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Gehyra calcitectus OLIVER, PRASETYA, TEDESCHI, FENKER, ELLIS, DOUGHTY & MORITZ, 2020

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Higher TaxaGekkonidae, Gekkota, Sauria, Squamata (lizards: geckos)
Subspecies 
Common NamesE: Relictual Karst Gehyra 
SynonymGehyra calcitectus OLIVER, PRASETYA, TEDESCHI, FENKER, ELLIS, DOUGHTY & MORITZ 2020: 45 
DistributionAustralia (Western Australia)

Type locality: Limestone Billy Hills, Gogo Station, WA (−18.3272S, 125.7650E)  
Reproduction 
TypesHolotype. WAM R177691 (field # CCM3235), adult male, collected by P.M. Oliver, P. Skipwith and G. Armstrong, 3 November 2014.
Paratypes (N = 12). Western Australia. WAM R177692 (field # CCM3236), Limestone Billy Hills, Gogo Station, WA (−18.3272S, 125.7650E); WAM R177693 (field # CCM3259), south entrance of Menyous Gap, Pillara Range, Gogo Station, WA (−18.4044S, 125.8370E); WAM R177695 (field # CCM3333), WAM R177696 (field # CCM3334), Virgin Hills, near Bobs Bore, Gogo Station, WA (−18.5149S, 125.9256E); WAM R177697 (field # CCM7276), WAM R177698 (field # CCM7277), WAM R177699 (field # CCM7278), WAM R177700 (field # CCM7279, Lissadell Station, WA (−16.6635S, 128.5265E); WAM R177701 (field # CCM7330), Pillara Range, Gogo Station, WA (−18.3697S, 125.7363E); WAM R177702 (field # CCM7466), WAM R177703 (field # CCM7470), WAM R177704 (field # CCM7473), Duncan Road, Argyle Station, WA (−16.5964 S,128.9536 E). 
DiagnosisDiagnosis: A large Gehyra species (to 77.1 mm SVL) differing from all other Gehyra species outside the G. koira complex as per the diagnosis above. Differs from other members of the G. koira complex in the combination of: moderate size within complex (adult SVL up to 77.1 mm, mean 69.4 mm); head relatively wide (HW/SVL 0.19–0.21); nostrils usually separated by more than 2 internasal scales (87.5%), rarely 2 (14.3%); second chin shields approximately two-thirds the length of first chin shields (mean
ratio 0.66, range 0.53–0.79); first chin shield pair not bordered posteriorly by a single enlarged medial gular scale, or if present, median scale is not the largest in first row of gulars; pores in males relatively few (9–14); and adults with tan to brownish dorsum and tails, and with a dorsal pattern including distinct light tan ocelli or blotches (as opposed to transverse light bands).
Further diagnosed from other species within the G. koira complex genetically by six unique amino acids in the ND2 locus (Table 1).
Gehyra calcitectus sp. nov. differs from two members of G. koira complex with which its distribution abuts or overlaps as follows: from G. koira in having a dorsal pattern including light pale tan ocelli or blotches (vs. transverse bars), lower number of pre-cloacal pores (9–14 vs. 12–23), and for eastern populations in having dark-brown dorsal spots across the head and often torso (vs. absent); and from G. ipsa in its smaller size (mean and maximum adult SVL respectively 69.4 mm and 77.1 mm vs. 84.9 mm and 94.9 mm), absence of an enlarged scale behind the first pair of chin shields (vs. presence) and pale dorsal pattern elements consisting of ocelli or pale blotches (vs. pale transverse bands). From the geographically disjunct G. lapistola sp. nov., it differs in having a dorsal pattern comprising pale ocelli or blotches (vs. at most pale transverse bands).
The distribution of G. calcitectus sp. nov. is largely geographically disjunct from most members of the G. koira complex, including G. ipsa, G. lapistola sp. nov. and G. chimera sp. nov., and accurate locality data may permit identification of morphologically similar specimens. 
Comment 
EtymologyThe species epithet is formed from the Latin words calcis (limestone) and tectus (hidden, hideaway), as in ‘limestone-hidden’ or ‘limestone hideaway’, in reference to the species occurrence in and apparent preference for limestone habitats of the Kimberley limestone ranges. Used as a noun in apposition. 
References
  • Oliver PM, Prasetya AM, Tedeschi LG, Fenker J, Ellis RJ, Doughty P, Moritz C. 2020. Crypsis and convergence: integrative taxonomic revision of the Gehyra australis group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northern Australia. PeerJ 8:e7971 - get paper here
 
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