1 Herpetology of Pakistan FIELD GUIDE SERIES EUBLEPHARIDAE & GEKKONIDAE Herpetological Laboratory typhlops99@outlook.com 2014 2 The present e-series of Field Guides in pdf format are intended to bring latest scientific information within the reach of the desk of a student and interested biodiversity workers. A document with scientific, common English and Urdu names of the taxa (Pakistan J. Zool. Suppl. Ser., No.11, pp.1-12, 2012) is appended. (Photo credit: Personal + www) Muhammad Sharif Khan Herpetological Laboratory Cover photo: Eublepharis macularius 3 Family EUBLEPHARIDAE Eyelids movable; digits not dilated, straight.......................Eublepharis macularius Description of species Eublepharis macularius (Blyth) Single row of broad subdigital lamellae. Body with granular scales, interspersed with round tubercles. Un-regenerated tail plump, distinctly broader than body, small subcaudals. Male 9-14 preanal pores. Snout-vent length 120-158 mm, tail 89-93 mm. Color: Body in juvenile light brown, yellowish or pinkish with broad crossbars, sometimes with intervening dark brown spots. Head brown, tail ringed with light and dark; older specimens the bars on body are broken into spots. Head spotted, sometimes a U-shaped mark on the nape. Habitat:: Common in stony country sides; inhabits rocky stony terrain, mudflats with sparse grass and bushes, in mesic to xeric conditions. Gregarious: several lizards live in colonies in 4 holes in the ground, under stones, and crevices among rocks, especially in stone walls demarcating fields or houses. Range: From Rajputana and Khandesh District of India, in Pakistan recorded from Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Punjab, Balochistan, and lower Sindh. Family GEKKONIDAE Description of genera 14 genera in Pakistan. Genus Agamura Blanford, 1874 Long slender limbs; digits thin, cylindrical at base, distally angularly bent, slightly compressed; claws between two enlarged scales; subdigital lamellae transverse, smooth; no enlarged postmental shields; dorsal scales granular, intermixed with small round tubercles; tail cylindrical; at base strongly narrowed in diameter; not longer than snout-vent length, autotomizes only at the base; a row of more or less rounded subcaudals. Genus Altigekko Khan, 2003. Body and tail depressed, tail a little longer than body, segments marked by lateral lobulations in the anterior half of un regenerated tail, fragile at its base, regenerated tail much swollen, caudal tubercles small, conical, protuberant given from the middle of segments, indistinct by midtail; subcaudals in several rows; postfemoral tubercles absent; dorsal granular scales convex, mostly juxtaposed, arranged in lateral transverse rows, interspersed with thrice large convex, 5 smooth or feebly keeled oval tubercles arranged in more or less longitudinal rows, rare on head and limbs. no supracilliary spines on the posterior dorsal part of the upper eyelid; a distinct frontal and postnasal pit. Interorbital scales 16-20; scales across midabdomen 27-32, midventrals 117-150; preanal and femoral pores not indicated in both sexes (Gruber, 1981; Khan, 1992). Three species in Pakistan. Genus Bunopus Blanford, 1874 Digits straight, without angular bend, clawed; subdigital lamellae transverse, tuberculated; body dorsum with juxtaposed small scales, intermixed with larger keeled, slightly trihedral flattish tubercles; tail cylindrical, round in cross section, segmented, 2-3 whorls of caudal scales in a segment and one whorl of caudal tubercles, which are in close contact with each other; enlarged subcaudals may be present or absent; enlarged postmental may be present or absent; male with 46 preanal pores. Anderson (1999) determined the holotype of Crossobamon lumsdeni as Bunopus tuberculatus. A single species represented in Pakistan. Genus Crossobamon Boettger, 1888 Digits straight, comb like scales projecting on each side; transverse multileveled subdigital lamellae; dorsum with small imbricate keeled scales intermixed with larger flattish keeled tubercles; no distinct postmental scale; preanal pores in male present. Three species represented in Pakistan. Genus Cyrtopodion Fitzinger, 1843 Dorsum with typical trihedral tubercles arranged in regular longitudinal rows, bigger than interspaces between them; caudal tubercles mucronate, laterally broadly in contact with each other; male with preanal, rarely with femoral pores; a single row of transversally enlarged subcaudals (Khan 2001a). There have been several attempts to group these geckos (Annandale 1913; Smith 1935; Szczerbak and Golubev 1986; Khan 2001a; Khan and Rosler 1999; Anderson 1999). Genus Hemidactylus Oken, 1817 From dilated basal part of digits distal phalanges arise angularly, digits covered with scales, not denticulate; all digits clawed; dorsum with uniform granular subimbricate scales, some times mixed with round enlarged tubercles. Seven species known from Pakistan. Genus Indogekko M. S. Khan, 2003 Sand-stone geckos (Khan, 2001). Large, thin geckos, with body and tail depressed, tail quadrangular, fragile at any point along its length, much longer than body, with very gradual taper; three rows of flat, keeled laterally flared caudal tubercles, twice broadened subcaudals in a single series, two to a segment, laterally flanked by a row of elongated scales; supracilliary spines present on the posterior dorsal part of upper eyelids; limbs and digits long, tips of fingers reach snout tip or beyond. Dorsal granular scales flat, pentagonal, juxtaposed, laterally arranged roughly in transverse rows, interspersed with 2-3 times larger, flat, round to oval, smooth or slightly keeled tubercles. Interorbital scales 13-18; 2, mostly 3 pairs of postmentals, first in 6 contact by a long suture; scales across mid abdomen 23-28; mid ventral scales 129-132; postfemoral tubercles absent; a