Literatur und Schriften
Agasthyagama

SRIKANTHAN, A.N., ADHIKARI, O.D., GANESH, S.R., DEUTI, K., KULKARNI, V.M., GOWANDE, G.G. & K. SHANKER (2021): A molecular and morphological study of Otocryptis Wagler, 1830 (Squamata: Agamidae) reveals a new genus from the far south of the Western Ghats, Peninsular India. – Zootaxa, 5016: 205–228.

In recent years, several studies have revealed significant unknown and cryptic diversity of agamids in peninsular India, particularly in the Western Ghats. Here, we examine the morphology, anatomy and genetics of the sole Indian representative of the otherwise Sri Lankan agamid genus Otocryptis from the Western Ghats. Our analyses reveal significant distinctions in O. beddomii Boulenger, 1885 with respect to the Sri Lankan members, the type species, O. wiegmanni Wagler, 1830, and O. nigristigma Bahir & de Silva, 2005, warranting a new generic placement. To accommodate the divergent and allopatric O. beddomii from the Western Ghats, we erect a new genus Agasthyagama gen. nov. We re-characterise Agasthyagama beddomii (Boulenger, 1885) comb. nov. based on a syntype (ZSI 15733) and recently collected material. In effect, we restrict the genus Otocryptis, represented by two species, O. wiegmanni and O. nigristigma, to Sri Lanka. We also provide a re-appraisal of the genus Otocryptis sensu stricto, based on data from its type species O. wiegmanni. Our finding adds another endemic agamid genus to the Western Ghats, following Salea Gray, 1845, and the recently described Monilesaurus Pal, Vijayakumar, Shanker, Jayarajan & Deepak, 2018, and Microauris Pal, Vijayakumar, Shanker, Jayarajan & Deepak, 2018. In turn, this complements Sri Lankan agamid endemism with Otocryptis, in addition to the accepted endemic radiations of Lyriocephalus Merrem, 1820, Ceratophora Gray, 1835 and Cophotis Peters, 1861. From a systematic perspective, our erection of Agasthyagama gen. nov. likely completes the description of known genus-level diversity in the clade containing Otocryptis Wagler 1830, Sitana Cuvier, 1829 and the recently described Sarada Deepak, Karanth & Giri, 2016.
Agasthyagama beddomei (BOULENGER, 1885)

Indian Kangaroo Lizard
CHANDRAMOULI, S.R (2009): Status and microhabitat preferences of Otocryptis beddomii Boulenger, 1885 (Reptilia: Agamidae) in Ponmudi hills, Western Ghats, Kerala, India. - Taprobanica 1 (2): 107-110.

The population of Otocryptis beddomii in Ponmudi Hills of Kerala, India was examined to assess its status and microhabitat preference. The encounter rate was significantly higher in pristine habitat (3.51 sightings/km) than in disturbed habitat (0.97 sightings/km). Sighting frequency was highest in rainforests (60) of mid-altitude (68) and the most-utilized substrate was leaf litter (79.2%). Disturbances due to human activities had a significant (Proportion test; z = 2.93, p<0.05), adverse impact on its population.

DANIELS, R.J.R. (1991): Ecology and status of a little known lizard Otocryptis beddomi (Boulenger). – Cobra, Madras, 5: 3-4.

JOSE, J., RAMACHANDRAN, K.K. & P.V. NAIR (2007): A rare and little known lizard, Otocryptis beddomi, from the Myristica swamps of southern Kerala, India. – Herp. Bull., (101): 27-31.

We present new data on the occurrence, behaviour, life history and ecology of the little known Indian kangaroo lizard, Otocryptis beddomi from the Myristica swamps of southern Kerala, a highly endangered, fragmented and restricted fresh water swamp forest in the Western Ghats.The result of our study conducted for two years from November 2004 to November 2006, also indicates that Myristica swamp forests provide an optimum habitat for this lizard which has disappeared from ist earlier habitats, and calls for the conservation of these unique forests.




Agasthyagama edge DAS, PAL, NARAYANAN, SUBIN, PALOT, RAJKUMAR, DEEPAK, 2024

Das, S. & Pal, S. & Narayanan, S. & Subin, K. & Palot, M.J. & Rajkumar, KP. & Deepak V. (2024) Discovery of a new species of kangaroo lizard (Squamata:
Agamidae: Agasthyagama) from the southern Western Ghats of India. Vertebrate Zoology 74 151–168. (https://doi.org/10.3897/vz.74.e113084).

We describe a new species of Agasthyagama from Idukki district, Kerala, India. The new species is distinguished from its sister species Agasthyagama beddomii by a combination of scale characters and are also genetically different from each other with 11% uncorrected pairwise difference in ND2 gene and 3% in 16S gene. The two species are also geographically separated, the closest
distributional records are approximately 80 km apart.

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