[Herpetology • 2021] Hemidactylus cinganji, H. faustus, ... • Between Sand, Rocks and Branches: An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of Angolan Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata, Gekkonidae), with Description of Four New Species

  Hemidactylus cinganji
H. carivoensis
H. faustus 
H. pfindaensis 

 Lobón-Rovira, Conradie, Iglesias, Ernst, Veríssimo, Baptista & Vaz Pinto, 2021 

       

 DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e64781 

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Abstract

The taxonomy of Angolan Hemidactylus has recently been revised. However, the lack of fresh material for some groups and regions, has led to the misidentification of some taxa and an underestimation of actual diversity in others. To shed light on the evolutionary history and systematics of Angolan Hemidactylus, we generated a new phylogenetic hypothesis for the group, and updated the taxonomy following an integrative approach. This resulted in the description of four new species (Hemidactylus pfindaensis sp. nov., H. faustus sp. nov., H. carivoensis sp. nov. and H. cinganji sp. nov.), the reevaluation of two recently described species (H. vernayi and H. paivae) and the synonymization of a recently described species (H. hannahsabinnae). We estimate divergence times for these lineages, providing a preliminary interpretation of their speciation process. Moreover, we suggest and outline 13 Angolan Main Biogeographic Units (AMBUs) in the area, defining a new biogeographic context for future works on Angolan herpetofauna. We now recognize eleven Hemidactylus species in Angola, and we provide here a new morphological key for Angolan Hemidactylus to help with identifications and species assignments in this group.

Keywords: Angola, biogeography, Gekkota, Hemidactylus, systematics, taxonomy

Hemidactylus bayonii-group 

Hemidactylus vernayi Ceríaco, Agarwal, Marques and Bauer 2020

Hemidactylus pfindaensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The name “pfindaensis” derives from the local word “pfinda” which in Kikongo – the main language used in Uíge Province and northwestern Angola – refers to a “gallery forest” or a “continuous block of thick forest”, the main habitat type associated with the species.

Hemidactylus longicephalus-group

Hemidactylus paivae Ceríaco, Agarwal, Marques and Bauer 2020

A – From top, dorsolateral view of Hemidactylus cinganji sp. nov. (FKH0435), H. benguellensis (FKH0413) and H. carivoensis sp. nov. (MNCN 50543);
B – records of H. benguellensis–group (purple color represents records of H. cinganji sp. nov.; blue H. benguellensis; dark green H. carivoensis sp. nov.; circles represent genetically assigned records, while triangles represent historical or non-genetically assigned records by Ceríaco et al. 2020a; color stars depict type or neotype localities; black star depicts original type locality of H. benguellensis assigned by Bocage (1893);
C – habitat of H. cinganji sp. nov. at Ebanga; D – habitat of H. carivoensis sp. nov between Dombe–Echimina. E – habitat of H. benguellensis at Tchivinguiro.

 Photos Javier Lobón–Rovira (A–D) and William R. Branch (E).

Hemidactylus benguellensis-group

Hemidactylus cinganji sp. nov.

Etymology: The name “cinganji” is a widespread traditional word used in Angolan local languages that represents an ancestral spiritual entity that reincarnates assuming different physical forms in different places and occasions. This name is suitable as the new species corresponds to a taxon that was first described under a different name, then became lost and now resurfaces after its original name had been hijacked by a surrogate sister-species. The species epithet is used as a neuter singular noun in opposition to the generic name.

Hemidactylus carivoensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet “carivoensis” refers to the Farm Carivo, an old estate situated along the banks of the mid-lower Coporolo River on the coastal plain of Benguela Province, and where most of the type series was collected. The species proved to be common in the area, and by recognizing the farm, we also acknowledge the ongoing support from the owners to researchers, similar to the Chapmans nearly a century ago.

Species not assignable to specific species groups

Hemidactylus faustus sp. nov.   

  

Etymology: The name “faustus” applies to a Latin word that designate ‘good luck’, evoking the serendipitous discovery of this species. The species epithet is used as a masculine adjective singular. The first specimen was found by Beatriz Vaz Pinto, daughter of PVP, under a small stone which was removed while preparing a campsite. This unexpected find led to further collecting of this new and previously unrecorded form, albeit from a locality that had been regularly surveyed since the mid-19th century.  

