Research Article |
Corresponding author: Ying-Yong Wang ( wangyy@mail.sysu.edu.cn ) Academic editor: Uwe Fritz
© 2024 Hao-Tian Wang, Shuo Qi, Dan-Yang Zhou, Ying-Yong Wang.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Wang H-T, Qi S, Zhou D-Y, Wang Y-Y (2024) Description of a new karst-adapted species of the subgenus Japonigekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Gekko) from Guangxi, southern China. Vertebrate Zoology 74: 121-132. https://doi.org/10.3897/vz.74.e113899
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Abstract
A new species of the genus Gekko Laurenti, 1768, Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov., is described here, based on two specimens from Tianyang District, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It was placed in subgenus Japonigekko on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis and can be distinguished from all congeners in this subgenus by significant divergences in the mitochondrial 16S and ND2 genes and by a combination of the following morphological characters: Moderate body size, SVL 77.2 mm in the adult male and SVL 85.9 mm in the adult female; tubercles only present along dorsolateral trunk and absent on other regions; fingers and toes with weak webbing; continuous precloacal pores 12 in the male, absent in the female; a single postcloacal tubercle on each side; a light-coloured vertebral line from nape to tip of tail; dorsum greyish-brown, with 7–8 dirty-white bands between nape and sacrum. Meanwhile, the distribution of G. palmatus in China has been confirmed as occurring in Guangxi and Guangdong Provinces. This study brings the total species of the subgenus Japonigekko in China to 19.
Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov., Gekko palmatus, karst, new national record, taxonomy
The genus Gekko Laurenti, 1768, currently containing 88 recognised species assigned to seven subgenera, is a widely distributed group of nocturnal lizards (
Two specimens were collected from Tianyang District, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China on 3 August 2023. The specimens were euthanised and then fixed in 10% buffered formalin, later being transferred to 75% ethanol and deposited in the Museum of Biology, Sun Yat-sen University (SYS), Guangzhou, China. Liver tissue samples were preserved in 95% ethanol for molecular analysis.
Measurements were taken with digital callipers (Deli DL91200 Digital Vernier Caliper) to the nearest 0.1 mm on the right side of the body and scalation features were counted under a binocular scope (Leica EZ4 HD). Bilateral scale counts are given as left/right. External measurements, meristic traits and their abbreviations follow
In addition, the specimens were compared with other Gekko (Japonigekko) congeners on the basis of descriptions in literature (
A total of 24 samples of subgenus Gekko (Japonigekko) were used for molecular analysis in this study. All samples were attained from euthanasia specimens and then preserved in 95% ethanol and stored at -40°C. Furthermore, 22 sequences were obtained from GenBank and incorporated into our dataset for phylogenetic analysis. G. gecko and G. reevesii, belonging to subgenus G. (Gekko), were used to root the tree, based on
Localities, voucher information and GenBank accession numbers for all samples used in this study.
