Wednesday, July 5, 2023

[Herpetology • 2023] Cyrtodactylus awalriyantoi • A New Species of the Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Sumatra Barat, Indonesia


Cyrtodactylus awalriyantoi
Ahda, Nugraha, Hon Tjong, Kurniawan, Amardi, Fauzi & Lin, 2023


Abstract
Among the six species of Cyrtodactylus occurring in Sumatra, two species were described based on non-Sumatran type series, C. consobrinus and C. quadrivirgatus. The latter species was described originally from Thailand thus the wider distribution in Sumatra should be clarified taxonomically. Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus from Sumatra Barat was examined using both morphology and the Natrium Dehydrogenase Subunit 2 (ND2) gene to clarify its taxonomic status and phylogenetic placement. It was found that these specimens form a sister clade to all other species of the sworderi group from Peninsular Malaysia and the genetic distance ranges from 20–24.3%. This subset is herein described as a new species. The new species is readily distinguished from C. quadrivirgatus and other Sumatran species by a combination of characters: small size SVL 37.5–53.78 mm; longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles 16–19; paravertebral tubercles 31–41; ventral scales 32–43; 24–49 enlarged precloacal and femoral scales; precloacal pores rarely present; no precloacal depression; two postcloacal tubercles on each side; 14–19 subdigital lamellae on forth toe; 9–15 supralabial scales; 9–12 infralabial scales; three or four internasal scales; and 3–6 gular scales that border the first pair of postmental scales. This work underscores the importance of clarifying widely distributed species for taxonomic validation.

Key words: Distribution, evolution, molecular, morphology, ND2 gene, systematics, taxonomy

Coloration in life of Cyrtodactylus awalriyantoi sp. nov.
A, B UNP142 C, D UNP143
E, F UNP153G, H 162 I, J unvouchered specimen.
Images not to scale.

 Cyrtodactylus awalriyantoi sp. nov.
  Recommended English common name: Awal Riyanto’s Bent-toed Gecko 
Recommended Indonesia common name: Cicak Jari Lengkung Awal Riyanto

Diagnosis: Cyrtodactylus awalriyantoi sp. nov. is assigned to the sworderi group based on its phylogenetic position (Fig. 1) and the genetic distances to other congenerics (Table 2). This new species can be differentiated from all other Cyrtodactylus by having the following combination of characters: a small size, SVL 37.5–53.78 mm; axilla to groin distance 16.65–24.31 mm; head width 6.21–8.45 mm; longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles 16–19; paravertebral tubercles 31–41; ventral scales 32–43; 24–49 enlarged precloacal and femoral scales; precloacal pores rarely present, maximum only two pores in one individual (only two individuals possessed pores); no precloacal groove or depression; postcloacal tubercles two on each side; 14–19 subdigital lamellae on fourth toe; 9–15 supralabial scales; 9–12 infralabial scales; 3–4 internasal scales; and 3–6 gular scales that bordered first pair of postmental scales.

Distribution: Currently, this new species is found only in Sumatra.

Etymology: The specific epithet awalriyantoi is in reference to the Indonesian herpetologist, Awal Riyanto. He has dedicated much of his time researching Indonesian Cyrtodactylus from Indonesia, as well as patiently and continuously supervising many younger amphibian and reptile taxonomists from both academic institutions and independent positions. Moreover, his contribution to the study of amphibians and other reptiles is significant for Indonesian herpetological knowledge and conservation.


Yuni Ahda, Fitra Arya Dwi Nugraha, Djong Hon Tjong, Nia Kurniawan, Yunico Amardi, Muhammad Alif Fauzi and Si-Min Lin. 2023. A New Species of the Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus complex (Chordata, Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Sumatra Barat, Indonesia. ZooKeys. 1168: 367-386. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1168.98724