On two little-known terrestrial South Asian geckoes Hemidactylus reticulatus and Hemidactylus scabriceps (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)

Abstract

We studied two poorly known terrestrial geckoes inhabiting peninsular India namely, Hemidactylus reticulatus Beddome, 1870 and H. scabriceps (Annandale, 1906). We present data on their morphometry, scalation, colouration and field observations based on both studies in the field and on voucher specimens. Hemipenal morphology for H. scabriceps is presented herein for the first time. Seen in light of some recent cases of misidentification between these two ecologically-similar parapatric species, the present work aids in precise identification and presents landscape clues that help understand their ecology.

Keywords

• coastal plains
• ground-dwelling gecko
• indian peninsula
• rocky outcrops
• scalation.