continuous series of 4-9 preanal and 6-9 femoral pores in male (in some species female may have preanal and femoral pores). Four species in Pakistan. Genus Mediodactylus Szczerbak and Golubev, 1977 Diagnosis: male with no more than 10 preanal pores, no femoral pores; first pair of postmentals in contact; dorsal tubercles oval or roundish, smooth; caudal tubercles spiny, do not contact each other; a row of enlarged subcaudals; supracilliary spines present. A single species in Pakistan. Genus Ptyodactylus Goldfuss, 1820 Digits free, cylindrical at base, tips strongly dilated laterally; a series of subdigital lamellae under cylindrical basal part, while two diverging series on distal dilated part, a small fissure between two series; claws retractile between scales in the anterior notch in the apical expansion; dorsum with smooth juxtaposed, uniform granular scales, abdomen with subimbricate scales; tail subcylindrical, tapering. A single species known from Pakistan. Genus Rhinogekko de Witte, 1973 Nostrils are carried at the tip of a prominent cylindrical caruncle on lateral side of snout, formed by three nasal and first supralabial, which are drawn into a prominent narial spout; digits straight, cylindrical, slightly compressed, with a row of smooth transverse lamellae; a row of enlarged subfemoral scales; tail thin, cylindrical, with a row of irregular squarish larger subcaudals; male with preanal pores. The morphology of narial region of these geckos is enough to distinguish them from rest of the geckos. One species occurs in Pakistan. Genus Siwaligekko M. S. Khan, 2003 Tibetanus subgroup (Khan, 2001). Medium size geckos. Body and tail plump, nearly round, shorter or subequal of body, not whip-like, segmentation indistinct, indicated by minute blunt 2-3 tubercles in anterior half of the tail; tail fragile at base, regenerated tail not swollen, subcaudals indistinct; no supracilliary spines on the posterior dorsal part of the upper eyelids; dorsal granular scales round to polygonal, juxtaposed, beaded (convex), interspersed with three to four times large beaded smooth or slightly keeled tubercles, extending on neck and head, absent from limbs; postfemoral tubercles absent; interorbitals 21-35; midabdominals 36-56; midventrals 149-205; subdigital lamellae under basal part of digits somewhat broad, those under angular part narrower; subdigital lamellae under 4th toe 14-21; male with 8-10 preanal pores, no femoral pores, both absent in female. Three species in Pakistan. Genus Teratolepis Günther, 1870 Subdigital lamellae keeled, not divided; supranasal scales large, flat, does not line nostril; body with flat, rhomboid, imbricate, keeled or smooth scales; dorsal and abdominal scales subequal; no distinct subcaudals; tail cylindrical, slightly thicker and flat at the base, thinning at its last quarter, covered above and below by flat imbricate scales. 7 A single species occurs in Pakistan. Genus Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 Digits straight, not bent or dilated, all clawed, with a lateral fringe of long pointed scales; subdigital surface with minute granules; body covered with uniform, cycloid, imbricate scales; tail covered above with large flat nail like transverse plates; male without preanal and femoral pores. Two species occur in Pakistan. Genus Tropiocolotes Peters, 1880 Small geckos, rarely exceeding 35 mm in snout-vent length; digits with slight angular bent, cylindrical, without a fringe, with a single series of transverse subdigital lamellae; dorsum with small, uniform, homogenous imbricate scales; postanal sacs present; in male preanal and femoral pores absent. Three species in Pakistan. Key: 1. Digits dilated .2 Digits not dilated .. 10 2. Dilated part of the digit confined to the terminal phalanx . Ptyodactylus homolepis Dilated part of the digit extends along the whole digit 3 3. Tail swollen, covered with large flat imbricate scales; subdigital lamellae undivided . Teratolepis fasciata Subdigital lamellae divided .4 4. Dorsum with keeled enlarged tubercles, arranged in regular rows 5 Dorsum with hemispherical keelless tubercles irregularly arranged or absent .. 8 5. Dorsal pattern of clearly defined broad dark saddles . Hemidactylus triedrus Dorsal pattern of small spots, or uniformly colored .. 6 6. Six to 10 lamellae under 4th toe, males with precloacal and femoral pores .. Hemidactylus brookii Nine to 15 lamellae under 4th toe; males with precloacal pores only .7 7. Eleven to 15 lamellae under 4th toe; 6 to 9 precloacal pores .. Hemidactylus persicus Nine to 12 lamellae under 4th toe; 4 to 6 precloacal pores .. Hemidactylus turcicus 8. Inner toe less than half the length of second toe; a continuous series of 23 to 33 preano-femoral pores . Hemidactylus frenatus Inner toe more than half the length of second toe; precloacal and femoral pores separated by at least six scales .9 9. Dorsum with tubercles; 20 or more femoral pores; 12 or fewer lamellae under 4th toe .. Hemidactylus leschenaultii 8 No dorsal tubercles; femoral pores 15 or less; 12 to 15 lamellae under 4th toe .. Hemidactylus flaviviridis 10. Digits straight . 11 Digits angularly bent between last and penultimate phalanx . 16 11. Toes fringed on sides with pointed flexible long scales . 12 Toes not fringed so . Bunopus tuberculatus 12. Several series of large, thin scales on tail dorsum; habitus robust . 13 Tail dorsum with small scales; habitus slender .. 14 13. Body with large cycloid scales, 30 to 35 round midbody .. Teratoscincus scincus Body scales small, 100 or more round midbody Teratoscincus microlepis 14. Unregenerated tail shorter than body; in male fewer than five precloacal pores . Crossobamon orientalis Tail longer than body; precloacal pores six or more 15 15. Dorsum with numerous tubercles; dorsal pattern of transverse bands .. Crossobamon lumsdeni Few or no dorsal tubercles; dorsal pattern of longitudinal stripes Crossobamon maynardi 16. Body and tail depressed; tail longer than body . 