ID | Species | Localities | Voucher ID | GenBank accession numbers | References | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16S | ND2 | |||||
Ingroups | ||||||
1 | Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. | China: Guangxi: Baise, Tianyang | SYS r002806 | OR903154 | OR902163 | This study |
2 | Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. | China: Guangxi: Baise, Tianyang | SYS r002807 | OR903155 | OR902164 | This study |
3 | G. cib | China: Sichuan: Hejiang | SYS r001489 | MW451655 | OR902165 |
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4 | G. cib | China: Sichuan: Mt. Emei | SYS r000708 | MW451629 | OR902166 |
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5 | G. subpalmatus | China: Zhejiang: Fenghua | SYS r001762 | MW451662 | OR902167 |
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6 | G. subpalmatus | China: Zhejiang: Fenghua | SYS r001767 | MW451663 | OR902168 |
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7 | G. melli | China: Guangdong: Dongyuan | SYS r001742 | MW451661 | OR902169 |
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8 | G. melli | China: Guangdong: Puning | SYS r001702 | MW451660 | OR902170 |
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9 | G. swinhonis | China: Hebei: Zunhua | SYS r001814 | MW451666 | OR902171 |
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10 | G. hokouensis | China: Jiangxi: Mt. Meiling | SYS r001311 | MW451648 | OR902172 |
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11 | G. hokouensis | China: Fujian: Mt. Wuyi | SYS r001290 | MW451647 | OR902173 |
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12 | G. kwangsiensis | China: Guangxi: Wuming | SYS r001194 | MW451641 | OR902174 |
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13 | G. kwangsiensis | China: Guangxi: Wuming | SYS r001195 | MW451642 | OR902175 |
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14 | G. japonicus | China: Fujian: Mt. Wuyi | SYS r000672 | MW451628 | OR902176 |
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15 | G. japonicus | China: Jiangxi: Lushan | SYS r001317 | MW451649 | OR902177 |
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16 | G. adleri | Vietnam: Cao Bang | IEBR A.2012.24 | KC700623 | — |
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17 | G. adleri | China: Guangxi: Jingxi | SYS r001400 | MW451654 | OR902178 |
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18 | G. palmatus | China: Guangdong: Mt.Dinghu | SYS r002797 | OR903156 | OR902179 | This study |
19 | G. palmatus | China: Guangdong: Mt.Dinghu | SYS r002804 | OR903157 | OR902180 | This study |
20 | G. palmatus | Vietnam: Lang Son | IEBR 2474 | KC710234 | — |
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21 | G. palmatus | Vietnam: Lang Son | IEBR 3620 | KC710238 | — |
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22 | G. palmatus | Vietnam: Bac Giang | IEBR A.0807 | KC710233 | — |
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23 | G. palmatus | China: Guangxi: Nonggang Nature Reserve | SYS r001192 | MW451639 | OR902181 |
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24 | G. palmatus | China: Guangxi: Napo | SYS r001185 | MW451637 | OR902182 |
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25 | G. chinensis | China: Hong Kong | SYS r001211 | MW451644 | OR902183 |
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26 | G. chinensis | China: Guangdong: Shenzhen | SYS r001085 | MW451632 | OR902184 |
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27 | G. similignum | China: Hainan: Mt. Wuzhi | SYS r001597 | MW451658 | OR902185 |
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28 | G. similignum | China: Hainan: Mt. Wuzhi | SYS r001598 | MW451659 | OR902186 |
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29 | G. auriverrucosus | China: Shanxi: Yuncheng | NNU Z 20050716.004 | — | JN019062 |
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30 | G. bonkowskii | Laos: Khammouane | VFU R.2014.10 | — | KT266818 |
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31 | G. khunkhamensis | Laos: Khammouane | VNUF R.2021.23 | — | OL416111 |
