Aristelliger reyesi, Díaz, Luis M. & Hedges, Blair, 2009

Díaz, Luis M. & Hedges, Blair, 2009, First record of the genus Aristelliger (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) in Cuba, with the description of a new species, Zootaxa 2028, pp. 31-40 : 32-37

Aristelliger reyesi , new species

Figure 1

Holotype. MNHNCu 4665, an adult male collected by Luis M. Díaz, Ernesto Reyes, and Ariatna Linares along the trail Los Musulmanes (23°11'37''N, 81°09'26''W), Reserva Ecológica Varahicacos, sea level, Península de Hicacos, Matanzas Province, on 5 June 2007.

Paratypes (N=15). Males (8): MNHNCu 4666−67, from Cueva Ambrosio, Reserva Ecológica Varahicacos (23°11'34''N; 081°09'47''W), Península de Hicacos, Matanzas Province, on 4−5 June 2007, by same collectors; MNHNCu 4668−69, from wooden buildings at Estación Ecológica de Varahicacos (23°11'39''N; 081°09'11''W), collected by Luis M. Díaz on 4 June 2007; MNHNCu 4670−73, same data as the holotype. Females (6): MNHNCu 4674−4676, from wooden buildings at Estación Ecológica de Varahicacos, collected by Luis M. Díaz on 4 June 2007; MNHNCu 4677−79, same data as the holotype. Embryo: MNHNCu 4680, from an egg laid in captivity.

Diagnosis. A small species (maximum SVL: 63.6 mm) of the subgenus Aristelligella ( Fig. 1 ) according to size, and by the arrangement of friction pads and lateral postmentals. Both sexes have a dark stripe (almost black) that extends laterally through the head and over shoulders, fading from there as dorsolateral bifurcated brown zones that reach the tail base. From Aristelliger barbouri it differs in having a conspicuous pattern of longitudinal zones (vs. a more faded coloration in A. barbouri , with lateral stripes only reaching shoulders), and a higher number of total fourth toe lamellae (21–29, vs. 18–19 in A. barbouri ). In A. cochranae , dark lateral zones similar to those found in A. reyesi are conspicuous in juveniles and subadults, but less evident or absent in adults, where they are substituted by many pale dots and blotches ( Fig. 1 ); the number of loreal scales is lower in A. reyesi than in A. cochranae (11–15 vs. 15–16, respectively), the snout-to-center of eye distance averages shorter with respect to SVL (13.0–14.4%, x=13.8; vs. 14.2–15.8%, x=15.2%, in A. cochranae ) and the ratio of the ear opening longest diameter/ SVL is smaller (1.7–2.9, x=2.3; vs. 2.9–4.2, x=3.4). Aristelliger reyesi requires closer comparison with A. expectatus . The new species is longer than A. expectatus (63.6 mm maximum SVL in A. reyesi , vs. 55 mm in A. expectatus ), and has a more robust body. Typically, A. expectatus has a more distinctive dorsal “ladder” pattern than A. reyesi , because the lateral darker zones (if defined) are connected to each other by bridges, “saddles” or bands (only pairs of middorsal dots or small chevrons are present in A. reyesi ) ( Fig. 2 ); the hemipenes of A. reyesi have two prominent horn-like asulcal papillae, which are absent in A. expectatus ( Fig. 3 ); the number of total fourth toe lamellae is 22–29 (x=24) in A. reyesi , vs. 16–22 (x=19) in A. expectatus ; the dorsal scales of snout are smaller (and higher in number) in A. reyesi (16–19, x=18) than in A. expectatus (14–16, x=15); the ear opening is rounded in A. reyesi and narrow in A. expectatus (horizontal diameter 47.6–112.5%, x= 76.5%, of longest diameter in A. reyesi , vs. 18.7–39.3%, x= 28.8%, in A. expectatus ) ( Fig. 4 ).

Description. Males, maximum SVL 63.6 mm; females, 55.1 mm. Head length 23−24% of SVL. Ear opening rounded or oval, with the upper margin slightly folded; the columella is well visible. Fourth toe lamellae modally 10−15; fourth finger lamellae 9−15. Supralabials modally 7; infralabials modally 6. Two enlarged lateral postmentals in median contact behind the mental. Dorsal scales small, granular, and swollen. Ventral scales semicircular, smooth, and partially imbricated. One or two internasal scales (mode 1). Two postnasal scales. Subcaudal scales transversally enlarged. Males are more bulky-headed than females, appearing more robust. Metric and meristic data are shown in Table 1 (by sexes), compared with those of other species of the subgenus Aristelligella .

