Description of a new species of leopard geckos, Eublepharis Gray, 1827 from Eastern Ghats, India with notes on Eublepharis hardwickii Gray, 1827

Abstract

A recent molecular phylogenetic study of the genusEublepharisGray, 1827 revealed the presence of a genetically divergent lineage sister toEublepharis hardwickiiGray, 1827. We re-assessed the taxonomy ofEublepharis hardwickiibased on museum material in light of the molecular phylogenetic study and the results support the recognization of two species distributed on either sides of the Brahmani River. A redescription ofE. hardwickiiis presented based on the holotype and additional museum material along-with the description of a new species,Eublepharis pictussp. nov.from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The presence of yet another distinct lineage in such close geographical proximity in the northern Eastern Ghats highlights the significance of these relic forests and advocates the need for conservation prioritization.