We describe a new species of Luperosaurus from the Luzon faunal region, northern Philippines. The new species is most similar to, and has long been confused with, Luperosaurus cumingii from Luzon Island but differs from this and all other Luperosaurus by numerous characters of scalation, color pattern, and a suite of variables related to its small body size. The new species has been recorded at four localities along the eastern seaboard of Luzon and on Camiguin Norte, a small island just northeast of Luzon; it may also occur on Polillo and Lubang Islands. Data from our recent survey work suggest that some Luperosaurus species may be adapted to low elevation, coastal forest and that these species may now be encountered rarely now because this habitat type is so severely imperiled by centuries of deforestation and near complete development of virtually all Philippine coastlines.
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1 June 2011
New Flap-Legged Forest Gecko (Genus Luperosaurus) from the Northern Philippines
Rafe M. Brown,
Arvin C. Diesmos,
Carl H. Oliveros
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Journal of Herpetology
Vol. 45 • No. 2
June 2011
Vol. 45 • No. 2
June 2011