Gekko stoliczkai CHANDRAMOULI, GOKULAKRISHNAN, SIVAPERUMAN & GRISMER, 2021
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Gekko stoliczkai
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| Higher Taxa | Gekkonidae, Gekkota, Sauria, Squamata (lizards: geckos) |
| Subspecies | |
| Common Names | |
| Synonym | Gekko stoliczkai CHANDRAMOULI, GOKULAKRISHNAN, SIVAPERUMAN & GRISMER 2021 Gekko gecko (non Linnaeus, 1758 – BISWAS & SANYAL 1977 (part) Gekko smithii – BISWAS 1984 (non GRAY 1841) Gekko smithii – DAS 1999 (non GRAY 1841) Gekko smithii – VIJAYAKUMAR 2005 (part) (non GRAY 1841) |
| Distribution | Little Nicobar, Great Nicobar, Menchal, Kondul, Pigeon Island Type locality: Makachua 7.4035ºN, 93.7134ºE, 37 m asl., Little Nicobar |
| Reproduction | Oviparous (Chandramouli pers. Obs) |
| Types | Holotype: ZSI/ANRC/T/6092 adult male collected by G. Gokulakrishnan (Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair) Paratypes: ZSI/ANRC/T/6093, DOSMB05020 – adult females (Dept. Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University), ZSI/ANRC/T/4796 and ZSI/ANRC/T/7221 – adult males, all from Great Nicobar |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis: A large-bodied gecko (SVL 116–128.83 mm) restricted to the southern islands of the Nicobar archipelago, characterized by: 14–17 supralabials; 12 or 13 infralabials; two elongate inner pair of postmentals in broad medial contact with each other; two smaller, separated outer pairs of postmentals; 13–15 precloacal pores in males, no femoral pores; two internasals in contact with each other; distinct ventrolateral dermal folds; 21–25 transverse rows of ventrals; 10–12 transverse rows of enlarged, rounded dorsal tubercles; three enlarged post-cloacal spurs on each side of the vent; 18–22 undivided subdigital lamellae under toe IV; presence of five legible, light-colored, creamy white, transverse bands in juveniles, subadults and adults have a pale-white to creamy yellow venter. (Chandramouli et al. 2021). Comparisons: Gekko stolickzkai sp. nov. can be differentiated from G. smithii by having significantly fewer numbers of internasals and ventrals and having significantly higher numbers of infralabials and supralabials (Tables 1–3; Figs. 1–2). It can be further separated from G. smithii by its less gracile more stout body features, in having a significantly narrower and shorter head and snout, a significantly smaller orbit, and significantly shorter limbs and trunk. From G. verreauxi, it is differentiated by the separation of nasal and rostral scales (vs. in contact in G. verreauxi), bluish iris (vs. greenish in G. verreauxi), and greater number of supralabials (14–17 in G. stoliczkai sp. nov. vs. 12–14 in G. verreauxi). From Gekko nicobarensis, G. stoliczkai sp. nov. can easily be distinguished by the absence of skinflaps along the sides of the body and tail, and extensive webbing between fingers and toes (vs. present in G. nicobarensis), and by the separation of nasal and rostral scales (vs. in contact in G. nicobarensis). Additionally, from other members of the Gekko gecko group, the new species G. stoliczkai sp. nov. could be distinguished as follows (only opposing suite of characters mentioned): G. albofasciatus (16 precloacal pores and reddish olive dorsal coloration), G. gecko (11–15 supralabials; gray to bluish or brownish dorsal color with reddish spots), G. nutaphandi (12–14 supralabials; 17–22 precloacal pores in males; 15 subdigital lamellae under toe IV), G. reevesii (10–14 supralabials; 13–20 precloacal pores; gray-green to dark grey dorsal coloration), and G. siamensis (13–21 supralabials; 10–13 precloacal pores; grey-brown to dark green dorsal coloration) fide Rösler et al. (2011). (Chandramouli et al. 2021). Color in life: In life, overall ground coloration dull-brown with five or six indistinct pale-white transverse crossbars on the body. Tail regenerated and uniform brown. Venter brown with small brown spots on each ventral scale. Eyes with vertically elliptical pupils and a bluish iris. In preservation, the dorsal coloration faded to a near-uniform dull brown with a pale white venter. The transverse bars barely visible and the bluish coloration of the iris faded. (Chandramouli et al. 2021). |
| Comment | Similar species: Gekko smithii Synonymy: G. stoliczkai was identified and reported as as G. smithii by previous authors until its description in 2021. |
| Etymology | The specific epithet is a patronym honoring Dr. Ferdinand Stoliczka (1838–1874). |
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