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Reptiles are considered an important element of Saudi Arabia's wildlife to be conserved as a priority. However, the status and distribution of the Kingdom's reptile fauna is not well understood, thus hindering the conservation initiatives. Better understanding of the taxonomy and distribution of the Kingdom's reptile fauna is important for implementing effective conservation measures.Here, we provide the new distribution record of Pristurus minimus (Arnold, 1977; common name, Arnold's Gecko) from southern Saudi Arabia. The species was recorded from the Uruq Bani Ma'arid Protected Area (UBM) of southern Saudi Arabia. Four individuals were captured from different survey sites across the UBM and their species identification was confirmed through a mixture of physical and genetic examination. These results increase the number of species from the Pristurus genus to five for Saudi Arabia and improve the understanding of the Kingdom's reptile fauna and its distribution.

The European leaf toed Gecko, Euleptes europaea, is a strictly nocturnal species endemic to the western Mediterranean and has long been considered a rock-specialist as it is associated with this habitat during its entire daily and life cycle. In this study, we report observations of arboreal behaviour in E. europaea, collected during field research over a 40-year period from across the entire species range. We provide a review of the available information on this topic that contributes to a refined view of the habitat uses and arboreal abilities of this species. Arboreal behaviour in E. europaea was observed throughout the year, across different macrohabitats, on a wide variety of tree, shrub, and bush species, on various parts of the plant (trunk, branches, fronds, twigs, leaves), and at different height from the ground. Remarkably, E. europaea shows an extraordinarily agile arboreal locomotion associated with striking morphological adaptations to an arboreal lifestyle, namely a prehensile tail bearing a terminal adhesive pad that supplements grasping force, an equilibrium asset, and scansor adhesion both in static condition and during escape. We conclude that E. europaea is a climbing gecko (opposed to ground dwelling), occupying both rocky and arboreal microhabitats. While the evolutionary origin and ecological drivers of the arboreal behaviour of E. europaea remains to be fully investigated, this realization has important implications for designing fieldwork research and management strategies for conservation.

A total of 44 species of amphibians and reptiles are reported from Al Madinah Al Munawwarah Province, Saudi Arabia. They include two species of amphibian in two families (Bufonidae and Dicroglossidae) and 42 reptiles belonging to 16 families (Agamidae, Boidae, Chamaeleonidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, Gekkonidae, Lacertidae, Lamprophiidae, Leptotyphlopidae, Phyllodactylidae, Psammophiidae, Scincidae, Sphaerodactylidae, Varanidae, Typhlopidae, and Viperidae). Platyceps sinai, Psammophis sibilans, Rhynchocalamus melanocephalus, are recorded for the first time to the herpetofauna of Saudi Arabia. Range expansion for Euphlyctis ehrenbergii and Acanthocercus adramitanus to northern Saudi Arabia is reported. Our records expand the known distribution range of the Arabian Cobra, Naja arabica, further northwest.

Vertebrate predation by invertebrates has been classically underexplored and thus underestimated, despite the fact that many arthropods consume vertebrates. To shed some light on the relevance that spider predation may have upon lizards in the Neotropical and Andean regions, we compiled the available information in the literature on this trophic interaction. We found 50 reports of spiders consuming lizards in these regions, and the 88% of these were from the Neotropical region. Spiders belong to eight families, but Ctenidae and Theraphosidae were the most frequently reported predators. Lizards belong to 12 families, and the most commonly consumed species corresponded to the families Dactyloidae (all Anolis lizards), Gymnophthalmidae, and Sphaerodactylidae. Data suggest trophic spider–lizard associations between Ctenidae and Dactyloidae, followed by Theraphosidae and Liolaemidae. The body sizes of the spiders and lizards showed a positive relationship, and spiders were smaller than their prey. We conclude that various spider taxa can be considered lizard predators and they may be ecologically important in the Neotropical and Andean regions. However, spiders of prime predation relevance seem to be those of the Ctenidae and Theraphosidae families., In this study, we analyze for the first time the lizard consumption by spiders in the Neotropical and Andean regions, showing that the families Ctenidae and Theraphosidae may be relevant lizard predators in these areas. In addition, we provide the first report on spider predation upon a vertebrate taxon in the Andean region.

Oliveira, Camila N., Campos, Ikaro H. M. P., Provete, Diogo B., Guarnieri, Míriam C., Ribeiro, Samuel C. (2021): Defensive behaviour and tail autotomy in Coleodactylus meridionalis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae). Journal of Natural History 54 (33-34): 2209-2218, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1840641, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2020.1840641

Current understanding of sex chromosome evolution is largely dependent on species with highly degenerated, heteromorphic sex chromosomes, but by studying species with recently evolved or morphologically indistinct sex chromosomes we can greatly increase our understanding of sex chromosome origins, degeneration and turnover. Here, we examine sex chromosome evolution and stability in the gecko genus Aristelliger. We used RADseq to identify sex-specific markers and show that four Aristelliger species, spanning the phylogenetic breadth of the genus, share a conserved ZZ/ZW system syntenic with avian chromosome 2. These conserved sex chromosomes contrast with many other gecko sex chromosome systems by showing a degree of stability among a group known for its dynamic sex-determining mechanisms. Cytogenetic data from A. expectatus revealed homomorphic sex chromosomes with an accumulation of repetitive elements on the W chromosome. Taken together, the large number of female-specific A. praesignis RAD markers and the accumulation of repetitive DNA on the A. expectatus W karyotype suggest that the Z and W chromosomes are highly differentiated despite their overall morphological similarity. We discuss this paradoxical situation and suggest that it may, in fact, be common in many animal species.

Gekkota (geckos and pygopods) constitute a diverse and early diverging clade of squamates, but their highly fragmentary fossil record allows only limited insights into their evolutionary history. Even long-known classic Palaeogene Lagerstätten, such as the Eocene Messel and Geiseltal, remained uninformative for gecko evolution. Here we describe an articulated near-complete crown-gekkotan skull from the Eocene of Geiseltal. The skull represents one of the most complete and oldest fossil geckos from the Cenozoic and warrants the naming of a new taxon, Geiseleptes delfinoi gen. et sp. nov. Parsimony analysis of an expanded morphological dataset that comprehensively samples fossil geckos recovers at least two lineages in the Palaeogene of Europe: Gekkonidae and Sphaerodactylidae. Further clades may have been present but require further support. The new species, together with several other European extinct taxa, belongs to the extant clade Sphaerodactylidae. Published molecular phylogenies imply a European dispersal from Africa for the clade, and G. delfinoi constrains the timing of this event to no later than the middle Eocene. Within Sphaerodactylidae, several Eocene, Oligocene and Miocene species form the stem-lineage of the extant Mediterranean-endemic Euleptes europaea of which G. delfinoi is the oldest representative. We here define the new clade Euleptinae for this group. Euleptine geckos had an unusually long evolutionary history in Cenozoic Europe and may represent one of the very few vertebrate clades with a persistent presence since the early Palaeogene, indicating extreme adaptability. As the oldest known crown-sphaerodactylid, G. delfinoi represents an important fossil calibration for divergence dating analyses of geckos.

Sex chromosomes have evolved many times across eukaryotes, indicating both their importance and their evolutionary flexibility. Some vertebrate groups, such as mammals and birds, have maintained a single, conserved sex chromosome system across long evolutionary time periods. By contrast, many reptiles, amphibians, and fish have undergone frequent sex chromosome transitions, most of which remain to be catalogued. Among reptiles, gecko lizards (infraorder Gekkota) have shown an exceptional lability with regard to sex chromosome transitions and may possess the majority of transitions within squamates (lizards and snakes). However—across geckos—information about sex chromosome linkage is expressly lacking, leaving large gaps in our understanding of the evolutionary processes at play in this system. To address this gap, we assembled the first chromosome-level genome for a gecko and use this linkage information to survey six Sphaerodactylus species using a variety of genomic data, including whole-genome re-sequencing, RADseq, and RNAseq. Previous work has identified XY systems in two species of Sphaerodactylus geckos. We expand upon that work to identify between two and four sex chromosome cis-transitions (XY to XY) within the genus. Interestingly, we confirmed two linkage groups as XY sex chromosome systems that were previously unknown to act as sex chromosomes in tetrapods (syntenic with Gallus 3 and Gallus 18/30/33). We highlight the increasing evidence that most (if not all) linkage groups will likely be identified as a sex chromosome in future studies given thorough enough sampling.