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32 | G. khunkhamensis | Laos: Khammouane | VNUF R.2021.02 | — | OL416109 |
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33 | G. jinjiangensis | China: Yunnan: Deqin | CIB5334220115 | — | MT449431 |
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34 | G. jinjiangensis | China: Sichuan: Derong | CIB5133380017 | — | MT449437 |
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35 | G. scabridus | China: Sichuan:Yanbian | CIBYN201909199 | — | MT449429 |
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36 | G. scabridus | China: Sichuan:Yanbian | CIBYN201909200 | — | MT449430 |
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37 | G. scientiadventura | Vietnam: Quang Binh | IEBR A.2014.7 | — | KP205392 |
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38 | G. scientiadventura | Laos: Khammouane | VFU2014.2 | — | KP205394 |
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39 | G. sengchanthavongi | Laos: Khammouane | VFU R2014.14 | — | KT266816 |
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40 | G. sengchanthavongi | Laos: Khammouane | IEBR A.2015.33 | — | KT266817 |
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41 | G. thakhekensis | Laos: Khammouane:Thakhek | IEBR A.2014.6 | — | KP205396 |
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42 | G. thakhekensis | Laos: Khammouane:Thakhek | VFU R.2014.9 | — | KP205397 |
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43 | G. truongi | Vietnam: Khanh Hoa | IEBR A.2011.1 | — | KP205398 |
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44 | G. nadenensis | Laos: Khammouane | ZFMK 98741 | — | KY421618 |
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Outgroups | ||||||
45 | G. gecko | China: Guangxi: Nanning | N/A | AY282753 | AY282753 |
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46 | G. reevesii | China: Guangdong: Mt. Yinping | SYS r000796 | MW451630 | OR902187 |
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Genomic DNA was extracted from liver tissue using a DNA extraction kit (Tiangen Biotech Co., Ltd, Beijing). Two fragments of the mitochondrial genes that encode the partial 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S) and partial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2) were amplified. The primers used for two genes are listed in Table
Gene | Primer | Sequence | Reference |
16S | L3975 | 5’-CGCCTGTTTACCAAAAACAT-3’ |
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H4551 | 5’-CCGGTCTGAACTCAGATCACGT-3’ | ||
ND2 | rMet-3L | 5’- ATACCCCGACAATGTTGG-3’ |
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rAla-1H | 5’- GCCTTAGCTTAATTAAAGTG-3’ |
DNA sequences were aligned by the MUSCLE algorithm with default parameters (
The aligned dataset contained a total of 1578 nucleotide base pairs (bp), with 566 bp for 16S and 1012 bp for ND2. The BI and ML analyses resulted in essentially identical topologies (Fig.
Uncorrected p distances (%) of the 16S gene amongst species of Gekko (Japonigekko) used in this study.
Species | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
1 | G. paucituberculatus sp. nov. | 0.00 | |||||||||||
2 | G. cib | 9.76 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
3 | G. subpalmatus | 13.15 | 6.37 | 0.00 | |||||||||
4 | G. melli | 10.96 | 4.68 | 6.87 | 0.60 | ||||||||
5 | G. swinhonis | 13.94 | 10.16 | 12.15 | 10.76 | — | |||||||
6 | G. hokouensis | 9.56 | 10.46 | 12.35 | 10.56 | 12.85 | 0.40 | ||||||
7 | G. kwangsiensis | 8.96 | 11.45 | 12.25 | 11.45 | 14.44 | 10.66 | 0.40 | |||||
8 | G. japonicus | 12.35 | 11.55 | 11.95 | 11.75 | 14.14 | 10.76 | 11.85 | 0.00 | ||||
9 | G. adleri | 11.75 | 11.55 | 12.75 | 10.76 | 14.14 | 12.15 | 12.35 | 13.35 | 0.40 | |||
10 | G. palmatus | 10.70 | 10.90 | 12.29 | 10.70 | 14.17 | 11.60 | 11.81 | 12.89 | 2.59 | 0.34 | ||
11 | G. chinensis | 10.26 | 10.26 | 11.65 | 10.46 | 13.84 | 11.25 | 10.96 | 11.45 | 3.49 | 3.09 | 0.20 | |
12 | G. similignum | 10.96 | 10.96 | 11.75 | 10.96 | 14.14 | 11.16 | 11.85 | 11.16 | 3.78 | 3.39 | 1.29 | 0.00 |
Uncorrected p distances (%) of the ND2 gene amongst species of Gekko (Japonigekko) used in this study.
