Cnemaspis godagedarai explained

Cnemaspis godagedarai, or Godagedara's day gecko, is a species of diurnal gecko endemic to island of Sri Lanka, described in 2019 from Matara.[1] [2]

Etymology

The specific name godagedarai is named in honor of Godagedara Rate Adikaram, who is a national hero fought in the uprising against the British colonial government from 1817 to 1818.[3]

Taxonomy

The species is closely related to C. gemunu, C. phillipsi, and C. scalpensis.

Ecology

The species was discovered from area lies between 700 and 800 meters (2,300 and 2,600 feet) above sea level of Ensalwatte, Matara. The forest patch is isolated from the rest of the forest canopy by streams.[4]

Description

Dorsum of head, body and limbs generally grayish brown;. There are three large irregular cinnamon brown blotches along the vertebral line. A distinct narrow short longitudinal black line found on occipital area. Tail with cinnamon brown dorsal color, with 12 faded black cross-bands. Circular pupil is black in color with surrounding yellow and pale brown margins. Supraciliaries brownish. There are two postorbital stripes are present on each side with white upper black lower areas. A light and dark inter-orbital stripe present. Pale yellowish chin and gular scales.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A New Species of Endemic Day Gecko (Reptilia: Gekkonidae: Cnemaspis) from A Wet Zone Forest in the Second Peneplain of Southern Sri Lanka . Zootaxa . 11 July 2019. 2019-06-04 .
  2. Web site: New type of Hoona found . 11 July 2019.
  3. Web site: New endemic Gecko found from Matara . 11 July 2019.
  4. Web site: New rainforest gecko joins growing list of reptiles unique to Sri Lanka . 11 July 2019. 2019-06-11 .
  5. Web site: http://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_13_no_1/ARC_13_1_[General_Section_198-208_e177.pdf A new species of endemic day gecko (Reptilia: Gekkonidae:Cnemaspis) from a wet zone forest in the second peneplain of Southern Sri Lanka]. https://web.archive.org/web/20190714062412/http://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_13_no_1/ARC_13_1_%5bGeneral_Section%5d_198-208_e177.pdf. dead. 14 July 2019. Journal of Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 11 July 2019.