Taxonomic reassessment of the Pareas margaritophorus-macularius species complex (Squamata, Pareidae)

Abstract

In the present paper we reassess the taxonomy of the Pareas margaritophorus-macularius species complex based on an integrative approach including morphological and molecular data from type, historical, and newly collected specimens. The name Pareas andersonii Boulenger, 1888 is revalidated for the populations of Myanmar (Kachin, Chin, Shan states and Sagaing, Mandalay divisions), India (Mizoram and Nagaland states), and China (Yunnan Province). The name Pareas modestus Theobald, 1868 is revalidated for populations in southern Myanmar (Yangon Division) and India (Mizoram State). Molecular and morphological data further re-confirm the full species status of P. macularius Theobald, 1868. We provide an identification key to the species of the Pareas margaritophorus-macularius complex. Our results further underline that the taxonomy of the genus Pareas species has not yet been fully assessed, especially in widely distributed taxa often representing complexes of cryptic or morphologically similar species. Our work brings the total number of species recognized within the genus Pareas to 19.