Cyrtodactylus santana
Cyrtodactylus santana | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Gekkonidae |
Genus: | Cyrtodactylus |
Species: | C. santana
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Binomial name | |
Cyrtodactylus santana Chan, Grismer , Santana, Pinto, Loke, and Conaboy, 2023
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Cyrtodactylus santana is a species of
Etymology and discovery
Surveys of reptiles in East Timor took place following the publication of the first comprehensive assessment of reptile knowledge in the country in 2011. These surveys found Cyrtodactylus lizards that were thought to be undescribed species. A survey in August 2022 found morphologically distinct individuals, whose description was published in January 2023.[1]: 108 While the first individual was seen during the day, the surveyors were only able to catch specimens at night.[2]
The survey that discovered the species was a collaboration between the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Conservation International, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.[3] The holotype—an adult male—and nine other specimens are kept at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore.[1]: 109, 114 The species name refers to the Nino Konis Santana National Park, where the species was found. This park is named after Nino Konis Santana, a Falintil leader involved in resistance to the Indonesian occupation of East Timor, whose home village is in the park.[1]: 121
Taxonomy
C. santana lies within the clade of
Description
This species is morphologically adapted for life on rocks, having similar traits to closely related species that share this lifestyle.[1]: 113 Adults reach just over 7 centimetres (2.8 in) snout–vent length. While their top side is yellowish to dark brown, their bottoms are white, an example of countershading. The top colours form bands, with the specific pattern varying between individuals.[1]: 115, 118
Distribution
The individuals known from this species were found in two caves, Lene Hara and Napana Wei. These caves are part of separate rock structures, but their entrances are less than 500 metres (1,600 ft) apart. Both are 152 metres (499 ft) above sea level, less than 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the northeast coast of
Ecology
Individuals of this species live in caves, both among rocks and on exposed areas of cave walls. They share this habitat with other geckos from the Gehyra genus. It is thought that they are nocturnal,[1]: 120 similar to other members of their genus.[2] While they have only been seen on limestone and not on vegetation outside of the caves, it is unknown if this is a true reflection of their behaviour or a result of limited sampling.[1]: 122
Gallery
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Other individuals sampled and stored at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
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Phylogeny of closely related species and principal component analysis assessing distinctiveness from other species
References
- ^ PMID 36761281.
- ^ a b Shersby, Megan (1 February 2023). "5 of the new species discovered in 2023". BBC Wildlife Magazine. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ Filomeno Martins (8 February 2023). "New species of Bent-toed gecko found in Timor-Leste". TATOLI. Retrieved 4 March 2023.