New Lizard Species Discovered in Xizang, Named in Honor of Chinese Herpetologist

A new lizard species has been discovered in Metog county, located in the Xizang autonomous region. The discovery was reported by Xizang Daily and detailed 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 the new species as Calotes zhaoermii. The specimen was collected during a field survey conducted in July 2024.

Through a combination of morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the team confirmed that the tree lizard represented a previously unknown species. The lizard was named Zhao's Tree Lizard in recognition of Zhao Ermi, a respected Chinese herpetologist and former academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The lizard exhibits the ability to change its coloration. In its natural state, the top of its head is olive green, while its back and sides display a complex pattern of green hues interspersed with pale white, reddish-brown, and black markings.

When stressed, the lizard's coloration shifts, primarily adopting a reddish-brown hue to better blend with its tree habitat. This new species marks the 34th species recorded within the Calotes genus, further enriching the known reptile diversity of China.

Since November 2022, researchers from the Central South Inventory and Planning Institute have been engaged in 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.