Authors: Santosh Bhattarai, Bivek Gautam, Chiranjibi Prasad Pokheral, Ram Chandra Kandel

Abstract: An updated checklist of amphibians and reptiles of Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone is presented, which is essential for conservation management decision-making as the area is experiencing frequent stochastic events in recent years. A total of 89 species is listed from Chitwan National Park including—20 frogs & toads, 42 snakes, 14 lizards, 11 turtles, and two crocodile species. The confirmed
record of Dudhwa Reed Frog Chirixalus dudhwaensis in Nepal is provided, and the occurrence of Eastern Bronze-back Tree Snake Dendrelaphis proarchos from Chitwan National Park, representing its westernmost known distribution in Nepal. In addition the presence of Hylarana tytleri and Sitana sivalensis is confirmed from Chitwan National Park. These findings contribute to filling critical knowledge gaps in species richness and offer updated insights into the taxonomy, natural history, and conservation status of herpetofauna in the park. Recent IUCN Red List mentions the geographic range of the Torrent Paha Frog Nanorana ercepeae from Chitwan National Park; based on the absence of verified records, we exclude it from updated checklist. We also suggest integrative taxonomic and ecological studies to uncover hidden diversity, and to inform evidence-based conservation strategies for amphibians and reptiles in Nepal.

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Authors: Santosh Bhattarai, Bivek Gautam, Bishal Prasad Neupane, Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray, Ishan Agarwal, Ashley R. Olson, Fiona Hogan, Wendy Wright

Journal: Zookeys

Abstract: Two new species of Cyrtodactylus from the khasiensis group are described using morphological characters supported by molecular analyses based on the mitochondrial ND2 gene. Cyrtodactylus makwanpurgadhiensis sp. nov. and C. chure sp. nov. from the Siwalik Mountains in central Nepal are at least 11.2% divergent from other Nepalese congeners and 16.7% from each other and can be distinguished by a combination of morphometric and meristic traits. The description of two new species from the Siwalik Mountains underscores the conservation significance of this region, a relatively young, dry, and geologically unstable range of the Himalayan orogen. Despite serving as a border between the lowland (Terai) and Himalayan range, it remains underrepresented in both biodiversity assessments and conservation planning in Nepal. Our findings suggest the need for a robust and targeted species research program and to prioritise this landscape for conservation actions.

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Authors: Santosh Bhattarai, Bivek Gautam, Bishal Prasad Neupane, Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray, Ishan Agarwal, Frank Tillack, Ashley R. Olson, Fiona Hogan, Wendy Wright

Abstract: We conduct a review of the known species of Cyrtodactylus from Nepal based on type and topotypical material, resulting in the synonymization of one species and description of three additional species from Central Nepal. The five species of Cyrtodactylus from Nepal are members of the Indo-Burma clade and are at least 11.7 % divergent from known congeners based on the mitochondrial ND2 gene. The results show that C. nepalensis and one of the new species are allied to the C. fasciolatus group while the other two new species and C. martinstolli are members of the mountain subclade within the khasiensis group. The new species can be readily distinguished from congeners in the Himalaya by a combination of body size, meristic characters including number of dorsal tubercle rows and mid ventral scales across the belly, the number and arrangement of pores in males and females, and subcaudal condition.

Journal: Zootaxa

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