Hidden diversity of rock geckos within the Cnemaspis siamensis species group (Gekkonidae, Squamata): genetic and morphological data from southern Thailand reveal two new insular species and verify the phylogenetic affinities of C. chanardi and C. kamolnorranathi

By

Ampai, Natee
Rujirawan, Attapol
Yodthong, Siriporn
Termprayoon, Korkhwan
Stuart, Bryan L.
Wood, Perry L., Jr.
Aowphol, Anchalee

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2022

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1125

Pages

115--158

Subjects

Cnemaspis , integrative taxonomy , Island , Phylogeny , Thailand

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1125.94060

 

Abstract

Two new insular rock geckos in the genus Cnemaspis are described from Ko Samui in Surat Thani Province and Ko Similan in Phang-nga Province, southern Thailand, based on a combination of morphological and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) data. Both new species represent divergent lineages within the Cnemaspis siamensis species group. Cnemaspis samuisp. nov. is distinguished from other species in the group by having eight or nine supralabial and infralabial scales; 5–8 pore-bearing precloacal scales in males, pores rounded; 25–27 paravertebral tubercles, arranged randomly; 22–25 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe; enlarged median subcaudal scale row present; gular region, abdomen, limbs and subcaudal region yellowish only in males, and uncorrected pairwise divergences of 8.86–26.83% from all other species in the C. siamensis species group. Cnemaspis similansp. nov. is distinguished from other species in the group by having eight or nine supralabial and seven or eight infralabial scales; one pore-bearing precloacal scale in males, pore rounded; 24 or 25 paravertebral tubercles, arranged randomly; 23 or 24 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe; no enlarged median subcaudal scale row; pale yellow reticulum on head, neck, flanks, belly and limbs in male only, and uncorrected pairwise divergences of 9.34–27.11% from all other species in the C. siamensis species group. Cnemaspis samuisp. nov. is found along granitic rocky stream outcrops of Hin Lad Waterfall, Ko Samui, Gulf of Thailand, while Cnemaspis similansp. nov. occurs in granitic rocky outcrops near Ao Nguang Chang Bay, Ko Similan, Andaman Sea. The phylogenetic analyses confirmed that C. chanardi and C. kamolnorranathi are also nested within the C. siamensis species group, as previously hypothesized from morphology and color pattern characters.