Hemidactylus kushmorensis Murray, 1884

Mahony, Stephen, 2011, Taxonomic revision of Hemidactylus brookii Gray: a re-examination of the type series and some Asian synonyms, and a discussion of the obscure species Hemidactylus subtriedrus Jerdon (Reptilia: Gekkonidae), Zootaxa 3042, pp. 37-67 : 52-56

Hemidactylus kushmorensis Murray, 1884

( Figures 2 D, 2E, 3E, 3F)

Hemidactylus kushmorensis Murray, 1884b:109 . Original type locality: “Bhaner, Upper Sind frontier”.

Neotype by present designation. BMNH [18]87.9.22.8, adult male, “Ural, Upper Sind” (= Ural [27°54’0”N, 69°5’0”E], Sukkur District, Sindh Province, eastern Pakistan), presented by J. A. Murray.

Other examined material. Topotypes: BMNH [18]87.9.22.9–10, BMNH [18]87.9.22.11, two adult males and an adult female; BMNH [18]87.9.22.12–17, nine remaining unsexed adults and subadults, details as for neotype.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a toponym derived from the administrative division Kushmore in Sindh, Pakistan from where the original type specimens were collected.

Definition. Hemidactylus kushmorensis can be distinguished from all currently described South and Southeast Asian members of Hemidactylus based on the following combination of characters: small adult size 45.4–51.4 mm; TrL/SVL 42.7–46.8%; HL/SVL 26.3–28.2%; primary postmental shields considerably narrower than first infralabials, secondary pair broadly in contact with first infralabials; ear opening circular; tubercles of the parietal region are considerably smaller than largest canthal scales; 19–20 regular longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles, largest tubercles 5–7 times size of surrounding granules; two series of 10–11 precloacal-femoral pores separated from each other by a medial diastema of 2–3 non-pore-bearing scales, size subequal to pore-bearing scales, scale row bordering anteriorly the precloacal-femoral pore series primarily smaller than pore-bearing scales and of subequal size to second anteriorly contacting scale row; 5–6 lamellae under digit I and 10 under digit IV of pes, subdigital lamellae mostly divided on digit IV of manus and pes, enlarged lamellae series under digit IV of pes extend to the base of the digit; tail oval in cross-section without lateral denticulation, TailD/TailW 51.9–65.4%, tubercles on proximal tail portion form elongate recurved conical spines, subcaudals completely transverse the tail width on the distal third of original tails ( Fig. 2 E); single medium sized domed cloacal spur.

Comparisons. Hemidactylus kushmorensis is here compared with the morphologically most similar Asian Hemidactylus species occurring east of the western Pakistan border. It differs from H. treutleri by its smaller size, SVL to 51.4 mm (vs. SVL to 70 mm), and 20–22 precloacal-femoral pores (vs. 14); from H. gujaratensis by its higher number of tubercle rows across the dorsum, 19–20 (vs. 12–14) and 10–11 precloacal-femoral pores in each series separated by 2–3 non-pore-bearing scales (vs. 12–14 in each series separated by at least five non-pore-bearing scales); from H. parvimaculatus by possessing fewer total precloacal-femoral pores, 20–22 (vs. 24–31). From H. brookii of which it was previously considered a synonym by possessing 10–12 precloacal-femoral pores in each series separated medially by 2–3 non-pore-bearing scales, non-pore-bearing scales size subequal to pore-bearing scales (vs. 12–13 precloacal-femoral pores in each series separated medially by one non-pore-bearing scale, nonpore-bearing scale <50% the size of pored scales), scale row bordering anteriorly the precloacal-femoral pore series primarily smaller than pore-bearing scales and subequal to anteriorly contacting scales (vs. anteriorly bordering row enlarged, size ≥ to pore-bearing scales), cloacal spurs consist of a single domed tubercle (vs. two medium sized conical spurs), ear opening small, EarL/HL 5.1–6.7% and distinctly circular (vs. large, EarL/HL 8.2–11.2%, obliquely oval), body more elongate, TrL/SVL 42.7–46.8% (vs. 38.5–38.9%). From H. gleadowi by 19–20 dorsal tubercle rows (vs. 17–18 [15–16]), largest dorsal tubercle size 5–7 times that of surrounding granules (vs. 12–14 times), 10 lamellae on digit IV of pes (vs. seven), enlarged lamellae series under digit IV of pes extend to the base of the digit (vs. lamellae series begins at proximal ~20% digit length), 20–22 precloacal-femoral pores separated medially by 2–3 non-pore-bearing scales (vs. 25–26 separated by one non-pore-bearing scale), tail dorsally compressed, TailD/TailW 51.9–65.4% (vs. more cylindrical basally, TailD/TailW 71.7–84%), body more elongate TrL/ SVL 42.7–46.6% (vs. 39.9–41.9%), head shorter HL/SVL 26.3–28.2% (vs. 30–30.2%), one medium sized, domed cloacal spur (vs. two very small, bluntly conical cloacal spurs), ear opening circular (vs. oval), primary postmental shields considerably narrower than first infralabials, secondary pair broadly in contact with first infralabials (vs. primary postmental shields width is subequal to that of the first infralabials, secondary pair broadly in contact with second infralabials), and tubercles of the parietal region are considerably smaller than canthal scales (vs. size subequal to largest canthal scales).

