Paniegekko Bauer, Jackman, Sadlier & Whitaker

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 : 16

Paniegekko Bauer, Jackman, Sadlier & Whitaker gen. nov.

Content. Paniegekko madjo ( Bauer, Jones & Sadlier, 2000) ( Fig. 3 D)

Type species. Bavayia madjo Bauer, Jones & Sadlier, 2000 , here designated.

Etymology. The generic name is derived from the Panié massif, the dominant landform of northeastern New Caledonia, and gekko , from the Malay ‘gekoq’, onomatopoeia of the call of the species Gekko gecko and the common name to all limbed gekkotans. A Sri Lankan origin for the word gekko , derived from the Sinhalese word ‘gego’, is also possible (de Silva & Bauer 2008). The name is masculine and should be pronounced “Pa-nē-āgekko.” The two known localities for this monotypic genus are Mt. Ignambi and Mt. Panié, both part of the Panié massif.

Definition and Diagnosis. Paniegekko may be distinguished from all other New Caledonian diplodactylid geckos by the following combination of character states: body size moderate (to 75mm SVL), head large, tail slender and elongate (> 110% SVL); dorsal scalation granular, homogeneous; body without extensive skin webs or flaps; expanded subdigital lamellae under all toes; subdigital lamellae of digits II–V of manus and pes unpaired basally and divided distally; claw of digit I of manus and pes positioned lateral to a single, undivided apical lamella; precloacal pores in two or more rows in males, longest row extending well onto thighs (50 or more pores total); dorsal coloration pattern brown with transverse chevrons; venter dull grayish, never yellow.

Distribution. Paniegekko is known only from Mt. Ignambi and Mt. Panié in northeastern New Caledonia.

Remarks. See Bauer and Sadlier (2000) for more information on P. m a d j o. Erection of a new genus for Bavayia madjo was necessitated to maintain the monophyly of Bavayia (see above).

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.