New Species of Horned Tree Dragon Discovered in Thailand

Researchers from the Chulabhorn Royal Academy have identified a new species of agamid lizard within the genus of horned tree dragons. The species, named Acanthosaura syrax, was found in the mountain forests of Thailand's Mae Wong National Park, spanning the Tak and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. The lizards were documented at an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters above sea level. To verify the discovery, biologists conducted a combination of anatomical and genetic analyses. Their findings were published in the journal ZooKeys. The identification of Acanthosaura syrax is based on several distinct physical characteristics that separate it from 23 other known species in the genus. The new species lacks the black "mask" around the eyes typical of its relatives and instead features a dark "collar" on the neck and a yellowish-green coloration. Additionally, the crest of saw-toothed scales along the neck and back is minimal in size.