Luperosaurus kubli BROWN, DIESMOS & DUYA, 2007
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Higher Taxa | Gekkonidae, Gekkota, Sauria, Squamata (lizards: geckos) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | |
Synonym | Luperosaurus kubli BROWN, DIESMOS & DUYA 2007 Luperosaurus cf. kubli — BROWN et al. 2012 Luperosaurus cf. kubli — BROWN et al. 2013 |
Distribution | Philippines (Luzon) Type locality: 900 m elevation, Mt. Lataan, western slopes of Sierra Madre Range, Barangay Disimungal, Municipality of Nagtipunan, Quirino Province, Luzon Island, Philippines (16° 20’.6 N, 121° 44.0’ E). |
Reproduction | oviparous |
Types | Holotype: PNM 9156, adult male |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Although the new species somewhat blurs the distinction between our concepts of the genera Luperosaurus and Gekko (as defined by Brown & Alcala, 1978; Russell, 1979; and Brown et al., 2000a) we refer it to Luperosaurus by virtue of (1) its possession of a robust body and stout limbs; (2) interdigital webbing between all adjacent fingers and toes; (3) minute cutaneous folds bordering the posterior edge of the forelimb and a moderate flap on the posterior edge of the hind limbs; (4) small cycloid scales encircling the tail (enlarged, differentiated subcaudals absent); and (5) the absence of enlarged or elongate postmentals. However, we recognize the phenotypic similarity between some members of the genus Luperosaurus (L. kubli, L. palawanensis, and L. macgregori) and members of the genus Gekko. Therefore, we diagnose the new species from the Philippine members of the genus Gekko (below; and Brown et al., 2000a). Additional details (2941 characters) are available for collaborators and contributors. Please contact us for details. |
Comment | Known from a single specimen only (Meiri et al. 2017). All information below from BROWN et al. (2007). Ecology and Natural History: The single specimen was first observed gliding/parachuting from the canopy (estimated 8–15 m) and was collected where it landed at 1.5 m above the ground on the trunk of a large tree (70–90 cm dbh). When captured by hand, the animal attempted to escape by twisting and biting the collector. For a description of the forests of the Sierra Madres, see Danielsen et al. (1994). |
Etymology | The specific epithet is chosen from Tagalog (traditional Filipino) term for hidden, unknown, or concealed, in reference to the secretive habits of this apparently rare forest species, and to the uncertain systematic affinities of the genus Luperosaurus. |
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