For diagnosis from H. tenkatei see the comparison section of that species.

Condition of type. Neotype in good condition with fully intact tail and no incisions made to the body.

Description of neotype. BMNH [18]87.9.22.8, adult male. A summary of mensural and meristic data is provided in table 1. A medium sized species of Hemidactylus (SVL 47.5 mm); head distinct from neck, lores rounded and interorbital region flat, forehead flat; snout longer than orbit diameter; scales on snout circular, domed to bluntly conical, largest on the canthal region, size subequal to enlarged tubercles on the parietal, immediately grading into small homogenous granular scales from the anterior edge of the frontal and supraoculars; dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head posterior to the orbit covered with small granular scales mixed with enlarged bluntly conical tubercles, size increasing laterally and posteriorly; ten interorbital scales across the narrowest point of the frontal; canthus rostralis rounded; pupil vertically elliptical, with crenellated edges; supraciliaries small, spine-like dorsally, becoming rounded and of increasing size slightly anterodorsally, all lacking distinct spines; ear opening small, deep and distinctly circular, lacking enlarged tubercles on anterior edge; orbit to ear distance greater than diameter of orbits; rostral subrectangular, with medial groove dorsally, extending to approximately half of the rostral depth; rostral depth more than half its width; contacted by nostrils, supralabial I, one internasal and two circular, slightly enlarged supranasals; nostrils oval, oriented dorsolaterally, nostril not in contact with supralabial I, but contacted by two postnasals, supranasal and rostral; 2–3 scale rows separating eye from supralabials; 9/10 (left/ right) supralabials; 8/7 (left/right) infralabials; mental subtriangular, wider than it is long (MenL/MenW 72.7%); two paired postmentals, contacting edges of the primary pair with each other <50% length of contacting edges with the mental, secondary pair not in contact with each other, ~70% the size of the primary pair and rounded posteriorly, each postmental is bordered posteriorly by smooth, circular granular scales; two or three rows of slightly enlarged circular to slightly elongated scales border the lower edge of the infralabials, size gradually increasing anteriorly and laterally from the small throat granular scales; endolymphatic sac not visible.

Body slightly compressed dorsally, ventrolateral fold weak; dorsum covered with uniform, small domed granular scales interspersed with large tubercles, those of the nape are smallest and conical, size increasing posteriorly, tubercles of the anterior paravertebral rows are longitudinally oval with a weak median keel, laterally and posteriorly becoming conical to transversally oval, with or without a weak keel, largest are 6–7 times the size of surrounding scales; 20 non linear rows at midbody, 36 in a paravertebral line from back of the skull to the area above the vent, intertubercle distance varies randomly; lateral and gular granular scales grade abruptly into large, smooth circular ventrals, slightly imbricate anteriorly to almost juxtaposed posteriorly; preanal depression absent; precloacalfemoral pores number 10/10 (left/right), three non-pore-bearing scales separates pore-bearing rows; a patch of precloacal scales of subequal size to ventrals are present between the pore series and the cloaca.

Forelimbs slender; dorsal surface of the upper forelimb covered with subimbricate scales of subequal size to enlarged tubercles on the nuchal region, size decreasing and becoming granular anteriorly and ventrally, posterior dorsal surface of the lower forelimb covered with small granular scales of subequal size to those on the dorsum and intermixed with a few slightly enlarged tubercles approximately twice the size of neighboring scales, subimbricate scales of the upper forelimb extend anteriorly on the lower forelimb and across the dorsal surface of the manus; hind limbs relatively short; dorsal surface of the hind limbs and posterior thighs covered in small granular scales interspersed with larger domed and conical tubercles, largest being smaller than the larger dorsal tubercles, ventral surfaces of hind limbs with flat subimbricate scales; ventral surface of the manus and pes covered with rounded granular scales; digits relatively short, flattened, a small curved claw on all digital tips; distal phalanges elevated; lamellae on right manus (total: divided) I (6: 2), II (7: 4), III (7: 5), IV (8: 6) and V (7: 4); and on left pes I (6: 2), II (8: 5), III (8: 5), IV (10: 4) and V (6: 3); basal subdigital lamellae narrow and extend to the base of digit IV on pes; interdigital webbing absent.

