Hemidactylus boavistensis Boulenger, 1906

Vasconcelos, Raquel, Köhler, Gunther, Geniez, Philippe & Crochet, Pierre-André, 2020, A new endemic species of Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from São Nicolau Island, Cabo Verde, Zootaxa 4878 (3), pp. 501-522 : 518

Hemidactylus boavistensis Boulenger, 1906

Referred material. Morphobank M678219–M678224; M676396– M676398

Diagnosis. Relatively large animals, up to 50 mm from snout to vent with relatively broad head posteriorly and narrow snout with concave or straight upper profile ( Arnold et al. 2008). No enlarged tubercles on the dorsum and small ventral scales and often longer than wide and about 35–40 across mid-belly ( Arnold et al. 2008). Usually five enlarged scales under first hind toe and 7–9 under fourth, 5–7 under fifth ( Arnold et al. 2008). Mental often narrowed posteriorly, and postmentals frequently longer than wide ( Arnold et al. 2008). Two large precloacal pores in males and regular and expanded laterally subcaudal scales ( Arnold et al. 2008). The dorsal pattern often consisting of broad transverse bands, but these may be divided on the midline, or the anterior ones broken in to several sections, or animals may be more uniform without bands ( Arnold et al. 2008).

Distribution. Sal and Boavista islands, Cabo Verde Archipelago.

Conservation status. Classified as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List on the basis that this species, although restricted to two islands and two islets in Cabo Verde, is still abundant despite ongoing pressures from infrastructure development and introduced species ( Vasconcelos 2013a). The species almost meets the requirements for listing as threatened under the criterion of reduced geographic range (reduced number of locations, area of extent and estimated number of mature individuals), situation which needs monitoring ( Vasconcelos 2013a). Measures are required to ensure the effective protection of this species.