Gekko ernstkelleri is one of ten currently recognized, endemic species of Gekko in the Philippines. This species was described in 2006 (Roesler et al., 2006), after two research teams simultaneously discovered this unique species in a small fragment of karst (limestone) forest in the northwest peninsula of Panay Island. This species has been found on karst outcrops and cave systems at low elevation. The discovery of this species emphasizes the need for focused surveys throughout limestone forests in the Philippines, as multiple limestone microhabitat specialist geckos have now been discovered (including Gekko carusadensis and Gekko gigante). Gekko ernstkelleri is known only from the Buruanga Peninsula (NW peninsula) of Panay Island in the central Philippines.
Recent studies and increased survey efforts throughout the Philippines have resulted in a dramatic increase in the diversity of gekkonid lizards in the country. The archipelago is now known to support ten genera and at least 48 described species in the genera Cyrtodactylus (9 species), Gekko (12–13), Gehyra (1), Hemidactylus (5; including platyurus, a species formerly assigned to Cosymbotus), Hemiphyllodactylus (2), Lepidodactylus (6), Luperosaurus (8), Pseudogekko (4), and Ptychozoon (1) (Taylor, 1922a,b; Brown and Alcala, 1978; Brown and Diesmos, 2000; Brown et al., 1997, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, in press; Gaulke et al., 2007; Linkem et al., 2010; Welton et al., 2009, 2010a, b; Zug, 2010).
Ten species of Gekko are considered endemic to the archipelago (Brown et al., 2009; Linkem et al., 2010) and two additional species with broad geographic distributions (G. gecko, G. monarchus) are also known from the country (Taylor, 1922a, b; Brown and Alcala, 1978; Ota et al., 1989). The ten endemic Philippine species are G. athymus, G. carusadensis, G. crombota, G. ernstkelleri, G. gigante, G. mindorensis, G. palawanensis, G. porosus, G. romblon, and G. rossi. These species represent a considerable range in body size, general appearance, and ecological attributes, but all possess the following combination of morphological traits: (1) body size moderate, with relatively long, slender limbs; (2) near complete absence of interdigital webbing or cutaneous body expansions; (3) dorsal tubercles arranged in longitudinal rows on the dorsum (except for G. athymus, in which dorsal tuberculation is absent); (4) scales of dorsum between tubercle rows minute, non-imbricate; (5) scales of venter enlarged, imbricate, flat; (6) differentiated postmentals elongate; and (7) subcaudals enlarged, plate-like (Brown and Alcala, 1978; Brown et al., 2007, 2008, 2009).
The dorsum of adult G. ernstkelleri is olive to brown-olive, with sepia coloured spots especially on head and nuchal region. The distinct white spots and flecks are arranged in irregular transverse rows across dorsum. Some of the white spots are the size of a single dorsal tubercle, others extend on the surrounding scales. The individual scales of the venter are white with a fine brown dotting, given a dirty white overall appearance. In juveniles the contrast between the violet-black dorsal colour and the white spotting is more pronounced than in adults.
Gekko ernstkelleri is a medium sized member (total length more than 200 mm) of the genus Gekko, with spiny ciliaries, dorsal tubercles on body, hind limbs, and tail, subcaudals enlarged scute-like, nostril in contact with rostral and first supralabial, postmentals two, tubercle rows across midbody 11-15, ventrals 38-48, preanofemoral pores 36-42, subdigital lamellae: first finger 14-18, fourth finger 16-19, first toe 15-17, fourth toe 17-19; numerous whitish spots on head and nuchal region. From all other members of the genus Gekko, G. ernstkelleri can be differentiated by a combination of these characters.
Gekko ernstkelleri is known only from the northwest peninsula of Panay Island in the central Philippines.
Gekko ernstkelleri was named in honor of Ernst Keller, who takes a keen interest in the gecko fauna of the Philippines, a country that he has visited many times.
Gekko ernstkelleri is recognized to occur in the Visayan (Central) Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex in the central Philippines.
This species appears to prefer karst forest outcrops.
Total length more than 200 mm
Buruanga Peninsula, NW Panay Island, Philippines
Gekko ernstkelleri is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Philippines.
The specific name, ernstkelleri, is in honor of Ernst Keller, who is a German supporter of gecko conservation.[2]
G. ernstkelleri is found on the northwest peninsula of the island of Panay in the Philippines.[3][4]
The total length (including tail) of G. ernstkelleri can exceed 20 cm (7.9 in).[4]
G. ernstkelleri lives in caves and near limestone outcrops in forested areas, as well as in disturbed areas near forests, at altitudes from sea level to 300 m (980 ft). It is locally common within its small range.[3]
Gekko ernstkelleri is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Philippines.