Complete original tail; strongly compressed dorsally and oval in cross section, longer than snout to vent length; slightly constricted at the base and tapering gradually to a narrow tip; post-cloacal hemipenal bulge distinct; a single enlarged, domed cloacal spur on each side; longitudinal middorsal furrow weak on the tail, lateral furrow absent; median subcaudal series begin on the fifth tail segment consisting of transversely enlarged, smooth, subimbricate scales, approximately 35% tail width on the fifth segment, ~90% beyond the 17th segment, laterally bordered by large subimbricate scales, size decreasing laterally and dorsally to slightly larger than dorsal granular scales; tail segments are weakly delineated, first 15 segments with a transverse row of six tubercles, tail tubercles consist of long erect, weakly keeled, conical spines obliquely pointed posteriorly.

Colouration in preservative: Dorsal surfaces of the head, body, limbs and tail primarily mid-brown. A darker brown stripe extends from the supranasal to the upper border of the orbit, a parallel brown stripe extends from the first supralabial across the lores to the orbit, extending beyond the posterior edge of the orbit as a short streak; the remaining dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head, including the labials, forelimbs and hind limbs are suffused with brown mottling; the pattern on the dorsal surface of the body essentially consists of two dorsolateral longitudinal rows of small irregularly shaped blotches, some of which join to form short streaks, and a vertebral row of more widely spaced blotches that are generally larger and may join with those of the dorsolateral rows; blotches extend onto the tail where they mostly join to form 11 transverse bands dorsally, a further two basally consist of paired blotches. Entire ventral surface of the head, body, limbs and tail appear plain light beige, however under magnification individual scales have varying numbers of minute black specks; precloacal-femoral pores are orange-brown. Colouration in life was not documented in the original description ( Murray 1884b).

Variation. Variation of major mensural and meristic characters are presented in table 1. Topotypes examined of the series from which the neotype was designated agree overall in most characters with the neotype. Exceptions are as follows, on BMNH [18]87.9.22.11: tubercles on the forearm slightly larger, ~3 times granular scales size; secondary postmentals ~50% the size of primary postmentals, a pair of enlarged granular scales border posteriorly the primary postmentals; first supralabial borders the nostril along with two postnasals, a supranasal and rostral; granular scales on the dorsal surface of the head and frontal densely mixed with small domed tubercles, ~2–3 times adjacent granule size; female without pores or pitted scales; enlarged subcaudals begin on the fourth segment of the original tail; first segment with a transverse row of eight tubercular spines, followed by segments with rows of six.

On BMNH [18]87.9.22.9: dorsal pattern barely distinguishable; dorsal surface of the head and frontal densely covered in small tubercles; distal half of the tail regenerated, covered dorsally with small granular scales subequal to those of the original portion, without tubercular spines; transverse subcaudals begin on segment four. On BMNH [18]87.9.22.10: primary postmentals are very narrowly in contact behind the mental, secondary pair separated from the infralabials by a single chin shield of equal size to those forming 1–3 rows bordering the infralabials; no lateroventral fold on the body; largest dorsal tubercles approximately five times adjacent granule size; first three tail segments with a transverse row of seven tubercular spines, followed by segments with rows of six.

Distribution. Murray (1884b) reported the distribution of this species as “Upper Sind, Kushmore and Thool Talookas”, currently referring to Kashmor town (28°26’N, 69°35’E) and administrative division, Jakobabad District, Sindh Province, in southeastern Pakistan. The lost type specimen was reported to have been collected from “Bhaner, Upper Sind frontier”, currently Bhanar (28°12’10”N, 69°15’45”E), Jakobabad District, Sindh Province, in southeastern Pakistan. This species is now also known from the neotype locality, “Ural, Upper Sind”, which refers to Ural (27°54’0”N, 69°5’0”E), Sukkur District, Sindh Province, in eastern Pakistan. Ural is situated ~ 37 km south of Bhanar and all three confirmed localities lie along a ~ 76 km section of the Indus River valley.

Remarks. A brief clarification of specimen numbers is here warranted to avoid future confusion. In the BMNH specimen register the number provided is incorrect for the series of specimens (8719.22.8.17). On the jar containing the specimens are two labels, the most recent states 87.9. 22.8.17 and the older states 87.9.22.8–17. It is the older number that is correct for the series of specimens used in this study.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A. Hemidactylus brookii adult male lectotype (BMNH 1947.3.6.47) by present designation; B. H. gleadowi adult male neotype (BMNH [18] 84.7.25.8) by present designation; C. H. subtriedroides adult male lectotype (BMNH 1946.8.25.54) by present designation; D. H. kushmorensis adult male neotype (BMNH [18] 87.9.22.8) by present designation. E & F. Ventral view of the original tails showing the difference of subcaudal proportions and tail shape between the “ litter-dwelling ” and “ rock-dwelling ” morphotypes: E. H. kushmorensis adult male neotype (BMNH [18] 87.9.22.8); F. H. tenkatei adult male (BMNH 1926.10.30.47) from Timor.