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<b>Revision of the <i>Cyrtodactylus loriae</i> species group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Papuan Peninsula, Papua New Guinea</b>.

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<b>Potential taxonomic instability in the descriptions of <i>Hemiphyllodactylus</i> species (Squamata: Gekkonidae)-<i>H. mengsongcunensis</i> and <i>H. jinghongensis-</i>from Yunnan Province, China</b>.

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Cryptic extinction risk in a western Pacific lizard radiation.

Peter J McDonald1,2, Rafe M Brown3, Fred Kraus4

  • 1Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, PO Box 240, Apia, Samoa.

Biodiversity and Conservation
|May 31, 2022
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Summary

Undocumented species and ranges in Pacific geckos lead to underestimated extinction risk. Conservation efforts must prioritize resolving taxonomy and status, especially on small islands.

Keywords:
GeckosIUCN red listLepidodactylusLinnean shortfallNew GuineaPhilippinesWallacea

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Area of Science:

  • Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
  • Herpetology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Cryptic ecologies, Wallacean Shortfall (undocumented species' ranges), and Linnaean Shortfall (undescribed diversity) hinder conservation assessments.
  • Insular distributions and factors like competition and predation increase extinction risk, particularly for species on islands.
  • The gecko genus *Lepidodactylus* in the western Pacific is diverse but poorly understood, with prior work suggesting vulnerability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the conservation status and threats facing the *Lepidodactylus* gecko genus.
  • To estimate the number of undescribed *Lepidodactylus* species.
  • To assess extinction risk for data deficient and candidate species within the genus.

Main Methods:

  • Updated IUCN Red List assessment for recognized *Lepidodactylus* species.
  • Estimation of undescribed species based on available data.
  • Linear modeling to predict extinction risk in data deficient and candidate species.

Main Results:

  • 60% of the 58 recognized *Lepidodactylus* species are classified as threatened or Data Deficient, exceeding rates in most other lizard groups.
  • Species from smaller, isolated Pacific islands face the greatest conservation concern and are highly vulnerable to invasive species.
  • An estimated 32 undescribed species were identified, with predictions indicating an additional 18 species are threatened with extinction.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptic ecologies and diversity significantly underestimate extinction risk in the *Lepidodactylus* genus.
  • Prioritizing taxonomic and conservation status resolution for key taxa on Pacific islands is crucial for effective conservation.
  • Urgent action is needed to address the conservation of this diverse but understudied lizard fauna.