taxonID	type	description	language	source
9BC19BDEE0B35E30B7D80FB20F97F05B.taxon	description	Figs 4, 5	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
9BC19BDEE0B35E30B7D80FB20F97F05B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Cnemaspis jayaweerai sp. nov., is readily distinguished from its Sri Lankan congeners by a combination of the following morphological and meristic characteristics and also color pattern: maximum SVL 36.8 mm; dorsum with homogeneous, smooth granular scales; 2 / 2 supranasals, 1 internasal and 1 / 1 postnasal present; 3 enlarged postmentals; postmentals bounded by 5 or 6 chin scales (Fig. 4); smooth chin and gular scales, granular, juxtaposed; pectoral and abdominal scales smooth; 6 or 7 poorly developed tubercles on posterior flank; 121 - 126 paravertebral granules linearly arranged; 22 or 23 belly scales across the venter; precloacal pores absent in males, 9 - 12 femoral pores on each side in males, separated by 15 - 17 unpored interfemoral scales, 5 - 7 unpored posterior femoral scales; 121 - 129 ventral scales; 70 - 77 midbody scales; subcaudals smooth, subhexagonal, enlarged, subequal, forming a regular median row; 7 - 9 supralabials; 7 or 8 infralabials; 15 or 16 total lamellae on digit IV of manus, and 17 or 18 total lamellae on digit IV of pes. It is also differentiated by its significanltly different morphospatial placement in the PCoA and the MFA except for C. gunasekarai in the latter.	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
9BC19BDEE0B35E30B7D80FB20F97F05B.taxon	description	Description of holotype. An adult male, 36.8 mmSVL, and 41.1 mmTAL. Body slender, relatively long (TRL / SVL ratio 41.3 %). Head relatively small (HL / SVL ratio 27.8 % and HL / TRL ratio 67.4 %), very narrow (HW / SVL ratio 16.8 % and HW / HL ratio 60.4 %), less depressed (HD / SVL ratio 10.3 % and HD / HL ratio 36.9 %) and distinct from neck. Snout relatively short (ES / HW ratio 80.6 % and ES / HL ratio 48.7 %), more than thrice the eye diameter (ED / ES ratio 37.6 %), more than half the length of jaw (ES / JL ratio 88.5 %), snout slightly concave in lateral view; eye relatively small (ED / HL ratio 18.3 %), twice larger than the ear (EL / ED ratio 50.3 %), pupil rounded; orbit length equal to eye to ear distance (OD / EE ratio 100.0 %) and shorter than digit IV of the manus (OD / DLM IV ratio 92.4 %); supraocular ridges not prominent; ear opening very small (EL / HL ratio 9.2 %), deep, taller than wide, larger than nostrils; single row of scales separate orbit from supralabials; interorbital distance is narrow (IO / ES ratio 76.7 %), shorter than head length (IO / HL ratio 37.3 %); eye to nostril distance shorter than the eye to ear distance (EN / EE ratio 83.9 %). Dorsal surface of the trunk with small, smooth, homogeneous granules, 126 paravertebral granules; 129 smooth midventral scales; 74 midbody scales across belly; 6 / 7 weakly developed tubercles on the flanks; ventrolateral scales small; granules on snout smooth and flat, larger than those on interorbital and occipital regions; canthus rostralis less pronounced, 12 / 13 smooth oval scales from eye to nostril; scales of the interorbital region oval and smooth; ear opening vertically oval, slanting from anterodorsal to posteroventral, 23 / 22 scales between anterior margin of the ear opening and the posterior margin of the eye. Supralabials 8 / 9 and infralabials 7 / 8, becoming smaller towards the gape. Rostral scale wider than long, partially divided (70 %) by a median groove, in contact with first supralabial. Nostrils separated by 2 / 2 enlarged supranasals with 1 internasal and 1 / 1 postnasal; no enlarged scales behind the supranasals. Nostrils oval, dorsolaterally orientated, not in contact with first supralabials. Mental subtriangular, as wide as long, posteriorly in contact with 3 enlarged postmentals (smaller than mental, and larger than chin scales); postmentals contact and bordered posteriorly by 6 smooth chin scales (larger than nostrils), contact with the 1 st infralabials; ventral scales larger than chin scales, and larger than nostrils. Smooth, rounded, juxtaposed granular scales on chin and gular region; pectoral and abdominal scales smooth, subimbricate towards precloacal region, abdominal scales larger than dorsals; 23 belly scales across venter; smooth, subimbricate scales around vent and base of tail; 10 / 11 femoral pores; 16 unpored interfemoral scales; 7 / 6 small posterior femoral scales. Original tail of holotype longer than snout-vent length (TAL / SVL ratio 111.8 %); hemipenial bulge greatly swollen (TBW 3.6 mm), homogeneous