 

 Javier Lobón-Rovira, Werner Conradie, David Buckley Iglesias, Raffael Ernst, Luis Veríssimo, Ninda Baptista and Pedro Vaz Pinto. 2021. Between Sand, Rocks and Branches: An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of Angolan Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820, with Description of Four New Species. Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 465-501. DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e64781

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[Herpetology • 2026] Hemidactylus aravalliensis • A New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) of the H. persicus complex from Aravalli hills, India

 

Hemidactylus aravalliensis 

Patel, TEJAS THACKERAY, RAJU VYAS & Mirza, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5759.5.2

Abstract

We describe a new species of leaf-toed gecko of the genus Hemidactylus from the southern Aravalli Hills in Gujarat, India. The new species is a member of the H. persicus complex and has previously been reported as conspecific with H. persicus. In light of the recent revision of H. persicus, we reassessed the status of the population reported from Gujarat, India. The population was found to be genetically and morphologically distinct and is here described as a new species. The new species is diagnosable by the following suite of characters: a medium-size (adult snout-vent length up to 65 mm); dorsal scalation on trunk granular, intermixed with slightly enlarged, regularly arranged transverse rows of 14 oval, feebly keeled or sub-trihedral tubercles; original tail lacks any enlarged tubercles; males with 3–8 precloacal pores. The new species, Hemidactylus aravalliensis sp. nov. is the third endemic species of gecko described from the Aravalli Hills and highlights the rich and unique diversity of this ancient yet understudied land mass.

Reptilia, Arid clade, endemic, gekkonid lizard, morphology, taxonomy

Hemidactylus aravalliensis sp. nov.

HARSHIL PATEL, TEJAS THACKERAY, RAJU VYAS and ZEESHAN A. MIRZA. 2026. A New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) of the H. persicus complex from Aravalli hills, India.  Zootaxa. 5759(5); 526-542. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5759.5.2 [2026-02-19]

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[Herpetology • 2025] Hemidactylus kalinga • A New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Northern Eastern Ghats, Odisha, India

 

 Hemidactylus kalinga

Mohapatra, Ray, Das, Bhupathi, Sarkar, Mohalik, Nair & Dutta, 2025 

Kalinga rock gecko | DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e175753

Abstract

We describe a new species of large-bodied, rock-dwelling gecko of the genus Hemidactylus from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha, India. The new species is genetically distinct, as already indicated in previous studies, and differs from all other congeners in a combination of morphological characters, such as dorsal scalation of small granules intermixed with large, pointed, trihedral tubercles that form 15–19 fairly regularly arranged longitudinal rows at midbody; 9–11 subdigital lamellae below the first and 12–14 below the fourth digit; 22–26 femoral pores separated by five poreless scales in males; and 11–13 supralabials and 9–11 infralabials. The new species is from the Eastern Ghats clade of large-bodied, tuberculated Hemidactylus and can be readily diagnosed morphologically from the two sister species, H. sushilduttai and H. kangerensis, in having characters such as the second postmental distinct and ~70% of the first postmental; the first postmental touching infralabial I and the second postmental touching infralabials I and II; and one post-cloacal spur on each side. The new species is distributed in the northern Eastern Ghats range of Odisha, inhabiting moist and dry deciduous forests and rock boulders and occasionally entering human habitations.

Key Words: Deccan Peninsula, Eastern Highlands, Hemidactylus kangerensis, Hemidactylus sushilduttai, morphology, taxonomy

Live uncollected specimen of Hemidactylus kalinga sp. nov.
A. Juveniles showing variant colouration; B. An individual preying on Gryllotalpa africana.

