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| Cnemaspis nicobaricus Chandramouli, 2020 Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 9(1) |
ABSTRACT
A new species of gekkonid lizard of the genus Cnemaspis is described from the southern group of Nicobar Islands. It is distinguished from the Andaman endemic C. andersonii and the species of the adjacent Mentawai archipelago by: small body size (27.64 - 31.08 mm SVL); presence of four enlarged conical tubercles on the flanks; 2 post-mentals separated from each other by a single scale; presence of 2-3 internasals; presence of 6-7 supralabials; 8 infralabials; 16-18 subdigital lamellae under toe IV; smooth pectoral, abdominal and femoral scales; presence of 3 femoral pores on each thigh; absence of precloacal pores and irregularly shaped, small sized subcaudal scales. The description of C. andersonii, endemic to the Andaman archipelago is expanded based on new material along with several new, specific distribution records that are mapped. Conservation status of these geckos is discussed.
Key words: Gekkonid, Cnemaspis, Nicobar Islands, endemic species
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| Cnemaspis nicobaricus sp. nov. Dorsal (top) and ventral (middle) views of a living individual, lateral view of the head (bottom left), and precloacal region of a male (bottom right) (not collected) |
Cnemaspis nicobaricus sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A species of Cnemaspis restricted to Great and Little Nicobar Islands in the Nicobar archipelago, characterized by: small body size (27.64 – 31.08 mm SVL); presence of four enlarged conical tubercles on the flanks; 2 post-mentals separated from each other by a single scale; presence of 2-3 internasals; presence of 6-7 supralabials; 8 infralabials; 16-18 subdigital lamellae under toe IV; smooth pectoral, abdominal and femoral scales; presence of 3 femoral pores on each thigh; absence of precloacal pores and irregularly shaped, small sized subcaudal scales.
Ecological notes: Most of the individuals of this species observed in the field were seen on tree trunks at heights below 2 m from the ground, and on buttresses and shrubs. Some were seen along the culverts along roadsides. Individuals were seen active both during the day and at night. A juvenile was observed in July. This species was observed in evergreen forests, human habitation and plantations.
Etymology: The specific epithet nicobaricus is a toponym referring to the geographic distribution of the new species.
S.R. Chandramouli. 2020. A New Species of Dwarf Gecko of the Genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887(Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Nicobar Archipelago with an expanded description of Cnemaspis andersonii (Annandale 1905) of the Andaman Islands. Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 9(1); 3-10.
