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Cyrtodactylus aequalis BAUER, 2003

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Higher TaxaGekkonidae, Gekkota, Sauria, Squamata (lizards: geckos)
Subspecies 
Common Names 
SynonymCyrtodactylus aequalis BAUER 2003
Cyrtodactylus aequalis — GRISMER et al. 2017 
DistributionS Myanmar (Burma: Kyaik-Hti-Yo Wildlife Sanctuary in Mon State)

Type locality: Kyaik-Hti-Yo Wildlife Sanctuary, Kyaik Hto Township, Mon State, Myanmar (17°26’38.1’’N, 97°05’56.8’’’E)  
Reproductionoviparous 
TypesHolotype: CAS 222185 
DiagnosisDiagnosis: Cyrtodactylus aequalis may be distinguished from all congeners on the basis of its long digits, dorsum with 24 longitudinal rows of relatively large, strongly keeled tubercles (Fig. 19), 24 enlarged ventral scales between distinct ventrolateral folds (Fig. 20), no precloacal groove, 9 minute precloacal pores in female type, 3–4 minute femoral pores separated from precloacal pores by a diastema, subcaudal scales forming transverse plates approximately 2/3 width of tail, dorsal pattern of paired dark markings bordered by thin white lines (one on occiput, one across shoulders, five between limb insertions), and top of head with white vermiform markings. Although the comparison of the precloacal and femoral pore characters of the female type of C. aequalis with those of males has some limitations, it may be assumed that males also possess femoral pores, though the number of such pores may be higher. Pore characters aside, the relatively large number of dorsal tubercle rows and small number of ventral scale rows results in equal counts for these two parameters. This situation is unique in the genus and serves to diagnose the species from all other congeners [from BAUER 2003]. 
CommentAbundance: only known from the type specimen (Meiri et al. 2017).

Grismer et al. (2020) examine the genetic and morphological differentiation in allopatric populations of the granite-dwelling gecko Cyrtodactylus aequalis from Myanmar (Burma). They find discordance between the morphological evidence that could be advanced to advocate splitting C. aequalis into three species, and the genetic data that suggest only one species should be recognized. Grismer et al. (2020) contend that gene flow may be occurring between the putatively allopatric populations, preventing speciation but not preventing adaptations (which manifest in different morphologies) to local conditions. 
EtymologyNamed after the Latin aequalis meaning “same,” in reference to the fact that the number of dorsal tubercle rows equals the number of ventral scale rows across midbody between the ventrolateral folds. This condition is unique among species of Cyrtodactylus. 
References
  • Bauer, A.M. 2003. Descriptions of seven new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with a key to the species of Myanmar (Burma). Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 54: 463-498 - get paper here
  • CHOMDEJ, S., SUWANNAPOOM, C., PAWANGKHANANT, P., PRADIT, W., NAZAROV, R. A., GRISMER, L. L., & POYARKOV, N. A. 2020. A new species Cyrtodactytlus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from western Thailand and the phylogenetic placement of C. inthanon and C. doisuthep. Zootaxa 4838 (2): 179-209 - get paper here
  • Grismer, L. L., Wood, P. L., Poyarkov, N. A., Le, M. D., Kraus, F., Agarwal, I., ... & Grismer, J. L. 2021. Phylogenetic partitioning of the third-largest vertebrate genus in the world, Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia; Squamata; Gekkonidae) and its relevance to taxonomy and conservation. Vertebrate Zoology 71: 101–154 - get paper here
  • Grismer, L. Lee; Perry L. Wood Jr., Myint Kyaw Thura, Evan S.H. Quah, Matthew L. Murdoch, Marta S. Grismer, Mark W. Herr, Aung Lin & Htet Kyaw 2018. Three more new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Salween Basin of eastern Myanmar underscore the urgent need for the conservation of karst habitats. Journal of Natural History, 52:19-20, 1243-1294 - get paper here
  • GRISMER, L. LEE; PERRY L. WOOD, JR., EVAN S.H. QUAH, MARTA S. GRISMER, MYINT KYAW<br />THURA, JAMIE R. OAKS & AUNG LIN 2020. Two new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a karstic archipelago in the Salween Basin of southern Myanmar (Burma). Zootaxa 4718 (2): 151–183 - get paper here
  • Grismer, L.L.; PERRY L. WOOD, JR., MYINT KYAW THURA, THAW ZIN, EVAN S. H. QUAH, MATTHEW L. MURDOCH, MARTA S. GRISMER, AUNG LIN, HTET KYAW and NGWE LWIN 2017. Twelve new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from isolated limestone habitats in east- central and southern Myanmar demonstrate high localized diversity and unprecedented microendemism. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 182: 862-959 - get paper here
  • Grismer, Lee L., Perry, L., Grismer, M. S., Quah, E..H., Thura, M., Oaks, J. R., Lin, A., & Lim, D. Y. 2020. Integrative taxonomic and geographic variation analyses in Cyrtodactylus aequalis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Myanmar (Burma): one species, two different stories. Israel J Ecol Evol 66 (3-4): 151-179 - get paper here
  • Meiri, Shai; Aaron M. Bauer, Allen Allison, Fernando Castro-Herrera, Laurent Chirio, Guarino Colli, Indraneil Das, Tiffany M. Doan, Frank Glaw, Lee L. Grismer, Marinus Hoogmoed, Fred Kraus, Matthew LeBreton, Danny Meirte, Zoltán T. Nagy, Cristiano d 2017. Extinct, obscure or imaginary: the lizard species with the smallest ranges. Diversity and Distributions - get paper here
  • NGO, VAN TRI 2013. Cyrtodactylus dati, a new forest dwelling Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Vietnam. Zootaxa 3616 (2): 151–164 - get paper here
  • Rösler, H. & Glaw, F. 2008. A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Malaysia including a literature survey of mensural and meristic data in the genus. Zootaxa 1729: 8–22 - get paper here
  • Sumontha, M., Panitvong, N. & Deein, G. 2010. Cyrtodactylus auribalteatus (Squamata: Gekkonidae), a new cave- dwelling gecko from Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. Zootaxa 2370: 53–64 - get paper here
  • Youmans, Timothy M. & L. Lee Grismer 2006. A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Seribuat Archipelago, West Malaysia. Herpetological Natural History 10 (1): 61-70
 
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