Cyrtodactylus gonjong, Nugraha & Ahda & Tjong & Kurniawan & Riyanto & Fauzi & Lin, 2023

Nugraha, Fitra Arya Dwi, Ahda, Yuni, Tjong, Djong Hon, Kurniawan, Nia, Riyanto, Awal, Fauzi, Muhammad Alif & Lin, Si-Min, 2023, Common but ignored: a new species of Cyrtodactylus (Chordata, Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonidae) from lowland Sumatra Barat, Indonesia, ZooKeys 1169, pp. 47-64 : 47

Cyrtodactylus gonjong sp. nov.

Type material.

Holotype. UNP193 (Fig. 3 ) adult female, collected from Langkuik Tamiang waterfall (0°26'0.7404"S, 100°16'44.5404"E), Nagari (Village) Malalak Selatan, Kecamatan (District) Malalak, Kabupaten (Regency) Agam, Sumatra Barat Province, Indonesia, on 22 July 2022 by Fitra Arya Dwi Nugraha (FADN), Yunico Amardi (YA) and Mahesa Rafi. Paratypes (Fig. 4 ). One adult male (UNP045) collected from Anai Dempoland tourism object (0°29'46.8312"S, 100°20'7.638"E), village Kayu Tanam, district 2 × 11 Kayu Tanam, regency Padang Pariaman, Sumatra Barat Province on 3 June 2020 by FADN and YA. Two adult males (UNP052, UNP053) collected from village Sungai Barameh (1°1'54.71"S, 100°24'43.69"E), district Padang Selatan, Padang city, Sumatra Barat Province on 31 January 2021 by FADN and YA. One adult male (UNP060) collected from Lembah Anai Nature Reserve (0°29'24"S, 100°20'24"E), district X Koto, regency Tanah Datar, Sumatra Barat Province on 10 June 2021 by Mahesa Rafi, Katon Agusdi, Fadhil Raid and Fachrul Rozi Octavian. One adult male (UNP148) collected from Sarasah Uwak Waterfall (0°54'28"S, 100°28'54"E), village Limau Manis, district Pauh, Padang city, Sumatra Barat Province on 31 May 2022 by FADN. Two adult females (UNP165, UNP167) collected from village Sungai Sirah (0°24'8.8128"S, 100°8'37.6728"E), district Sungai Geringging, regency Padang Pariaman, Sumatra Barat Province on 7 June 2022 by FADN and YA. One juvenile (UNP194), same data as holotype. Three adult males (UNP196, UNP199, UNP203) collected from village Koto Malintang (0°17'56.3748"S, 100°7'42.5064"E), district Tanjung Raya, regency Agam, Sumatra Barat Province.

Etymology.

The specific ephitet gonjong is taken from the name of the roof style of the typical house in Sumatra Barat created by its ethnic people, called Minang. The house itself, called Rumah Gadang, and the unique style of the roof shape was inspired by the horn of buffalo, the most respected animal in Minang ethnology. The gonjong has become a symbol used by the Minang people to show their ethnic identity outside Sumatra Barat and now is used not only for the house but also for government buildings, restaurant buildings, hotels or other public venues. This name is given as an honour to the Minang people because they were helpful during our survey.

Diagnosis.

Cyrtodactylus gonjong sp. nov. is assigned to the C. agamensis group on the basis of its recovered phylogenetic position (Fig. 2 ). This species can be differentiated from all congeners within the C. agamensis group by having the following combination of characters: (1) a medium-sized Cyrtodactylus , 54.1-77.7 mm in adult males, 65.1-76.7 mm in adult females; (2) 10-13 enlarged supralabial and 9-13 enlarged infralabial scales; (3) 3-5 internasal scales; (4) antebrachium tuberculated, brachium not tuberculated; (5) 32-41 paravertebral tubercles; (6) 16-19 longitudinal rows of dorsum tubercles; (7) 38-46 ventral scales; (8) 22-24 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; (9) 34-46 enlarged femoroprecloacal scales; (10) femoroprecloacal pores present in both sexes, 13-36 in adult males, 0-18 in adult females; (11) precloacal groove or depression present; (12) enlarged median subcaudals absent; (13) distinct ventrolateral folds; (14) subconical prominent tubercles on body that extend to the base of the tail; (15) 2-3 postcloacal tubercles; (16) two postocular stripes fused to a U-shaped mark on occiput; (17) postocular stripes extended beyond the arms; (18) 7-8 dark bands on trunk; (19) tail ringed by beige and black; and (20) labials yellow or dark with yellow/beige spots.

