Strophurus taenicauda triaureus, Brown, Danny, Wilmer, Jessica Worthington & Macdonald, Stewart, 2012

Brown, Danny, Wilmer, Jessica Worthington & Macdonald, Stewart, 2012, A revision of Strophurus taenicauda (Squamata; Diplodactylidae) with the description of two new subspecies from central Queensland and a southerly range extension, Zootaxa 3243, pp. 1-28 : 22-23

Strophurus taenicauda triaureus ssp. nov.

Central Golden-tailed Gecko

Holotype. QMJ76397, female, Coominglah SF, Monto, Qld (-24.82˚, 150.93˚) ( Fig. 5 C).

Paratypes. QMJ76382, Coominglah SF, nr Monto (-24.82˚, 150.93˚); QMJ76383, Coominglah SF, nr Monto (-24.81˚, 150.96˚); QMJ76396, Coominglah SF, nr Monto (-24.88˚, 150.94˚); QMJ76429–30, Coominglah SF, nr Monto (-24.88˚, 150.94˚); QMJ83182, Callide (-24.26˚, 150.62˚); AMR5312, Eidsvold, nr Gayndah (-25.367˚, 151.117˚); AMR5409, Eidsvold, Upper Burnett River (-25.367˚, 151.117˚). All localities are from Queensland, Australia.

Etymology. From the Latin tri meaning "three" and from the Latin aureus meaning "golden"; in reference to the one dorsal and two lateral golden tail stripes of this subspecies.

Diagnosis. Strophurus taenicauda triaureus ssp. nov. is a medium-sized (maximum SVL 73.2 mm), lightly patterned gecko from central Qld ( Fig. 6 C). It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies and congeners by the following combination of character states: small dorsal spots and a transversely banded tail with single dorsal golden stripe with straight lateral margins and two thin undulating lateral golden stripes; eye colour amber.

Description. SVL 53.3–73.2 mm (mean = 64.6, sd = 6.282, n = 9); characters as % of SVL: TL = 58.6–72.2 (mean = 67.05, sd = 3.98); HL = 26–31.1 (mean = 28.1, sd = 1.43); HW = 16.8–21.0 (mean = 18.4, sd = 1.44); SL = 10.2–13.5 (mean = 11.8, sd = 1.19); OD = 5.2–7.9 (mean = 6.18, sd = 0.083); EE = 7.5–9.6 (mean = 6.18, sd = 0.83); FLL = 31.7–40.6 (mean = 36.2, sd = 3.05); HLL = 31.7–40.6 (mean = 40.8, sd = 1.56).

Head: Narrow, elongate, distinct from neck dorsal and lateral head scalation fine, granular, homogenous and similar to dorsal body; head width 60.6–68.5% of head length (mean = 65.74); head length 26–31.1% of SVL (mean = 28.1); snout length 37.3–46.9% of head length (mean = 40.86); rostrum pentagonal with shallow to moderate dorsomedial invagination leading to an incomplete rostral groove 30–60% of rostral height ( Fig. 7 B); rostral formula 1.9–2.1 (mean = 2.04, sd = 0.66); nostril surrounded by first supralabial, rostral, 1 lateral internasal, 1–2 supranasals (mean = 1.11) and 2 postnasals (mean = 2.0); 1–3 median internasals (mean = 1.78); 10–12 loreals (mean = 10.44); 10–12 supralabials (mean = 11.0); 21–24 interorbitals (mean = 22.88); mental formula 1.35–1.7 (mean = 1.53, sd = 0.15); mental and 1st infralabials pentagonal in shape, posterior boundary forming a curved bor- der with deep interdigitation with the chin scales (Fig. 8A); 13–14 infralabials (mean = 13.4); 1st and 2nd infralabials distinctly larger than 3rd and 4th infralabials; chin scales granular and homogenous with ventral scales.

Body: Body scales homogenous, moderately flat, juxtapose; dorsal scales equal to or slightly larger than ventral scales; preanal pores present in males, absent in females; 5–6 preanal pores (occasionally asymmetrical in both number and positioning), separated medially by 5–6 interpore scales ( Fig. 9A ); cloacal spurs with numerous rounded scales ( Fig. 10A ); original tail cylindrical, 58.6–72.2% of SVL (mean = 67.05), covered in homogenous scales arranged loosely in concentric rings.

Limbs: Forelimb length 31.7–40.6% of SVL (mean = 36.2); Hindlimb length 35.4–46.3% of SVL (mean = 40.8); digits wide and depressed; paired apical plates large (as wide or slightly narrower than distal tip of digit); 6– 10 fourth finger subdigital lamellae ( Fig. 11 B), 0–3 primary lamellae, 4–5 secondary lamellae (mean = 4.78), 2–3 pairs of tertiary lamellae (mean = 2.33); 6–11 fourth toe subdigital lamellae, 1–3 primary lamellae, 3–5 secondary lamellae (mean = 4.11), 2–3 pairs of tertiary lamellae (mean = 2.22); 3–4 distal indentations in fourth finger secondary subdigital lamellae (mean = 3.33), 2–4 distal indentations in fourth toe secondary subdigital lamellae (mean = 3).

Colouration. Dorsal ground colour brown-grey; dorsal surfaces of head, body and limbs covered with irregularly shaped black spots ( Fig. 12 D); black spots comprised of 1–3 scales; individual spots separated by bands of dorsal ground colour 1–3 scales wide; venter white with scattered black spots (1 scale wide).