The genus Sphaerodactylus is a very species-rich assemblage of sphaerodactylid lizards that has undergone a level of speciation in parallel to that of the well-known Anolis lizards. Nevertheless, molecular phylogenetic research on this group consists of a handful of smaller studies of regional focus (e.g., western Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antilles) or large-scale analyses based on relatively limited sequence data. Few medium-scale multi-locus studies exist— for example, studies that encompass an entire radiation on an island group. Building upon previous work done in Puerto Rican Sphaerodactylus, we performed multi-locus sampling of Sphaerodactylus geckos from across the Puerto Rico Bank. We then used these data for phylogeny estimation with near-complete taxon sampling. We focused on sampling the widespread nominal species S. macrolepis and in so doing, we uncovered a highly divergent and morphologically distinct lineage of Sphaerodactylus macrolepis from Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques islands, which we recognize as S. grandisquamis (Stejneger, 1904) on the basis of molecular and morphological characters. S. grandisquamis co-occurs with S. macrolepis only on Culebra Island but is highly genetically differentiated and morphologically distinct. Sphaerodactylus macrolepis is now restricted to the eastern Puerto Rico Bank, from Culebra east through the Virgin Islands and including the topotypic population on St. Croix. We include additional discussion of the evolutionary history and historical biogeography of the Sphaerodactylus of the Puerto Rican Bank in the context of these new discoveries.

Pristurus rupestris rupestris is a gecko of the family Sphaerodactylidae adapted to the arid habitat found in the Hajar Mountains of southeastern Arabia. The complete mitochondrial genome was obtained with Illumina sequencing. The sequenced mitogenome has 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNA genes and two non-coding regions, totalling 16,993 bp. The AT content of the obtained sequence is 52.1% (A:28.7%, T:23.4%, G:14.7%, C:33.2%). The control region has an AT content of 54.3% and a length of 1558 bp.

