A New Species of Gekko (Ptychozoon) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Southwest China, with an Expanded Morphological Description of Gekko bannaensis

Abstract

Parachute Geckos of the genus Gekko (Ptychozoon) are known for their extreme morphology for camouflage and gliding. Because of the cryptic lifestyle of its constituent species, little is known about the diversity of the subgenus, particularly in northern Indochina close to the northern edge of its distribution. Here we describe a new species of the subgenus from southwestern Yunnan Province close to the Myanmar border. The new species is sister to Gekko bannaensis on the basis of mitochondrial genealogy, and it shows substantial genetic divergence (9% of ND2 gene) and clear morphological distinctions by having different numbers of caudal cutaneous lobes and diagnostic conditions of the preaxial antebrachial flaps and dorsal bands. We report additional specimens of a recently described, poorly known species of the subgenus, G. bannaensis, from the vicinity of its type locality, and we describe its morphological variation for the first time. We discuss the distribution and diversity of the subgenus in northern Indochina and we highlight cryptic diversity in the Gekko kuhli complex.