A New Species of <italic>Ablepharus</italic> (Sauria: Scincidae) from Western Xizang, China

The genus Ablepharus represents a morphologically diverse group of lizards, comprising approximately 19 species distributed across Asia. However, due to challenges in sample collection, the taxonomy and phylogeny of this genus remain poorly resolved. In this study, we identified and described a novel species of Ablepharus from western Xizang, China, through morphological analysis and molecular phylogenetics. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on mitochondrial DNA (ND2) sequences showed that the new species formed a strongly supported sister lineage with A. ladacensis and A. himalayanus, while exhibiting significant genetic divergence from all other congeners. In addition to its genetic distinctiveness, the new species can be characterized by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) eyelids partially fused; (2) tympanum sunken; (3) supranasal scales absent; (4) prefrontals separated from each other; (5) supraoculars 4; (6) supralabials 7, 6th largest; (7) infralabials 6 or 7; (8) scale rows across neck and back 6; (9) scales encircling midbody 32; (10) midventral scales from last chinshield to precloaca 72-80; (11) subcaudals 110-125; (12) lamellae beneath 4th finger 13-16, beneath 4th toe 18-21; (13) body brownish-olive, devoid of spots, venter brick-red. This study highlights the underexplored species diversity within Ablepharus in China and provides new insights into the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of the genus.