19 Body and tail cylindrical, equal or subequal in length .. 17 17. Three nasal scales; dorsal pattern of transverse bands which are much narrower than interspaces, tending to break in spots on sides . Siwaligekko mintoni Two nasal scales; dorsal pattern of transverse bands, band as broad or broader than interspaces . 18 18. Dorsal bands broader than interspaces; mid-ventrals 85 to 162 .. Siwaligekko dattanensis Dorsal bands breaking into a reticulum; mid-ventrals 194 to 205 . Siwaligekko battalensis 19. Tail with even taper; limbs small, heel not reaching axilla 22 Tail tapering abruptly; limbs long and slender; heels reaching axilla or beyond .. 20 20. Nasal scales strongly projecting vertically carrying naris at higher level .. Rhinogekko misonnei Nasal scales not as above 21 21. A row of enlarged scales under the thigh; tail longer than snout-vent length Rhinogekko femoralis No enlarged scales under thighs; tail shorter than snout-vent length . Agamura persica 22. Body non tuberculated .. 23 Body tuberculated .. 24 23. Internasals not differentiated from surrounding scales; four scales border naris . Tropiocolotes depressus Internasals well differentiated, followed by a second pair of large scales; 5 scales border naris . Tropiocolotes persicus 24. Trihedral tubercles on body and tail; 9 body moderately depressed ..25 Trihedral tubercles on tail only; body much depressed . 31 25. Interspaces between tubercles much smaller than size of the tubercles .. 26 Interspaces as large as or larger than size of the tubercles 27 26. Interorbital scales more than 14; dorsal tubercles usually in contact with each other; mid-ventrals more than 120; snout-vent length less than 48 mm Cyrtopodion montiumsalsorum Interorbital scales less than 14; dorsal tubercles always separated by 1 to 3 granular imbricate scales; midventral scales less than 120; snout-vent length more than 50 mm Cyrtopodion kohsulaimanai 27. Two whorls of subcaudals to a caudal segment .. 28 Three whorls of subcaudals to a caudal segment .Cyrtopodion agamuroides 28. Subcaudals small, as broad as long, in two rows . Cyrtopodion kachhense Subcaudals broader than long, in a single row . 29 29. Scales across mid-abdomen less than 25 Cyrtopodion scabrum Scales across mid-abdomen more than 25 . 30 30. 25-33 scales across mid-abdomen . Cyrtopodion potoharensis 30-40 scales around mid-abdomen Cyrtopodion watsoni 31. Caudal tubercles trihedral, arising from last annulus of caudal segment . 32 Caudal tubercles non-trihedral, arising from center of caudal segment 35 32. Only precloacal pores present in males . 33 Precloacal and femoral pores present in males .. 34 33. Flat dorsal tubercles keeled .Indogekko indusoani Dorsal tubercles feebly keeled or keelless .. Indogekko fortmunroi 34. 16-18 scales across mid-abdomen; 92-106 midventral scales .. Indogekko rhodocaudus 21-25 scales across mid-abdomen; 102-132 midventral scales . Indogekko rohtasfortai 35. Dorsal tubercles round with raised center ..36 Dorsal tubercles flat, with or without keel .37 36. Unregenerated tail flat, laterally deeply sected, subcaudals Indistinct Altigekko stoliczkai Tail quadrangular, a distinct row of subcaudals ..Mediodactylus walli 37. 158-171 midventrals .Altigekko baturensis 109 mid-ventrals ..Altigekko boehmei ***** Description of species Agamura persica (A. Duméril) 10 Femoral and preanal pores absent; femoral if present, not more than four. Ventral scales in 23-26 rows across midabdomen. Tail as long as body, tip blunt. Snout-vent length 65 mm, tail 65 mm. Color: Dorsum light gray with yellowish tinge. Five dark gray crossbars on body, as broad as or slightly narrower than interspaces, 9-10 on tail. Belly dirty white, flecked with gray. In young, bands darker dotted with light. Habitat:: Collected from rocky , stony terrain close to sandy semi-desert, and in crevices on the slopes of hills at 30-100 m of elevation. The gecko is sluggish, essentially nocturnal, however, may be active during the day. Range: Reported from Iran, and extends eastward to near Karachi and northward to the Waziristan Hills, between 25 and 100 m of elevation. Altigekko baturensis (Khan and Baig) Interorbitals 16-20. Dorsal granular scales interspersed with flat thin weakly keeled tubercles, in 11-12 longitudinal rows at midbody. Scales across midabdomen 26-30. Scales along body midventrum 149-171. No preanal or femoral pores. Caudal tubercles flat, arising from the middle of tail segments. Subcaudals small. Snout-vent length 50-53 mm, tail 51-54 mm. Color: Dorsum light gray, with wavy-margined faint transverse bars on nape, neck, 4 on body, one at the pelvis and the last one at the level of the vent. Tail with transverse dark bars. 11 Habitat:: Picked from crevices in stone wall of thatched huts, from under stones and other debris in an area of sparse grass and low bushes. Range: Gilgit Agency, northeastern Pakistan. Altigekko boehmei (Szczerbak) Supralabials 8-9; infralabials 6-7; interorbitals 20; nasals 3; postmentals in three pairs, scales of first pair broadly in contact with each other. Midventral scales 109-112. Finger tips of adpressed forelimbs reach to snout tip, toes of hind limbs to mid-neck; 22 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe. Snout-vent length 34-39 mm, tail length 35-50. Color: Body light dark with 6-7 darker transverse bands, 11-12 similar bands on tail. Ecological notes: A gecko of snowfields, inhabiting holes and crevices among walls of stone built huts and houses. Range: Known from Skardu, Ladak, northeastern Pakistan, at 2300 m. Altigekko stoliczkai (Steindachner) 12 Body and tail moderately depressed, tail a little longer than body, laterally deeply sected in anterior half. Subcaudals in several series. Body with flat, mostly juxtaposed granular scales, arranged in transverse rows, interspersed with flat smooth oval tubercles, about three times larger than granular scales. Interorbital tubercular scales 16-20. 