Morphology plus molecular evidence

Modern species descriptions combine physical characters with genetic data. Here the physical markers were the smallest neck and back crest scales recorded in the genus, the absence of a black eye patch, and a yellowish-green body colour. The molecular evidence came from the mitochondrial genes ND2 and COI — COI in particular is the standard marker for DNA barcoding in animals. A genetic distance of 14-28% from its nearest relatives is far beyond normal within-species variation, which is what establishes it as a separate lineage rather than a local variant.