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ABSTRACT Habitat selection in animals results from a careful balance of individual requirements, environmental conditions, and ecological disturbances. Preferences can vary across sexes and ages due to differences in survival and reproductive priorities. Despite this variability, most studies have traditionally focused on isolated aspects of either sex or age‐related differences in habitat selection, rather than considering a comprehensive range of influencing factors. The mountain dragon lizard (Diploderma splendidum) exemplifies a species adapted to shrub habitats in the dry‐hot river valleys of the lower Jinsha River, Western China, playing a crucial role in regional ecosystem stability. In this study, we examined the influence of 11 ecological factors on habitat selection by male and female D. splendidum across two distinct age classes (adult and juvenile) to explore sex and age‐related disparities. The lizards showed considerable similarity in habitat preferences, but notable differences in their selection of specific ecological factors. Compared to adult females, adult males displayed a preference for higher tree positions, lower light intensity, and moderate vegetation density. Compared to juvenile females, juvenile males favored higher tree positions, low rock formations, and shrubby grassland and forest. Compared to juvenile females, adult females preferred higher tree positions and habitats further from water. Compared to juvenile males, adult males preferred higher tree habitats. Overall, habitat selection complexity in D. splendidum was significantly influenced by sex and age factors. This study contributes to our understanding of how these lizards respond to different physiological structures and resource requirements. These findings enhance current knowledge on reptile habitat selection and provide theoretical insights crucial for ecological restoration and species protection in the hot and dry valley areas of Hengduan Mountain.

Lycodon gammiei (Blanford, 1878), a rarely encountered species of Asian snake, is characterized by ambiguous systematics and biology. Based on a sole specimen of L. gammiei rediscovered in southeastern Xizang, China, we conduct a detailed morphological examination and description, and investigate the systematic position of this species. Morphologically, the newly collected specimen is closely aligned with specimens previously described. Mitochondrial DNA-based phylogenetic analyses reveal that L. gammiei constitutes an independent evolutionary lineage, forming a clade with L. fasciatus (Anderson, 1879), L. gongshan Vogel & Luo, 2011, L. butleri Boulenger, 1900, and L. cavernicolus Grismer, Quah, Anuar, Muin, Wood & Nor, 2014. The closest genetic distance between L. gammiei and its congeners was 10.2%. The discovery of L. gammiei in Medog County, China, signifies an eastward expansion of its known geographical distribution.

A new species of Xenophrys is described from Yadong County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China based on morphological and molecular evidence. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COI indicated that this new species represents an independent lineage and the minimum p-distance based on 16S rRNA between this species and its congeners is 4.4%. Additionally, the new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) small body size, SVL 17.9–22.2 mm in adult males and SVL 23.4 mm in the single adult female; (2) tympanum indistinct, supratympanic fold distinct; (3) canthus rostralis well-developed, snout tip far beyond the margin of the lower lip; (5) pupil vertical; (6) vomerine teeth present, maxillary teeth present; (7) tongue notched posteriorly; (8) supernumerary tubercles absent, subarticular, metacarpal and metatarsal tubercles indistinct; (9) relative finger lengths I < II < IV < III, finger tips rounded, slightly expanded relative to digit widths; (10) toes with narrow lateral fringes and tarsal folds; (11) a dark triangular marking with light edge between eyes, a dark “)(”-shaped marking, with light edge, present on center of dorsum, pectoral glands on sides of the breast.

Abstract Although several phylogeographic studies of Asian snakes have been conducted, most have focused on pitvipers, with non‐venomous snakes, such as colubrids or natricids, remaining poorly studied. The Chinese keelback water snake (Trimerodytes percarinatus Boulenger) is a widespread, semiaquatic, non‐venomous species occurring in China and southeastern Asia. Based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, we explored the population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and evolutionary history of this species. MtDNA‐based phylogenetic analysis showed that T. percarinatus was composed of five highly supported and geographically structured lineages. SNP‐based phylogenetic analysis, principal component analysis, and population structure analysis consistently revealed four distinct, geographically non‐overlapping lineages, which was different from the mtDNA‐based analysis in topology. Estimation of divergence dates and ancestral area of origin suggest that T. percarinatus originated ~12.68 million years ago (95% highest posterior density: 10.36–15.96 Mya) in a region covering southwestern China and Vietnam. Intraspecific divergence may have been triggered by the Qinghai‐Xizang Plateau uplift. Population demographics and ecological niche modeling indicated that the effective population size fluctuated during 0.5 Mya and 0.002 Mya. Based on the data collected here, we also comment on the intraspecific taxonomy of T. percarinatus and question the validity of the subspecies T. p. suriki.