Description of holotype.

Adult female with 65.1 mm SVL; head moderately in length (HL/SVL 0.29), wide (HW/HL 0.60), slightly flattened (HH/HL 0.34), distinct from neck, and triangular shape from dorsal view; lores concave; canthus rostralis rounded; snout elongated (SL/HL 0.40), rounded in rostral region, eye to snout distance larger than head depth; eyes large (OD/ HL 0.22), obtrusive and appeared beyond labials in dorsal view, eye diameter less than the eye to ear distance, pupil vertical; ear oppening small (EL/HL 0.03), elliptical, oriented obliquely leaning posteriorly; rostral large, subrectangular in shape, medial posterior edge interupted by an subhexagonal internasal scale that embedded within rostral, posteriorly bordered by three internasal scales, laterodorsally by nostril opening and lateroventrally by first supralabial; external nares directed lateroposteriorly, bordered anteriorly by rostral, posteriorly by two postnasals: one subcircular, one crescent shaped, dorsally by large supranasal, and ventrally by first supralabial; supranasal subrectangular, separated by one subhexagonal scale and a smaller subrectangular scale that piled up, the smaller one above the subhexagonal one, supranasal laterally bordered by nostril, right supranasal anteriorly bordered by five significantly smaller scales, left supranasal anteriorly bordered by four significantly smaller scales; one internasal scale, subhexgonal in shape, embedded within rostral, bordered by two supranasal scales, one smaller scale right posteriorly, and rostral anteriorly; 9/10 (right/left) supralabial scales to below center of the eye, 10/11 (right/left) to the posteriormost enlarged scale, 8 infralabial scales to below center of the eye, 10/11 (right/left) to the posteriormost enlarged scale; scales of frontonasal, prefrontal and lores small, juxtaposed, relatively raise; weak tubercles on the supraorbital region; prominent tubercles above the ear opening, larger than those on supraorbital, the tubercles gradually increased in size posteriorly.

Body slender, relatively short (AX/SVL 0.47), with distinct ventrolateral fold; scales on dorsum small, homogenous, interspersed by rounded to trihedral tubercles; tubercles present from the occiput region to the base of the tail but no further than 1/3 of the tail, being more dense gradually posteriorly until the base of the tail; 37 paravertebral tubercles; 17 tubercles transversally in the middle of the trunk; imbricate and smooth ventral scales, scales in middle larger than those on lateral and dorsal, 42 scales across the center of the trunk from one ventrolateral fold to another; femoral scales enlarged, extending until 2/3 portion of femora, contiguous with enlarged precloacal scales, forming a reverse V-shaped mark in the middle of hindlimb; a greatly enlarged scale at the apex, larger than other precloacal and femoral scale, rather long than wide, each right and left bordered by three smaller scales; 46 continuous enlarged precloacal and femoral scales, all similar in size except the scale at apex; precloacal groove or depression absent.

Limbs moderately slender; forelimbs relatively short (FL/SVL 0.15); scales on forelimbs dorsum larger than on body dorsum, rostrum or frontal, domed to subconical in shape, scales near the junction of limbs with trunk being smaller; round to subconical tubercles present on antebrachium, concentrated in the middle of antebrachium, similar in size with those on nape; brachium not tuberculated; fingers relatively long, well developed, no webbing; claw well developed, relatively short; hind limbs more robust than fore limbs, moderate in length (TBL/SVL 0.19); scales on dorsum domed to subconical, interspersed with trihedral tubercles; tubercles on dorsum approximately similar in size with those on posterior trunk; anterior ventral scales small, gradually increase in size posteriorly, the scales after enlarged femoral scales much smaller than those on anterior part; 22 subdigital lamellae on fourth finger; toes relatively long, claw well developed, relatively short.

