Title:

A new species of Pachydactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Otavi Highlands of northern Namibia

Author(s):
Publication Year:
2010
Abstract:

A new species of the "northwestern clade" of Pachydactylus is described from the Otavi Highlands of northeastern Namibia. It is distinguishable from all other members of this clade and from the superficially similar members of the Pachydactylus serval/weberi group on the basis of its inclusion of the rostral in the nostril rim, the possession of a maximum of only four undivided scansors beneath the digits of the pes, is 16 rows of strongly keeled, rounded, juxtaposed dorsal trunk tubercles, its projecting, keeled, lanceolate caudal tubercles, and its complex dorsal trunk patterning. Its probable closest relative is P. otaviensis, also form the Otavi Highlands. These are the only known endemic reptiles from this dolomitic area and their existence points both to an unappreciated area of diversity and endemism in northeastern Namibia and to the need for additional herpetological work in even well-known parts of the country. Keywords: Gekkonidae, Pachydactylus, Namibia, new species.

Publication Title:

Bonn Zoological Bulletin

Volume:
57
Issue:
2
Pages:
257-266
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en

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