scales on the dorsal aspect of the tail directed backwards, spine-like tubercles absent at base of tail, latter very smooth; tail with 3 or 4 enlarged flattened obtuse scales forming whorls; a very small, round post-cloacal spur on each side; smooth subcaudals are arranged into a median series of clearly enlarged, subhexagonal scales. Forelimbs moderately short, slender (LAL / SVL ratio 12.7 % and UAL / SVL ratio 11.3 %) lower arm longer than upper arm; hind limbs moderately long, tibia little shorter than the femur (TBL / SVL ratio 18.8 % and FEL / SVL ratio 21.5 %). Dorsal, anterior, ventral and posterior surfaces of upper arm and lower arms with smooth scales, those on anterior surface twice as large as those on other faces of limb; scales on dorsal, anterior, ventral and posterior surfaces of the femur and tibia smooth and flat granular, scales on the ventral surface is twice the size of those of the other parts. Dorsal and ventral scales on the manus and the pes smooth, granular; dorsal surfaces of digits with granular scales. Digits elongate and slender with inflected distal phalanges, all bearing slightly recurved claws. Subdigital lamellae entire (except divided at first interphalangeal joint), unnotched; total lamellae on manus (left / right): digit I (11 / 11), digit II (15 / 14), digit III (15 / 15), digit IV (16 / 16), digit V (16 / 15); total lamellae on pes (left / right): digit I (10 / 10), digit II (14 / 13), digit III (16 / 16), digit IV (18 / 18), digit V (16 / 15); interdigital webbing absent; length order of digits of left manus: I (2.2 mm), V (2.4 mm), II (2.7 mm), III (2.9 mm), IV (3.7 mm); length order of digits of left pes: I (2.1 mm), II (3.9 mm), III (4.3 mm), V (4.3 mm), IV (5.3 mm).	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
9BC19BDEE0B35E30B7D80FB20F97F05B.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet (Cnemaspis jayaweerai) is a Latinized eponym in the masculine genitive singular, honouring Mr. Shanthasiri Jayaweera (a senior member and former president of the Young Zoologists' Association (YZA) of Sri Lanka; founder of the Junior YZA; senior instructor of the Fish study group of the YZA; renowned wildlife artist; a great educator; wildlife conservationist) for his friendship and valuable contribution to environmental conservation in Sri Lanka.	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
9BC19BDEE0B35E30B7D80FB20F97F05B.taxon	distribution	Distribution and natural history. The type locality, Ethagala forest (7.487114 to 7.514992 N and 81.489325 to 81.525203 E) is an isolated mountain with large pointed granite rock outcrops supporting a forest dominated by tall shade-bearing trees and bushes (e. g. Vatica obscura). The dominant vegetation type is dry mixed semi-evergreen forests (Gunatileke and Gunatileke 1990), and the mean annual rainfall varies between 1000 and 1500 mm, received mainly during the northeast monsoon (November-February) (Somasekaram et al. 1988). The land area is approximately 450 ha and situated in the Ampara District, Eastern Province (dry bioclimatic zone) of Sri Lanka. The mean annual temperature of the area is 29.8 - 31.2 ° C, and its elevational range is 100 - 450 m a. s. l. Based on our preliminary investigations Cnemaspis jayaweerai sp. nov. appeared to be uncommon in Ethagala. Our survey of 20 ha revealed 16 (+ / - 0.3) geckos for 35 man-hours (field work done on 20 July 2019, 13 - 14 September 2019, and 18 - 19 March 2020). This species was restricted to granite caves (mainly those modified by natives 1,000 years ago) in closed canopy forest, and abandoned buildings associated with granite caves inside the forest (Fig. 6). Further, it prefers narrow (~ 6 - 10 mm), long (~ 120 - 390 mm) and deep (~ 80 - 260 mm) crevices as hiding sites. These microhabitats were poorly illuminated (light intensity: 0 - 621 Lux), relatively moist (relative humidity: 68 - 81 % and canopy cover: 75 - 90 %) and relatively cool (ambient temperature: 31.4 - 32.9 ° C and substrate temperature: 28.2 - 29.1 ° C). The new species was sympatric with several other gecko species: Calodactylodes illingworthorum, Cnemaspis podihuna, Gehyra mutilata (Wiegmann, 1834); Hemidactylus depressus Gray, 1842; H. frenatus Dumeril & Bibron, 1836; H. hunae Deraniyagala, 1937; H. leschenaultii Dumeril & Bibron, 1836; H. parvimaculatus Deraniyagala, 1953, and H. triedrus Daudin, 1802. During the study periods, eggs, hatchlings, juveniles and gravid females were not observed.	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
97C8177871975402B8E9F40F3D60D518.taxon	description	Figs 8, 9	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
