An international team of researchers has described a new species of miniaturized gecko in the genus Pseudogonatodes from the Peninsula de Paria in northeastern Venezuela.
Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatus. Image credit: Schargel et al., doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae120.
The newly-identified species belongs to Pseudogonatodes, a small genus of sphaerodactylid geckos that includes less than ten scientifically recognized species.
Often known as South American clawed geckos, these creatures are among the smallest living lizards.
Named Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatus, the new species is just 6.35 cm (2.5 inches) long, has brown color, cone-shaped head, long snout and particular skull anatomy.
“Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatus is unique in skull osteology, and we adopt the term ‘telescoped’ from the literature to describe the overlap of bones in the snout, in particular the premaxilla fully separating the nasal bones and contacting the frontal bone,” said lead author Professor Walter Schargel from the University of Texas at Arlington and his colleagues.
“The new species is also the only known species of Pseudogonatodes with fused parietal bones.”
Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatus was discovered during fieldwork in the evergreen forests of the slopes of mountains in the Paria Peninsula, an area in northeastern Venezuela that juts into the Caribbean Sea and is known for its high biodiversity, moderate temperatures and lush vegetation.
The researchers collected specimens in 2002 and again in 2014, noting the gecko’s unique skull structure, which led to further investigation.
“The Paria Peninsula, part of the Coastal Mountain Range of Venezuela, has been a hotspot for reptile and amphibian discoveries in recent decades,” Professor Schargel said.
“The region’s complex geography and climate create diverse habitats that can support a wide range of species.”
“The new gecko species adds to the growing list of reptiles that live only in this area, emphasizing the need for continued exploration and conservation efforts in the region.”
“This discovery not only enriches our understanding of the biodiversity in this part of Venezuela, but it underscores the significance of preserving these unique ecosystems,” he added.
“I hope this discovery fuels increased conservation measures to protect the habitats of this rare species and other native species in the region.”
The team’s paper was published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
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Walter E. Schargel et al. 2024. Morphology and molecular systematics support a new species of Pseudogonatodes (Squamata: Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae) from Venezuela with a remarkable telescoped skull. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 202 (2): zlae120; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae120
Source : Breaking Science News