27-32 scales across midabdomen, 117-150 midventral scales from postmentals to anterior lip of cloaca. Both preanal and femoral pores not indicated. Snout vent length 48, tail length 52 mm. Color: Body light blue or gray, with pink edged transverse irregular bands, with denser wavy posterior edges, broader than interspaces: three on nape, six on body and 13 on tail (on preservation bands are dark). Head, labials and tail plates with fine gray dots, limbs and digits barred, ventrum light. Entire tail Regenerated tail Ecological notes. Collected from rocky habitat, in bare, dry situations in the non-irrigated areas without or with very sparse vegetation, apparently avoiding direct neighborhood of human settlements. Range: Widely distributed in Baltistan, northeast Pakistan. Recently it has been recorded from upper Indus. Bunopus tuberculatus Blanford 13 No postmental. Digits straight, distal phalanx not compressed. Subdigital lamellae with a single series of minute tubercles. Male with 5-6 preanal pores. Snout-vent length 50-52 mm, tail 59-60 mm. Color: Dorsum light grayish to pale brown, with 6 indistinct light gray crossbars, broader than interspaces. A brown crescentic curve around nape passes through eye. Labials barred. Limbs mottled or barred. Tail barred above, flecked below, belly white. Habitat:: A true psammophilous essentially a nocturnal species, extracted from burrows among roots of shrubs in sand dunes. In mountainous region with sandy soil, inhabits crevices in the rock or brick walls of dikes built around salt lakes known locally as hamuns”, crevices under bridges, and fissures in soil. Range: Ranges from Syria, Iraq, eastern Arabia, southern Iran, to southern Afghanistan. In Pakistan it is common in Balochistan, to southern Sindh, Las Bela, and around Hyderabad, below 2000 m. Crossobamon lumsdeni (Boulenger) Length of snout greater than distance between eye and ear opening. Hind limb reaches beyond axilla. Abdominals smooth. Dorsal tubercles numerous. Head with irregular scales. Snout-vent length 33-38 mm, tail 40-42 mm. 14 Color: Dorsum sandy gray, with 7 distinct brownish crossbars, which are broader than interspaces. Body ventrum white. Habitat: A true psammophilous essentially a nocturnal species. It lives in burrows at the roots of bushes and grass among packed and semi-packed sand dunes., and feeds on different arthropods and their larvae. Range: Recorded in Pakistan between Nushki and Helmand in northern Balochistan. Crossobamon maynardi (Smith) (Range map 4) Snout is longer than distance between eye and the ear opening. Supralabials13-15, infralabials 12-13. Belly with small round keeled scales. Hind limb reaches to axilla. Toes with marked lateral denticulations. Male with 9 preanal pores, female with 9 enlarged pitted scales. Snout-vent length 69-70 mm, tail 75-76 mm. Color: Three yellow irregular stripes, with brownish black bands, from head to tail. Ventrum slightly pinkish. 15 Habitat: It excavates burrows in the roots of vegetation and feeds on desert arthropods. When encountered it runs to the nearby shelter, spraying sand behind. Range: The striped sand gecko has been collected from northwestern Balochistan. Crossobamon orientalis (Blanford) Snout about as long as distance between eye and the ear opening. Supralabials 11-13, infralabials 9-11. Head scales fairly uniform, flat or feebly keeled. Abdominal scales small, round and keeled. Hind limb reaches to the axilla. Toes long, with well marked lateral denticulations. Male with 1-4 preanal pores. Snout-vent length 47-49 mm, tail 48-50 mm. Color: Dorsum pale sandy, with indistinct dark crossbars. A dark line from eye to the sides of the body. Dorsal tubercles dark brown. Ventrum whitish. 16 Habitat: Its burrows in open sand close to vegetation, the burrow has a large round opening. Most of the day it stays close to the opening, catching passing insects. Range: Widely distributed throughout the Thar, Cholistan, and Thal Deserts, Sindh Delta and Las Bela, southern Balochistan. **** Cyrtopodion agamuroides (Nikolsky) (Range map 2) Nasal scales 3. Scales with preanal pores are much larger than surrounding scales. Transverse rows of subcaudal scales under a caudal segment 3. Scales across midbelly 28. Male with 2-4 preanal pores. Snout-vent length 38-40.2 mm, caudal length 49-50 mm. Color: Khaki brown dorsum with 7 cross rows of 3-5 dark brown spots arranged between neck and the level of vent. Tail with 13 thick bars; 4-5 bars on limbs; ventrum white. 17 Habitat: Collected from different situations in barren scrubland to rocky cliffs. It is nocturnal and very agile on rocks during the night, jumping from one rock on to another. Range: From southeastern Iran to Las Bela. Cyrtopodion kachhense kachhense (Stoliczka) Subcaudals small, not broader than adjacent scales (Figure 14C). Scales across midabdomen 30. Dorsal tubercles subtrihedral (Figure 14A). Snout-vent length 37-40 mm, tail 40-45 mm. Color: Dorsum yellowish gray, with irregular dark brown spots, tail barred. 18 Habitat:: It lives in cracks and holes in ground, readily colonizing crevices among rocks and nearby houses, and crevices under bridges and walls. Range: Collected from most of Kutch, coastal Sindh, and Las Bela, Pakistan. Cyrtopodion kachhense ingoldbyi Khan Dorsum with trihedral tubercles, the sides of which are bowed in so that the tubercle has a sharp median longitudinal keel. Interparietal scales 14-16. Scales across midbelly 32-40. Lateral cloacal tubercles 2-3. Dorsolateral caudal keeled tubercles in 4 rows. Snout-vent length 37-53 mm, tail 47-65 mm. Color: Dorsum light gray with yellowish gray ventrum, with irregular dark brown bars, tail and limbs barred. 