A new species of thick-toed gecko (Pachydactylus) from Serra da Neve and surrounding rocky areas of southwestern Angola (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

Several specimens of Pachydactylus angolensis, a poorly known Angolan endemic gecko, have recently been collected in southern Angola, considerably increasing its known distribution range. Previous observations led to the hypothesis that two different mor-phological forms exist in the country-a coastal form and an inland form. Based on the morphological examination of historical and recently collected specimens, as well as on newly generated molecular data, we conducted a taxonomic revision of this putative species complex. The results support the separation of these two forms as two different species. The coastal form belongs to the nominotypic population, while the inland form is here described as a new species, Pachydactylus maiatoi sp. nov.. A brief comment on the biogeographical implications of this discovery is also provided.

Automated summary

Several specimens of the poorly known Angolan endemic gecko Pachydactylus angolensis were recently collected in southern Angola, significantly expanding its known distribution range. Previous observations suggested the existence of two morphological forms in the country - a coastal form and an inland form. Through morphological examination and molecular data analysis, the taxonomic revision identified these two forms as separate species, with the coastal form considered the nominotypic population and the inland form described as a new species, Pachydactylus maiatoi sp. nov. This discovery has biogeographical implications, which are briefly discussed.