Goniurosaurus chengzheng sp. nov., a new species of Leopard Gecko from Guangxi, China (Squamata: Eublepharidae)

Six species of geckos in the genus Goniurosaurus have been recorded from Guangxi, China. Here we describe a new species, Goniurosaurus chengzheng sp. nov. The new species is similar to allied species from Guangxi, but unique in a combination of the following characters: (1) four body bands with three between limb insertions; (2) precloacal pores 20; (3) body color reddish-brown; (4) snout to eye distance: eye to ear distance < 1. We used the mitochondrial genes 16S and cytb to confirm the distinctiveness of the species and place it within a molecular phylogeny of Goniurosaurus. The type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

Automated summary

Six species of geckos in the Goniurosaurus genus have been discovered in Guangxi, China. A new species, Goniurosaurus chengzheng sp. nov., has been identified with unique characteristics such as body bands, precloacal pores, reddish-brown body color, and specific snout to eye distance. Mitochondrial genes were used to confirm the distinctiveness of the new species and its place within the Goniurosaurus molecular phylogeny.