<strong>A new species of gecko of the genus <em>Cnemaspis</em> Strauch, 1887 from the Western Ghats, India</strong>

Abstract

A new species of the gekkonid genus Cnemaspis is described from the lateritic plateau of the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, western India. The new species is diagnosed by the following suite of characters: small sized Cnemaspis, SVL less than 35 mm (21.52-33.65). Dorsal scales on trunk heterogeneous, granular scales intermixed with large smooth scales and large keeled conical tubercles. Spine-like tubercles absent on flank. Two pairs of postmentals, inner postmentals separated by a single enlarged chin shield. Ventral scales on trunk smooth, imbricate, 26-28 scales across the belly between the lowest rows of dorsal scales. Subdigital scansors smooth, entire, unnotched; lamellae under digit IV of pes 17-20.Males with four femoral pores on each thigh and lacking pre-cloacal pores. Median row of sub-caudals smooth, imbricate and not enlarged. The present discovery highlights the need for dedicated herpetofaunal explorations in the northern Western Ghats to ascertain the exact diversity and distribution of Cnemaspis in India to elucidate the apparent disjunct distribution of the genus in the country.

Diversifying on the Ark: multiple new endemic lineages of dwarf geckos from the Western Ghats provide insights into the systematics and biogeography of South Asian <i>Cnemaspis</i> (Reptilia: Squamata)

“…In total, 240 Cnemaspis individuals were examined for morphological analyses, including type specimens of the new lineages described herein as well as extant species from Peninsular India, topotypical specimens, type specimens, and other museum specimens listed in the material examined section (Appendix II). Comparative data on the described Cnemaspis species from Peninsular India were also taken from published literature ( Agarwal et al, 2020b ; Cyriac & Umesh, 2013 , 2014 ; Cyriac et al, 2018 , 2019 , 2020 ; Das & Bauer, 2000 ; Giri et al, 2009a , 2009b ; Khandekar, 2019 ; Khandekar et al, 2019a , 2019b , 2020b ; Manamendra-Arachchi et al, 2007 ; Mirza et al, 2014 ; Mukherjee et al, 2005 ; Murthy et al, 2019 ; Sayyed et al, 2016 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 ; Srinivasulu et al, 2015 ). Counts and external observations of morphology and meristic characters were made under a Leica stereo dissecting microscope, and on the left side of the body for symmetrical characters where possible.…”

A NEW DWARF GECKO SPECIES (SQUAMATA: GEKKONIDAE: Cnemaspis) FROM THE NORTHERN WESTERN GHATS OF INDIA

“…One of the fascinating groups of geckos found in NWG belongs to the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887, which are small sized and diurnal geckos known for their intricate patterns, remarkable adaptations, and endemism (Grismer et al 2014, Khandekar et al 2021a, Sayyed et al 2018. Several new species in this group from NWG have been discovered in recent years (e.g., Giri et al 2009, Mirza et al 2014, Sayyed et al 2016, 2018, Sayyed & Sulakhe 2020, Khandekar et al 2019, 2021a.…”

“…There are 13 species of Cnemaspis distributed in the NWG region that are nested within three different clades, C. goaensis Sharma 1976, C. wayanadensis Beddome 1870, and C. girii Mirza et al 2014(Mirza et al 2014 TAPROBANICA VOL. 12: NO.…”

Dwarfs of the fortress: A new cryptic species of dwarf gecko of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Rajgad fort in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India

“…Although, the northern WG is thought to be depauperate compared to the southern WG (Gunawardene et al 2007), ongoing taxonomic research are continuously adding new species of reptiles and amphibians to the endemic diversity of this region (e.g. Sharma 1976;Padhye et al 2013;Mirza et al 2014;Deepak et al 2016;Sayyed et al 2016;Giri et al 2019a, b;Khandekar et al 2019).…”

“…ranganaensis Sayyed &Sulakhe, 2020 in the Kolhapur region; C. ajijae Sayyed, Pyron & Dileepkumar, 2018, C. koynaensis Khandekar, Thackrey &Agarwal, 2019 andC. girii Mirza, Pal, Bhosale &Sanap, 2014 in the Satara region; C. amboliensis Sayyed, Pyron & Dileepkumar, 2018, C. limayei Sayyed, Pyron & Dileepkumar, 2018 and C. flaviventralis Sayyed, Pyron & Dahanukar, 2016 in the Sindhudurg region; C. mahabali Sayyed, Pyron & Dileepkumar, 2018 from Pune and C. goaensis Sharma, 1976 from southern Maharashtra and Goa. Except for C. goaensis and C. mahabali, all the species from NWG are known to have restricted ranges around their respective type localities.…”