Taxonomic revision of the Tropiocolotes nattereri (Squamata, Gekkonidae) species complex, with the description of a new species from Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia

We examined the taxonomy of the minute desert geckos of the Tropiocolotes nattereri species complex using the largest morphological sampling, and the first molecular assessment of intraspecific diversity within this complex. We examined variation in mitochondrial and nuclear markers (12S, ND2, c-mos and MC1R) of 30 samples and analyzed the external morphology of 202 specimens, from across the entire distribution range of the complex from Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. We recognize two species under the name T. nattereri. We thus hereby describe a new species, T. yomtovi sp. n., and we redefine and redescribe T. nattereri, for which we designate a neotype. The species diversity in the genus Tropiocolotes increases to 15.

Automated summary

We examined the taxonomy and molecular diversity of minute desert geckos, specifically Tropiocolotes nattereri species complex. We identified two species within this complex, T. nattereri and a newly discovered species T. yomtovi sp. n. With this discovery, the total species diversity in the genus Tropiocolotes has increased to 15.