19 Habitat:: Khar-Rakhni-Quetta road to Punjab-Balochistan border meanders through a series of low hills. It colonizes holes and crevices among the bricks and stones under road bridges, with meager grass growing between boulders along sides of dry beds of torrents. 20 Range: Mountain form, widely distributed in the hills along Khar-Rakhni-Quetta road, about 10 km west of Fort Munro. Cyrtopodion kohsulaimanai (Khan) Interorbitals 14-17. Dorsum with large trihedral tubercles arranged in longitudinal rows, not in contact with each other. Rows of scales across midabdomen 27-30. Scales along midventrum of the body from postmentals to the anterior lip of the vent 120-138. A continuous series of 30-40 preanofemoral pores. Snout-vent length 54-59 mm, tail 70-73 mm. Color: Dorsum light gray, with fine light brown granulations; head and supralabials mottled with brown. Brown and white tubercles alternate with each other. Juveniles with 6-7 indistinct transverse bands from neck to the vent. Limbs and tail barred. Habitat:: Essentially a ground gecko, inhabiting barren sparsely vegetated areas, in semi-sandy desert situations where it inhabits holes and fissures in the ground. However, where artificial structures in the form of buildings and bridges are available, the gecko readily invades them, inhabiting crevices and holes among bricks and stones. Range: Known from two localities, Sakhisarwar and Rakhni Gorge, along Dera Ghazi Khan-Fort Munro road, in District Dera Ghazi Khan, northwestern Punjab, Pakistan. 21 Cyrtopodion montiumsalsorum (Annandale) Dorsal large trihedral tubercles are arranged in regular longitudinal rows. They are mostly in contact with each other. Scales across midabdomen 21-23. Interorbitals 11-13. Scales along midventrum of body from postmentals to the anterior of vent 112-115. A series of 26-32 preanofemoral pores. Snout-vent length 43-46 mm, tail 58-60 mm. Color: Dorsum light gray, dark brown and light tubercles are transversally disposed in alternate rows, giving the dorsum a variegated pattern. Tail with 13-14 crossbars. Head and labials mottled with dark brown to black. Belly light. Habitat:: Primarily inhabits holes and crevices in badlands terrain along the southern Salt Range. It secondarily invades holes and crevices in the walls of buildings and rocks. It occurs 22 sympatrically with Cyrtopodion scabrum and Cyrtopodion watsoni. In Rohtas Fort, it is sympatric with Indogekko rohtasfortai. Range: Collected from various localities in the southern Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan. Cyrtopodion potoharensis Khan Supralabials 10-15. Interorbital scales 12-17. Abdominals squarish, 25-33 across midabdomen. Midventrals 121-145, from the postmentals to the preanal lip. Postfemoral tubercles 5-12. Preanal pores 6-7, arranged in an angular arch, in distinctly enlarged scales. Caudal tubercles distinctly mucronate. Snout-vent length 37-52 mm, tail 47-64 mm. Color: Dorsum light bluish with 3-4 heterogeneous squarish dark spots arranged in 5-8 transverse series, from nape to the level of vent, tail with 10-12 dark bands. Limbs and digits heavily barred with black. Habitat:: Collected during day from holes and crevices under roads and rail bridges, and under from under stones and slabs in District Attock, northern Punjab. Some were collected from holes and crevices along sides of mudflats through which roads run. Range: Was collected from different localities in central Potwar Plateau, Salt Range, Punjab. 23 Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden) Subcaudals in a single series of broad scales. Scales across midabdomen not more than 25. Snout-vent length 43-44 mm, tail 43-45 mm. Color: Light gray to light brown dorsum, with regular brown spots, tail barred with dark brown. Habitat:: A common ground gecko, it inhabits dry scrublands, and dry stony hillsides with typical sparse xerophytic vegetation. Crevices, holes, and fissures in soil with sparse grass are inhabited by this gecko. Near human habitations, it lives in crevices in boundary walls of inhabited houses, occasionally venturing inside the buildings attracted by the photophilic insects: however, it avoids confrontation with common house geckos Hemidactylus flaviviridis and H. brookii. 24 Range: From Egypt to Rajputana, India. In Pakistan, it has been reported from the upper and lower Indus Valleys, and along the eastern edge of the Thar Desert. It is widely distributed in Balochistan and Waziristan. Cyrtopodion watsoni (Murray) More than 25 scales across midabdomen. Dorsal granular scales intermixed with larger flat keeled scales and large trihedral tubercles. Snout-vent length 50-53 mm, tail 54-57 mm. Color: Light brown dorsum, with scattered dark spots. Tail barred with dark. Habitat:Mountain gecko lives in holes and crevices in the ground, and stone or brick walls. Occurs sympatrically with C. scabrum; however, avoids competition with other sympatric geckos, Hemidactylus flaviviridis and H. brookii. 