Pseudogonatodes furvus Ruthven 1915 Pseudogonatodes furvus Ruthven 1915:2 Lepidoblepharis intermedius Boulenger-Ruthven 1922:58 Pseudogonatodes furvus Ruthven: Parker 1926:297, Dunn 1944:86, Vanzolini 1967:2, Vanzolini 1968:92 Mechler 1968:350, Huey & Dixon 1970:538, Peters & Donoso-Barros 1970:242, Ayala et al. 1984:135, Ayala 1986:561, S��nchez-C. et al. 1995:318, Avila-Pires & Hoogmoed 2000:209, Carvajal-Cogollo et al. 2012:810, Rangel-Ch. et al. 2012:337, Rueda-Solano et al. 2014:609, Esqueda et al. 2016:18. Holotype. UMMZ 47782, adult male collected July 20, 1913 by Frederick M. Gaige. Paratopotype. UMMZ 44783. According to Ruthven (1915), a ���much mutilated��� specimen found in the stomach contents of the snake Mastigodryas boddaerti (Sentzen, 1796). Type locality. Colombia, Departamento del Magdalena, Distrito de Santa Marta, from ���San Lorenzo (altitude of 5000 feet [~ 1500 m asl.]), Santa Marta Mountains���. The Serran��a de San Lorenzo is a peripheral relief of the northwestern sector of the SNSM, which reaches 2800 m asl. Nevertheless, the site currently called ���San Lorenzo��� (i.e. Estaci��n Experimental San Lorenzo) is located above 2000 m asl. Since the holotype was collected at 1500 m asl., we restrict the type locality to ���Vereda Bella Vista, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta���, corregimiento de Minca, Distrito de Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia. Examined specimens. MCZ: Herp:R-29700, adult male collected 1928 by Philip J. Darlington at R��o Fr��o, municipio de Zona Bananera, Magdalena, elevation unknown. ICN-R 3501���02, two juvenile specimens collected 1986 by D. M. Harris at San Pedro de la Sierra, Municipio de Ci��naga, Magdalena, approximately 1600 m asl. CBUMAG:REP:00295, juvenile specimen collected in 2005 by Juan M. Renjifo, Hern��n D. Granda-Rodr��guez, and John D. Lynch at Vereda El Campano, Distrito de Santa Marta, Magdalena, 1420 m asl. CBUMAG:REP:00283, 293, a female and juvenile specimen, collected 2013 by Luis A. Rueda-Solano at Palmor de la Sierra, Municipio de Ci��naga, Magdalena (1400 m asl.). These specimens was erroneously cited by Rueda-Solano et al. (2014) as CBUMAG:REP:00031���32, respectively. Extended definition. Pseudogonatodes furvus can be distinguished from all of its congeners by the following combination of characters (Figure 1): (1) maximum SVL of 45 mm for males and 43.8 mm for females; (2) dorsal scales homogenous, granular, subimbricate, and larger than occipital scales; (3) 83���104 scales around midbody; (4) posterior edge of rostral indented by three postrostrals, with a median cleft; (5) 4���5 supralabials; (6) 4���5 infralabials; (7) 7���10 loreals; (8) posterior edge of mental scale with two median clefts (W-shaped), indented by (9) 2���4 postmentals, which are larger than subsequent scales; (10) 44���67 ventrals in straight line between anterior level of forelimbs and border of cloaca, (11) 34���39 ventrals between anterior levels of forelimbs and hindlimbs; (12) long digits lacking expanded subdigital third lamella, (13) 11���13 subdigital lamellae under finger IV and (14) 11���15 subdigital lamellae under toe IV; (15) subcaudal pattern with sequence of moderately to heavily enlarged medial scales in contact laterally with one to two scales. Description of holotype. Meristic and lepidosis data are included on Table 1. Head cone-shaped, long and pointed (Figure 2). Rostral wide, distinctly visible from above, with a posterior medial cleft. Three postrostrals, subequal in size, distinctly larger than adjacent scales on the snout. Nostril bordered by rostral, lateral post-rostral (= supranasal or lateral internasal), two postnasals, and first supralabial. Lower postnasal is about twice as large as the upper one. Scales on snout and anterior loreal scales flat, smooth, subimbricate; decreasing in size and changing into juxtaposed granules on top of head and on posterior part of loreal region. Ten loreal scales. Scales on supraorbital region granular, similar to adjacent scales on parietal region. Most of the anterodorsal ocular scales form a supraciliary flap, with four enlarged scales, of which the second is largest. Five supralabials, suture between fourth and fifth below center of eye. Scales on the temporal region similar to those on top of head (small, granular, juxtaposed). Tympanic membrane small, round to roughly triangular. Mental large, posteriorly indented by two postmentals and with two short clefts (W-shaped). Postmentals several times larger than adjacent scales on the chin. Scales on chin are mostly granular, juxtaposed; anterior scales polygonal, smooth, some of those close to infralabials elongate. A larger scale borders the first (posteriorly) and second infralabials. Five infralabials, first reaching anterior level of orbit and twice as wide as second infralabial; suture between third and fourth infralabial below center of eye. Scales on upper part and sides of neck granular, similar to dorsals. Anterior scales of the throat granular, posterior flat, smooth, and imbricate; with an abrupt transition between the two areas. Dorsal scales granular, granules larger than those on parietal region, slightly inclined posteriorly. Ventral scales distinctly larger than dorsals, flat, smooth, imbricate, approximately rhomboid (especially on posterior part of belly); 39 scales in a midventral line between anterior levels of fore- and hindlimbs, 46 scales between throat to vent, and 27 scales in a transverse line at midbody. Abrupt transition between dorsals and ventral scales. Scales around midbody 106. Scales on preanal plate wider than ventrals. Escutcheon scales absent. Scales on tail flat, smooth, imbricate, small and elongate dorsally and on the sides, larger and wider ventrally. Midventral scale row moderately enlarged, with a sequence 1���2���1*���, where * is a small scale. Scales on anterior and part of upper aspects of forelimbs, and on anterior and ventral aspects of hind limbs flat, smooth, imbricate. Elsewhere on limbs scales granular. Sole of foot with homogeneous squamation. Lamellae under fourth fingers 13, under fourth toes 15. Lamellae under digits subequal in size, with none much larger than the others. Claws enclosed by an ungual sheath composed of five scales, as characteristic for the genus. Variation. Although the general appearance of the examined specimens is similar to the holotype, several characters of lepidosis exhibit some variation. All the specimens referred have three postnasals on both sides of the head. One specimen (ICN-R 3502) has the same arrangement of postnasals as the holotype (lower twice as large as upper). For two specimens, the lower postnasal is the smallest, about as large as adjacent loreal scales (MCZ:Herp: R-29700 and CBUMAG:REP: 00295). On the other hand, three specimens show a lower postnasal subequal to the medial one, and larger than adjacent loreals (CBUMAG:REP:00283, 293, and ICN-R 3501). Three to seven scales on the supraciliary flap, that may or may not be symmetrical on both sides of the head. Scales between sutures of third and fourth supralabials approximately below the center of the eye. The supraciliary scales may be enlarged from first to fourth. All examined specimens show four supralabials symmetrical on both sides. The number of infralabials is variable. One specimen (CBUMAG:REP:00283) shows five on the left side and four on the right side. The remaining specimens have four symmetric infralabials, with the sutures of second and third (CBUMAG:REP:00293) or third and fourth (MCZ:Herp:R-29700, CBUMAG:REP: 00295, and ICN-R 5101) below the center of the eye. Mental scale exhibits variation, one specimen (CBUMAG:REP:0029) has a concave posterior border, without medial clefts, partially indented by three postmentals. The number of postmentals varies between two (holotype and MCZ:Herp:R-29700), three (CBUMAG:REP: 00293, 295, and ICN-R 3501���02), or four (CBUMAG:REP: 00283) scales. Counts of scales around midbody are less in examined specimens compared to the holotype. Ventrals between anterior levels of fore- and hindlimbs are less than in the holotype in MCZ:Herp:R-29700, equal in ICN-R 3502, and higher in CBUMAG:REP:00283, 293, 00295, and ICN-R 3502. Number of ventrals between anterior level of forelimbs to cloaca is less than in the holotype in MCZ:Herp:R-29700, and ICN-R 3501���02, equal in CBUMAG: REP:00293, and higher in CBUMAG:REP:00283 and 00295. Ventrals in the transverse line at midbody of almost all examined specimens are lower than the holotype, except in CBUMAG:REP:00283. The midventral scales of tail are hardly distinct in specimen MCZ:Herp:R-29700, in a sequence of 1���1���, while in CBUMAG:REP:00293 in a sequence of 1*������1���2������1���1������ proximally. Examined specimens exhibit the same number of subdigital lamellae under the fourth fingers as the holotype (except CBUMAG:REP: 00295, which has ten lamellae on the left side and eleven on the right side). Counts of subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe are asymmetric in most of the specimens, in all cases less than in the holotype. Morphometry. All measurements and proportions are given in Table 2. The holotype is the largest specimen known for the species, SVL of 45 mm. For the rest of the specimens the SVL ranges from 23.2 to 43.8 mm. In two specimens with original tail, the tail is slightly longer than SVL (TL/SVL = 1.02���1.07). Axilla-groin length about one-third to one-half of SVL (AXG/SVL = 0.35���0.45). Head one-half to two-thirds longer than wide (HW/HL = 0.55���0.71), but short in comparison with body (HL/SVL = 0.20���0.27). Eye-nostril distance about one-fifth to onefourth of HL (EYN/HL = 0.21���0.24), and snout about one third of HL (RL/HL = 0.31���0.41). Color in ethanol. Dorsal surface of head, back, flanks and limbs uniformly brown in holotype, sides of head, flanks and limbs with dark brown spots in MCZ 29700. In the latter specimen, a pair of dorsolateral, light stripes, bordered by dark brown, at the level of hind limbs. Ventral region is slightly lighter than the dorsum, with some darker spots, especially on the throat and chest. Tail of similar color as body, with some longitudinal rows of dark brown spots. Dorsolaterally, on the proximal part of the tail, the spots may be connected into continuous stripes. A proximal, longitudinal stripe is also present mid-dorsally, in MCZ 29700. For color in life, see available photographs in Rueda-Solano et al. (2014) and Uetz et al. (2019). Comparisons. A summary of morphological characters of the genus Pseudogonatodes is given in Table 3. Pseudogonatodes furvus is quickly distinguished from all members of the Group I (P. guianensis and P. lunulatus) sensu Huey & Dixon (1970) by the following characters: absence of enlarged third lamellae under fourth toe (present in Group I); posterior edge of mental with two median clefts (W-shaped) and postmentals larger than following scales (posterior border of mental slightly concave to heavily concave [U-shaped], postmentals equal in size to following scales); and sole of foot with homogeneous squamation (heterogeneous squamation in P. lunulatus). Regarding the only member of the Group II (P. barbouri), P. furvus is distinguishable by the absence of enlarged third subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe (present in P. barbouri); dorsals small, granular, conical, and sub-imbricated (large, flat, and imbricate). From Group III, P. furvus differs by having posterior edge of mental with two median clefts (Ushaped without clefts in P. peruvianus Huey & Dixon 1970, V-shaped with a median cleft in P. gasconi Avila-Pires & Hoogmoed 2000); two to four postmentals larger than following scales (six equal in size to following scales for P. gasconi, six to eight slightly larger than following scales for P. manessi Avila-Pires & Hoogmoed 2000); subcaudal pattern with sequence of moderately to heavily enlarged midventral scales in contact laterally with one to two scales (no enlarged midventral subcaudal scales in P. gasconi); and seven to ten loreals (six in P. peruvianus). Osteology. The detailed description of P. barbouri (Bauer et al. 2018) allows us to establish morphological comparisons with P. furvus (Figures 3 A���C, 4). These preliminary observations indicate that there is a good amount of morphological variation in the skeleton (Figure 4). However, the main differences could be attributed to size differences. Although these two species