Thursday, January 25, 2018

[Herpetology • 2010] Cyrtodactylus durio • A New Spiny, Prehensile-tailed Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Malaysia with A Preliminary Hypothesis of Relationships based on Morphology


Cyrtodactylus durio 
 Grismer, Anuar, Quah, Muin, Onn, Grismer & Ahmad. 2010

Abstract
A new species, Cyrtodactylus durio sp. nov., is described from northwestern Peninsular Malaysia on the basis of its head, body, limbs, and tail being extremely spinose as well as other unique combinations of squamation and color pattern. It is proposed that C. durio sp. nov. forms a clade with C. brevipalmatus, C. elok, C. spinosus, and C. stresemanni on the basis of having a spiny, prehensile tail and that it is the sister species of C. stresemanni based on unique caudal tuberculation. Cytrodactylus durio sp. nov. is the latest in a growing list of new species of amphibians and reptiles recently described from the Malay Peninsula, and Peninsular Malaysia in particular, that clearly underscores the need for continuing exploratory research in these regions.

FIGURE 2. Holotype ZRC 2.9606 of Cyrtodactylus durio sp. nov. 

 Cyrtodactylus durio sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet durio is in reference to the Latin generic name Durio for the durian fruits of Asia. It is derived from the Latin root dur, meaning hard or duable. Its application as the specific epithet herein is based on the similar spiny exterior of both the durian and the gecko.  


 Larry Lee Grismer, Shahrul Anuar, Evan Quah, Mohd Abdul Muin, Chan Kin Onn, Jesse L Grismer and Norhayati Ahmad. 2010. A New Spiny, Prehensile-tailed Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Malaysia with A Preliminary Hypothesis of Relationships based on Morphology. Zootaxa.  2625; 40-52.