97C8177871975402B8E9F40F3D60D518.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Cnemaspis nanayakkarai sp. nov., can be readily distinguished from its Sri Lankan congeners by a combination of the following morphological and meristic characteristics and also color pattern: maximum SVL 32.6 mm; dorsum with homogeneous, smooth granular scales; 2 / 2 supranasals, 3 internasals and 1 / 1 postnasal; 4 enlarged postmentals; postmentals bounded by 6 chin scales; smooth chin and gular scales, granular, juxtaposed (Fig. 8); pectoral and abdominal scales smooth and subimbricate; 5 or 6 poorly developed tubercles on posterior flank; 122 - 131 paravertebral granules linearly arranged; 25 - 27 belly scales across the venter; precloacal pores absent in males, 7 or 8 femoral pores in males, on each side separated by 20 - 22 unpored interfemoral scales, 6 or 7 unpored posterior femoral scales; 116 - 122 ventral scales; 86 - 99 midbody scales; subcaudals smooth, subhexagonal, enlarged, subequal, forming a regular median row; 7 - 9 supralabials; 7 or 8 infralabials; 16 or 17 total lamellae on digit IV of manus, and 17 or 18 total lamellae on digit IV of pes. It is also differentiated by its significantly different morphospatial placement in the multivariate analyses.	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
97C8177871975402B8E9F40F3D60D518.taxon	description	Description of holotype. An adult male, 32.6 mmSVL, and 35.7 mmTAL. Body somewhat stout, relatively short (TRL / SVL ratio 39.0 %). Head relatively small (HL / SVL ratio 26.1 % and HL / TRL ratio 66.9 %), very narrow (HW / SVL ratio 14.8 % and HW / HL ratio 56.7 %), less depressed (HD / SVL ratio 9.5 % and HD / HL ratio 36.6 %) and distinct from neck. Snout relatively very long (ES / HW ratio 74.0 % and ES / HL ratio 41.9 %), more than twice the eye diameter (ED / ES ratio 52.8 %), more than half length of jaw (ES / JL ratio 62.2 %), snout slightly concave in lateral view; eye relatively large (ED / HL ratio 22.1 %), less than twice larger than the ear (EL / ED ratio 47.3 %), pupil rounded; orbit length greater than eye to ear distance (OD / EE ratio 122.9 %) and little longer than digit IV of the manus (OD / DLM IV ratio 103.2 %); supraocular ridges not prominent; ear opening relatively large (EL / HL ratio 10.5 %), deep, taller than wide, larger than nostrils; 2 rows of scales separate orbit from supralabials; interorbital distance is relatively broad (IO / ES ratio 99.7 %), shorter than head length (IO / HL ratio 41.8 %); eye to nostril distance greater than the eye to ear distance (EN / EE ratio 122.9 %). Dorsal surface of the trunk with small, smooth, homogeneous granules, 131 paravertebral granules; 122 smooth midventral scales; 88 midbody scales across belly; 6 / 6 weakly developed, large tubercles on the flanks; ventrolateral scales not enlarged; granules on snout smooth and flat, larger than those on interorbital and occipital regions; canthus rostralis not pronounced, 13 / 14 smooth oval scales from eye to nostril; scales of the interorbital region round and smooth; ear opening vertically oval, slanting from anterodorsal to posteroventral, 23 / 21 scales between anterior margin of the ear opening and the posterior margin of the eye. Supralabials 8 / 9 and infralabials 7 / 7, becoming smaller towards the gape. Rostral scale longer than wide, partially divided (90 %) by a median groove, in contact with first supralabial. Nostrils separated by 2 / 2 enlarged supranasals with 3 internasal and 1 / 1 postnasal; no enlarged scales behind the supranasals. Nostrils oval, dorsolaterally orientated, not in contact with first supralabials. Mental quadtriangular, longer than wide, posteriorly in contact with 4 enlarged postmentals (smaller than mental, and larger than chin scales); postmentals contact and bordered posteriorly by 6 smooth chin scales (larger than nostrils), contact with the 1 st infralabials; ventral scales larger than chin scales, and larger than nostrils. Smooth, rounded, juxtaposed granular scales on chin and gular region; pectoral and abdominal scales smooth, subimbricate towards precloacal region, abdominal scales larger than dorsals; 25 belly scales across venter; smooth, subimbricate scales around base of the tail; 8 / 7 femoral pores; 22 unpored interfemoral scales; 6 / 6 large posterior femoral scales. Original tail of holotype longer than snout-vent length (TAL / SVL ratio 109.6 %), less spine-like tubercles along tail side, homogeneous scales on the dorsal aspect of the tail directed backwards, tail with 2 