CURRENT STATUS OF Cnemaspis littoralis (JERDON, 1853) (SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) WITH DESIGNATION OF A NEOTYPE

Abstract

The gecko Cnemaspis littoralis was described by Jerdon in 1853 from a single specimen found in a warehouse on the sea coast of Malabar. A search of the reptile collection of the ZSI failed to uncover any trace of the type specimen of this species; similar searches of the reptile collections of BMNH also proved abortive. Manamendra–Arachchi et al. (2007) also highlighted the need of designating a neotype as the type had been lost. Therefore we ascertain that Jerdon’s type of Cnemaspis littoralis is lost. Hence here we redescribe this species based on specimens collected from the coasts of Kozhikode district of Kerala and designate a neotype for the taxon. Cnemaspis littoralis is distinguished from all other species of Indian Cnemaspis by its overall slender form; few scattered, small, spine like tubercles on flanks; dorsal scales homogeneous; enlarged hexagonal subcaudals and large number of femoral pores (15–18) in males. We also provide observations on the natural history, reproduction and interactions of this species with invertebrates.