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Unraveling Cryptic Diversity in Acanthosaura (Sauria: Squamata: Agamidae) Species Complexes in Vietnam: Research History and Current Status

Natalia Borisovna Ananjeva, Maryia I. Matsiushova, Anton O. Svinin, Olga S. Bezman-Moseyko, Thien Tao Nguyen, Nikolai L. Orlov

Abstract


The cryptic taxonomic diversity of arboreal agamid lizards of the genus Acanthosaura in Indochina, particularly in Vietnam, is discussed based on the results of molecular and morphological studies. The present data confirm the monophyly of this genus, the presence of six evolutionary clades within it, and allow to identify the composition of at least three previously assigned complexes (A. capra, A. lepidogaster, and A. coronata) inhabiting Vietnam. The relationships and distribution of these species’ complexes are discussed.

Keywords


Acanthosaura lepidogaster complex; A. coronata complex; A. capra complex; agamid lizards; morphology; Vietnam; mitochondrial phylogeny; cyt b; COI

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2025-32-3-211-232

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