 Hemidactylus kalinga sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A large-sized and tuberculated Hemidactylus, SVL up to 105.4 mm (n = 6). Dorsal pholidosis heterogeneous, composed of subcircular granular scales intermixed with enlarged, fairly regularly arranged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles in 15–19 longitudinal rows, extending from occiput to tail base, that are heterogeneous in shape and size; enlarged tubercles on the two most medial parasagittal rows smaller, 27–30 tubercles in paravertebral rows; those on dorsolateral aspect of flank largest, gradually decreasing in size downwards, last two rows on flank marginally larger or equal to medial parasagittal rows, weakly keeled. Ventrolateral folds indistinct; about 32–35 scale rows across the belly. Digits with enlarged scansors, lamellae in straight transverse series, all divided except the apical and 1–3 basal lamellae, 9–12 lamellae beneath first digit and 12–14 beneath fourth digit of manus and pes. Males with 22–26 femoral pores on each side separated by five poreless scales. Tail with much enlarged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles forming whorls; median row of subcaudal plates large, covering almost entire portion of the tail; single postcloacal spur of unequal size on each side that are smooth and much smaller than dorsal tubercles at mid-body. Dorsal coloration rusty-brown with four transversely arranged light bands, edged with black or dark brown, between the occiput and sacrum; head lighter than body in life, with a narrow lighted collar edged by dark brown that is continuous with the post-ocular marking.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a toponym for the Kalinga Ghati, the Eastern Ghats hill ranges in the Kandhamal District of Odisha, and the type locality of the species. Furthermore, the present known distribution range of the species is within the historical “Kalinga Kingdom”, comprising present-day south Odisha. The specific name is a noun in apposition to the generic name.

Suggested common English name. Kalinga rock gecko.

 Pratyush P. Mohapatra, Sumidh Ray, Ashis K. Das, Bharath Bhupathi, Vivek Sarkar, Rakesh K. Mohalik, Manoj V. Nair and Sushil K. Dutta. 2025. A New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from the Northern Eastern Ghats, Odisha, India. Herpetozoa. 38: 365-378. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e175753 [01-12-2025]

[Herpetology • 2024] Hemidactylus gubanensis & H. huluul • Two New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the coastal areas of northern Somaliland

Hemidactylus gubanensis 

Mazuch, Janák, Velenská, Nistri, Elmi & Šmíd, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2024.2376119 

 Researchgate.net/publication/383304075 

Abstract

The taxonomy of many Hemidactylus geckos from the Horn of Africa has recently been evaluated. However, the lack of fresh material for some species and also regions has led to the misidentification of some taxa and an underestimation of the true diversity in others. In this study we analyse new material of Hemidactylus collected from poorly known coastal areas of northern Somaliland. Our results support the existence of two yet undescribed species within the arid clade. One of the new species is small-sized and closely related to H. afarensis from the Afar Triangle in Ethiopia, and together with two other species (H. foudaii, H. sinaitus) forms the monophyletic group for which we propose here the name sinaitus species group. The other new species is medium to large-sized, known from only one locality, and belongs to the macropholis species group, where it is a sister species of H. macropholis. Both new endemic species from the northern coastal hyper-arid plains highlight the role of northern Somaliland as an important biodiversity hotspot. Furthermore, our results show pronounced genetic diversity within H. macropholis, and imply possible existence of cryptic taxa within the species. Hemidactylus arnoldi and H. tropidolepis have, for the first time, been sequenced and placed in a phylogenetic context in this study. Our results confirm that H. tropidolepis is nested within the African radiation and is most closely related to H. funaiolii. Hemidactylus arnoldi clustered within the Arabian radiation of Hemidactylus and it was recovered as a sister lineage to all other species of the radiation.

Keywords: Gekkota, Horn of Africa, lizards, morphology, reptiles, Somalia, taxonomy

 Hemidactylus gubanensis sp. nov.

Hemidactylus huluul sp. nov.

 

Tomáš Mazuch, Vojtěch Janák, Doubravka Velenská, Annamaria Nistri, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi and Jiří Šmíd. 2024. Two New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the coastal areas of northern Somaliland. African Zoology. 59(2); 77-100 [22 Aug 2024]

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2024.2376119 

Researchgate.net/publication/383304075_Two_new_species_of_Hemidactylus_from_the_coastal_areas_of_northern_Somaliland

[Herpetology • 2025] Hemidactylus amarasinghei • A New tuberculate House gecko Species (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus) from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India

  

Hemidactylus amarasinghei  

Sayyed, Khot & Purkayastha, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.4 

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Abstract

A new species of Hemidactylus is described from the high elevations of rocky landscapes at Chalkewadi Plateau in the northern Western Ghats of India. Based on phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial ND2 gene, the new species is a member of the H. murrayi clade within the H. brookii group. Morphological analysis also revealed diagnostic characters distinguishing it from its sister species, H. varadgirii. The species is medium-sized (SVL up to 54.3 mm), with 10–11 supralabials, 9–10 infralabials, canthal region with 18–21 scales on both sides, supraciliaries separated by 21–22 scales at mid-orbit, dorsal pholidosis heterogeneous, having 15–16 rows of tubercles across the midbody, 28–31 paravertebral tubercles between pelvic and pectoral limb insertions, midsagittal ventral scales 135–147, and 30–31 scales across the belly between the lowest rows of dorsal scales at midbody. Males have 7–9 femoral pores on each side, with six or seven poreless scales in between, and there are 7–8 lamellae beneath toe IV.