Species | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | |
1 | G. paucituberculatus sp. nov. | 0.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2 | G. cib | 19.02 | 0.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
3 | G. subpalmatus | 20.45 | 17.38 | 0.00 | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | G. melli | 21.06 | 17.59 | 14.52 | 2.66 | ||||||||||||||||||
5 | G. swinhonis | 21.47 | 21.27 | 20.25 | 20.45 | — | |||||||||||||||||
6 | G. hokouensis | 18.92 | 22.09 | 20.76 | 20.86 | 19.94 | 1.84 | ||||||||||||||||
7 | G. kwangsiensis | 15.54 | 18.61 | 22.09 | 21.68 | 19.84 | 20.86 | 0.41 | |||||||||||||||
8 | G. japonicus | 19.84 | 23.11 | 21.68 | 21.27 | 20.86 | 21.06 | 22.29 | 0.00 | ||||||||||||||
9 | G. adleri | 22.09 | 23.72 | 23.72 | 20.14 | 22.70 | 21.88 | 21.06 | 23.52 | — | |||||||||||||
10 | G. palmatus | 21.32 | 24.18 | 25.10 | 23.16 | 22.75 | 21.37 | 21.47 | 22.96 | 6.44 | 0.82 | ||||||||||||
11 | G. chinensis | 22.70 | 23.62 | 23.21 | 21.88 | 23.01 | 22.29 | 21.68 | 22.60 | 14.72 | 15.39 | 0.82 | |||||||||||
12 | G. similignum | 22.39 | 24.64 | 23.82 | 22.49 | 22.39 | 22.80 | 21.68 | 23.01 | 14.83 | 15.18 | 4.19 | 0.20 | ||||||||||
13 | G. auriverrucosus | 18.61 | 19.22 | 20.04 | 21.57 | 18.81 | 20.14 | 21.68 | 19.02 | 24.13 | 23.57 | 25.36 | 26.69 | — | |||||||||
14 | G. bonkowskii | 18.81 | 19.22 | 20.86 | 21.78 | 21.68 | 19.63 | 21.37 | 20.45 | 24.54 | 23.01 | 20.96 | 22.39 | 21.88 | — | ||||||||
15 | G. khunkhamensis | 21.47 | 20.86 | 22.49 | 23.52 | 23.52 | 23.93 | 21.47 | 22.49 | 25.77 | 25.66 | 24.23 | 24.44 | 24.13 | 15.24 | 0.41 | |||||||
16 | G. jinjiangensis | 17.79 | 21.37 | 20.55 | 20.04 | 20.76 | 19.43 | 19.33 | 17.89 | 20.86 | 20.86 | 22.09 | 21.68 | 20.65 | 18.61 | 21.37 | 2.45 | ||||||
17 | G. scabridus | 17.79 | 21.57 | 20.86 | 19.94 | 20.35 | 17.48 | 20.25 | 18.00 | 19.02 | 19.73 | 20.76 | 20.76 | 19.53 | 20.04 | 22.09 | 10.53 | 1.23 | |||||
18 | G. scientiadventura | 19.02 | 21.17 | 21.37 | 21.78 | 22.80 | 21.47 | 20.55 | 21.98 | 24.34 | 23.62 | 22.24 | 22.60 | 20.86 | 12.99 | 14.42 | 18.40 | 18.71 | 3.68 | ||||
19 | G. sengchanthavongi | 19.22 | 21.68 | 21.27 | 22.09 | 21.88 | 22.90 | 20.86 | 21.68 | 23.93 | 23.57 | 21.98 | 22.60 | 20.65 | 13.91 | 15.54 | 19.53 | 19.02 | 9.92 | 0.00 | |||
20 | G. thakhekensis | 17.79 | 20.45 | 20.65 | 20.76 | 23.52 | 21.06 | 20.65 | 20.14 | 21.78 | 22.44 | 20.25 | 20.65 | 21.17 | 6.95 | 15.95 | 19.02 | 19.33 | 12.37 | 12.88 | 0.61 | ||
21 | G. truongi | 20.86 | 21.68 | 21.47 | 20.45 | 23.72 | 21.98 | 22.19 | 22.29 | 19.84 | 21.32 | 20.04 | 20.35 | 24.54 | 22.09 | 22.09 | 20.35 | 18.40 | 21.88 | 21.88 | 20.76 | — | |
22 | G. nadenensis | 18.61 | 20.86 | 19.43 | 20.76 | 21.68 | 22.29 | 20.55 | 21.27 | 23.52 | 22.96 | 21.57 | 22.39 | 21.06 | 6.95 | 13.70 | 18.00 | 19.63 | 13.39 | 12.07 | 6.95 | 22.29 | — |
All Gekko (Japonigekko) samples used in this study formed a strongly-supported monophyletic lineage (BPP = 1.00; BS = 100). However, intrageneric relationships within this lineage remained unclear due to low intrageneric nodal supports. Two samples from Baise City, Guangxi were placed in subgenus G. (Japonigekko), which clustered together with strong support (BPP = 1.00; BS = 100) and exhibited low intra-lineage genetic differentiation (0%). This unnamed lineage is the sister taxon to G. kwangsiensis from Wuming County, Guangxi and these together formed the sister group to G. hokouensis Pope, 1928. The lowest genetic distance between the unnamed lineage and a known Gekko species were, on average, 8.96% in 16S and 15.54% in ND2, as compared to G. kwangsiensis, although we did not use genetic divergences to make species delimitation, as it served as a reference only. The newly-collected specimens showed recognisable morphological differences from all known congeners (see Taxonomic account below). Hence, the unnamed population from Baise City is considered as an undefined species.