are miniaturized, the specimen of P. barbouri (MCZ:Herp:R-14385) is nearly half the size of P. furvus (MCZ:Herp:R-29700, Figure 3 D���F). Osteological differences. The skulls of these species (Figures 3, 4) differ in degree of overlap of the bones of the snout. The nasal bones cover the anterodorsal surface of the frontal in P. furvus, while in P. barbouri, the anterolateral process of the frontal remains exposed and extends almost to the border of the osseous naris, the nasals are more rectangular in P. furvus and more triangular in P. barbouri. The anterolateral process of the frontal contacts the facial process of the maxilla extensively in P. barbouri, while the anterolateral process of P. furvus barely contacts the maxilla. The frontoparietal suture is nearly transverse in P. barbouri, and this suture is more curved in P. furvus. The posterior margins of the parietals are straight and converge gradually towards the midline in P. barbouri, while in P. furvus the posterior margins of the parietals are more sinuous. The quadrate bone (and the paroccipital process) is attached to the braincase in a mid-position, while the paroccipital process is shifted more anteriorly in P. barbouri (also in Chatogekko, see Gamble et al. 2011), the posterior edge of the osseous nares is mainly bounded by the facial process of the maxilla in P. barbouri, while the same edge is bounded by the nasals and maxilla in P. furvus. The palatines approach each other in the midline in P. furvus reducing extensively the pyriform recess, while in P. barbouri they are more separated. The anterior edge of the pterygoid is more concave in P. barbouri than in P. furvus; the coronoid eminence is lower in P. barbouri than in P. furvus. The retroarticular process is expanded distally, ���spoon-like��� in P. barbouri while it maintains a constant width in P. furvus. The semicircular canal ducts and the ampullae bulge more in P. barbouri than in P. furvus. The occipital condyle is less bulging in P. barbouri than in P. furvus. The interclavicle in P. furvus has some short but discrete lateral processes (Figure 4), being cruciform, while the one illustrated for P. guinanensis (MZUSP 94826) is nearly blade-like, with no lateral process (Daza & Bauer 2012). The intercentrum also has the well-developed medial projections of New World sphaerodactylids (Bauer et al. 2018), but the lateral projections were not as developed as in P. barbouri. Osteological similarities. As in many miniaturized taxa, the frontoparietal suture is located in the middle of the skull (i.e. muzzle unit/ parietal unit length ~ 1:1, Daza et al. 2008). The nasals are separated anteriorly for most of their length and become in contact posterior to the premaxillary nasal process; the postorbitofrontal has a rounded lateral margin and the posterior process is nearly three times the width of the anterior process; the basipterygoid process is not expanded distally, occipital recess visible in ventral view, causing the aperture of the recessus scalae tympani to open ventrally and not laterally (Daza et al. 2008). ......continued on the next page Osteological synapomorphies of the genus. In X-rays of several species within the genus Pseudogonatodes (P. guianensis, P. lunulatus, Pseudogonatodes sp.) it was consistent that toe IV has four phalanges (Figure 4), contrary to all other New World sphaerodactylids, where there are five; this character was originally recognized by Kluge (1995). Characters proposed by Bauer et al. (2018) are also present in P. furvus include the ectopterygoid clasping the anterolateral process of the pterygoid, and the broad lateral wing of the nasals, but these characters can also be found in Coleodactylus (former) and Chatogekko (latter). Distribution and conservation status. Pseudogonatodes furvus was previously recorded from three localities on the northwestern and western slopes of the SNSM, from 1400���1600 m asl. Herein, we report a fourth locality with confirmed presence of P. furvus, at Vereda El Campano, Santa Marta, Magdalena (11��6���46.07��� N, 74��5���30.32��� W, 1420 m asl.). Adding this record, the geographic distribution of P. furvus reaches an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 24.05 km 2 and an area of occupation (AOO) of 12 km 2 (Figure 5, Appendix 2). In the last assessment of the conservation status (Caicedo et al. 2015) of P. furvus, it was categorized as Data Deficient (DD) due to (1) no records since 1980, and (2) threats from illegal land clearance. As this assessment proposed, the EOO and AOO of the species are small, and all records are near the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, but the closest point is approximately 3.4 km from the ��� San Pedro de La Sierra��� sector. Therefore, it is not certain whether some populations can be found within this protected area. With the preliminary review of vouchers from herpetological collections, we obtained a first approximation of the areas of occurrence and extension of P. furvus. Given these results, we suggest that this species could be categorized within the IUCN criteria as Endangered: EN B2ab (iii), due to the following criteria: (1) AOO et al. 2020). Such loss in natural covers can be a threat to the habitat quality and availability of the species., Published as part of Montes-Correa, Andr��s Camilo, Saboy��-Acosta, Liliana P., Jim��nez-Bola��o, Juan David, Angarita-Sierra, Teddy, Brice��o-P��rez, Vladimir, N����ez, Samuel, Renjifo, Juan Manuel, Schargel, Walter E., Daza, Juan D. & Hoogmoed, Marinus S., 2021, Extended diagnosis of the type species of Pseudogonatodes Ruthven 1915 (Gekkota Sphaerodactylidae), pp. 41-59 in Zootaxa 4915 (1) on pages 43-53, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/4452420, {"references":["Ruthven, A. G. (1915) Description of a new genus and species of lizard of the family Gekkonidae. Occasional papers of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 19, 1 - 3.","Parker, H. W. (1926) The Neotropical genera Lepidoblepharis, Pseudogonatodes, Lathrogecko and Sphaerodactylus, with the description of a new genus. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History; Zoology, Botany, and Geology, 9 (17), 291 - 301. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222932608633413","Dunn, E. R. (1944) Los generos de anfibios y reptiles de Colombia, II. Segunda parte: reptiles, orden de los saurios. Caldasia, 3 (11), 73 - 110.","Vanzolini, P. E. (1967) Sobre o genero Pseudogonatodes, com a descricao de uma especie nova da Amazonia (Sauria, Gekkonidae). Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia, 21 (1), 1 - 12.","Vanzolini, P. E. (1968) Geography of South American Gekkonidae. Arquivos de Zoologia, 17 (2), 85 - 112. https: // doi. org / 10.11606 / issn. 2176 - 7793. v 17 i 2 p 85 - 112","Mechler, B. (1968) Les geckonides de la Colombie. Revue Suisse de Zoologie, 75, 305 - 371. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. part. 97038","Huey, R. B. & Dixon, J. R. (1970) A new Pseudogonatodes from Peru with remarks on other species kof the genus. Copeia, 1970 (3), 538 - 542. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 1442282","Peters, J. A. & Donoso-Barros, R. (1970) Catalogue of neotropical Squamata: Part II. Lizards and amphisbaenians. Bulletin of the United States National Museum, 292, 1 - 293. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 03629236.297.1","Ayala, S. C., Harris, D. M. & Williams, E. E. (1984) Anolis menta, sp. n. (Sauria, Iguanidae), a new tigrinus group anole from the west side of Santa Marta Mountains, Colombia. Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia, 35 (12), 135 - 145.","Ayala, S. C. (1986) Saurios de Colombia: lista actualizada, y distribuciones de los ejemplares colombianos en los museos. Caldasia, 15 (71 - 75), 555 - 575.","Avila-Pires, T. C. S. & Hoogmoed, M. S. (2000) On two new species of Pseudogonatodes Ruthven, 1915 (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae), with remarks on the distribution of some other sphaerodactyl lizards. Zoologische Mededelingen, 73 (12), 209 - 223.","Carvajal-Cogollo, J. E., Cardenas-Arevalo, G. & Castano-Mora, O. V. (2012) Reptiles de la Region Caribe de Colombia. In: Rangel-Ch., J. O. (Ed.), Colombia Diversidad Biotica XII: la Region Caribe de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota D. C., pp. 791 ‾ 812.","Rueda-Solano, L. A., Rocha-Usuga, A., Eguis-Avendano, J. & Vargas-Salinas, F. (2014) New records of the Colombian Clawed Gecko Pseudogonatodes furvus (Ruthven 1915) (Sauria: Sphaerodactylidae) in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Herpetology Notes, 7, 609 - 610.","Esqueda, L. F., Lotzkat, S., Hertz, A., Natera, M., Varela-Leal, J., La Marca, E., Rojas-Runjaic, F. J. M. & Rivero, R. (2016) Morphological variation and geographic distribution of Pseudogonatodes lunulatus (Roux, 1927) (Sauria, Sphaerodactylidae) in Venezuela. Saber, 28 (1), 18 - 29.","Sentzen, U. J. (1796) Ophiologische Fragmente, 6. Beschreibung des coluber Catesbeji. Zoologisches Archiv herausgegeben von Friedrich Albrecht Anton Meyer, 2, 66 - 74.","Uetz, P., Freed, P. & Hosek, J. (Eds.) (2019) The reptile database. Available from: http: // reptile-database. reptarium. cz / (accessed 25 June 2019)","Bauer, A. M., Beach-Mehrotra, M., Bermudez, Y., Clark, G. E., Daza, J. D., Glynne, E., Hagyari, D., Harnden, J. M., Holovacs, N., Kanasiro, A., Lofthus, A. J., Pierce, Z. W., Aaliyah, R., Syed, S., Vallejo-Pareja, M. C., Walker, B. A. & Willett, J. (2018) The tiny skull of the Peruvian Gecko Pseudogonatodes barbouri (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae) obtained via a divide-andconquer approach to morphological data acquisition. South American Journal of Herpetology, 13 (2), 102 - 116. https: // doi. org / 10.2994 / SAJH-D- 17 - 00113.1","Gamble, T., Daza, J. D., Colli, G. R., Vitt, L. J., & Bauer, A. M. (2011) A new genus of miniaturized and pug-nosed gecko from South America (Sphaerodactylidae: Gekkota). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 163 (4), 1244 - 1266. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1096 - 3642.2011.00741. x","Daza, J. D. & Bauer, A. M. (2012) A new amber-embedded sphaerodactyl gecko from Hispaniola, with comments on the morphological synapomorphies of the Sphaerodactylidae. Breviora, 529 (1), 1 - 28. https: // doi. org / 10.3099 / 529.1","Daza, J. D. Abdala, V., Thomas, R. & Bauer, A. M. (2008) Skull anatomy of the miniaturized gecko Sphaerodactylus roosevelti (Squamata: Gekkota). Journal of Morphology, 269 (11), 1340 - 1364. https: // doi. org / 10.1002 / jmor. 10664","Parker, H. W. (1935) The frogs, lizards, and snakes of British Guiana. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1935 (2), 505 - 530. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1096 - 3642.1935. tb 01678. x","Hoogmoed, M. S. (1973) Notes on the herpetofauna of Surinam IV. The lizards and amphisbaenians of Surinam. Biogeographica, 4, 1 - 419. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / 978 - 94 - 010 - 2706 - 9 _ 1","Avila-Pires, T. C. S. (1995) Lizards of Brazilian Amazonia. Zoologische Verhandelingen, 20 (4), 1 - 706.","Noble, G. K. (1921) Some new lizards from northwestern Peru. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 29, 133 - 139. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1749 - 6632.1920. tb 55353. x","Koch, C., Venegas P. J., Santa Cruz, R. & B ˆ hme, W. (2018) Annotated checklist and key to the species of amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the northern Peruvian dry forest along the Andean valley of the Maranon River and its tributaries. Zootaxa, 4385 (1), 1 - 100. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4385.1.1","Kluge, A. G. (1995) Cladistic relationships of sphaerodactyl lizards. American Museum Novitates, 3139, 1 - 23.","Caicedo, J., Renjifo, J. & Ortega, A. (2015) Pseudogonatodes furvus (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2015, e. T 44579472 A 115388798. Available from: https: // www. iucnredlist. org / species / 44579472 / 115388798 (accessed 25 June 2019)","Granda-Rodriguez, H. D., Montes-Correa, A. C., Jimenez-Bolano, J. D., Alaniz, A. J., Cattan, P. E. & Hernaez, P. (2020) Insights into the natural history of the endemic Harlequin Toad, Atelopus laetissimus Ruiz-Carranza, Ardila-Robayo, and Hernandez-Camacho, 1994 (Anura: Bufonidae), in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, 14 (1), 29 - 42. [General Section]"]}

