Rediscovery and Revalidation of Takydromus sikkimensis (Gunther, 1888) (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Sikkim, India

Takydromus sikkimensis was named in 1888 by A. Gunther on the basis of an 1872 description of grass lizards from Sikkim by F. Stoliczka. Subsequent workers have not considered this species valid and have even doubted the occurrence of Takydromus in Sikkim. We confirm the occurrence of grass lizards in the lower Teesta valley of Sikkim. These are consistent with the description of T. sikkimensis and are distinguishable from all other congeners on the basis of having 12 rows of enlarged ventral scales across midbody, three pairs of chin shields, 3-6 femoral pores on each thigh, and color pattern lacking stripes, spots, or ocelli. Because the type specimens are lost, and because there has been a persistent confusion regarding the identity, and even the existence, of the taxon described by A. Gunther as T. sikkimensis, we designate a neotype to stabilize the use of the revalidated name.