Cnemaspis gunasekarai, or Gunasekara's day gecko, is a species of diurnal rupicolous gecko endemic to island of Sri Lanka.[1]
The species is closely resembling C. nilgala, C. hitihamii, and other congeners of the alwisi group.[2][3]
The specific name gunasekarai is named in honor of Samantha Gunasekara, who contributed to biodiversity conservation in Sri Lanka.[4] He is a leading environmental activist, conservationist, and former deputy director of Sri Lanka Customs.[1][5]
An adult male is 34.6 mm long. Dorsum homogeneous with keeled granular scales. There are four or five spine-like tubercles on flanks. Dorsum patterned with creamy vertebral markings on a uniform yellowish brown background. Snout is dark yellowish brown. There are two dark brown blotches behind the eye. A bright yellow and black stripe visible on the neck. Arms and legs uniform light brown with pale and dark blotches. Tail is yellowish brown with ten pale yellow markings.[1]
The gecko is restricted to Ritigala wet forest patch.[6] Entirely wild species, it is commonly inhabited in dry, shaded, cool surfaces of large rock outcrops or within caves.[7] The researchers suggested critically endangered IUCN category for the species due to point endemism.[3]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Cnemaspis gunasekarai, or Gunasekara's day gecko, is a species of diurnal rupicolous gecko endemic to island of Sri Lanka.