Pseudogonatodes furvus is an endemic gecko from the region of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an isolated massif located in the continental Caribbean region of Colombia. Pseudogonatodes furvus is the type species of the genus, and its morphology and natural history remain poorly known. This lizard was described based on two specimens. After its description, the species has only been mentioned in a handful of taxonomic studies of Pseudogonatodes, in which a few morphological characters of P. furvus have been mentioned. One other paper reported two new localities, without providing new information on the external morphology, especially the lepidosis of the newly obtained specimens. Here we review the external morphology of P. furvus, based on examination of the holotype and six additional specimens. We provide an extended diagnosis and definition, description of holotype, variation, comparisons with other Pseudogonatodes, geographic distribution (adding a fourth locality to the known distribution for the species), and conservation status. Additionally, we describe osteological features for the diagnosis of the genus.

Effective biodiversity conservation planning starts with genetic characterization within and among focal populations, in order to understand the likely impact of threats for ensuring the long-term viability of a species. The Wonder Gecko, Teratoscincus keyserlingii, is one of nine members of the genus. This species is distributed in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, with a small isolated population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where it is classified nationally as Critically Endangered. Within its Arabian range, anthropogenic activity is directly linked to the species’ decline, with highly localised and severely fragmented populations. Here we describe the evolutionary history of Teratoscincus, by reconstructing its phylogenetic relationships and estimating its divergence times and ancestral biogeography. For conservation implications of T. keyserlingii we evaluate the genetic structure of the Arabian population using genomic data. This study supports the monophyly of most species and reveals considerable intraspecific variability in T. microlepis and T. keyserlingii, which necessitate broad systematic revisions. The UAE population of T. keyserlingii likely arrived from southern Iran during the Pleistocene and no internal structure was recovered within, implying a single population status. Regional conservation of T. keyserlingii requires improved land management and natural habitat restoration in the species’ present distribution, and expansion of current protected areas, or establishment of new areas with suitable habitat for the species, mostly in northern Abu Dhabi Emirate., This study was funded by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 172515524 and Grant PGC2018-098290-B-I00 from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain (co-funded by FEDER).

We describe a new species of diurnal gecko, Gonatodes castanae sp. nov. from the foothills of the Serranía de San Lucas, municipality of Norosí, Department of Bolívar, Colombia. The new species differs from all species in the genus by the combination of the following characters: moderate size, subcaudal scale pattern type B (1’1’1’’), typically two rows of lateral scales on the digits, and aspects of color pattern in males (dorsum, flanks, limbs and tail with white ocelli on a black background) and females (dorsum, flanks, limbs and tail with brown to black reticulations and withe spots on a greenish-yellow background). The validity of the new species is also supported by molecular analyses. This species inhabits relicts of riverine forests at about 150 m above sea level (a.s.l.). Gonatodes castanae increases the number of known species in this genus to 34 and the species registered for Colombia to eight.

Gonatodes castanae sp. nov. English name: Castaño’s Gecko Spanish name. Geco de Castaño (Figures 1–3) Holotype. UPTC-Re 1010, adult male, collected by Jorge Eguis, 01 May 2019 at Hacienda IRHOPALMA, municipality of Norisí, department of Bolívar, Colombia (8°34’43’’ N, 74°07’13’’ W; ca. 150 m a.s.l.), 1 km apart from the main hill of the Serranía de San Lucas. Paratypes (n=3). UPTC-Re 1011–13 with same data as the holotype, collected by Jorge Eguis, 01 May 2019. Etymology. The specific name castanae is a patronym for Olga Victoria Castaño, to whom we dedicate with great honor this species in recognition of her multiple and meaningful contributions to the field of herpetology in Colombia and who for many years was the mentor of the first author JECC. Definition and diagnosis. The new species is distinguished from other species of the genus Gonatodes by a combination of the following characters: (1) body of moderate size (males from 43.02 to 43.08 mm and females from 41.4 to 42.1 mm SVL); (2) supraciliary spine absent, but with 3–7 conical supraciliary scales; (3) absence of a cluster of distinctly enlarged conical scales on the sides; (4) 102 to 109 scales around midbody; (5) 57 to 60 ventral scales counted in a longitudinal line back gular region to cloaca; (6) subcaudal scale pattern Type B (sensu Rivero- Blanco & Schargel 2012, Fig. 2A); (7) males with escutcheon on belly and undersurface of thighs (Fig. 2B); (8) two posmental scales (Fig. 2C); (9) two lateral rows of scales on distal parts of fingers and toes; (10) males and females with orange iris; (11) presence of sexual dichromatism. Gonatodes castanae is found in the trans-Andean region of Colombia, in geographical proximity with G. albogularis, G. chucuri and G. vittatus. However, G. castanae differs from G. chucuri in the presence of marked sexual dichromatism (G. chucuri does not have sexual dichromatism) and in the subcaudal scale pattern, which is type B, 1’1’1’’ without basal or distal changes in G. castanae and type C, 1’1’’or 1’2’’ basally, which changes to 1’1’’ distally in G. chucuri (Meneses-Pelayo & Ramírez 2020). Gonatodes castanae is similar to G. albogularis and G. vittatus in the possession of subcaudal scale type B pattern, but differs from these in aspects of color pattern and size. Gonatodes castanae has a dorsal color pattern in males, with conspicuous white and other gray ocelli and a moderate SVL (± 42 mm), unlike G. albogularis where males present a dorsal color that is most often uniform, in various shades (gray, black, brown) and is small in size (SVL G. vittatus whose males have a distinctive color pattern with a pale mid-dorsal stripe and an SVL et al. 2017). Gonatodes castanae shows similarities to the color pattern of Gonatodes rozei Rivero-Blanco & Schargel, 2012, the latter found in both chains (Serranía del Litoral and Serranía del Interior) of the Cordillera de la Costa Central in north central Venezuela (Rivero-Blanco & Schargel 2012). The dorsal color pattern with ocelli in G. castanae is homogeneous and covers the dorsal region, the flanks, the anterior and posterior limbs and the tip of the tail, with a high concentration of ocelli in the posterior part of the body and in the posterior limbs. Unlike G. rozei, where the ocelli are present on the back, flanks, anterior legs and thighs. Each ocellus has poorly defined black borders and the ocelli are more pronounced anteriorally towards the front of the body and become small and scattered posteriorly towards the rear and do not extend beyond the base of the tail (Rivero-Blanco & Schargel 2012). Other differences between these two species are (G. rozei characters in parentheses): SVL 42 mm (SVL 59.1 mm), scales around midbody 102–109 (78–100 scales around midbody), iris of orange in males and orange or yellow in females (males with blue iris, females blue or yellow). Description of the holotype. Adult male (Fig. 3A) with SVL of 42.1 mm. Tail length 48.6 mm, complete, original. Head approximately 1.3 times longer than wide (head length: 10.3 mm; head width: 7.9 mm). Short snout, with eye-nostril distance of 3.29 mm, 0.3 times the length of the head. Rostral moderately large, visible from above, with a longitudinal slit almost dividing it that extends to just below the middle of the rostral. Two postrostrals (supranasals), large and in contact with each other. Nasals bordered by the rostral and three postnasals (left) and three (right). Postnasal slightly larger than scales in loreal region. Scales on top of snout and loreal region round at base, sub-conical and slightly juxtaposed. Loreal scales approximately 10 in a line between the postnasal and the anterior margin of the eye socket. The scales slightly decrease in size from the postrostral to the back of the head. Scales on the supraorbital almost the same size and shape as those on the top of the head. Supraciliares with seven well-developed spines located above the center and sides of the eye. The supraciliary scales anterior to the spines are slightly conical and larger than the supraorbital ones; posterior to the spines, the supraciliary scales are smaller, slightly conical in the form of short, poorly developed spines. Supralabial 6/6 (left/right), the first is large (as longer as tall), the second, third and fourth smaller than the first and almost equal in size between them, the fifth and sixth are considerably smaller in relation to the others. The fourth scale is at the level of the central part of the eye. After the sixth supralabial, 9–11 (left/right) small granular scales follow the corner of the mouth. Scales in the temporal region similar in shape and size to those on the upper back of the head. Otic opening (0.78 mm) about half size of the eye (1.61 mm), obliquely oval. Mental large, slightly hexagonal, rounded on the front and triangular (convex) on the back. Two postmentals, clearly larger than the adjacent posterior scales (Fig. 2C). Mental region immediately behind the posmentals and between the infralabials with a series of moderately large scales of variable and juxtaposed shapes. The rest of the chin scales are small, granular and conical. Infralabials 3/3 at the level of the center of the eye, decreasing in size towards the back. The first infralabial is very large and projecting on the chin, the second is moderately large, slightly less than half the size of the first infralabial, the third located below the center of the eye is smaller. Granular scales on the nape and on the sides of the neck, continuous with those of the head and body. Scales on the throat smooth, imbricate, with a round posterior margin, with a short transitional area of granular scales on the chin and gular area. Granular semi-conical vertebral ridges, in size similar to the scales on the snout, but larger than those on the top of the head. Neck 5.3 mm wide (at the narrowest part), narrower than the head and body. Body wider than tall, sub-cylindrical, axillar-groin distance 16.2 mm. Well-developed limbs with moderately long digits, length of the fourth toe 5.6 mm, 0.96 times the length of the “shaft” (5.8 mm, from the knee to the ankle-point where the foot is bent). Round tail in cross section, tapering towards the tip. Ventral scales much larger than dorsal, smooth, imbricate, with round posterior margins, arranged mostly in oblique rows. There are 44 scales between the armpit and the groin area. Scales around mid-body about 109 of which 24 are ventral. Scales in the precloacal region similar to the ventral ones, except proximally to the cloacal opening, which has tiny scales arranged in several rows. Escutcheon present in the lower abdomen and on the lower surface of the thighs (Fig. 2B) with 16 scales rows wide and 18 scales long. On the ventral surfaces of the hind limbs, the escutcheon is 4 rows of scales wide and extends medially across the thighs. Small, conical and juxtaposed scales on the forelimbs, on the back of the forearm and become larger, flatter, imbricate and with a rounded posterior edge, towards the anterior margin of the forearm, as well as on the arm. Small, semi-conical, and juxtaposed scales on the posterior half of the hind limbs, both dorsal and ventral. In the ventral anterior half of the limb the scales are flat and overlapping. On the ventral surface of the hind limbs there is an abrupt change between two types of scales, the ventrals and the 4 rows that form the escutcheon on the thigh. Lamellae under the first (I) to the fifth (V) finger (infraproximal in parentheses, right/left; Fig. 4A): I: 12/12 (4/4), II: 15/15 (7/6), III: 17/17 (8/8), IV: 18/17 (7/7), and V: 15/15 (5/5), respectively. Subdigital lamellae from first to fifth toe (infraproximal in parentheses; Fig. 4B): I:? (no data)/10 (?/4), II: 13/14 (5/5), III: 17/19 (7/6), IV: 20/20 (8/9) and V: 19/19 (7/8), respectively. Fore and hind limb fingers with two lateral rows of scales distally. Color in life. In live males (Fig. 3 A–B) the dorsal and lateral surface of the body and the anterior and posterior limbs, like the anterolateral and dorsal portion of the tail, have a black background color. The background color turns brown on the distal, dorsal and lateral parts of the tail and hind legs. The back, flanks, front legs, thighs and the tip of the tail are covered with white ocelli. The dorsal and lateral surface of the body also features less conspicuous gray ocelli, interspersed with white ocelli. White ocelli exhibit different shapes (circular, irregular) and sizes. The largest ocelli are about one third the size of the eye and are located on the mid-dorsal region. White ocelli are smaller and more numerous on the low-dorsal region and become more dispersed in the tail. The head is covered, both dorsally and ventrally, by a reddish orange hood, which extends to the nape and neck. The ventral surface of the body, except the area of the shield, macroscopically exhibits a slightly mottled gray coloration. Under magnification, each ventral scale has multiple black dots homogeneously scattered throughout the scale. Females show a dorsal coloration with a greenish-yellow background, with brown to black reticulations and scattered white spots on the head, vertebral region and flanks. The fore and hind limbs have a grayish background color with small greenish-yellow stripes (Fig. 3 C–D). Venter with yellowish tones, more accentuated in the lower part of the belly, turning whitish towards the chest region. Color in preservative. The preserved color has not changed significantly, except for the head in males, which has taken on a grayish coloration. Variation. Body size (SVL) was similar among all specimens, ranging between 41.4 and 42.1 mm in males and between 41.0 and 41.8 mm in females. The largest male is the holotype (UPTC-Re 1010) measuring 42.1 mm in SVL. There are typically three or four (UPTC-Re 1012-13), infralabials to the level of the center of eye. Postrostrals 2–3. Loreal scales 9–11. Scales around the midbody are 102–109 of which about 20–24 are ventrals. There are 36–44 scales along the midventral line between the level of anterior margin of forelimbs and the small scales anterior to vent. Lamellae (infraproximals in parentheses) under the fingers are: I: 10–13 (4–5), II: 13–15 (7–6), III: 15–16 (5–6), IV: 16–15 (6–5), and V: 16–15 (6–6). Lamellae (infraproximals in parentheses) under the toes are: I: 9–10 (4–4), II: 13–14 (5–4), III: 17–16 (6–9), IV: 18–20 (8–6), and V: 18–17 (8–6). Distribution and natural history. Known only from the type locality (municipality of Norosí, Bolívar department) in the lowlands (ca. 150 m a.s.l.) of the northeastern versant of the Serranía de San Lucas, northwestern Colombia (Fig. 5). Specimens collected were found in an isolated relictual riparian forest surrounded by an oil palm monoculture at Hacienda IRHOPALMA (Fig. 6A). The collected individuals were first observed basking and foraging on the bark of trees located near to the margin of the San Pedro stream (see Fig. 6B). The sightings were made between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., in a patch of secondary vegetation with a high degree of intervention, with an approximate area of five hectares. The males occupied the upper parts of the tree stem, at heights from 1–5 m and the females the lower parts, between 0.6 and 1.3 m.