Abstract The elucidation of species diversity and distribution is critical within the fields of evolution, genetics, and conservation. The genus Sibynophis contains rare snakes that have historically received little attention. In this study, we conducted comprehensive sampling and use both mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers to explore Sibynophis species diversity within China. Our findings revealed that S. c. miyiensis should be considered synonymous with S. c. grahami, and S. c. grahami should be gave a specific rank as S. grahami. In addition, we discovered S. triangularis was new to China and Myanmar. Based on the specimens and molecular phylogeny results, we redefined the species distribution boundaries of each Chinese species.

Abstract Background Gut and oral microbes form complex communities and play key roles in co-evolution with their hosts. However, little is understood about the bacterial community in lizards. Results In this study, we investigated the gut and oral bacterial communities in Japalura sensu lato from Sichuan Province, China, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results showed that Bacteroidota (36.5%) and Firmicutes (32.8%) were the main phyla in the gut, while Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota were the dominant phyla in the oral cavity. 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis of fecal samples showed that: (1) Bacteroidota was the most abundant in Japalura sensu lato, which was different from the bacterial community of insectivorous animals; (2) Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Fusobacteriota, and Cyanobacteria were the most abundant phylum in Japalura sensu lato. (3) Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in Japalura sensu lato and other domestic insectivorous lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus, Phrynocephalus vlangalii, and Takydromus septentrionalis); (4) Comparing with the bacterial community of Shinisaurus crocodilurus, Phrynocephalus vlangalii, Takydromus septentrionalis, Liolaemus parvus, L. ruibali, and Phymaturus williamsi, Desulfobacterota was uniquely present in the gut of Japalura sensu lato. 16 S rRNA sequencing of oral samples showed that Chloroflexi and Deinococcota phyla were enriched in the oral cavity, which may have a significant influence on living in extreme environments. Conclusions Thus, based on 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis of the community composition of the gut and oral microbiomes, this study firstly represents a foundation for understanding the gut and oral microbial ecology of Japalura sensu lato, and constitutes a detail account of the diversity of the microbiota inhabiting the gut and oral cavity of Japalura sensu lato. Further researches will continue to reveal how gut and oral microbial communities may be impacting the ecology and evolution of lizards.

Upslope range shifting has been documented in diverse species in response to global warming. Plasticity, which refers to the ability of organisms to alter their phenotypes in changing environments, is crucial for the survival of those that newly migrated to a high-altitude environment. The scope and mechanisms of plasticity across biological levels, however, have rarely been examined. We used two agama lizards (genus Phrynocephalus) as model systems and a transplant experiment to comprehensively assess their plasticity on multiple organization levels. Two low-altitude (934 m) agama species, Phrynocephalus axillaris (oviparous) and P. forsythii (viviparous), were transplanted to a high-altitude site (3,400 m). After acclimation for 6 weeks in seminatural enclosures, plasticity was measured from bite force, tail display behavior, gene expression, and metabolome. Both lizards were capable of acclimating to the high-altitude environment without sacrificing their performance in bite force, but they also showed high plasticity in tail display behavior by either decreasing the intensity of a specific display component (P. forsythii) or by the trade-off between display components (P. axillaris). Genes and metabolites associated with lipids, especially fatty acid metabolism, exhibited significant differentiation in expression, compared to individuals from their native habitats. Improved fatty acid storage and metabolism appeared to be a common response among animals at high altitudes. Despite distinct reproductive modes that may differ in response to physiological pressure, the two lizards demonstrated high concordance in plasticity when they faced a novel environment at high altitudes. Taken together, lizards likely acclimate to high-altitude environments by reducing behavioral activity and increasing energy efficiency after range shifting. Our results provide new insights into our understanding of phenotypic plasticity and its importance in today’s changing climate.