A new agamid species from central Vietnam and Southern Laos is described. It is distinguished from A. armata, A. coronata, A. crucigera, and A. lepidogaster by lacking a spine on the occiput between the tympanum and nuchal crest. The new species differs from coronata and lepidogaster by having a large crest and from armata, crucigera, and lepidogaster by lacking a dark marking on the nape. It most closely resembles A. capra, but differs from it by having large keeled scales intermixed with small scales on the lateral and dorsal surface of body (scales relatively uniform incapra). Strong difference in coloration in live of adult males and females of compared species of genus Acanthosaura are described. [1]
In Bach Ma NP, I collected a specimen of this species at Tri Sao stream area (about 500m a.s.l) and a specimen at Do Quen stream area (about 1.450 m a.s.l). This species also common in Ba Na - Nui Chua Nature reserve.
Acanthosaura nataliae in Bach Ma National Park, Photographed by Luan Nguyen Thanh |
Acanthosaura nataliae at Ba Na - Nui Chua NR, Photographed by Luan Nguyen Thanh |
1. Orlov N. L., Truong Q.N., Sang V.N., 2005. A new Acanthosaura allied to A. capra Gunther, 1861 from central Vietnam and Southern Laos. Vol. 13 (1): 61 – 76.