Reptilia, Hemidactylus brookii, taxonomy, ND2 gene, house gecko, reptiles, northern Western Ghats, systematics

Hemidactylus amarasinghei  

Amarasinghe's house gecko

Amit SAYYED, Ruhal KHOT and Jajaditya PURKAYASTHA. 2025. A New tuberculate House gecko Species (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus) from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. Zootaxa. 5583(2); 293-308. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.4

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[Herpetology • 2019] Hemidactylus kolliensis, H. chikhaldaraensis & H. sankariensis • An Expanded ND2 Phylogeny of the brookii and prashadi Groups with the Description of Three New Indian Hemidactylus Oken (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

 

 Hemidactylus kolliensis,
H. chikhaldaraensis &
 H. sankariensis

 Agarwal, Bauer, Giri & Khandekar, 2019

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4619.3.2

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Abstract  

We present an expanded ND2 phylogeny of the brookii and prashadi groups of Indian Hemidactylus. While relationships within the clades are not well resolved, we recover many well supported subclades and a number of deeply divergent lineages within each clade. We use morphological data to describe three of these divergent lineages as new species; Hemidactylus kolliensis sp. nov., a member of the prashadi group from high elevation in the Kollimalai Massif in Tamil Nadu, Hemidactylus chikhaldaraensis sp. nov. and Hemidactylus sankariensis sp. nov., both members of the brookii group, are described from high elevation of the Satpuras in Maharashtra and low elevation of Tamil Nadu, respectively. The three new species exhibit >15% divergence for the ND2 gene from their phylogenetic sisters and differ in a number of morphological characters from all Indian congeners. The discovery of three more endemic Hemidactylus species from rocky habitats suggests that many more remain to be discovered across India.

Keywords: Reptilia, peninsular India, rupicolous, Satpuras, taxonomy

Ishan Agarwal, Aaron B. Bauer, Varad B. Giri and Akshay Khandekar. 2019. An Expanded ND2 Phylogeny of the brookii and prashadi Groups with the Description of Three New Indian Hemidactylus Oken (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Zootaxa. 4619(3); 431–458. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4619.3.2

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[Herpetology • 2020] Hemidactylus flavicaudus & H. xericolus • Two New Species of Yellow-tailed Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Rocky Outcrops on the Telangana Plateau, India

Hemidactylus flavicaudus & H. xericolus 

Lajmi, Giri, Singh & Agarwal, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4895.4.2  

Researchgate.net/publication/347665832

Abstract

Two distinct species of the gekkonid genus Hemidactylus are described from the dry zone of peninsular India from the state of Telangana. The two sister species, Hemidactylus flavicaudus sp. nov. and H. xericolus sp. nov., are nested within the morphologically cryptic H. brookii group, but are clearly distinguishable from all known species in having a bright yellow tail and yellow markings on the head, besides unique combinations of meristic characters and small body size (< 45 mm snout to vent length). The two new species are also deeply divergent from each other and other members of the H. brookii group in mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 2 and cytochrome b sequences. Hemidactylus flavicaudus sp. nov. can be diagnosed from H. xericolus sp. nov. based on the number of dorsal tubercle rows at midbody (11–14 versus 6–8). These descriptions of evolutionarily and morphologically distinct species highlight the dearth of studies carried out in the dry zone of peninsular India and the urgent need to assess biodiversity in the face of rapid land-use changes in this landscape.

Keywords: Reptilia, Dry zone, granite, Hemidactylus brookii, peninsular India, rocky outcrops, rupicolous

Hemidactylus flavicaudus sp. nov. 

