Assignment of Currently Misplaced Cnemaspis gordongekkoi das, 1993 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) to Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827

Abstract

Generic placement of the Indonesian Cnemaspis gordongekkoi Das, 1993 is assessed. The current generic status of the species came under doubt when it was observed to possess a vertical pupil hitherto unknown for any Cnemaspis spp. Here it is transferred to the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827, a highly specious group of nocturnal geckos possessing vertical pupils, lacking dilated subdigital scansors and distributed sympatrically with Asian members of the genus Cnemaspis . Examination of museum specimens reveals other morphological characters that further support this reassignment. The fact that C. gordongekkoi has an atypical coloration when compared to the usually blotched or banded Cyrtodactylus spp. might have contributed to its initial misplacement in the genus Cnemaspis , which are relatively less strikingly patterned.