Color in life: Overall coloration mostly olive-green with yellowish shades; grayish on legs and some dorsal areas. Females somewhat more grayish colored than males. Supralabial scales white colored in both sexes. Usually, lower body flanks more yellow in males than in females. Males and females with a dark brown (almost black) stripe that runs along head sides and neck, from which it becomes a less conspicuous and bifurcate dorsolateral zone that reach the tail base. Another brown stripe is on lower flanks. Middorsum almost plain colored, with either vertebral series of small, chevron like patterns, pairs of brown spots, or small papilionaceus figures. Parietal area of head with a chevron like or an X-shaped brown pattern weakly evident, followed by a pair of dark spots near the occiput. Legs with small brown spots or reticulations. The belly is gray or tan. Tail dorsally unpatterned, or with a pale series of rhombs slightly evident. Adult males tend to have a dark brown tail on the ventral surface, with some pinkish patches. Frequently, males also exhibit regenerated areas of skin on body (probably from territorial encounters), which appear as grey patches (see the head of male in Fig. 1 ). These geckoes may turn into a dark brown color.

N (males/females): 1 10/10; 2 5/4; 3 3/2.

Color in alcohol: General pattern remains essentially intact, but coloration becomes gradually gray or grayish brown.

Discriminant function analysis (DFA). The analysis of nine variables (SVL, total fourth toe lamellae, number of dorsal scales, number of ventral scales, number of loreal scales, supralabials scales, infralabials scales, snout to eye distance/SVL, and ear longest diameter/SVL) provided a 97.9% of total correct classification (Wilks’ Lambda 0.013, approx. F (27, 105) = 14.23, p<0.00). Only one specimen in the sample of Aristelliger expectatus was not discriminated from A. cochranae , for a 91.7% of classification success (see Table 2 ). The remaining species were 100% correctly assigned. The model suggests that the combination of those characters has a strong diagnostic value as expressed by the representation of the two first canonical functions ( Fig. 5 ). The four characters with the highest discriminant value were (in the following order): SVL, loreal scales, total fourth toe lamellae, and number of dorsal scales.

Etymology. We are pleased to name this new gecko after Ernesto Reyes, who provided the first evidence of its existence.

A. reyesi sp. n. 100 0 0 0 11 Total 97.91 5 11 21 11

Distribution. Only known from the Península de Hicacos ( Fig. 6 ), Matanzas Province, Western Cuba. The type series was collected between Cueva de Ambrosio and the Estación Ecológica de Varahicacos, which are separated by approximately 800 m; however, a single male was seen (not collected) during the day climbing the rustic roof of a restaurant in a populated village about 20 km SW from the type locality.

Ecological notes. Individuals of Aristelliger reyesi were relatively easy to find in several habitats, both during the day and at night, suggesting the existence of a large population. Lizards were detected on limestone outcrops, cliffs, caves entrances, rocky shelters, sinkholes, rustic wooden houses roofed with “ guano ” (palm fronds), tree cactus ( Dendrocereus nudiflorus ), and on fig ( Ficus sp.) root tangles ( Fig. 7 ). At some places, we collected or observed 4–5 of these geckoes within an area of less than five meters. The limestone rock at the type locality was mostly covered by a microphyll evergreen forest.

Two males were seen fighting during the midday on fig roots at Cueva Ambrosio. One of these males (MNHNCu 4666) easily lost pieces of head skin when handled during the collection. Most of the individuals exposed on limestone surfaces were always very close to small holes that serve as refuge, or were partially hidden within them. When collected, some males produced croaking distress calls. Many females were gravid, with a single egg easily seen trough the ventral skin. Three of them laid white, oval eggs in isolated terraria, all firmly attached to the inner surfaces of bamboo tubes offered as shelters ( Fig. 8 ). Two of those eggs measured 10.6 x 8.4 mm and 10.8 x 9.1 mm, respectively. The absence of juveniles during the field work suggested us that the breeding season was probably starting.

Geckos were detected at heights of one to three meters above the ground. The following ingested items were found in lizard feces: ants (including several winged females of Camponotus sp.), adult neuropterans, beetles, shed skin, and small stones. Other reptiles observed at the surroundings of the type locality were: Sphaerodactylus intermedius , S. e. elegans (Sphaerodactylidae) , Tarentola a. americana (Gekkonidae) , Anolis allisoni , A. a. angusticeps , A. equestris buidei , A. p. porcatus , A. pumilus , A. s. sagrei , A. h. homolechis , Leiocephalus c. carinatus , L. c. cubensis , L. raviceps klinikowskii (Iguanidae) , Ameiva auberi abducta (Teiidae) , Tropidophis m. melanurus (Tropidophiidae) , Arrhyton dolichurus (new locality record), Antillophis a. andreai , and Alsophis c. cantherigerus (Dipsadidae) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. West Indian species of the subgenus Aristelligella, genus Aristelliger: (A) A. reyesi n. sp., paratype adult male (MNHNCu 4670), from type locality; (B) adult female of A. reyesi (died in captivity), from the same locality; (C) young female of A. reyesi (paratype MNHNCu 4674), from Estación Ecológica Varahicacos; (D) A. cochranae, adult male from Lulu Bay, Navassa Island; (E) A. expectatus, adult male (USNM 328909), from Dept du Sud, 10.3 km NW Port Salut, Haiti; (F) A. barbouri, adult male from 1.2 km E John Gray Hill, Great Inagua, Bahamas. Photographs A, B, and C, by Rolando Fernández de Arcila; D, E, and F, by S. B. Hedges.