 H. xericolus sp. nov., 

Aparna Lajmi, Varad B. Giri, Taneraw Singh and Ishan Agarwal. 2020. Two New Species of Yellow-tailed Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Rocky Outcrops on the Telangana Plateau, India. Zootaxa. 4895(4); 483–504. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4895.4.2

  Researchgate.net/publication/347665832_Two_new_species_of_yellow-tailed_Hemidactylus_from_rocky_outcrops_on_the_Telangana_Plateau_India

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[Herpetology • 2023] Hemidactylus multisulcatus • A New Species of the Genus Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Tamil Nadu, India

Hemidactylus multisulcatus 

Sayyed, Kirubakaran, Khot, Adhikari, Sayyed, Sayyed, Purkayastha, Deshpande & Sulakhe, 2023 

 Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 12(1); 

Researchgate.net/publication/372807266

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ABSTRACT 

We describe a new species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 based on morphological and molecular evidence from Madurai district, Tamil Nadu India. The new species shows a divergence of 8.5–30.9% on the ND2 gene from the congeners and was recovered as a member of the Hemidactylus acanthopholis Mirza & Sanap, 2014 sub-clade from the Hemidactylus prashadi Smith, 1935 clade. Further, the new species can be distinguished from other members of the H. acanthopholis sub-clade by having non-overlapping morphological characters and unique dorsal scalation. The distinguishing characteristics of the new species include medium body size, the number of dorsal tubercle rows at mid-body, the number of enlarged tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of femoral pores and poreless scales separating the left and right series on the femoral-precloacal row in males, and the number of ventral scales across the belly at mid-body.

  Key words: Hemidactylus acanthopholis sub-clade, Peninsular India, taxonomy, ND2 gene

 Hemidactylus multisulcatus sp. nov., holotype in life, BNHS 2918;
(A) dorsal view of head, (B) ventral view of head, (C) lateral view of head, (D) view of femoral and precloacal region, (E) ventral view of lamellae under right menus, and (F) ventral view of lamellae under right pes. Scale bars 5 mm.

 Hemidactylus multisulcatus sp. nov., holotype in life, BNHS 2918;
 (A) showing shell-like enlarged dorsal tubercles with multiple grooves, (B) enlarged tubercle on thigh, (C) postcloacal region, (D) dorsal and ventral view of tail.

   

Hemidactylus multisulcatus sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. A medium-sized gecko of the genus Hemidactylus, snout to vent length less than 84 mm (n = 3); 11 supralabials; 9–10 infralabials; dorsal pholidosis heterogenous, composed of small, granular, round, smooth scales intermixed with enlarged, much regularly arranged, strongly keeled, slightly pointed enlarged tubercles, two rows of enlarged tubercles on the paravertebral region smaller than those on mid-body enlarged shell or bivalve-like tubercles, few slightly small on lower flanks; shell or bivalve-like enlarged tubercles adorned with multiple grooves; 25–27 paravertebral tubercles between forelimb and hind limb insertions; mid-dorsal enlarged tubercles 17–19; scales on the snout, canthus rostralis, forehead and inter-orbital re-gion round, juxtaposed; periocular scales weakly keeled, much larger than those on snout; single elongated, enlarged supranasal on each side, separated from each other by two vertically arranged, small, round scales; scales on ventral surface of neck, chest, arm, pes and tail smooth, cycloid, mid-ventral scales 161–177, mid-body scales 35–36 across the belly between the lowest rows of dorsal scales; ten or eleven lamellae under digit IV of manus and pes; males with continuous series of 18–20 femoral pores (n = 2), six or seven poreless scales between femoral pores; dorsal scales of thigh and tibia small, granular, smooth, intermixed with regularly arranged, keeled enlarged tubercle; postcloacal spur absent on each side; dorsal scales at tail base and on tail small, granular scales similar in size and shape to those on mid-body dorsum, gradually becoming larger, intermixed with series of 4–6 much enlarged, pointed, keeled, conical tubercles forming whorls; ventral scales at tail base subequal, smooth, imbricate, fairly larger than mid-body ventral scales; ventral scales with a median row of large, undivided, rectangular, plate-like subcaudal scales covering almost entire portion of the tail; median row bordered laterally by one or two rows of large, smooth, imbricate triangular scales, four brown circular faint blotches on dorsal body between neck and hind limb insertion.

Etymology. The specific epithet indicates the unique shell or bivalve-like enlarged tubercles adorned with multiple grooves. In Latin (sulcus = groove) and English, multiple grooves = multisulcatus. 

