A New Tree Lizard Species Unveiled in China's Xizang Region

A recent study, reported by Xizang Daily, details the discovery of a previously unknown lizard species in Metog county, located in the Xizang autonomous region. The findings were published in the international journal Zootaxa.

The research team, comprised of scientists from the Central South Inventory and Planning Institute of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Kunming Institute of Zoology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, identified and named the new species Calotes zhaoermii. The specimen was collected during a field survey conducted in Metog in July 2024.

Through detailed morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the team confirmed that this tree lizard represented a species not previously documented in scientific literature. The lizard was named Zhao's Tree Lizard in recognition of Zhao Ermi, a distinguished Chinese herpetologist and former academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, for his significant contributions to the field.

The lizard exhibits the ability to change its coloration. In its natural, resting state, the top of its head is olive green, while its back and sides display a complex pattern of greens interspersed with pale white, reddish-brown, and black markings. When stressed, the lizard's coloration shifts primarily to a reddish-brown hue, allowing it to blend more effectively with its arboreal environment.

Calotes zhaoermii represents the 34th species documented within the Calotes genus. This discovery further enriches the known reptile diversity within China.

Since November 2022, researchers from the Central South Inventory and Planning Institute have been conducting biodiversity surveys within the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve. This work, commissioned by the forestry and grassland bureau of Xizang's Nyingchi city, has led to the discovery of numerous species, including small mammals, insects, spiders, and plants.