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Issue: Vol. 2396 No. 1: 11 Mar. 2010
Type: Articles
Published: 2010-03-11
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2396.1.3
Page range: 37–49
Abstract views: 62
PDF downloaded: 1

A new species of Gekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from central Luzon Island, Philippines

Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7561, USA
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7561, USA
National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Padre. Burgos Ave. Ermita 1000, Manila, Philippines
National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Padre. Burgos Ave. Ermita 1000, Manila, Philippines
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7561, USA
Reptilia Biodiversity Endemism Faunal region Gekkonidae Limestone forest

Abstract

We describe a new species of gekkonid lizard, Gekko carusadensis, from low elevation, disturbed and secondary-growth forest in east-central Luzon Island, Philippines. Numerous features of its external morphology distinguish it from other congeners, including the presence of a distinct color pattern, body size, and a unique combination of scale counts. The new species has been found on karst outcrops and cave systems at low elevation. The new species typifies the rapidly expanding known diversity of Philippine gekkonid lizards, and is the third species in the genus to be described in the last three years.

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