A new Four-clawed Gecko (Squamata, Gekkonidae: Gehyra) from limestone hills in the Thai Peninsula, with new data on Gehyra angusticaudata

We describe Gehyra astrosyzygia sp. nov. from Phra Khayang Cave in Kraburi District, Ranong Province, southern Thailand. We report it from several other limestone formations in Chumphon, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ranong provinces in Peninsular Thailand, and from the neighboring Tanintharyi Region in southern Myanmar. The new species differs from all currently recognized Southeast Asian Gehyra by the following combination of morphological characters and dorsal color pattern: maximal known snout–vent length of 56.9 mm, 7 or 8 supralabials, 80–83 dorsal and 44–48 ventral scale rows around midbody, absence of skin folds on limbs, 39–41 preanofemoral pores in males in a continuous series extending along the whole length of the femur (pores absent in females), tail not to moderately widened behind vent in adults, a single row of widened subcaudals, digits and toes with basal webbing, 7 or 8 divided subdigital lamellae on 4th toe, and a unique dorsal pattern with four paravertebral and lateral rows of large white round spots on a yellowish brown background, without dark spots or bars. We provide an osteological description of the cranium of the new species. The new species has been confused in online citizen science platforms with the rare, allopatric Gehyra angusticaudata, endemic to southeastern Thailand, for which we present new material and localities.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Zootaxa
Published
2026-10-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5897.2.2
Primary Topic
Amphibian and Reptile Biology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A new Four-clawed Gecko (Squamata, Gekkonidae: Gehyra) from limestone hills in the Thai Peninsula, with new data on Gehyra angusticaudata

Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Montri Sumontha, Nattasuda Donbundit, PRAPANTH IAMWIRIYAKUL et al.
2 links
Zootaxa
Amphibian and Reptile Biology
article

A new Four-clawed Gecko (Squamata, Gekkonidae: Gehyra) from limestone hills in the Thai Peninsula, with new data on Gehyra angusticaudata

Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Montri Sumontha, Nattasuda Donbundit, PRAPANTH IAMWIRIYAKUL, Jonathan Brecko, S. N. Das, Worawitoo Meesook, NIRAN ANURAKPONGSATHORN
article en

Abstract

We describe Gehyra astrosyzygia sp. nov. from Phra Khayang Cave in Kraburi District, Ranong Province, southern Thailand. We report it from several other limestone formations in Chumphon, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ranong provinces in Peninsular Thailand, and from the neighboring Tanintharyi Region in southern Myanmar. The new species differs from all currently recognized Southeast Asian Gehyra by the following combination of morphological characters and dorsal color pattern: maximal known snout–vent length of 56.9 mm, 7 or 8 supralabials, 80–83 dorsal and 44–48 ventral scale rows around midbody, absence of skin folds on limbs, 39–41 preanofemoral pores in males in a continuous series extending along the whole length of the femur (pores absent in females), tail not to moderately widened behind vent in adults, a single row of widened subcaudals, digits and toes with basal webbing, 7 or 8 divided subdigital lamellae on 4th toe, and a unique dorsal pattern with four paravertebral and lateral rows of large white round spots on a yellowish brown background, without dark spots or bars. We provide an osteological description of the cranium of the new species. The new species has been confused in online citizen science platforms with the rare, allopatric Gehyra angusticaudata, endemic to southeastern Thailand, for which we present new material and localities.

ZootaxaVol. 5897(2)
Institute of Natural Sciences (BE), Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi (TH), Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (TH), Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (TH), University of Hong Kong (HK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Amphibian and Reptile Biology
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Laika access coming soon