FIGURE 2. Pattern variation in preserved specimens of two closely related species of the subgenus Aristelligella, genus Aristelliger: [A] Aristelliger expectatus: (1) adult male MNHNCu 4691, from Oviedo, Península de Barahona, República Dominicana, showing a dorsal “ ladder ” pattern, (2) adult male MNHNCu 4692, same locality, with dorsal bands, and (3) male MNHNCu 4685, from Puerto Escondido, NW slope of Sierra de Bahoruco, República Dominicana, showing dorsal “ saddles ”; [B] A. reyesi sp. n., holotype male (1 ʹ) and paratype female (2 ʺ) (MNHNCu 4674), with typical patterns. Photographs by L. M. Díaz.

FIGURE 3. Asulcal view of the right hemipenis of (A) Aristelliger reyesi sp. n. (paratype male MNHNCu 4667) and (B) A. expectatus (MNHNCu 4690). Note the two horn-like papillae (signaled by the arrow) in the new species. Drawings by L. M. Díaz.

FIGURE 4. Ear opening shape in (A) Aristelliger reyesi sp. n. (holotype male), and (B) A. expectatus (male MNHNCu 4691). Drawings by L. M. Díaz.

FIGURE 5. Representation of the two first canonical functions after discriminant analysis of four species of the subgenus Aristelligella, genus Aristelliger.

FIGURE 6. Distribution of Aristelliger reyesi sp. n. in Península de Hicacos, Matanzas Province, Western Cuba. Numbered localities: (1) Cueva Ambrosio, (2) Sendero Los Musulmanes, and (3) Estación Ecológica de Varahicacos.

FIGURE 7. Typical habitats of Aristelliger reyesi sp. n. on the Península de Hicacos: (A) Limestone cliffs near the entrance of Cueva Ambrosio. (B) Sinkhole inside Cueva Ambrosio. (C) A tree cactus (Dendrocereus nudiflorus) supporting a strangler fig (Ficus sp.). (D) Adult male (MNHNCu 4670) photographed in situ on aerial fig roots during the midmorning of 5 June 2007. Photographs by Ernesto Reyes.

FIGURE 8. Egg of Aristelliger reyesi sp. n. attached to the inner surface of a bamboo tube offered as shelter in captivity.

Tables

TABLE 1. Metric and meristic data on the four species in the subgenus Aristelligella, genus Aristelliger. All measurements are in mm. Values are the mean (x) and the range (in parentheses). Fourth toe lamellae are reported for right / left digits.

	A. reyesi n. sp. A. cochranae	A. expectatus	A. barbouri
Characters	Males (N=9) Females (N=6) N1= 20	N2=9	N3=5
Snout-vent length	56.5 (42.8−63.6) 50.6 (47.1−55.1) 47.6 (41–59.9)	43.2 (37–54.2)	43.5 (35–47.2)
Head length	13.6 (12.2−14.8) 12.1 (11.3−13.1) 12.2 (10.3–14.9)	10.5 (9.7–11.4)	10.2 (8.4–11.0)
Head width	11.4 (10.0−13.1) 9.7 (8.9−10.6) 9.5 (8.1–11.6)	8.4 (7.7–9.4)	8.4 (6.8–9.5)
Loreal scales	13 (11–14) 13 (11–15) 15 (15–16)	13 (12–14)	15 (14–16)
Supralabial scales	7 (7–9) 8 (7–8) 8 (7–9)	7 (6–9)	9 (8–10)
Infralabial scales	7 (5–9) 6 (6–7) 8 (7–9)	6 (5–8)	8 (7–8)
Dorsal granules in the snout-to-center of eye distance	28 (26–30) 30 (26–35) 35 (31–40)	26 (24–30)	26 (24–30)
Ventral scales in the snout- to-center of eye distance	14 (11–16) 14 (13–16) 15 (13–19)	15 (12–18)	14 (12–18)
Fourth toe lamellae (right/ left digits)	12 (11−14)/ 11 (11−12)/ 12 (11–13)/ 12 (10−15) 11 (11−12) 12 (11–13)	11 (8–11)/ 10 (8–11)	9 (8–10)/ 9 (8–10)
Ear longest diameter/ SVL (%)	2.5 (2.1–2.9) 2.1 (1.7–2.4) 3.4 (2.9–4.2)	3.6 (2.5–3.9)	2.4 (2.0–2.5)
Snout-to-center of eye distance/ SVL (%)	13.7 (13–14.4) 13.9 (13.3–14.3) 15.2 (14.2–15.9)	14.5 (12.9–16.8)	13.4 (13.1–14.2)

TABLE 2. Classification matrix obtained from the Discriminant Function Analysis of nine variables in four species of Aristelliger.

	Percent correct	A. barbouri p=0.104	A. expectatus p=0.250	A. cochranae p=0.416	A. reyesi sp. n. p=0.229
A. barbouri	100	5	0	0	0
A. expectatus	91.66	0	11	1	0
A. cochranae	100	0	0	20	0