Tail with dorsal golden-yellow stripe ( Fig. 13 C); stripe 2–3 scales (usually 2) wide at the narrowest point; stripe rarely extends beyond the level of the hips; stripe usually continuous; extreme distal tip of tail golden both dorsally and ventrally; stripe margins are straight-edged; midlateral golden stripes present, 0.5–1 scale in width, undulating and sometimes indistinct; between the dorsal and lateral tail stripes, lateral scales black, each with a centrally oriented, vertical, white rectangle giving the impression of a black and white transversely banded tail; ventral to the lateral golden stripe the banding is reduced; ventral tail grey-brown with scattered black spots (1 scale wide); mouth colour blue; eye colour amber. In spirit, body colouration is similar but tail stripe is yellow to tan, and eye colouration is pale orange.

Details of holotype. SVL 64.9 mm, TL 58.6%, HL 27.3%, HW 17.9%, SL 10.2%, NL 24%, OD 6.8%, EE 9.1%, FLL 32.8%, HLL 39.2%, FFL 5.9%, FTL 6.8%, DS 6.85%, RWH 2, RGH 40%, MWH 1.4, UL 10, LL 14, IO 23, LS 10, RM 1.94, LI 1, MI 2, SN 2, PN 2.

Genetics. Strophurus taenicauda triaureus ssp. nov. differs in ND2 sequences from the other S. taenicauda subspecies by between 6.78% and 6.90% of sites with average intrasubspecific divergence of 0.85% ( Table 2)

Habitat. Strophurus taenicauda triaureus ssp. nov. occurs in a narrower range of habitats than the other members of the S. taenicauda group. It has no apparent reliance on brigalow scrub ( Fig. 14 C). Habitat types (and statuses) recorded for this species (according to Regional Ecosystem listings codes) are listed in Appendix 1. The habitat types listed in Appendix 1 support the association of this species predominantly with Eucalyptus spp., Corymbia spp. and mixed Acacia woodlands. Of the 11 habitat types listed, only three are listed as "of concern".

Like the other members of the S. taenicauda group, this subspecies shelters during the day beneath loose bark in standing trees, particularly small Acacia saplings (D. Brown pers. obs.). It has also been observed resting head down on exposed saplings and tree trunks in the early evening (D. Brown, pers. obs.). This subspecies has been observed to co-occur with the following gecko species: S. williamsi, Gehyra variegata, G. catenata, G. dubia and Oedura tryoni .

Distribution. Strophurus taenicauda triaureus ssp. nov. has a very restricted range, occupying a narrow band on the eastern side of the Brigalow Belt from Mundubbera in the south to Callide in the east and across to Biloela in the west ( Fig. 15 ).

Figures

FIGURE 5. Type specimens of S. taenicauda subspecies: A) Lectotype of S. t. taenicauda (QMJ 11215). B) Holotype of S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov. (QMJ 4551). C) Holotype of S. t. triaureus ssp. nov. (QMJ 76397).

FIGURE 6. In life photos of S. taenicauda subspecies: A) Strophurus t. taenicauda, Alton National Park, Qld (photo D. Brown). B) Strophurus t. albiocularis ssp. nov., Duaringa, Qld (photo G. Schmida). C) Strophurus t. triaureus ssp. nov., Eidsvold, Qld (photo G. Schmida).

FIGURE 11. Fourth finger morphology: A) Primary subdigital lamellae absent, fewer secondary subdigital lamellae with indentations (S. t. taenicauda) (QMJ 30522); B) Primary subdigital lamellae present, numerous secondary subdigital lamellae with indentations (S. t. triaureus ssp. nov.) (QMJ 76340). Condition A also applies to S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov. Note: these features also apply to fourth toe morphology.

FIGURE 12. Comparison of dorsal body pattern among subspecies of S. taenicauda: A) Large dark spotting (S. t. taenicauda). B) Small dark spotting (S. t. taenicauda north-western form). C) Small dark spotting (S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov.). D) Small dark spotting (S. t. triaureus ssp. nov.).

FIGURE 13. Comparison of tail patterning among subspecies of S. taenicauda: A) Single tail stripe with undulating edges (S. t. taenicauda). B) Single tail stripe with straight edges (S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov.). C) Three tail stripes and black and white barring (S. t. triaureus ssp. nov.).

FIGURE 14. Typical habitats of S. taenicauda subspecies: A) Typical habitat of S. t. taenicauda, Westmar, Queensland (photo D. Brown). B) Typical habitat of S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov., Dingo, Queensland (photo D. Brown). C) Typical habitat of S. t. triaureus ssp. nov., Eidsvold, Queensland (photo D. Brown).

FIGURE 15. Distribution of S. t. taenicauda, S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov. and S. t. triaureus ssp. nov. based on voucher specimens and confirmed localities.

FIGURE 7. A) Rostral scale pentagonal with deep dorsomedial invagination (S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov.) (QMJ 5481); B) Rostral scale rectangular to pentagonal with shallow to moderate dorsomedial invagination (S. t. triaureus ssp. nov.) (QMJ 4348). Condition A also applies to S. t. taenicauda.

FIGURE 9. A) Wide interpore interval (S. t. taenicauda) (QMJ 13497); B) Narrow interpore interval (S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov.) (QMJ 4550). Condition A also applies to S. t. triaureus ssp. nov.

FIGURE 10. A) Cloacal spurs with numerous rounded scales (S. t. taenicauda) (QMJ 13497); B) Cloacal spurs with fewer, pointed scales (S. t. albiocularis ssp. nov.) (QMJ 4553). Condition A also applies to S. t. triaureus ssp. nov.