Taxonomic research is of fundamental importance in conservation management of threatened species, providing an understanding of species diversity on which management plans are based. The grassland earless dragon lizards (Agamidae: ) of southeastern Australia have long been of conservation concern but there have been ongoing taxonomic uncertainties. We provide a comprehensive taxonomic review of this group, integrating multiple lines of evidence, including phylogeography (mtDNA), phylogenomics (SNPs), external morphology and micro X-ray CT scans. Based on these data we assign the lectotype of to the Canberra region, restrict the distribution of to Victoria and name two new species: sp. nov. (Cooma) and sp. nov. (Bathurst). Our results have significant conservation implications. Of particular concern is , with the last confident sighting in 1969, raising the possibility of the first extinction of a reptile on mainland Australia. However, our results are equivocal as to whether is extant or extinct, emphasizing the immediate imperative for continued surveys to locate any remaining populations of . We also highlight the need for a full revision of conservation management plans for all the grassland earless dragons.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.190233 | DOI Listing |
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