Hemidactylus pieresii explained

Hemidactylus pieresii is a species of gecko. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.

Taxonomy

It was synonymized with Hemidactylus depressus by Smith in 1935 but removed from the synonymy by Batuwita & Pethiyagoda in 2012.

Distribution

It is endemic to Sri Lanka and found in Kandy, Hiniduma, Yattapatha, Pitadeniya, Sinaharaja, Kalugala and Gannoruwa areas.[1]

Description

Maximum snout-vent length is 79.2 mm. Body moderately elongate, relatively robust. Body chocolate brown. Fore limbs and hind limbs are relatively short and stout. Nape with distinct black longitudinal stripes. Venter is dusky white. There is a yellow lateral band runs from snout to back of head. Presence of 53–58 para-vertebral tubercles, 17–19 longitudinal rows of mid-dorsal tubercles, small and closely spaced mid-dorsal tubercles. Ventral and sub-caudal scales are smooth. Digits relatively short and all bearing claws. Tail has strongly keeled tubercles which are arranged in whorls. Cloacal spur with two enlarged tubercles.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rediscovery of the Sri Lankan 'house gecko' Hemidactylus pieresii Kelaart (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) with a redescription of Hemidactylus depressus Gray. Zootaxa. 3 June 2018.