large, a little larger than half the eye diameter (TYH:ED 0.43) and black in colour. Scales between the eye and tympanum small. Nasal slightly larger than the adjacent scales and ovoid in shape. Scales on the check below the tympanum small and keeled. Mental triangular, bounded by two large and one small postmentals and eight infralabials on either side. Rostral bounded by eight to nine supralabials on each side. Nostrils separated from each other by nine to ten small internasals. Nuchal crest composed of up to twelve short scales projecting posterodorsally. Dorsal body scales small, feebly keeled and homogeneous, in 65 rows around the mid-body. Of the dorsal scales, the first four rows on the dorsum on either sides oriented posteriorly; the next three rows of scales oriented posterodorsally, with the rest of the scales on the lateral body oriented posteroventrally. Ventrals 71–77 in a longitudinal series; about five times larger than the dorsal scales, bearing a strong median keel, projecting posteriorly towards the lower vertex. Limbs relatively slender and elongate; upper arm short and slender (UAL: SVL 0.17); lower arm slightly longer than the upper arm (UAL:LAL 0.93); palm about as long as the lower arm (LAL:PAL 0.99). Fingers long and slender, relative length of fingers IV~III>II≥IV>I. Thigh long and slender (FEL: SVL 0.24); tibia nearly as long as the thighs (FEL:TBL 0.98); foot elongated, longer than thigh (FEL:FOL 0.84). Hindlimbs longer than half the body length (HLL:SVL 0.73–0.89). Relative lengths of toes IV>III>II>V>I; 25-27 subdigital lamellae under toe IV.

Dorsum pale green throughout the body; tip of the tail reddish. Ventral surfaces of the head, lips and body white. Head greyish with a black ring around the eye. Tympanum black and males with a black patch behind the eye up to the tympanum, with a distinct yellow or white patch, which is absent in females. In preservation, overall dorsal boy grey in color, with patches of black along the sides of the trunk. Venter pale white.

Distribution and Natural history: It is endemic to Great Nicobar and was recorded during the present study from several sites within this island. It is arboreal and diurnal in habit, and is a common species found in evergreen forests ( Fig. 8 ).

Figures

FIGURE 5. Bronchocela danieli (top: DOSMB 05025, middle: live males, below: live female).

FIGURE 6. Head of the holotype of Bronchocela danieli (ZSI 22455).

FIGURE 8. Map, showing the distribution of the four Bronchocela species in the Nicobar Archipelago (red triangles indicate type localities).