A new red-eyed Gekko (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

A new species of gekkonid lizard, Gekko nutaphandi, is described from Kanchanaburi Province in central western Thailand. It is a member of the large-bodied Gekko gecko group and within this group is probably most closely related to G. siamensis Grossmann & Ulber, 1990 with which it shares a similar dorsal pattern of transverse series of white spots on a drab background. It differs from G. siamensis in its greater number of precloacal pores, lower number of dorsal tubercle rows, and in having red (versus green) eyes. Comparisons are also made with several other nominal Gekko species currently synonymized with G. gecko and with undescribed, but well-characterized “forms” of G. gecko. The new species is one of many recently described Southeast Asian geckos that appears to be restricted to limestone habitats and their surroundings.