In addition, two samples from Mt. Dinghu, Guangdong grouped together with other G. palmatus Boulenger, 1907 samples from Vietnam and Guangxi, China and exhibit a robust monophyletic lineage with strong support (BPP = 1.00; BS = 100) and low intrapopulational genetic differentiation (0.34% in 16S and 0.82% in ND2). Morphologically, the characters of the specimens from Guangdong mostly agree with the original description and re-description of G. palmatus Boulenger, 1907 (
SYS r002806 (Figs
Morphological features of the adult male holotype SYS r002806 of Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. A Dorsal view of body; B ventral view of body; C dorsal head; D ventral head; E precloacal pores; F left hand; G left foot; H dorsal scalation at mid-body; I ventral tail. Photos by Hao-Tian Wang and Han-Ming Song.
SYS r002807 (Figs
Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. is distinguished from all congeners in the subgenus G. (Japonigekko) by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) moderate body size, SVL 77.2 mm in the adult male and SVL 85.9 mm in the adult female; (2) nares in contact with rostral, internasal absent; (3) two enlarged postmentals; (4) tubercles flattened, only present along dorsolateral trunk and absent on other regions; (5) ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit 189–192; (6) mid-body scale rows 136–140; (7) ventral scale rows 42–44; (8) subdigital lamellae on first fingers 10–11, on fourth fingers 12–13, on first toes 11, on fourth toes 11–13 and fingers and toes webbing weakly developed; (9) continuous precloacal pores 12 in the male, absent in the female; (10) a single postcloacal tubercle on each side; (11) a light-coloured vertebral line from nape to tip of tail; (12) dorsum greyish-brown, with 7–8 dirty-white bands between nape and sacrum.
The specific name paucituberculatus means few tubercles in Latin and refers to its tubercles being fewer than other congeners. According to its type locality, we suggest the common name as “Baise gecko” in English and Chinese formal name as “bǎi sè bì hǔ” (百色壁虎).
Adult male, moderate size, SVL 77.2 mm; head depressed (HH/HL 0.38), length longer than width (HL/HW 1.24), distinct from neck; snout rounded at tip, elongate (SNT/HL 0.44), larger than eye (SNT/ED 1.69); rostral regular rectangular, nearly twice as wide as high (RW/RH 1.94) and wider than mental (RW/MW 1.22), with mid-dorsal notch approximately one third; nares oval, rounded by rostral, first supralabial, supranasal and two enlarged nasals posteriorly; internasals absent; preorbitals 18/18, preorbital region deeply concave; eye large (ED/HL 0.26), pupil vertical, margins crenulated; interorbital scales between anterior corners of eyes 37; ear opening elliptical, obliquely orientated, moderate in size (EOD/ED 0.40); mental pentagonal, wider than long (MW/ML 1.42); postmentals two, hexagonal and enlarged, twice as long as wide, touching mental and first infralabial on both sides and six gular scales posteriorly; supralabials 11/11; infralabials 10/10; tubercles absent on dorsal head, granulars on anteriodorsal head larger than those on posterior.