Suggested Common Name: Madurai Rock Gecko

 Amit Sayyed, Samson Kirubakaran, Rahul Khot, Omkar Adhikari, Ayaan Sayyed, Masum Sayyed, Jayaditya Purkayastha, Shubhankar Deshpande and Shauri Sulakhe. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Tamil Nadu, India. Asian Journal of Conservation Biology. 12(1); 100–110. DOI: doi.org/10.53562/ajcb.82582  

Researchgate.net/publication/372807266_A_new_species_of_Hemidactylus_from_Tamil_Nadu_India

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[Herpetology • 2023] Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis • A New Species of Rock-dwelling Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the southern Eastern Ghats, India

Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis  Narayanan, Christopher, Raman, Mukherjee, Vimalraj & Deepak,

in Narayanan, Christopher, Raman, Mukherjee, Prabhu, Lenin, Vimalraj & Deepak, 2023

Pakkamalai Rock Gecko | பாக்கமைல பாைறப்பல்லி 

 DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e104494 

 

Abstract

A new large-bodied (SVL 101–109 mm) gecko of the genus Hemidactylus is described from the Gingee Hills in the Eastern Ghats of India. The new species is closely related to H. graniticolus and the recently described H. easai, from which it can be distinguished by its lower femoral pores count. The new species described here was previously identified as H. cf. graniticolus based only on the molecular data, pending its formal description. Our findings were consistent with the results from the molecular DNA analyses, showing that this population is morphologically distinct from other closely related species. As a result, we formally describe this lineage as a new species, providing a comprehensive description of its morphological characteristics based on a type series of five specimens and compare it with its congenerics.

Keywords: Femoral pores, gecko, Gingee, ND2 phylogeny, species complex, taxonomy

Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis sp. nov. in life from Pakkamalai Hill, Tamil Nadu, India. 
Dorsolateral view of the A holotype (BNHS 2907) and B one of the paratypes (BNHS 2911).

Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis 

Narayanan, Christopher, Raman, Mukherjee, Vimalraj, Deepak, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A large-sized gecko of the genus Hemidactylus, snout–vent length up to a maximum SVL of 109 mm (n = 5). Dorsal pholidosis heterogeneous, composed of roughly circular, granular scales intermixed with much enlarged, fairly regularly arranged longitudinal rows of 19–22 striated subtrihedral tubercles at midbody. Enlarged tubercles on the two most medial parasagittal rows are small, subconical, strongly keeled and rounded, gradually increasing in size and becoming conical towards flanks, last two to three rows on flanks smaller, conical. Two well-developed pairs of postmentals, the inner pair longer than the outer pair and mental, and in broad contact behind the mental. Paravertebral rows with 21–24 tubercles; 34–38 transverse ventral scale rows at mid-body. Digits with enlarged scansors, lamellae in straight transverse series; two or three undivided basal lamellae beneath first finger and two or three beneath first toe; one or two undivided basal lamellae beneath fourth toe; ten or 11 lamellae (including undivided and divided) beneath first finger and nine or ten beneath first toe; 12 or 13 lamellae (including undivided and divided) beneath fourth finger and 12–14 beneath fourth toe; males with series of 19–21 femoral pores on each side separated by four or five pore-less scales. Original tail depressed, oval in transverse section with a median dorsal furrow; scales on the tail slightly larger than dorsals, striated, with longitudinal series of 4–8 large, keeled, striated, posteriorly pointed tubercles. Dorsal colouration dull-brown with a series of four or five transverse pale saddles from occiput to sacrum, tail with distinct alternating light and dark bands.

 

Etymology: The specific epithet is a toponym named after its type locality Pakkamalai Hill. We suggest an English name Pakkamalai Rock Gecko and a Tamil name பாக்கமைல பாைறப்பல்லி.

Habitat at the type locality (Pakkamalai Hill, Tamil Nadu, India) of Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis sp. nov.

 Surya Narayanan, Peter Christopher, Kothandapani Raman, Nilanjan Mukherjee, Ponmudi Prabhu, Maniezhilan Lenin, Sivangnanaboopathidoss Vimalraj and V. Deepak. 2023. A New Species of Rock-dwelling Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the southern Eastern Ghats, India. Vertebrate Zoology. 73: 499-512. DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e104494

[Herpetology • 2023] Hemidactylus quartziticolus • A Remarkable New Species of Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus) from scrublands at the southern Tip of India

Hemidactylus quartziticolus  

Khandekar, Thackeray, Mariappan, Gangalmale, Waghe, Pawar & Agarwal, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e101871