Tail 78.9 mm in length, longer than SVL (TL/SVL 1.21), 5.4 mm in width at base, cylindrical, decreasing in size posteriorly; scales on tail dorsum small, approximately similar in size with those on the distal of femoral; tail dorsum tuberculated at its base, no more than 1/3 of tail; postcloacal tubercles at each side, left tubercles slightly searated, right tubercles in contact one another; no enlarged median subcaudal scale; subcaudal scales larger than on tail dorsum.

Coloration in life.

Dorsal ground color of head, neck, trunk, limbs and tail beige to weak yellow; yellow mottling along the ventrolateral fold, on the lateral part of neck, on supra and infralabial scales; ventral of head, neck, trunk, limbs whitish to grey pale; palmar, metatarsal, fingers and toes darker; basal subcaudal ground color whitish to pale grey with dense yellow mottling; most of the original tail except basal subcaudal encircled by beige and black; labials yellow or dark with beige or yellow spots; weak black stripe between nostril and eye (sometimes absent); lateral stronger black stripe extends from posterior margin of the eye to approximately second black band on dorsum; wide U-shaped band around occiput connects with lateral stripe; the U-shaped band usually continuous (only one exception in UNP165 which is discontinuous in the middle); the Y-shaped pattern on occiput present in two individuals (UNP045, UNP193), the others lack Y-shaped pattern instead of irregular network or spots; bands on trunk dorsum sometimes clearly lying transversally and sometimes blotched; strong nape black spot only present in one individual (UNP045) where left portion fused with lateral stripe, fainted nape black spot presents in two individuals (UNP148, UNP165), the others lack nape spot; black lateral spots present positioned parallel with dorsum bands or between them; 5-6 irregular black bands on forelimbs and hindlimbs; beige to yellow spots on the base fingers (except finger 1); dorsum first finger lighter than other fingers; the clear beige and black bands on subcaudal appear after the one third portion from basal.

Comparison.

Cyrtodactylus gonjong sp. nov. can be differentiated from all other congeners in the C. agamensis group based on a combination of morphological characters.

Cyrtodactylus gonjong sp. nov. differs from its most close relative, C. semenanjungensis from Peninsular Malaysia by having a larger body size, SVL maximum 77.7 in adult male and 76.7 in adult female (vs 62.1 mm in adult male and 69 mm in adult female); 8-10 supralabial scales to center of eye (vs 11-15); 16-19 DTR (vs 18-20); maximum PVT reachs 41 (vs 37); 38-46 ventral scales (vs 49-53); enlarged femoral scales present (vs absent); femoral and precloacal pores present in both sexes (vs absent in both sexes); 22-24 subdigital lamellae under fourth toe (vs 20-21); a black spot on the nape absent (vs present); posterior end of lateral stripe far beyond the arm insertion to the body, approximately reaching the second band on dorsum (vs between the arms insertion); posterior end of lateral stripe in contact with dorsum band that is separated (vs lateral stripe in contact with clear, not separated band or non-blotched band, creating a box encircled the nape spot); mostly lack nape spot, if present the spot is faint (vs strong black nape spot present).

Cyrtodactylus gonjong sp. nov. differs from C. semicinctus by being smaller in the adult female (76.7 mm vs 89 mm) and larger in the adult male (77.7 mm vs 75 mm); having fewer DTR (16-19 vs 29-35); having more PVT (32-41 vs 24-27); maximum ventral scales 46 (vs 44); 0-36 precloacal and femoral pores (vs 36-38); 22-24 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe (vs 19-22);10-13 enlarged supralabial scales (vs 8-11); 10-13 enlarged infralabial scales (vs 8-10); lateral stripe extending from behind the eye to behind arm present (vs absent); labials with beige or yellow spot (vs without spot); beige and black band encircled tail and subcaudal (ringed tail) (vs only dorsum tail - not ringed tail).

