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| Cnemaspis matahari & C. lagang Nashriq, Davis, Bauer & Das, 2022 |
Abstract
Three new species of Cnemaspis are described from karst regions of Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. These are Cnemaspis matahari sp. nov. and C. sirehensis sp. nov. from limestone hills located in the Serian Division of western Sarawak, and C. lagang sp. nov. from Gunung Mulu, Miri Division, in northern Sarawak. All can be distinguished from congeners using mitochondrial DNA as well as an enlarged metatarsal scales on the first toe. Individually, each species can be diagnosed by differences in subcaudal scale morphology: Cnemaspis lagang sp. nov. lacks enlarged subcaudals; Cnemaspis matahari sp. nov. has keeled subcaudals bearing an enlarged median row of smooth scales; and Cnemaspis sirehensis sp. nov. has an enlarged median row of weakly keeled scales. The discovery of these species suggests that additional unrecognized species may exist within the genus on Borneo, especially in association with karst formations. High endemism and species diversity notwithstanding, these karst formations are under severe pressure from limestone extraction and deforestation.
Keywords: Reptilia, Cnemaspis, taxonomy, new species, ecology, conservation, endemic, karst, Sarawak
Cnemaspis lagang sp. nov.
North Sarawak Day Gecko; Cicak Gua Mulu
Etymology. The epithet lagang is a noun in apposition derived from the paratype locality of Lagang Cave, within Gunung Mulu National Park.
Cnemaspis matahari sp. nov.
White Rock Gecko; Cicak Batu Putih
Etymology. The epithet matahari is Malay for sun, in reference to the yellowish tint on the species. It is usedas a noun in apposition.
Cnemaspis sirehensis sp. nov.
Blue Day Gecko; Cicak Gua Sireh
Etymology. The epithet sirehensis comes from the type locality, Gua Sireh (Sireh Cave), Kampung Bantang,Serian and translates to betel in Malay. Betel is a type of plant of the family Piperaceae, consumed as betel quid orin ‘paan’. Gua Sireh is also known as an important archaeological site in south-western Sarawak.
Izneil Nashriq, Hayden R. Davis, Aaron M. Bauer and Indraneil Das. 2022. Three New Species of Cnemaspis (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Sarawak, East Malaysia, Borneo. Zootaxa. 5120(1); 1-29. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5120.1.1
Izneil Nashriq and Indraneil Das. 2021. Underestimated Diversity of Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) on Karst Landscapes in Sarawak, East Malaysia, Borneo. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 13(7); 18792–18799. DOI: 10.11609/jott.7195.13.7.18792-18799
