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| Eublepharis jhuma Mohapatra, Ray, A. K. Das, Satrusallya, Jena, Bhupathi, R. Das & Mahapatra. 2026 |
Abstract
Eublepharis, an Asian-endemic genus of leopard geckos, represents the third largest genus within the family Eublepharidae. India harbors six recognized species in the genus Eublepharis, representing the highest species diversity for this genus reported from any single country to date. In this work, a new species of the genus, Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov., is described based on three specimens. The new species can be diagnosed by the following combination of morphological features: (1) SVL 123–142 mm, (2) having large, flat, tubercle-like, moderately keeled scales across the dorsum, with interspaces much larger than the size of the tubercles, (3) two pale bands between the nuchal loop and caudal constriction, (4) subdigital lamellae tuberculate, (5) dorsal scales on the regenerated tail flat and rectangular, (6) 22–25 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe, and (7) 12–13 precloacal pores. The new species is also phylogenetically distinct from all its congeners (6.9–7.8% from its closest sister species, E. satpuraensis). The discovery of a new reptile from the Chota Nagpur Plateau highlights the role of more extensive study in the region. Furthermore, its occurrence in the Kaimur Plateau, the easternmost Vindhyan escarpments, highlights the allopatric speciation from the sister species, E. satpuraensis, shaped by deep-time geological processes.
Key Words: ihar, Chota Nagpur, eyelid gecko, Kaimur, morphology, Vindhya Mountains
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| Habitat and live specimen of Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov. A, C. Type locality in Parari, Bihar; B. Live uncollected specimen at the type locality. |
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| Habitat and live specimen of Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov. B. Live uncollected specimen at the type locality. A, C. Type locality in Parari, Bihar. |
Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov.
Suggested common English name. Jhuma’s leopard gecko.
Diagnosis. A medium-sized Eublepharis reaching SVL of 142.2 mm, with 18–22 rows of flat, tubercle-like moderately keeled scales across the dorsum intermixed with much smaller granular scales, two pale bands between the nuchal loop and caudal constriction; feebly tuberculate subdigital lamellae on digit IV of pes 22–25; 12–13 precloacal pores in an angulate series lacking any poreless scales in between them.
Etymology. The specific epithet is a matronym, derived from the nickname “Jhuma” of Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman Director of ZSI, in recognition of her contributions to the taxonomy and conservation of faunal diversity in India. The epithet is used as noun in apposition.
Pratyush P. Mohapatra, Sumidh Ray, Ashis K. Das, Ranjit Satrusallya, Sudheer K. Jena, Bharath Bhupathi, Ritesh Das and Ajay Kumar Mahapatra. 2026. Description of A morphologically distinct and phylogenetically divergent New Species of the Leopard Gecko in the Genus Eublepharis Gray, 1827 (Reptilia, Eublepharidae) from India. Herpetozoa. 39: 161-176. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e183441
