Correlophus belepensis, Bauer, Aaron M., Jackman, Todd R., Sadlier, Ross A. & Whitaker, Anthony H., 2012

Bauer, Aaron M., Jackman, Todd R., Sadlier, Ross A. & Whitaker, Anthony H., 2012, Revision of the giant geckos of New Caledonia (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae: Rhacodactylus), Zootaxa 3404, pp. 1-52 : 17

Correlophus Guichenot, 1866

Content. Correlophus ciliatus Guichenot, 1866 , C. sarasinorum ( Roux, 1913) , C. belepensis sp. nov. Bauer, Whitaker, Sadlier & Jackman, 2012 ( Fig. 3 G; see below for description).

Type species. Correlophus ciliatus Guichenot, 1866 by monotypy

Diagnosis. Correlophus may be distinguished from all other New Caledonian diplodactylid geckos by the following combination of character states: body large (to 135 mm SVL); head large; tail approximately 80–92% of SVL; dorsal scalation granular, homogeneous or mostly so; extensive skin folds lacking, but small ventrolateral folds and folds on the posterior margins of the limbs present in some species; a pair of crests comprised of enlarged triangular scales extending from behind orbits and onto body dorsum, or pale markings delimiting the equivalent area; expanded undivided subdigital lamellae under all toes; webbing between digits weakly to moderately developed; claw of digit I of manus and pes positioned lateral to a single, undivided apical lamella; precloacal pores in two to three rows in males (40–60 pores in total), extending on to basal 40% of thighs; dorsal color pattern brown, olive, yellowish, reddish, or orangey usually with or without contrasting markings on the crown, vertebral area or on flanks; venter beige to color of dorsum.

Distribution. Correlophus appears to have a disjunct distribution, occurring on the Île des Pins, the southern Grande Terre as far north as Canala, and on the Îles Belep.

Remarks. See below for the description of a new species of Correlophus .

Figures

FIGURE 3. Representatives of each of the eight genera of endemic New Caledonian diplodactylid geckos. A. Oedodera marmorata. B. Dierogekko nehoueensis. C. Bavayia pulchella. D. Paniegekko madjo. E. Eurydactylodes occidentalis. F. Rhacodactylus leachianus. G. Correlophus belepensis sp. nov. H. Mniarogekko jalu sp. nov. Photos A, E, G – H by A. H. Whitaker, photo B by A. M. Bauer, photos C – D by R. A. Sadlier. Photo F courtesy of Mark O’Shea.