Teppei JONO,Li DING,Takuma KAITO,et al.Reevaluation of the Taxonomic Status of a Poorly Known Gecko, Gekko liboensis (Reptilia: Squamata)[J].Asian Herpetological Research(AHR),2015,6(3):229-236.[doi:10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.150009]
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Reevaluation of the Taxonomic Status of a Poorly Known Gecko, Gekko liboensis (Reptilia: Squamata)
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Asian Herpetological Research[ISSN:2095-0357/CN:51-1735/Q]

Issue:
2015 VoI.6 No.3
Page:
229-236
Research Field:
Publishing date:
2015-09-25

Info

Title:
Reevaluation of the Taxonomic Status of a Poorly Known Gecko, Gekko liboensis (Reptilia: Squamata)
Author(s):
Teppei JONO1*;  Li DING1;  Takuma KAITO2;  Yezhong TANG1;  and Mamoru TODA3
1 Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
2 Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
3 Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
Keywords:
China;  East Asia;  Gekkonidae;  Gekko japonicus group;  taxonomy;  morphology
PACS:
-
DOI:
10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.150009
Abstract:
Gekko liboensis Zhou and Li, 1982 is a poorly known gecko originating from Libo, Guizhou, southern China. Since the original description based on a single female from Libo, only three specimens (two females and one juvenile) have been reported from the type locality. Because of its close morphological resemblance to G. hokouensis Pope, 1927, G. liboensis is required to be reevaluated for its taxonomic status by studies based on additional specimens. Here we report for the first time the morphological features of 31 newly obtained specimens of G. liboensis from type locality and others, including males, and compare them with those of related species, chiefly on the basis of information from the literature. In addition, specimen-based comparisons were also made with G. hokouensis and an undescribed cryptic species known from the Ryukyus Islands, Japan. Results showed that the species is distinguished from its congeners in having a larger body size (60–91 mm), 0–2 small internasals, 10–13 supralabials, 10–13 infralabials, smooth enlarged tubercles present on the dorsum forming 4–10 irregular rows at the midbody but absent on the four limbs and tail, both fingers and toes without developed interdigital webs, a single cloacal spur on each side, and 10–12 precloacal pores in males. It most resembles G. hokouensis and its cryptic species but is clearly differentiated by having a larger body size, a predominantly absent internasal, fewer number of dorsal tubercle rows, larger number of precloacal pores, and conspicuous white marks on the dorsum and head. Judging from these results, we confirmed the taxonomic validity of G. liboensis. In addition, the geographic distribution of this gecko on the basis of obtained data was briefly discussed.

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