Discovery of a New Species of Luperosaurus (Squamata; Gekkonidae) from Sulawesi, with a Phylogenetic Analysis of the Genus, and Comments on the Status of Luperosaurus serraticaudus

Abstract

We describe a new species of Luperosaurus from first growth, low-elevation, closed canopy rain forest on Mt. Tompotika at the tip of the eastern peninsula of the island of Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia. The new species is the first record of the genus Luperosaurus from this island and differs from all known species of Luperosaurus by numerous morphological characters and a unique color pattern. The new species also shares some presumably derived character states with members of the genus Ptychozoon. A phylogenetic analysis of 24 morphological characters is consistent with the previously hypothesized presence of two species groups (putative lineages) within the genus Luperosaurus. The analysis suggests that the new species from Sulawesi may either belong to a clade also including L. brooksi and L. browni or may fall basal to the remaining Luperosaurus. The monophyly of the species currently referred to Luperosaurus is questionable. We consider