Documentamos los registros más al oriente del lagarto Gonatodes albogularis en Colombia, sospechamos que estas corresponden a introducciones, ya que los ejemplares se han recolectado siempre en hábitats antrópicos. No tenemos certeza de que los registros históricos de la vertiente oriental de la Cordillera Oriental corresponden a introducciones accidentales (especie trasplantada) o si, por el contrario, son en realidad la distribución histórica de la especie. Consideramos que G. albogularis es una especie que va a seguir dispersándose en las regiones de la Amazonia y la Orinoquia. Se deben realizar estudios poblacionales por medio de herramientas moleculares (haplotipos) para poder dilucidar el origen de las poblaciones cisandinas de esta especie en el país. Reportamos el segundo ejemplar con leucismo en Colombia.

Well-resolved phylogenetic hypotheses and ontogenetic data are often necessary for investigating the evolution of structural novelty. The Sphaerodactylidae comprises 12 genera of predominantly miniaturized geckos. The genera Aristelliger and Teratoscincus are exceptions, with taxa reaching snout-to-vent lengths far exceeding those of other sphaerodactylids. These two genera possess enigmatic, supraorbital ossifications-parafrontal bones-which are encountered nowhere else among squamates. At the time of their discovery, these structures were believed to be the result of evolutionary convergence. Although relationships between other sphaerodactylids remain unresolved, recent molecular and morphological data have supported a close relationship between Aristelliger and Teratoscincus. We investigated the ontogeny of parafrontal bones to better understand relationships between sphaerodactylid body size and the presence of parafrontals, and to evaluate whether ontogenetic data support the homology of parafrontals between Aristelliger and Teratoscincus. We hypothesize that the parafrontals of Aristelliger and Teratoscincus are homologous and that there is a threshold body size in sphaerodactylids below which parafrontals do not develop, thus explaining their absence from the miniaturized taxa. The presence of parafrontals was investigated in all sphaerodactylid genera using cleared-and-stained, radiographed, and skeletonized specimens. Total surface area of parafrontals was measured for seven species of Aristelliger and six species of Teratoscincus throughout their ontogeny. Histology was used to investigate the cellular composition of the parafrontals throughout their ontogeny. Our data suggest that parafrontals have evolved in parallel from a homologous, parafrontal precursor and that the onset of parafrontal development is not strictly dependent on a threshold body size. Anat Rec, 301:581-606, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Herein we describe a new species of Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 from remote desert areas of the Sistan and Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran. Based on morphological characters, this species, Teratoscincus sistanense sp. n., has a close relationship with T. microlepis and is distinct from all other members of its genus by the number of small scales around the midbody. We provide information about the ecology, biology and conservation of this new species. A comparison with the other three Iranian species of Teratoscincus and an updated key to this genus in Iran are presented.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:77F54322-6CCA-46F1-A74B-B8A75E1F1F8D

Geckos are among the most diverse radiations of lizards; however, the lack of baseline natural history data on the reproductive biology for many species creates a challenge for predicting their long-term persistence. This study aims to fill a gap in our understanding of the reproductive biology of an enigmatic nocturnal gecko endemic to the islands of Curacao and Bonaire: Gonatodes antillensis. Using radiographs of specimens from natural history collections, we conduct the first investigation of the potential role of endolymphatic sacs in the reproduction of the species. We find that females have larger endolymphatic sacs than males, with further quantification of endolymphatic sac sizes between females with or without visible eggs supporting the hypothesis that calcium stores are built up in the early reproductive phase and depleted during the development of the egg. Additionally, we combined data on endolymphatic sacs sizes with examinations of gravidity to expand the known reproductive interval of the species into fall and winter months and suggest the possibility of year-round reproduction. Along with providing baseline data, our findings raise a new conservation concern for the species. The spread of the invasive gecko Hemidactylus mabouia has resulted in a notable decline in the abundance of Gonatodes antillensis across its native range. This decline has been attributed to Hemidactylus mabouia acting as both a competitor and possible predator of Gonatodes antillensis. However, stress can inhibit calcium uptake in endolymphatic sacs, and these findings raise the possibility that Hemidactylus mabouia may also be indirectly affecting the reproductive success of this species.

We describe a new species of diurnal gecko, Gonatodes machelae sp. nov., from Cerro El Copey, Margarita Island, Venezuela. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of the following characters: small size, subcaudal pattern C (1’1’’), typically three lateral scale rows on the digits, and aspects of coloration. The new species exhibits polychromatism similar to what has been described in some other species of Gonatodes. It is found in humid forests and shrublands from about 450 m to 900 m above sea level.

We describe a new sphaerodactylid lizard of the genus Gonatodes from the western flank of the Cordillera Oriental, Santander Department, Colombia based on morphological and molecular data. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by having a medium body size, by the absence of both a supraciliary spine and of clusters of distinctly enlarged conical scales on the sides and by having a subcaudal scale pattern (1’1”) and a cryptic dorsal color pattern in both sexes. Additionally, we describe for the first time the hemipenial morphology for a species of the genus. The new species increases the number of Gonatodes known from Colombia to eight and is the only known species of the country, as well as the second known mainland species of the genus not exhibiting sexual dichromatism.