25 Range: Reported from western Salt Range, Punjab, and Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. Hemidactylus brookii Gray (Range map 5) The ear opening is oval, about 1/3rd the size of the eye. Dorsum granular, interspersed with small subtrihedral tubercles. Supralabials 8-10, infralabials 7-9. Lamellae under 4th toe 8-10. Tail cylindrical, distinctly segmented, with 3 dorsolateral rows of small flat caudal tubercles, a single row of broad subcaudals. Male with preanal and femoral pores, separated medially by 2-3 scales. Color: Dorsum shows metachromatic changes, from dark brown to light gray, spotted with dark, a dark stripe from eye to the temple. Habitat: Most common gecko in the countryside, avoids competition with common house geckos, Hemidactylus flaviviridis, which inhabits the interiors of buildings. It frequents piles of chopped vegetation, logs, crops, in crevices and holes in the ground, under tree bark, around potted plants, dark uninhabited huts, leaf litter, and piles of trash. It is known to frequent tilled areas, forests, oases where it is found under leaf litter, fallen trees, and anything which can provide shelter. Range: Wide ranging in Southeast Asia, from Borneo, China, through tropical and subtropical Asia, extending through India, Pakistan, and the Middle East to northern Africa. There are reports of it from the West Indies. In Pakistan it is a common gecko in the plains, avoiding higher northern mountains, and extends into the peripheral humid areas around deserts and oases. In Rohtas Fort it occurs sympatrically 26 with Cyrtopodion montiumsalsorum, Indogekko rohtasfortai, Hemidactylus flaviviridis, and Hemidactylus persicus. It is widely distributed in alpine Punjab and Azad Kashmir. Hemidactylus flaviviridis Ruppell Dorsum with granular scales, no distinct tubercles. Ssupralabials 12-15, infralabials 10-14. Lamellae under first 7-10, under fourth toe 12-15. Tail indistinctly segmented; caudal tubercles small and conical. Preanofemoral pores 8-15. Snout-vent length 86-95 mm, tail 89-93 mm. Color: Dorsum shows marked metachromatic variations. Those geckos living outside the buildings, under tree bark, etc., are greenish gray, with 5 distinct dark wavy crossbars; tail is similarly barred. Dorsal pattern fades out in older geckos or in those living inside the buildings and rarely exposed to sunlight, usually they are almost uniformly grayish white; however, the ventrum is always light yellowish. Habitat: Most common and familiar house gecko throughout the plains of Punjab, Sindh, and sub-Himalayan areas. It is a strict commensal with man and strongly edificial species. It climbs into large trees, like banyan, Acacia, and Dalbergia, where it lives and lays its eggs in holes or under bark. Range: Wide ranging from the Red Sea to the coasts of Arabia and Iran, Pakistan, and India to Bangladesh. Human agency has played an important role in its wide Range. In Pakistan it is reported from throughout the plains below 1000 m, always in association with man. Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel First toe less than half the length of second. Dorsal tubercles few or absent. Supralabials 10-12, infralabials 8-10. Subdigital lamellae under first 4-5, and 9-10 under fourth toe. Tail feebly depressed, with a series of enlarged subcaudals. Male with a continuous series of 26-36 preanofemoral pores. 27 Snout-vent length 60-62 mm, tail 60-67 mm. Color: Dorsum grayish or pinkish, sometimes much darker. With indistinct dark spots, sometimes arranged in stripes. Ventrum white, tail sometimes red. Habitat: A coastal species which, does not venture deep into the plains. Its natural habitat coincides with that of Hemidactylus brookii. It inhabits parks and gardens where coconut and date palm trees are common. They have been collected from among palm fronds or beneath rubbish. It rarely ventures into buildings, apparently avoiding to competition with the common yellow-belly house gecko and Hemidactylus turcicus. Range: A pantropic species, in Pakistan it has been collected from the lower Indus Delta. Hemidactylus leschenaultii Duméril and Bibron Round feebly keeled tubercles are scattered among granular dorsal scales which are much smaller than the interspaces, few on anterior, numerous on posterior half of the body. Supralabials 10-12, infralabials 8-10. Lamellae under first 6-7, and under fourth toe 9-11. Tail strongly depressed, segmented, with a median series of enlarged subcaudals; 6 rows of dorsal pointed subcaudal tubercles. Male with 10-17 femoral pores, medially separated by several scales. Snout-vent length 85-86 mm; tail 85-87 mm. Color: Dorsum gray, with dark brown crossbars or rhomboidal blotches. A dark streak from eye extends onto flanks. Dirty white belly. 28 Habitat: Arboreal, preferring large mango and banyan trees, and rarely venturing inside buildings. It is a common house gecko in Bengal. Lives under loose tree bark or between base of branches. Range: From Assam, Bangladesh, eastern and southern India, along the western coast, reaching the lower Sindh in Pakistan, where it is recorded from various localities in the lower Indus Delta and Las Bela in southern Balochistan. Hemidactylus persicus J. Anderson 1. Supralabials 10-12, infralabials 8-10. 2. Lamellae under first 8-10, under fourth toe 12-14. 3. Preanal pores 9-13. Snout-vent length 68-70 mm, tail 84-86 mm. Color: Dorsum light brownish gray, with irregularly scattered white, brown, or black keeled tubercles. Irregular light dark spots, a dark line on the side of the head, ventrum whitish. 29 Habitat: Inhabits trees and buildings in rocky deserts and xerophytic stony terrain, on trees in oases. Invades buildings, especially old tombs. Range: From eastern Arabia, through southern Iran, Balochistan to Sindh, northward to Waziristan. Recently it has been reported from the southern Potwar Plateau, in central Punjab, Pakistan. Hemidactylus robustus Heyden 30 1. 1. Supralabials 8-11, infralabials 7-9 2. Lamellae under fourth toe 8-11 3. Preanal pores 6-7 4. Snout-vent length 68-70 mm, tail 84-86 mm. Color: Basic dorsal coloration pinkish brown, translucent. A series of dark spots arranged longitudinally along mid-dorsum, often indistinct. Tail with numerous irregular, narrow, dark bands. Range: India, Pakistan, Egypt, Arabia, Abyssinia. Hemidactylus triedrus (Daudin) 1. Dorsal large trihedral tubercles are arranged in 13-16 longitudinal rows. The tubercles are larger than the interspaces between them. 2. Supralabials 8-10, infralabials 7-8. 3. Subdigital lamellae slightly oblique, 6-7 under first, and 7-10 under fourth toe. 4. Tail slightly depressed, with a series of transversally enlarged subcaudal scales. 