Abstract

We describe a new species of Hemidactylus based on an integrative taxonomic framework from scrub habitats at the southern tip of India, in Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu. The new species has the most densely packed tubercles among Indian Hemidactylus, almost resembling the most tuberculate Indian Cyrtopodion. Hemidactylus quartziticolus sp. nov. is phylogenetically placed within the brookii group of Indian Hemidactylus, where it is sister to the H. gleadowi complex from western-central India. The new species is 14.5–23.7% divergent in ND2 mitochondrial sequence data from other brookii group members, and can be easily diagnosed from regional congeners by its unique dorsal scalation, the number and arrangement of precloacal-femoral pores, the number of dorsal tubercle rows at midbody, number of lamellae under digit I and IV of manus and pes. The new species is currently known only from two isolated, low quartzite hillocks 45 km apart with scrubby, thorn forests and loose, stony soil.

Keywords: Hemidactylus brookii, morphology, peninsular India, taxonomy, Tamil Nadu

Hemidactylus quartziticolus sp. nov.in life:
 A male, holotype NRC-AA-1256, B female, paratype NRC-AA-1264, and C uncollected juvenile.

Photos by Akshay Khandekar.

Hemidactylus quartziticolus sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A small-sized Hemidactylus, snout to vent length less than 57 mm (n = 10); a single internasal scale behind rostral and between supranasals. Dorsal pholidosis heterogenous, composed of much smaller, subcircular, smooth and flattened granular scales intermixed with 18 regularly arranged rows of distinctly enlarged, subcircular, strongly keeled and pointed tubercles at midbody; tubercles largest on flanks; 18–20 paravertebral tubercles between forelimb and hindlimb insertions; ventral scales much larger than dorsal body granular scales, smooth, subimbricate, sub-equal from chest to vent, 24–29 scales across belly at mid-body, 48–54 longitudinal scales from fore arm insertions to anterior margin of cloaca; subdigital scansors smooth, mostly divided in oblique series; four lamellae under digit I of manus and pes, six or seven lamellae under digit IV of manus and pes; males with continuous series of 35–38 precloacal-femoral pores (n = 8/10); dorsal scales at tail base heterogeneous, granular scales similar in size and shape to those on mid-body dorsum, gradually becoming larger, pointed and subimbricate posteriorly, intermixed with series of 4–10 much enlarged, keeled, conical tubercles forming whorls; median row of sub-caudals smooth, enlarged, undivided, roughly rectangular, plate-like scales covering almost entire portion of the tail. Dorsal colouration beige to tan, scattered dark blotches on dorsum occasionally forming horizontal X-shaped markings on dorsum.

Etymology: The specific epithet is a combination of the German noun “quartz” + the Latin suffix -ite (used to denote rocks and minerals) and the Latin suffix -cola that means inhabitant or dweller of, referring to the quartzite rock formations the new species inhabits.

Suggested Common Names: Quartzite brookiish gecko 

or Thoothukudi brookiish gecko.

 

Habitat of Hemidactylus quartziticolus sp. nov.:
A general habitat at the type locality, B quartzite rock formation on which individuals of the new species were seen at the type locality, and C general habitat at Kurumalai, from where a few paratypes of the new species were collected.

Photos by Akshay Khandekar (A and B), and Ishan Agarwal (C).

Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray, Rameshwaran Mariappan, Satpal Gangalmale, Vivek Waghe, Swapnil Pawar and Ishan Agarwal. 2023. A Remarkable New Species of Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus) from scrublands at the southern Tip of India. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 433-450. DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e101871

[Herpetology • 2022] Hemidactylus almakhwah & H. farasani • Diversification of Hemidactylus Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in coastal Plains and Islands of southwestern Arabia with Descriptions and Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Two Endemic Species to Saudi Arabia

  Hemidactylus farasani  

Šmíd, Uvizl, Shobrak, Busais, Salim, AlGethami, AlGethami, Alanazi, Alsubaie, Rovatsos, Nováková, Mazuch & Carranza, 2022