or 3 enlarged flattened obtuse scales forming whorls; hemipenial bulge greatly swollen (TBW 3.1 mm), a very small, round post-cloacal spur on each side; smooth subcaudals are arranged into a median series of clearly enlarged, subhexagonal scales. Forelimbs moderately short, slender, upper arm little longer than lower arm (LAL / SVL ratio 13.3 % and UAL / SVL ratio 14.5 %); hind limbs relatively long, tibia shorter than the femur (TBL / SVL ratio 19.1 % and FEL / SVL ratio 22.5 %). Anterior, dorsal and posterior surfaces of upper arm and lower arms with somewhat keeled scales, ventral surface smooth, those on ventral surface little large than those on other faces of limb. Scales on anterior and posterior surfaces of the femur and tibia somewhat keeled, scales on the dorsal surface granular, ventral surface smooth, anterior surface is twice the size of those of the other parts. Dorsal and ventral scales on the manus and the pes smooth, granular; dorsal surfaces of digits with granular scales. Digits elongate and slender with inflected distal phalanges, all bearing slightly recurved claws. Subdigital lamellae entire (except divided at first interphalangial joint), unnotched; total lamellae on manus (left / right): digit I (12 / 11), digit II (14 / 15), digit III (17 / 16), digit IV (17 / 17), digit V (14 / 13); total lamellae on pes (left / right): digit I (11 / 12), digit II (15 / 14), digit III (17 / 16), digit IV (18 / 18), digit V (18 / 17); interdigital webbing absent; length order of digits of left manus: I (1.6 mm), II (1.9 mm), V (2.2 mm), III (2.6 mm), IV (3.1 mm); length order of digits of left pes: I (1.9 mm), II (2.8 mm), V (3.4 mm), III (3.7 mm), IV (4.3 mm).	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
97C8177871975402B8E9F40F3D60D518.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet (Cnemaspis nanayakkarai) is a Latinized eponym in the masculine genitive singular, honouring Mr. Ananda Lal Nanayakkara (a senior member and a senior instructor of the reptile study group of the Young Zoologists' Association (YZA) of Sri Lanka; reputed lawyer; policy maker, researcher) for his friendship and valuable contribution to reptile conservation in Sri Lanka.	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
97C8177871975402B8E9F40F3D60D518.taxon	distribution	Distribution and natural history. The type locality, Galgiriya (8.0910 to 8.1514 N and 80.6246 to 80.6896 E), is an isolated mountain range with granite rock outcrop forests dominated by tall shade-bearing trees (e. g. Hopea brevipetiolaris), belonging to the dry mixed semi-evergreen forest type (Gunatileke and Gunatileke 1990). The land area is approximately 1000 ha and situated in the Kurunegala District, North Western Province (dry bioclimatic zone) of Sri Lanka. The mean annual rainfall varies between 1,000 and 1,500 mm, which is received mainly during the northeast monsoon (No-vember-February), but a lesser amount during the southwest monsoon (May-September). The mean annual temperature of the area is 29.2 - 30.5 ° C, and its elevational range is 120 - 550 m a. s. l. Based on our preliminary investigations (22 December 2019, 10 February 2020, and 16 August 2020), Cnemaspis nanayakkarai sp. nov. appeared to be common in Galgiriya forest. Our survey of 12 ha revealed 32 (+ / - 0.2) geckos for 24 man-hours. This species was restricted to granite caves (mainly prehistoric granite caves modified 1,000 years ago by natives) in closed canopy forest, and old buildings associated with granite caves within the forest (Fig. 10). Furthermore, this species prefers narrow (~ 7 - 12 mm), long (~ 180 - 450 mm) and deep (~ 130 - 210 mm) crevices as hiding places. These microhabitats were poorly illuminated (light intensity: 246 - 692 Lux), relatively moist (relative humidity: 65 - 80 % and canopy cover: 70 - 95 %) and moderately cool (ambient temperature: 29.5 - 31.2 ° C and substrate temperature: 28.2 - 29.4 ° C). The new species was sympatric with several other gecko species: Gehyra mutilata, Hemidactylus depressus, H. frenatus, H. parvimaculatus, and H. triedrus. Eggs, hatchlings and juveniles were not observed in the habitat, but gravid females were observed in year 2019 and 2020.	en	Karunarathna, Suranjan, Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B., De Silva, Anslem, Bauer, Aaron M., Madawala, Majintha, Poyarkov, Nikolay A., Botejue, Madhava, Gabadage, Dinesh, Grismer, L. Lee, Gorin, Vladislav A. (2023): A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains. Vertebrate Zoology 73: 205-236, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/vz.73.e90979
