Saltuarius eximius HOSKIN & COUPER, 2013
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Higher Taxa | Carphodactylidae, Gekkota, Sauria, Squamata (lizards: geckos) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | E: Cape Melville Leaf-tailed Gecko |
Synonym | Saltuarius eximius HOSKIN & COUPER 2013 Saltuarius eximius — COGGER 2014: 974 Saltuarius eximius — CHAPPLE et al. 2019: 114 |
Distribution | Australia (NE Queensland) Type locality: Melville Range (14°16'38" S, 144°29'28" E, elevation 500 m), Cape Melville National Park, north-east Queensland. |
Reproduction | oviparous (manual imputation, fide Zimin et al. 2022) |
Types | Holotype: QM J92377, female, C. J. Hoskin, 20 March 2013. Paratypes: QMJ92378 (male), QMJ92379 (female), collection details as for holotype. |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Saltuarius eximius sp. nov. is highly distinct in its long and slender form, short head and very large eyes (Figs. 1–5). Saltuarius eximius sp. nov. is readily distinguished from all its congeners by the following non- overlapping (or largely non-overlapping) body measurements (as % SVL): its more elongate and narrow body form (AG = 49–50% vs 40–51% combined range for all other Saltuarius species; midBW = 11–12% vs 1–21%); longer limbs (L1 = 55–57% vs 42–52%, L2 = 6–64% vs 52–6%); narrower neck (NW = 6.–6.5% vs 7.5–10.7%); narrower head (HW = 18–19% vs 19–24%); shorter head (HL = 24–25% vs 25–0%); shorter temporal region (EE = 6.0–7.8% vs 7.4–10.%); and larger eye diameter (ED = 7.8–8.6% vs 5.2–7.%) (Table 1). Saltuarius eximius sp. nov. also has an unpatterned grey eye versus the patterned eyes of all congeners. Saltuarius eximius sp. nov. also has a distinct tail that is elaborately frilled along the margin with a short, fine attenuated tip. |
Comment | Abundance: only known from its original description (Meiri et al. 2017). Conservation: this is one of the most-threatened reptile species in Australia (Geyle et al. 2021). |
Etymology | Eximius; from the Latin meaning exceptional, extraordinary, exquisite. In recognition of the particularly fine form and distinctiveness of this species. The species epithet is treated as a noun in apposition. |
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