Cyrtodactylus gonjong sp. nov. differs from C. psarops by being smaller in the adult female (76.7 mm vs 82 mm) and larger in the adult male (77.7 mm vs 74 mm); 16-19 dorsal tubercles transversally (vs 28-38); 32-41 longitudinal row tubercles on the middle of the body (vs 23-26); maximum number of ventral scales 46 (vs 49); 0-36 pores on precloacal and femoral region (vs 28-32); 2-3 postcloacal tubercles (vs usually single); 10-13 enlarged supralabials (vs 9-12); 10-13 enlarged infralabial scales (vs 8-11); brachium not tuberculated (vs tuberculated); postocular stripes, left and right, fused to form U-shaped mark on the occiput (vs usually does not fuse to form U-shaped mark); labials usually pale grey or yellow (vs charcoal or dark).

Cyrtodactylus gonjong sp. nov. differs from C. agamensis by being being smaller in the adult female (76.7 mm vs 86.8 mm) and larger in the adult male (77.7 mm vs 74.9 mm); 10-13 infralabial scales (vs 9-12); maximum number of dorsal tubercles transversally (21 vs 19); maximum number of paravertebral tubercles 41 (vs 37); 38-46 ventral scales (vs 50-67); 13-36 precloacal and femoral pores in males (vs 9-10), 0-18 in females (vs 0-7); 7-8 body black bands on trunk (vs 6-7); postocular stripe extends beyond the arms present (vs absent).

Variations.

Dorsal ground color of head, neck, trunk, limbs and tail beige to weak yellow. Labials yellow (UNP148, UNP165, UNP167) or dark on the first three supralabials but pale grey for the rest (UNP193, UNP194, UNP199, UNP203) or dark on first eight supralabials (UNP196) (Fig. 5 ). Stripe between eye and nostril absent (UNP045, UNP052, UNP060, UNP148, UNP165, UNP193), faint (UNP167, UNP194, UNP199, UNP203), or stronger (UNP196). Lateral stripe that extends beyond the arm could be slightly discontinuous right in the arm insertion (UNP167), while the others are continuous. The medium part of U-shaped mark is discontinuous in UNP165, while the others are continuous (Fig. 4 ). The bands on the trunk continuous (UNP045, UNP193, UNP167, UNP194, UNP196), while others are irregular (UNP052, UNP199, UNP203) or blotched (UNP060, UNP148, UNP165).

Distribution, habitat and natural history.

All individuals were captured in Sumatra Barat Province, from the location between c. 83 meter above sea level (m asl) to c. 700 m asl. In Sungai Barameh, UNP052 was captured when it was sticking on a vertical cement wall approximately 70 cm above the ground; UNP053 was found on a vertical metal roofing sheet which was similar to UNP052 in height; UNP055, a juvenile, was found perching on a fern leave. In Malibo Anai, UNP045, UNP047, UNP048 were found in a similar habitat, sticking on a vertical stem tree approximately 1 m from the ground. In Lembah Anai Nature Reserve, UNP060-062 were found similar to those found in Malibo Anai. However, in Lembah Anai Nature Reserve, we observed an uncollected individual on the forest floor with leaf litter. In Sarasah Uwak Waterfall, we found UNP146 perching on a horizontal branch of a herb approximately 1 m above the ground. In village Sungai Sirah, UNP165 and UNP167 were found perching on a vertical stem of a tree approximately 1 m above the ground. In Langkuik Tamiang waterfall, UNP192 was found on a rock in the wall of a small rocky stream; UNP193 was found on herb branch; and UNP194 was found on a horizontal dead tree approximately 1.2 m above the ground. In village Koto Malintang, we found UNP199 and UNP203 perching on a herb branch approximately 1 m above the ground. There was one female carrying two eggs that can be seen inside the abdomen (UNP165; see Fig. 4 ).

Figures

Figure 2. The maximum likelihood (ML) tree topology of the new species with other Cyrtodactylus inferred by the ND 2 gene sequences. The light orange box indicates the C. agamensis group members (the sample indicated by an asterisk denotes the holotype). The numbers on the branches are bootstrap values.

Figure 3. The holotype (UNP 193, adult female, SVL 65.1 mm) A rostral view B gular view C precloacal scales D dorsal E ventrolateral F ventral view. A-D, F were taken after 1 month preservation E is a live individual.

Figure 4. The representative paratypes of C. gonjong sp. nov.

Figure 5. Variation of labial color, stripe between eye and nostril and body bands in lateral view A UNP 167 B UNP 165 C UNP 196.