Being a megahotspot of herpetofauna, the herpetological diversity of Borneo is well documented. The herpetological work of this island subcontinent, which started over a century ago, have been synthesized recently in the works of Inger and Stuebing (1997) for amphibians, Stuebing (1991; 1994) and Stuebing and Inger (1999) for snakes, and Lim and Das (1999) for turtles. The last review of the lizards of Borneo was by De Rooij (1915), after which Das (2004 ; 2006 and 2006 online) did a tremendous contribution towards the development of the knowledge on tetrapod reptiles of the island.
In all, 105 species of lizards (in 35 genera from nine families) are now known from the region. The information and keys geven in this site are mostly based on Das (2001 (online); 2004 and 2006).
Special thanks to Prof. Indraneil Das for aiding in identifying certain species.
01. Large (>50cm SVL) body of adults; tongue long, deeply bifid .........................Varanus salvator
Large (<50cm SVL) body of adults; Tongue short ......................................................2
02. Forehead with granules or small scales ............................................................. 3
Forehead with large symmetrical shields ............................................... 17 (Scincidae)
03. body depressed; body covered with granular skin ...................................... 09 (Gekkonidae)
body compressed laterally; body covered with scales .................................... 04 (Agamidae)
04. Wing-like dermal expansion on sides of body ................................................05 (Draco)
No wing-like dermal expansion on sides of body .....................................................07
05. Six or seven ribs supporting patagium .................................................. Draco maximus
Five ribs supporting patagium ..................................................................... 06
06. In males, gular pouch without enlarged scales, lacking a nuchal fold ............... Draco melanopogen
In males, gular pouch with enlarged scales, nuchal fold present ....................... Draco obscurus
07. Throat fold present; dorsal scale unequal ........................................... 08 (Gonocephalus)
Throat fold absent; dorsal scale equal ........................................ Bronchocela cristatella
08. Enlarged scales above and below tympanum ....................................... Gonocephalus liogaster
No enlarged scales above and below tympanum .................................... Gonocephalus bornensis
09. Digits slender, not or slightly dilated ............................................. 10 (Cyrtodactylus)
Digits moderately to broadly dilated; terminal phalanges of all or digits II-V compressed .......... 12
10. Preanal groove present .........................................................Cyrtodactylus pubisulcus
Preanal groove absent ............................................................................... 11
11. Enlarged femoral scales on underside of thigh; males with or without
femoral pores ........................................................... Cyrtodactylus consobrinus
Males without enlarged femoral scales or femoral pores ......................... Cyrtodactylus malayanus
12. Terminal phalanges rising from within dilated portion; scansor broad or narrow ...................... 13
Terminal phalanges united with dilated portion to its distal end and extending
beyond; scansor narrow ......................................................................... 15
13. Digits broadly dilated distally; scansor narrow; on toe IV covering approximately
distal half; terminal scansors, distinctly wedge-shaped ........................... Gehyra mutilata
Digits uniformly dilated; scansors wide; on toe IV covering more than distal half;
terminal scansors oval or squarish ............................................................. 14
14. Prominent cutaneous folds on lateral surfaces and posterior thigh; digits with
prominent webs; dorsal without enlarged tubercle ............................. Cosymbotus platyurus
Cutaneous folds absent; digits without webs or only at base between
toes III and IV ............................................................. Hemidactylus frenatus
15. Cutaneous folds present on limbs ......................................................... Ptychozoon sp.
Cutaneous folds on limbs absent .............................................................. 16 (Gekko)
16. Rostral forming nostril border .......................................................... Gekko monarchus
Rostral not forming nostril border ........................................................ Gekko smithii
17. Supranasals absent ................................................................................... 18
Supranasals present .................................................................................. 22
18. Ear-opening superficial; a single large preanal .................................. Tropidophorus micropus
Ear-opening sunk; several small preanals .............................................. 19 (Sphenomorphus)
19. Dorsum with pale patches ............................................................ Sphenomorphus haasi
Dorsum without pale patches .......................................................................... 20
20. Dark dorsolateral band ................................................... Sphenomorphus cyanolaemus
No dark dorsolateral band ............................................................................ 21
21. Dark labial bars absent, or when present narrower than light bars .......... Sphenomorphus multisquamatus
Labials strongly barred, dark bars wider than light ............................... Sphenomorphus sabanus
22. Dorsal scales moderately to strongly keeled; pterygoids separated; palatal
notch reaching midorbital position ......................................................23 (Mabuya)
Dorsal scales weakly keeled; pterygoid in contact anteriorly; palatal notch not
reaching midorbital position .................................................. Apterygodon vittata
23. Dorsal, and rarely, lateral scales with 3 weak to strong keels in adults (rarely,
a few dorsal scales have 4 or 5 keels); size at maturity SVL 75-127 ............... Mabuya rugifera
Dorsal and lateral scales with 5-9 strong keels in adults (3 in juveniles);
size at maturity SVL 40-97 mm .................................................................. 24
24. Head scales at posterior smooth; midbody scale rows typically 32-34;
prefrontals in broad contact.................................................. Mabuya multifasciata
Head scales at posterior rugose; midbody scale rows typically 28-30;
prefrontals usually separate.......................................................... Mabuya rudis