Description of a New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Nepal

Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827, represents the most diverse reptile genus in the Himalayan region. Despite ongoing research, Cyrtodactylus diversityremainsincompletelydocumentedinNepal.Wedescribe anewspecies fromSunsariDistrict in eastern Nepal using integrated morphological and genetic evidence. Belonging to the C. khasiensis group, Cyrtodactylus khambui sp. nov. is distinguished from regional congeners by: (1) smaller body size (SVL <60 mm), (2) proportional head dimensions, (3) interorbital-head width proportion (IO /HW%), (4) dorsal patterning of 7–9 irregular transverse crossbars, (5) absence of a mid-dorsal line, (6) presence of eight small precloacal pores, and (7)>12% mitochondrial ND2 sequence divergence from its closest relative (C. martinstolli).

Phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference) and species delimitation unanimously support its distinct evolutionary status. Cyrtodactylus khambui sp. nov. exhibits color variation among individuals, lacks femoral pores and grooves, and inhabits diverse ecosystems including anthropogenic structures (abandoned walls) and natural forests (Sal-dominated and mixed deciduous).