Body slender, elongate (AG/SVL 0.41); dorsals smooth, round or oval, granular and juxtaposed; tubercles flattened, only present on dorsal lateral surface, two rows on each side, surrounded by eight dorsal scales, absent on other regions; lateral fold present, without tubercles; ventrals distinctly larger than dorsal scales, smooth, imbricate and largest in middle of belly; ventral scale rows at mid-body 42; scale rows around mid-body 140; ventral scales in a row between mental and cloacal slit 189; precloacal scales enlarged, but no enlarged scales on thighs; precloacal pores 12, in a continuous row; postcloacal tubercle 1/1, large.
Fore- and hind-limbs well-developed; tubercles absent on dorsal limbs; digits moderately dilated; II–IV fingers and toes clawed; claws depressed laterally, extending beyond terminal lamellae; webbing on fingers and toes weakly developed; subdigital lamellae undivided, under manus 11-11-12-13-10 (left) and 11-11-12-13-11 (right), under pes 11-12-12-13-13 (left) and 11-11-12-13-12 (right); relative length fingers and toes I < II < V< III < IV.
Original tail (broken when capturing), longer than body (TaL 89.3 mm, TaL/SVL 1.16); distinctly swollen at base, oval in section; dorsal scales small, flat, smooth; caudal whorl distinct, 10 dorsal scale rows in the middle of the third one; subcaudals enlarged, arranged in a longitudinal row.
In life, the dorsal regions of head and body are greyish-brown in colour, with scattered white spots on the anterior of head. An inverted U-shaped marking is present on the occipital region and there are seven regularly arranged, dirty-white bands between the nape and sacrum. The first band, located at the nape, extends forwards and backwards to the posterior corners of eye and the second band, respectively. A light-coloured vertebral line is present from the nape to the tail terminal. Some light spots are visible on the lateral sides. Limbs are light brown with many indistinct pale marks. Dorsal tail is black with seven bands, from dirty white to pure white in colour towards terminal. The ventral surface of the holotype is light flesh-coloured. The body colour becomes darker after capture.
In preservative, the dorsal ground colour of head, body and limbs is greyish-black; ventral surface fading to greyish-white.
Measurements and scale counts of two individuals are shown in Tables
Measurements (in mm) and body proportions of the type series of Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. See Materials and Methods section for abbreviations. “*” regenerated tail.
Holotype SYS r002806 | Paratype SYS r002807 | |
Sex | ♂ | ♀ |
SVL | 77.2 | 85.9 |
TaL | 89.3 | 83.9* |
AG | 31.9 | 38.8 |
HL | 20.0 | 21.2 |
HW | 16.1 | 17.4 |
HH | 7.6 | 8.4 |
SNT | 8.8 | 9.8 |
ED | 5.2 | 5.7 |
EOD | 2.1 | 2.3 |
RH | 1.7 | 2.0 |
RW | 3.3 | 3.6 |
MW | 2.7 | 2.8 |
ML | 1.9 | 2.2 |
TaL/SVL | 1.16 | 0.98 |
AG/SVL | 0.41 | 0.45 |
HL/SVL | 0.26 | 0.25 |
HL/HW | 1.24 | 1.22 |
HH/HL | 0.38 | 0.40 |
SNT/HL | 0.44 | 0.46 |
SNT/ED | 1.69 | 1.72 |
ED/HL | 0.26 | 0.27 |
EOD/ED | 0.40 | 0.40 |
RW/RH | 1.94 | 1.80 |
RW/MW | 1.22 | 1.29 |
MW/ML | 1.42 | 1.27 |
Scalation features of the type series of Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. Bilateral scale counts are given as left/right.
