Description of two new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Nepal

Two new species of <i>Cyrtodactylus</i> from the <i>khasiensis</i> group are described using morphological characters supported by molecular analyses based on the mitochondrial ND2 gene. <i>Cyrtodactylus makwanpurgadhiensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> and <i>C. chure</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> from the Siwalik Mountains in central Nepal are at least 11.2% divergent from other Nepalese congeners and 16.7% from each other and can be distinguished by a combination of morphometric and meristic traits. The description of two new species from the Siwalik Mountains underscores the conservation significance of this region, a relatively young, dry, and geologically unstable range of the Himalayan orogen. Despite serving as a border between the lowland (Terai) and Himalayan range, it remains underrepresented in both biodiversity assessments and conservation planning in Nepal. Our findings suggest the need for a robust and targeted species research program and to prioritise this landscape for conservation actions.