Teratoscincus microlepis NIKOLSKY (1899: 145) Holotype: ZISP 9164, adult male, “Duz-ab in Kirmano orientali” [Duz-Abad, Saragad Region, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, 29.50 N 60.86 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 15.VI.1898. Present name: Teratoscincus micropelis Nikolsky 1899 fide Macey et al (1999), Anderson (1999) and Nazarov et al. (2017). Remarks: The original description of this species was published in October 1899 (Asanovich et al. 2006)., Published as part of Ananjeva, Natalia B., Milto, Konstantin D., Barabanov, Andrei V. & Golynsky, Evgeny A., 2020, An annotated type catalogue of amphibians and reptiles collected by Nikolay A Zarudny in Iran and Middle Asia, pp. 101-128 in Zootaxa 4722 (2) on page 116, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4722.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3605815, {"references":["Macey, J. R., Wang, Y., Ananjeva, N. B., Larson, A. & Papenfuss, T. J. (1999) Vicariant patterns of fragmentation among gekkonid lizards of the genus Teratoscincus produced by the Indian collision: a molecular phylogenetic perspective and an area cladogram for Central Asia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 12 (3), 320 - 332. https: // doi. org / 10.1006 / mpev. 1999.0641","Anderson, S. C. (1999) The Lizards of Iran. Contribution to Herpetology 15. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Oxford, Ohio, 442 pp.","Nazarov, R. A, Radjabizadeh, M., Poyarkov, N. A. Jr., Ananjeva, N. B., Melnikov, D. A. & Rastegar-Pouyani, E. (2017) A new species of frog-eyed gecko, genus Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 (Squamata: Sauria: Sphaerodactylidae), from Central Iran. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 24 (4), 291 - 310 https: // doi. org / 10.30906 / 1026 - 2296 - 2019 - 24 - 4 - 291 - 310"]}

Teratoscincus zarudnyi NIKOLSKY (1896: 370) (Fig. 3) Holotype: ZISP 8804, “Rume in Persia orientali” [Rum, South Khorasan Province, Iran, 33.45 N 59.19 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 15.V.1896 (Fig. 3). Present name: Teratoscincus keyserlingii Strauch, 1863 fide Macey et al (2005), Anderson (1999) and Nazarov et al. (2017)., Published as part of Ananjeva, Natalia B., Milto, Konstantin D., Barabanov, Andrei V. & Golynsky, Evgeny A., 2020, An annotated type catalogue of amphibians and reptiles collected by Nikolay A Zarudny in Iran and Middle Asia, pp. 101-128 in Zootaxa 4722 (2) on page 117, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4722.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3605815, {"references":["Nikolsky, A. M. (1896) Diagnoses Reptilium et Amphibiorum novorum in Persia orientali a N. Zarudny collectorum. Annuaire Musee Zoologique de l'Academie Imperiale des Sciences de St. - Petersbourg, 1 (4), 369 - 372.","Macey, J. R., Fong, J. J., Kuehl, J. V., Shafiei, S., Ananjeva, N. B., Papenfuss T. J. & Boore, J. L. (2005) The complete mitochondrial genome of a gecko and the phylogenetic position of the Middle Eastern Teratoscincus keyserlingii. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 36 (1), 188 - 193. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. ympev. 2005.03.025","Anderson, S. C. (1999) The Lizards of Iran. Contribution to Herpetology 15. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Oxford, Ohio, 442 pp.","Nazarov, R. A, Radjabizadeh, M., Poyarkov, N. A. Jr., Ananjeva, N. B., Melnikov, D. A. & Rastegar-Pouyani, E. (2017) A new species of frog-eyed gecko, genus Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 (Squamata: Sauria: Sphaerodactylidae), from Central Iran. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 24 (4), 291 - 310 https: // doi. org / 10.30906 / 1026 - 2296 - 2019 - 24 - 4 - 291 - 310"]}

Teratoscincus bedriagai NIKOLSKY (1899: 146) Lectotype (designated by Szczerbak & Golubev 1986): ZISP 9161, adult male, “Khadji-i-du-Chaghi” [Khvajeh Dow Chahi well, Nehbandan County, South Khorasan Province, Iran, 31.87 N 60.52 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 5.V.1898. Paralectotypes: BM 1946.8.23.39, 1 specimen, “ Sistan (Persia)”. [Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, no exact locality]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 1898 [no collection date]. ZISP 9157, 1 specimen, “ Zirkuh in Persia orientali” [between Sangan and Neyazabad, Rasavi Khorasan Province, Iran, 34.31 N 60.25 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 16.IV.1898. ZISP 9158, 1 juvenile, “ Zirkuh in Persia orientali” [between Khvajeh Dow Chahi and Chah-e Gusha wells, South Khorasan Province, Iran, 31.79 N 60.54 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 6.V.1898. ZISP 9159.1 - 3, 3 specimens, “ Seistan in Persia orientali” [between Harmak and Shileh River, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, 30.09 N 60.95 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 6.IX.1898. ZISP 9160, 1 subadult, “ Zirkuh in Persia orientali” [between Bamrud and Mahmudabad, South Khorasan Province, Iran, 33.56 N 60.02 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 13.X.1898. ZISP 9162, 1 subadult, “ Seistan in Persia orientali” [between Harmak and Shileh Rivers, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, 30.09 N 60.95 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 9.VI.1898. ZISP 9163, 1 specimen, “ Seistan in Persia orientali” [probably between Varmal and Chah Nimeh Lake, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, approx. 30.75 N 61.45 E]. Leg: N. A. Zarudny, 23.V.1898. Present name: Teratoscincus bedriagai Nikolsky 1899 fide Macey et al (1999), Anderson (1999) and Nazarov et al. (2017). Remarks: The original description of this species was published in October 1899 (Asanovich et al. 2006). One paralectotype (ZISP 9163) could not be located in the ZISP collection., Published as part of Ananjeva, Natalia B., Milto, Konstantin D., Barabanov, Andrei V. & Golynsky, Evgeny A., 2020, An annotated type catalogue of amphibians and reptiles collected by Nikolay A Zarudny in Iran and Middle Asia, pp. 101-128 in Zootaxa 4722 (2) on page 116, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4722.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3605815, {"references":["Szczerbak, N. N. & Golubev, M. L. (1986) The Gecko Fauna of the USSR and Adjacent Regions. Naukova Dumka, Kiev, 232 pp. [in Russian]","Zarudny, N. (1898) Itineraire de l'expedition dans la Perse orientale en 1898. Annuaire du Musee Zoologique de l'Academie Imperiale des Sciences de St. Petersburg, III, V-XII. [in Russian]","Macey, J. R., Wang, Y., Ananjeva, N. B., Larson, A. & Papenfuss, T. J. (1999) Vicariant patterns of fragmentation among gekkonid lizards of the genus Teratoscincus produced by the Indian collision: a molecular phylogenetic perspective and an area cladogram for Central Asia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 12 (3), 320 - 332. https: // doi. org / 10.1006 / mpev. 1999.0641","Anderson, S. C. (1999) The Lizards of Iran. Contribution to Herpetology 15. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Oxford, Ohio, 442 pp.","Nazarov, R. A, Radjabizadeh, M., Poyarkov, N. A. Jr., Ananjeva, N. B., Melnikov, D. A. & Rastegar-Pouyani, E. (2017) A new species of frog-eyed gecko, genus Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 (Squamata: Sauria: Sphaerodactylidae), from Central Iran. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 24 (4), 291 - 310 https: // doi. org / 10.30906 / 1026 - 2296 - 2019 - 24 - 4 - 291 - 310"]}

A complete catalogue is provided for the type specimens of amphibians and reptiles collected by Nikolay A. Zarudny and stored mostly in the herpetological collection of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia (ZISP), as of August 2018. The collection contains 270 type specimens, representing 51 taxa (species and/or subspecies) of one family of turtles, one amphisbaenia family, five lizard families and four snake families from 74 type localities. As a result of studying Zarudny’s collections, mainly from Iran, was the description by A. M. Nikolsky of two new genera, Microgecko and Diplometopon, and 42 species and subspecies (varieties). Twenty-two of these taxa are regarded currently as valid.

Sphaerodactylus grandisquamis mimetes comb. nov. Thomas & Schwartz, 1966 Figures 20–21 Holotype — MCZ R-81036 Type locality: “ 12.3 km SE Patillas, Puerto Rico.” [Thomas & Schwartz (1966) incorrectly listed the type locality as 12.3 km SE Patillas, but the correct distance is 1.23 km SE Patillas Puerto Rico.] Diagnosis: SVL Min/Max (13.3/ 33.19 mm); midbody scales 31–40 (x̅ 36.1); nine toe lamellae on the fourth toe; males with salt and pepper dorsal pattern; males with very marked lineated or fragmented head pattern; males with blue head (background color); males with reticulate pattern on the gular area; males with or without scapular patch, ocelli on the periphery or enclosed on the patch. The males of this species are superficially similar to the males of S. macrolepis but lack the bicolored scapular patch and the head pattern is less fragmented than in S. macrolepis. Color in life (Fig. 20): Female: ground color light brown to pink, head and tail yellow to gray, head pattern well defined, medial lines separated and parallel, ocelli color white. Male ground color light yellow to orange, head blue to gray, tail orange. Iris color red to yellow-brown. Distribution: Low elevation coastal areas of southeastern Puerto Rico, from Ponce to Maunabo where it transitions to S. g. grandisquamis.