5. Preanofemoral pores 6-14, in male, interrupted medially by 1-3 scales. 6. Naris separated from first supralabial. Snout-vent length 75-77 mm, tail 76-78 mm. Color: Dorsum yellowish, with 3 large dark brown saddles which are narrowly edged with black; tail with dark rings. One or two yellow stripes behind eye, another on nape. Ventrum pale. 31 Habitat: Collected from flat semiarid habitat with scrubby vegetation along coast region in Pakistan. Range: From Sri Lanka and peninsular India to Karachi, in Pakistan, where it is known from the coastal localities in the lower Indus Delta. Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus) 1. Naris bordered by first supralabial. 2. Supralabials 7-10 and infralabials 6-9. 3. Dorsal tubercles large, subtrihedral arranged in 14-16 fairly regular longitudinal rows. 4. Subdigital lamellae under inner 7-8 and under fourth toe 8-11. 5. Tail subcylindrical, covered above with irregular, some what pointed scales and a series of 6-8 large pointed tubercles, median subcaudals are transversally enlarged. 6. Male has 4-10 (rarely 2) preanal pores. Snout-vent length 58-61 mm, tail 59-65 mm. Color: Dorsum light brown or grayish, spotted with black, sometimes spots arranged in transverse series. A dark streak on sides of the head usually present. Ventrum dirty white. 32 Habitat: A coastal gecko, picked especially from the base of palm fronds, from under rocks, piles of stones, and bricks and rubbish. Range: Extensive range from the West Indies, eastern Mexico, southern United States, northern Africa, circum-Mediterranean countries and islands, the Middle East, Iran, and Afghanistan. In Pakistan it has been reported from various localities along coastal Sindh. In Karachi city this gecko has been found to occur in houses side by side with H. flaviviridis. Indogekko fortmunroi (Khan) 1. Dorsal granular scales tubercular, juxtaposed, interspersed with 12 rows of flat, keelless, round larger tubercles. 2. Body much depressed, habitus weak. 3. Tail longer than body, segmented, with 3 rows of trihedral caudal tubercles on sides. 4. Subcaudals in a transversally enlarged median series. Snout-vent length 48-50 mm, tail 65-68 mm. Color: Dorsum light brown, with a series of 14 median transverse dark bands, as broad as the interspaces. Head light brown with dark mottling. A dark stripe from snout through eye joins first band on nape. Dorsal tubercles of light and dark form a mosaic dorsal pattern. Limbs mottled with dark. The geckos found in buildings are light gray with darker spots, and no dark mottling on head and limbs. 33 Habitat: Inhabits crevices and holes among sandstone slabs, around Fort Munro. It readily invades buildings where it gathers around lights at night, to feed on photophilic insects. Taxonomic notes: Baig s (1998) taxon Indogekko (Tenuidactylus) rhodocaudus, from Tanishpa village, District Kila Saifullah, Balochistan. Is a sub species of Indogekko rohtasfortai, diffes in minor pholidosic variations and red tail tip (lost on preservation): Pholidosic counts are: 1. Dorsum with 12-14 longitudinal rows of smooth or feebly keeled, enlarged tubercles. 2. Midabdominal scales 16-18. 3. Preanofemoral pores 23 in male; 5-9 preanal pores in female. 4 Dorsolateral rows of enlarged spinose scales on tail 2. 5. Midventral scales between mental and vent 92-106 Snout-vent length 59.0 mm, tail length 74.0 mm. Range: Fort Munro and Khar village, in the northwestern Dera Ghazi Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. Extended to northern Balochistan. Indogekko indusoani (Khan) 1. Interorbitals 13-15. 34 2. Body depressed, tail longer than body. 3. Dorsal tubercles flat, in 11 irregular longitudinal rows. 4. Scale rows across midabdomen 23-25. 5. Preanal pores 4-5. Snout-vent length 50-53 mm, tail 75-78 mm. Color: Dorsum light to dark gray, with dark mottling on snout and labials. A dark streak behind eyes connected behind nape with that of other side. Seven transverse dark bands from neck to the level of vent, each composed of a series of 3 oval spots. Limbs mottled with dark. Ventrum white. Habitat: Inhabits crevices among sandstone rocks along the bank of the River Indus, close to the site where Soan River opens in the Indus as it enters Punjab Province in District Mianwali. I. rhodocaudus is reported from similar habitat in northern Balochistan. Range: From northern Balochistan to the northwestern border of the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan. Indogekko rohtasfortai (Khan and Tasnim) 35 1. Middorsum with flat, round, slightly keeled tubercles; lateral sides with subtrihedral to conical tubercles, in 12-14 longitudinal rows. 2. Scale rows across midabdomen 24-33. 3. Males with a continuous series of 18-27 preanofemoral pores. 4. Midventral scales 103-135, from postmentals to the anterior lip of vent. Snout-vent length 48-51 mm, tail 63-65 mm. Color: Dorsum light gray, with 7 broken bands each formed of 3 rounded spots. Labials mottled. A light stripe from eye to the side of the neck. Tail barred. Habitat:: This gecko inhabits crevices among rocks and invades houses, where it rests clinging to walls in quieter dark corners. Nocturnal, those in inhabited houses gather around light at night to feed on photophilic insects, while those in the field, live in crevices and holes among rocks or under stones. Range: Widely distributed species in alpine Punjab and southeastern Azad Kashmir. It extends into the hilly terrain of the Potwar Plateau, especially from Jhelum to Islamabad west ward into northern Balochistan. zz 36 Mediodactylus dhakrensis (Mansoor) 1.Supralabials 16-13. 2.Infralabials 7-9. 3. Interorbitals 16-18. 4. Number of mid ventral scale rows 93-102. 5. Number of scale rows across midbelly 21-25. 6. Precloacal pores. 7.Lamellae under fourth finger 12-16. 