DOI: 10.1007/s13127-022-00572-w  

 Researchgate.net/publication/362741282 

Abstract

The systematic, phylogenetic, and biogeographic aspects of the rich squamate fauna of the Arabian Peninsula are becoming increasingly well understood. The Arabian members of the gecko genus Hemidactylus, the most diverse genus among Arabian squamates, have been the subject of several phylogenetic revisions in recent years. However, large parts of the peninsula lacked thorough sampling, for example, the coastal hyper-arid plains along the Red Sea and some offshore islands. In this study, we examine the genetic, morphological, and ecological diversification of a Hemidactylus clade that straddles the Red Sea and contains ten Arabian and three African species. We compiled a genetic dataset of seven markers (two mitochondrial and five nuclear) to reconstruct their phylogenetic relationships and collected morphological data to assess the level of interspecific morphological disparification. Our results support the existence of four yet undescribed species within the clade – two from Arabia and two from Ethiopia. We provide taxonomic descriptions of the two new Arabian species, one from the western Asir Mountains foothills and one from the Farasan Islands. The new species from the Asir Mountains foothills highlights the role of the southern Arabian coastal desert as an important yet often overlooked local biodiversity hotspot. The new species from the Farasan Islands represents the second vertebrate species endemic to the archipelago. Together with the descriptions of the diagnostic features of both species, we provide complete annotated mitochondrial genomes of both holotypes and of holotypes of two other species from the clade to characterize their mitogenomic composition and architecture.

 

Keywords: Afro-Arabia, Genomics, Lizards, Mitogenome, Reptiles, Squamata

Holotype of Hemidactylus almakhwah sp. n. (NMP 76093/2) in life
A; lateral B, dorsal C, and ventral D view of the head; detail of dorsal scales and tubercles E; precloacal area showing four precloacal pores F; and detail of left foot F

Paratypes of H. almakhwah sp. n. in life and the species’ type locality.
 A – adult male NMP 76093/6; B – subadult NMP 76093/3; C – adult female NMP 76093/4; D – subadult NMP 76093/5;
E and F – the type locality, a dry wadi SW of Al Ju'aydah . 

Hemidactylus almakhwah sp. n.

Proposed English name: Al Makhwah gecko.

Proposed Arabic name: Burs Al Makhwah, بُرْصْ الـمَخْواة.

Chresonymy: Hemidactylus sp. 13  in Carranza et al. (2018); 

Vasconcelos and Carranza (2014)

Etymology: The species epithet refers to the city and governorate of Al Makhwah, in the vicinity of which most specimens were collected. It is a noun in apposition.

Paratypes of Hemidactylus farasani sp. n. in life and the species’ type locality.
 A and B – the type locality in the Sajid Island. Specimens were frequently encountered on or close to the abandoned rocky walls in B.
C – adult male NMP 76104/7; D – adult female NMP 76104/1, note the presence of eggs; E – juvenile NMP 76104/9; F – juvenile NMP 76103

Hemidactylus farasani sp. n.

Proposed English name: Farasan gecko.

Proposed Arabic name: Al Burs Al Farasani, الــبُرْصُ الفَرَسَّانِي.

Chresonymy: Hemidactylus turcicus in Cunningham (2010); 

Masseti (2014); 

Mertens (1965); 

Schätti and Gasperetti (1994)

 

Etymology: The species epithet is a noun in apposition and refers to the native inhabitants of the Farasan Islands, the Farasani people.

Conclusions: 

Southwestern Arabia supports a high richness of squamate reptiles, with Hemidactylus being the most diverse genus. We here identify and describe two new species from previously little explored regions – coastal deserts and the Red Sea islands. We show the phylogenetic positions of the new species within the SW Arabian radiation of the genus and assess the morphological and ecological disparification of the clade. As an important addition, we provide complete mitochondrial genomes for the holotypes of the newly described species as well as for holotypes of two other species from the clade to characterize their mitogenomic composition and architecture. Thus, the name-bearing specimens of the species will be permanently associated with their complete mitogenomic sequences, which will have key implications for future taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on the genus.

Jiří Šmíd, Marek Uvizl, Mohammed Shobrak, Salem Busais, Al Faqih Ali Salim, Raed Hamoud M. AlGethami, Abdulaziz Raqi AlGethami, Abdulkarim Saleh K. Alanazi, Saad Dasman Alsubaie, Michail Rovatsos, Lucie Nováková, Tomáš Mazuch and Salvador Carranza. 2022. Diversification of Hemidactylus Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in coastal Plains and Islands of southwestern Arabia with Descriptions and Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Two Endemic Species to Saudi Arabia. Organisms Diversity & Evolution. DOI: 10.1007/s13127-022-00572-w 

  Researchgate.net/publication/362741282_Diversification_Hemidactylus_Arabia