Holotype SYS r002806 | Paratype SYS r002807 | |
N | 3/3 | 3/3 |
I | 0 | 0 |
SPL | 11/11 | 11/11 |
IFL | 10/10 | 9/10 |
IO | 37 | 37 |
PO | 18/18 | 15/14 |
PM | 2 | 2 |
GP | 6 | 4 |
DTR | 4 | 4 |
GSDT | 8 | 8 |
SMC | 189 | 192 |
SR | 140 | 136 |
V | 42 | 44 |
LF1 | 11/11 | 10/10 |
LF4 | 13/13 | 12/12 |
LT1 | 11/11 | 11/11 |
LT4 | 13/13 | 12/11 |
PP | 12 | — |
PAT | 1/1 | 1/1 |
S3W | 10 | 9 |
Precloacal pores are absent in the female. In the male, the postcloacal tubercle is significantly larger than in the female. The paratype specimen exhibits eight light bands between the nape and sacrum.
Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. is compared with all 32 recognised species within the subgenus G. (Japonigekko).
The new species can be easily distinguished from the following 13 congeners by the presence of tubercles on the dorsolateral trunk: Absence of tubercles in G. aaronbaueri Tri et al., 2015, G. bonkowskii
The new species can be easily distinguished from the following 12 congeners by having 12 precloacal pores in the male: Gekko adleri (17–21), G. canhi Rösler et al., 2010 (5), G. chinensis Gray, 1842 (17–27), G. jinjiangensis
The new species can be easily distinguished from the following three congeners by having four dorsal tubercle rows: Gekko auriverrucosus Zhou & Liu, 1982 (16–20), G. hokouensis (12–18), G. kaiya
For the remaining congeners, by having a single postcloacal tubercles, the new species differs from G. japonicus (Schlegel, 1836) (2–4) and G. swinhonis Günther, 1864 (2–3).
The new species is most similar to G. kwangsiensis and G. liboensis, which are also from karst areas in Guangxi, but it differs from the former by the following characters: Less dorsal tubercle rows (4 vs. 9–11); more interorbital scales (37 vs. 29–31); more precloacal pores in male (12 vs. 9–10); fewer subdigital lamellae on fourth toes (11–13 vs. 13–18); fewer, but broader bands between nape and sacrum (7–8 vs. 9–10).
Furthermore, the new species differs from G. liboensis by tubercles only present along the dorsolateral surface not on other regions (vs. present from occipital region to tail base) and having regular and broad bands between nape and sacrum (vs. irregular and thin bands with many scattered round-shaped spots).
Currently, Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. is limited to Tianyang District, Baise City, in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. The new gecko species is a rock-dwelling specialist. Both of the two individuals were discovered on rocks near the entrance to a limestone karst cave at night.
Gekko palmatus was initially described by G. A. Boulenger in 1907 (as Gecko palmatus), based on a single female specimen from the mountains of Man Son, Vietnam (
The discoveries of Gekko paucituberculatus sp. nov. and G. palmatus bring the number of known species in the subgenus G. (Japonigekko) in China to 19, with seven in Guangxi, the provincial district with the highest diversity. Four of them are karst dwellers: Gekko adleri, G. kwangsiensis, G. liboensis and G. paucituberculatus.
The multiple landforms (e.g. peak cluster, depression, cave and peak forest) in the karst region have led to the formation of fragmented and unique microhabitats, resulting in a comparatively significant biodiversity and the presence of numerous endemic species (
We are very grateful to Shuo-Rong He for providing literature on karst landscapes; to Han-Ming Song for his help to the photos; to Uwe Fritz and three reviewers for their constructive comments on this manuscript. This work was supported by DFGP Project of Fauna of Guangdong-202115.