Australian Journal of
Taxonomy
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Holotype. QM J96318, male, Richmond Rd, north of Esmeralda, Queensland, Australia (-18.5672, 145.5626).
Paratypes. AUSTRALIA: Queensland: (7 specimens) NMV D77187, male, Richmond Rd, north of Esmeralda (-18.5649, 142.5646); QM J96320, male, Richmond Rd, north of Esmeralda (-18.5645, 142.5651); QM J96322, male, Richmond Rd, north of Esmeralda (-18.5616, 142.5682); NMV D74081, female, Richmond Rd, north of Esmeralda (-18.5619, 142.5678); QM J96319, female, Richmond Rd, north of Esmeralda (-18.5675, 142.5625); QM J96321, female, Richmond Rd, north of Esmeralda (-18.5645, 142.5651); NMV D77265, female, Thornborough Rd, south of Thornborough (-16.9991, 145.0312).
Figure 7. (a) Tympanocryptis einasleighensis sp. nov. in life; (b) Geographic distribution of Tympanocryptis einasleighensis sp. nov. on the Einasleigh Uplands.
Diagnosis. Tympanocryptis einasleighensis (Species C) differs from all other species of the genus by scattered enlarged dorsal scales, weakly imbricate but strongly keeled with central keel terminating in a weak spine; posterior edge of enlarged scales very narrowly raised. Small dorsal scales weakly to strongly keeled without terminating spine, weakly imbricate. Vertebral, dorsolateral and lateral stripes usually absent. If dorsal patterning present, consists of 5-6 dark narrow crossbands, poorly defined and much narrower than intervening pale background colour. Dorsal surface of head weakly patterned or unpatterned, sometimes with faint pale supra-ocular bar. If present, mottling on ventral surface of head is very fine speckling and not forming linear white patches. Femoral pores absent.
Description of holotype. SVL 54 mm. A medium-sized Tympanocryptis, with a stocky shape; short limbs, a round body, long head and blunt snout. Dorsal scales heterogeneous, with scattered enlarged scales; weakly imbricate. Enlarged scales are weakly imbricate, strongly keeled with keel terminating in weak spine; posterior edge of scale very narrowly raised. Small dorsal scales weakly imbricate, weakly to strongly keeled without terminating spine. Ventral scales weakly keeled. Indistinct, broken dorsolateral stripes running from the shoulders to pelvis. Vertebral stripe absent. Indistinct, diffuse crossbands between neck and base of tail, narrower than background colour. Approximately 12 dark bands on tail, narrower than intervening pale bands. Flanks with scattered cream flecks on darker background; lacking distinct lateral stripe. Dorsal head patterning weak and indistinct; lacks pale supra-orbital bar. Ventral patterning present; fine grey speckling under chin, extending posteriorly onto throat; lacks speckling on torso. Pre-anal pores 2, femoral pores absent; gular fold present.
Meristic and metric characters of type specimens are provided in Supplementary Table S3.
Figure 7. (a) Tympanocryptis einasleighensis sp. nov. in life; (b) Geographic distribution of Tympanocryptis einasleighensis sp. nov. on the Einasleigh Uplands.
Variation. Table 1 (as Species C) & Fig. 4. Vertebral, dorsolateral and lateral stripes usually absent. Broken, indistinct dorsolateral stripes in some individuals from the neck up to 1/3 of the way down the tail. If dorsal patterning present, consists of 5-6 dark narrow crossbands, poorly defined a much narrower than intervening pale background colour. Dorsal surface of head weakly or not patterned, sometimes with faint pale supra-ocular bar. Dorsal colour variable, ranging from red to light brown; spines on dorsal keeled scales varies from a light red-brown to a very dark brown-black. Males generally have stronger dorsal patterning than females. Flanks usually dark, sometimes with contrasting pale flecking or mottling. Ventral surface variable, from plain to mottling on head and gular region and in a few individuals the lateral portions of torso.
Comparison to other species. This distribution of T. einasleighensis sp. nov. appears not to overlap with any other Tympanocryptis species. It occupies the Einasleigh Uplands region of northern Queensland, with the closest sister taxa found over 180km away, to the south and west of Normanton (T. pentalineata, T. tetraporophora and T. intima). It can be distinguished from these species by the lack of five distinct longitudinal stripes (observed in T. pentalineata), lack of femoral pores (a key characteristic of T. tetraporophora) and scattered mucronate dorsal scales (normally in longitudinal rows in T. intima).
Habitat. Open eucalypt woodland on stony red rudosols or podosols, in rugged or undulating terrain.
Distribution. Currently known from several locations on the Einasleigh Uplands; along Richmond Rd and Inorunie Rd east of Croydon, Elizabeth Creek near Talaroo, the north-western area of Undara National Park and near Thornborough (Fig. 7).
Common name. Einasleigh earless dragon.
Etymology. Named for the bioregion this species occupies.