A new species of Namib Day Gecko (Gekkonidae: Rhoptropus Peters, 1869) from the Serra da Neve inselberg, southwestern Angola

Parrinha D, Marques MP, Tiutenko A, Heinicke MP, Ceríaco LMP, Bauer AM (2025)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Zootaxa Magnolia Press

Book Volume: 5569

Pages Range: 439-458

Journal Issue: 3

URI: https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5569.3.2

DOI: ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5569.3.2

Abstract

The genus Rhoptropus comprises nine recognized species of diurnal geckos endemic to the arid regions of Angola and Namibia. Seven species occur in Angola, including the widespread R. boultoni and the poorly known Angolan endemics R. benguellensis and R. montanus, formerly recognized as subspecies of R. boultoni. While R. benguellensis is relatively widespread in the Angolan Escarpment, R. montanus is geographically restricted to the Huíla Plateau. Recent fieldwork in the Serra da Neve inselberg, a herpetological diversity hotspot in southwestern Angola, revealed the presence of a putatively undescribed species of Rhoptropus in the highlands of the inselberg. An integrative taxonomic approach combining coloration, morphological and molecular data supports the recognition of this population as a distinct taxonomic unit with affinities to R. montanus, which we describe herein as Rhoptropis nivimontanus sp. nov.The discovery of a new species of Rhoptropus endemic to Serra da Neve is discussed in the biogeographic context of the region.

Authors with CRIS profile

Arthur Tiutenko Sprachenzentrum

Involved external institutions

Carnegie Museum of Natural History US United States (USA) (US) Universidade do Porto PT Portugal (PT) Villanova University US United States (USA) (US) University of Michigan - Dearborn US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Parrinha, D., Marques, M.P., Tiutenko, A., Heinicke, M.P., Ceríaco, L.M.P., & Bauer, A.M. (2025). A new species of Namib Day Gecko (Gekkonidae: Rhoptropus Peters, 1869) from the Serra da Neve inselberg, southwestern Angola. Zootaxa, 5569(3), 439-458. https://doi.org/ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5569.3.2

MLA:

Parrinha, Diogo, et al. "A new species of Namib Day Gecko (Gekkonidae: Rhoptropus Peters, 1869) from the Serra da Neve inselberg, southwestern Angola." Zootaxa 5569.3 (2025): 439-458.

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