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| Cnemaspis kolhapurensis Giri, Bauer & Gaikwad 2009
The only know gecko in the world to have iridescent sheen
Photo: Varad Giriwhen viewed from oblique light. |
Abstract
A new species of gecko of the genus Cnemaspis is described from the forests of the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra. Cnemaspis kolhapurensis sp. nov. is diagnosable by the following combination of characters: dorsal scales homogenous, small and feebly keeled; no spine-like tubercles on flanks, ventrals smooth, imbricate, 20–23 scale rows across venter, between lowest rows of dorsal scales. Supralabial I narrowly contacting nasal. Paired postmentals separated by one or two enlarged gular scales. A continuous series of 24–28 precloacal-femoral pores. The continuous series of precloacal and femoral pores exhibited by this species is unique among Indian members of the genus.
Key words: Cnemaspis, Gekkonidae, Maharashtra, description, northern Western Ghats, India
Giri, V.B.; Bauer, A.M. & Gaikwad, K.S. 2009. A new ground-dwelling species of Cnemaspis Strauch (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India. Zootaxa. 2164: 49–60
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New lizard species found in India
Scientists have discovered a new species of lizard in the lush Western Ghats mountain range in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
The small reptile is a form of gecko and was found by taxonomist Varad Giri in the Kolhapur district. It has been named Cnemaspis kolhapurensis.
Mr Giri and his co-workers published their findings in this month's edition of the Zootaxa journal.
It is the third new species of lizard recently discovered in the area.
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