[Herpetology • 2018] Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Hong Kong

Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis

Sung, Lee, Ng, Zhang & Yang, 2018

Hong Kong Slender Gecko  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4392.2.8  

Abstract

A new species of gekkonid, Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis sp. nov., is described based on a series of specimens collected from Hong Kong SAR, China. The new species can be distinguished from other known congeners by molecular divergence in the mitochondrial ND2 gene and morphological characters including 5–6 chin scales; a manual lamellar formula of 3–3(4)–4–4; a pedal lamellar formula of 3(4)–4(5)–4(5)–4; 24–25 continuous femoral and precloacal pores; 12–15 dorsal scales and 9–10 ventral scales contained in diameter of eye. At present, the genus Hemiphyllodactylus comprises 22 described species.

Keywords: Reptilia, China, Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis sp. nov., mitochondrial ND2, molecular phylogeny, morphology, slender gecko

FIGURE 2. Adult male holotype (SYS r001735) of  Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis sp. nov. in life from Aberdeen Country Park, Hong Kong SAR, China.

 Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet “hongkongensis’ is in reference to the type locality, Hong Kong SAR, China. As an English common name, we suggest “Hong Kong Slender Gecko”.

Distribution. In Hong Kong, records of Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis have been made on Hong Kong Island, Shek Kwu Chau, and Po Toi Island (Karsen et al. 1998).  

 Yik-Hei Sung, Wing-Ho Lee, Ho-Nam Ng, Yanjie Zhang and Jian-Huan Yang. 2018.  A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Hong Kong.   Zootaxa. 4392(2); 361–373.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4392.2.8 
 researchgate.net/publication/323646190_A_new_species_of_Hemiphyllodactylus_from_Hong_Kong