Description of a morphologically distinct and phylogenetically divergent new species of the leopard gecko in the genus Eublepharis Gray, 1827 (Reptilia, Eublepharidae) from India

Abstract

Eublepharis, an Asian-endemic genus of leopard geckos, represents the third largest genus within the family Eublepharidae. India harbors six recognized species in the genus Eublepharis, representing the highest species diversity for this genus reported from any single country to date. In this work, a new species of the genus, Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov., is described based on three specimens.

The new species can be diagnosed by the following combination of morphological features: (1) SVL 123–142 mm, (2) having large, flat, tubercle-like, moderately keeled scales across the dorsum, with interspaces much larger than the size of the tubercles, (3) two pale bands between the nuchal loop and caudal constriction, (4) subdigital lamellae tuberculate, (5) dorsal scales on the regenerated tail flat and rectangular, (6) 22–25 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe, and (7) 12–13 precloacal pores.

The new species is also phylogenetically distinct from all its congeners (6.9–7.8 % from its closest sister species, E. satpuraensis). The discovery of a new reptile from the Chota Nagpur Plateau highlights the role of more extensive study in the region. Furthermore, its occurrence in the Kaimur Plateau, the easternmost Vindhyan escarpments, highlights the allopatric speciation from the sister species, E. satpuraensis, shaped by deep-time geological processes.