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| Gonatodes machelae Rivero-Blanco & Schargel, 2020 |
Abstract
We describe a new species of diurnal gecko, Gonatodes machelae sp. nov., from Cerro El Copey, Margarita Island, Venezuela. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following characters: small size, subcaudal pattern C (1’1’’), typically three lateral scale rows on the digits, and aspects of coloration. The new species exhibits polychromatism similar to what has been described in some other species of Gonatodes. It is found in humid forests and shrublands from about 450 m to 900 m above sea level.
Keywords: Reptilia, Caribbean, Gekkota, Reptilia, endemic, taxonomy
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| Figure 2. Individuals in life of Gonatodes machelae sp. nov. from Cerro El Copey, Margarita Island, Venezuela. An adult male with dark markings on the head (top), an adult male without dark markings on the head (middle), and an adult female (bottom). Photos by W. Schargel. |
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| Figure 1. Photos of the head in dorsal (top left) and ventral (top right) views and of the left hand (bottom left) and left foot (bottom right) of the holotype of Gonatodes machelae sp. nov. The scale sutures on the anterior portion of the ventral view of the head were accentuated with black lines. |
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| Figure 4. Habitat of Gonatodes machelae sp. nov. in Cerro El Copey, Margarita Island, Venezuela (top). Juvenile specimen of G. machelae found inside the tank bromeliad Glomeropitcarnia erectiflora. Photos by G. Rivas. |
Gonatodes machelae sp. nov.
Etymology. The new species is dedicated by Carlos Rivero-Blanco to Machela, wife for 53 years and counting, in recognition to her support while studying different species of Gonatodes in the field, including the new species in Cerro El Copey.
Carlos Rivero-Blanco and Walter E. Schargel. 2020. A New Diurnal Gecko in the Genus Gonatodes (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from Margarita Island, Venezuela. Zootaxa. 4729(3); 429–439. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4729.3.9
Resumen: Describimos una nueva especie de gecko diurno, Gonatodes machelae sp. nov. proveniente del Cerro El Copey, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. La nueva especie se diferencia de todas las especies en el género por la combinación de los siguientes caracteres: tamaño pequeño, patrón subcaudal C (1’1’’), típicamente tres hileras de escamas laterales en los dígitos, y en aspectos de su coloración. La nueva especie exhibe un policromatismo similar al que ha sido descrito en algunas otras especies de Gonatodes. Se encuentra en bosques y matorrales húmedos en elevaciones desde 450 a 900 m sobre el nivel del mar.