Sphaerodactylus grandisquamis ateles comb. nov. Thomas & Schwartz, 1966 Figures 18���19 Holotype ��� MCZ R-81043 Type locality: ���Balneario de Boquer��n, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.��� Diagnosis: SVL Min/Max (14.38/ 33 mm); midbody scales 36���42 (x�� 39.4); nine to ten toe lamellae on the fourth toe; males head pattern absent (also in S. g. spanius); males with no pigmentation on chest, variable pigmentation on throat; males with two light lines extending from the orbits to the scapular patch (also in some S. g mimetes and S. g. stibarus); males and females with a large black scapular patch, ocelli near the edge of the patch; some specimens have the patch surrounded by a white margin (also in S. g. stibarus and S. g. ateles) or absent patch; males with a red head. Color in life (Fig. 18): Female: ground color light gray to pink, head and tail orange to gray, head pattern well defined, medial lines separated and parallel, ocelli color white. Male ground color light brown or gray to orange, head red to light orange. Iris color green, copper, or gray. Distribution: Low elevation coastal areas of southwestern Puerto Rico from Mayag��ez to Ponce, transition to S. g. mimetes occur near Ponce., Published as part of Daza, Juan D., Pinto, Brendan J., Thomas, Richard, Herrera-Martinez, Alexandra, Scantlebury, Daniel P., Padilla Garc��a, Luis F., Balaraman, Rajesh P., Perry, Gad & Gamble, Tony, 2019, The sprightly little sphaerodactyl: Systematics and biogeography of the Puerto Rican dwarf geckos Sphaerodactylus (Gekkota, Sphaerodactylidae), pp. 151-201 in Zootaxa 4712 (2) on pages 169-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4712.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3586953, {"references":["Thomas, R. & Schwartz, A. (1966) Sphaerodactylus (Gekkonidae) in the greater Puerto Rico region. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences, 10, 193 - 260."]}

Sphaerodactylus grandisquamis guarionex comb. nov. Thomas & Schwartz, 1966 Figures 16���17 Holotype ��� MCZ R-81048 Type locality: ���Officers��� Club Beach, Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico.��� [Currently called Punta Borinquen Golf and Country Club, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.] Diagnosis: SVL Min/Max (12.17/ 34.2 mm); midbody scales 36���49 (x�� 41.3); number of dorsal body scales very reduced (around 14) compared to the other subspecies of S. grandisquamis (17���23); rounded snout scales; one internasal scale; low number of escutcheon scales (around 67, other subspecies of S. grandisquamis [73���95]); nine toe lamellae on the fourth toe; males with orange head; males throat patterned (also in S. g. mimetes and S. g. spanius) and variable in females; the scapular patch is the largest among all members of the S. macrolepis complex, especially in females, and is usually hexagonal enclosing the ocelli. Color in life (Fig. 16): Female: ground color light brown, head and tail fluctuates from orange to yellow, head pattern well defined, medial lines separated and parallel, ocelli color white. Male ground color light brown to gray, head yellow to light orange. Iris color yellow copper. Distribution: Low elevation coastal areas of northern Puerto Rico from the lowlands of El Yunque National Forest to Rinc��n, a transition to S. m. ateles around Mayaguez and with S. g. spanius on high elevations of the Cordillera Central., Published as part of Daza, Juan D., Pinto, Brendan J., Thomas, Richard, Herrera-Martinez, Alexandra, Scantlebury, Daniel P., Padilla Garc��a, Luis F., Balaraman, Rajesh P., Perry, Gad & Gamble, Tony, 2019, The sprightly little sphaerodactyl: Systematics and biogeography of the Puerto Rican dwarf geckos Sphaerodactylus (Gekkota, Sphaerodactylidae), pp. 151-201 in Zootaxa 4712 (2) on pages 168-169, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4712.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3586953, {"references":["Thomas, R. & Schwartz, A. (1966) Sphaerodactylus (Gekkonidae) in the greater Puerto Rico region. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences, 10, 193 - 260."]}

Sphaerodactylus grandisquamis stibarus comb. nov. Thomas & Schwartz, 1966 Figures 24���25 Holotype ��� MCZ R-81022 Type locality: ��� Isla Pi��eros, Puerto Rico.��� Diagnosis: SVL Min/Max (13.34/ 29.44 mm); midbody scales 36���41 (x�� = 38.6); snout scales rounded; five loreal scales; eight toe lamellae on the fourth toe; males with faint lineated head pattern; males with two light lines extending from the orbits to the scapular patch, scapular patch surrounded by white margin, and patch can also have brown color; the ocelli are large in proportion to the scapular patch and are more separated than in any other member of the S. macrolepis species complex (Padilla 2016); males with anterior dorsolateral lines not contacting the scapular patch; males with marked throat pattern. Color in life (Fig. 24): Female: ground gray with dark brown or black scales, head and tail orange to light brown, head pattern well defined, medial lines poorly defined and forming a blotch, ocelli color white. Male ground color is light brown, scattered brown scales, salt and pepper, head and tail orange. Iris color dark gray, or golden. Distribution: Known only from the type locality., Published as part of Daza, Juan D., Pinto, Brendan J., Thomas, Richard, Herrera-Martinez, Alexandra, Scantlebury, Daniel P., Padilla Garc��a, Luis F., Balaraman, Rajesh P., Perry, Gad & Gamble, Tony, 2019, The sprightly little sphaerodactyl: Systematics and biogeography of the Puerto Rican dwarf geckos Sphaerodactylus (Gekkota, Sphaerodactylidae), pp. 151-201 in Zootaxa 4712 (2) on page 172, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4712.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3586953, {"references":["Thomas, R. & Schwartz, A. (1966) Sphaerodactylus (Gekkonidae) in the greater Puerto Rico region. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences, 10, 193 - 260."]}

Sphaerodactylus grandisquamis spanius comb. nov. Thomas & Schwartz, 1966 Figures 22���23 Holotype ��� MCZ R-81047 Type locality: ��� 17.7 km NE Utuado (~ about 8 km airline), 1100 feet, Puerto Rico.��� Diagnosis: SVL Min/Max (14.68/ 35.68 mm); midbody scales 41���47 (x�� 43.6); males with elevated number of escutcheon scales (~95); ten toe lamellae on the fourth toe; males with marked lineated head pattern; males with marked reticular pattern; scapular patch reduced to a midcentral rectangle, and ocelli located on the periphery of the patch; scapular patch in contact with nuchal spots (Padilla 2006). Color in life (Fig. 22): Female: ground color light brown to straw, head and tail orange to light gray, head pattern well defined, medial lines separated and parallel, ocelli color white, or sometimes gray (Thomas & Schwartz 1966). Male ground color light brown, head and tail orange. Iris color yellow, green, brown, copper, or golden. Distribution: Uplands of the Cordillera Central and the Sierra of Cayey from 335 m to 850 m. Thomas & Schwartz (1966) report some intergrades with S. g. mimetes near Aibonito., Published as part of Daza, Juan D., Pinto, Brendan J., Thomas, Richard, Herrera-Martinez, Alexandra, Scantlebury, Daniel P., Padilla Garc��a, Luis F., Balaraman, Rajesh P., Perry, Gad & Gamble, Tony, 2019, The sprightly little sphaerodactyl: Systematics and biogeography of the Puerto Rican dwarf geckos Sphaerodactylus (Gekkota, Sphaerodactylidae), pp. 151-201 in Zootaxa 4712 (2) on pages 171-172, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4712.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3586953, {"references":["Thomas, R. & Schwartz, A. (1966) Sphaerodactylus (Gekkonidae) in the greater Puerto Rico region. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences, 10, 193 - 260.","Padilla, L. F. (2006) Geographic variation in color pattern on Sphaerodactylus macrolepis Gunther 1859, (Sauria: Gekkonidae). M. Sc. Thesis, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan. 153 pp."]}

Daza, Juan D., Pinto, Brendan J., Thomas, Richard, Herrera-Martinez, Alexandra, Scantlebury, Daniel P., Padilla García, Luis F., Balaraman, Rajesh P., Perry, Gad, Gamble, Tony (2019): The sprightly little sphaerodactyl: Systematics and biogeography of the Puerto Rican dwarf geckos Sphaerodactylus (Gekkota, Sphaerodactylidae). Zootaxa 4712 (2): 151-201, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4712.2.1