8.lamellae under fourth toe 18-23. Habitat: An arboreal species. Range: Known from Sindh Mediodactylus walli (Ingoldby) 1. Body moderately depressed. 2. Dorsal tubercles are oval, keel-less scattered among granular scales. 3. Subcaudals are broader than long, in a single median series. 4. Caudal tubercles are given out from the middle of the caudal segments. 5. Preanal pores 4-5 in male. Snout-vent length 54-55 mm, 78-79 mm. Color: Dorsum light gray to dark, with 9 wavy crossbars, slightly broader than the interspaces. A dark stripe from eye, joining the band on nape. Limbs barred, tail with alternating light and dark bars. 37 Habitat:: The gecko has been picked from the walls of inhabited houses. Range: Known from Drosh Fort, Karakal village in Bumhoet Valley, and Ghariet village, Chitral, and northwest Potohar, all in KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, Pakistan. Ptyodactylus homolepis Blanford 1. Digits terminate into a subtriangular expansion, which is as broad as the diameter of eye; claws are centrally located (Figure 13B). 2. Supralabials 13-15, infralabials 12-15. 3. Mental and submental scales indistinct. 4. Rostral does not border naris. 5. Head and body with granular scales, no tubercles. 6. Tail subcylindrical, with smaller dorsal and larger ventral scales. Snout-vent length 100-108 mm, tail 85-89 mm. Color: Dorsum light brown to gray, with broad transverse lighter wavy bands. Ventrum white. 38 Habitat: Primarily a mountain species in northeastern Kirthar Range. Range: There is no subsequent report of this gecko from Pakistan. It is yet known only from its type locality, in the Kirthar Range. Rhinogekko femoralis Smith 1. Head about twice as long as broad. 2. Diameter of ear opening is half that of the eye. 3. Mental longer than adjacent labials, a pair of distinct postmentals, which are in contact with each other. 4. Gulars small, flat granules. 5. Naris on a caruncle formed by rostral and first supralabial. 6. Ventrals in 17-21 rows at midbody. 7. Males with 6 (rarely 5) preanal pores. 8. A series of 9-12 enlarged subfemoral scales. 9. Tail longer than body, sharp-tipped. Snout-vent length 60-62 mm, tail 60-64 mm. Color: Light yellow gray, with 5 dark cross bars on body and 8-10 on tail. 39 Habitat: Gecko collected from sandy deserts with rocky outcrops and scarce vegetation of bushes. It is terrestrial and rarely climbs vertical surfaces. When encountered, it poises for defense by flattening its body, elevating its tail, and twitching it from side to side. Range: It has been reported from Kharan and Chagai Deserts, close to the rocky outcrops. Rhinogekko misonnei de Witte 1. Nasal scales strongly elevated carrying naris at a tube on the snout. 2. scales across midbelly 26-28. 3. A row of 9-12 enlarged scales on thigh ventrum. 4. Four to eight very poorly developed preanal pores. 5. Tail slightly longer than the body. Snout-vent length 56-61 mm, tail length 58-73 mm. Color: Coffee gray dorsum, 5 wide dark transverse bands on body, 7 on tail, limbs similarly barred. Ventrum whitish. 40 Habitat:: The lizard is reported from the gravel deserts with scanty vegetation. Range: Known from Dasht-i-Lut along the Iran-Pakistan border. Siwaligekko battalensis (M. S. Khan) 1. Dorsum with obtusely keeled flat tubercles scattered among granular scales. 2. Scales across midabdomen 50-52. 3. Scales along midventrum of body from postmentals to anterior of the vent 199-205. 4. Preanal pores 9-10 arranged in an arch, no femoral pores. 5. Tail round, without marked segmentation. 6. Subcaudals small in several rows. Snout-vent length 60-64 mm, tail 63-64 mm. Color: Dorsum light brown, with 7 dark brown transverse bands, much narrower than the interspaces, with irregular borders touching each other so to form a distinct dark reticulum on dorsum of the body. A vivid dark stripe from snout through loreal and eye joins first transverse band on the nape. Frontal with a dark U-shaped mark, several small transverse stripes on head. Limbs with dark reticulation. Tail with 11 dark rings, extending onto the tail ventrum. 41 Habitat: An alpine gecko, living in crevices among rocks, close to the roots of vegetation. It invades buildings, living in holes and crevices among brick and stone walls. Its movements are deliberate, invades surrounding vegetation just after sunset, and returning to its retreats before dawn. Range: The reticulate gecko is known only from its type locality, Batgram, District Manshera, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, Pakistan. Siwaligekko dattanensis (M. S. Khan) 1. A single pair of postmentals. 2. Dorsal tubercles round, keel-less, arranged in longitudinal rows. 3. Male with 8-9 preanal pores. 4. Tail unsegmented, round, with small flattish caudal tubercles, small subcaudals. Snout-vent length 60-62 mm, tail 56-57 mm. Color: Darkish gray dorsum, with 10 dark brown wavy crossbars from nape to the vent, broader than the interspaces; bars tend to break into spots on flanks. Tail barred, bars extending onto tail ventrum. Belly dirty white. 42 Habitat: Collected from rocky alpine terrain, where it lives in crevices among rocks and among roots of pine trees. It feeds on soft bodied insects and their larvae. Range: The barred gecko is widely distributed in alpine Punjab and eastern Northwestern Frontier Province, Pakistan. Siwaligekko mintoni (Golubev and Szczerbak) 1. Dorsal pattern of narrow wavy dark brown crossbars, much narrower than interspaces. Bands are broken into round spots on flanks. 2. Nasal scales 3. Snout-vent length 38-40 mm, tail 35-37 mm. Color: Dorsum amber, shading to lemon on tail. A series of 8 irregular, wavy, broken, dark brown to black crossbars on body, mostly with posterior white edge. Sides of body, head, tail, and limbs with scattered dark brown dots. Ventrum pale yellow. Labials barred. Habitat: Collected from stony areas in wooded hilly country at about 100 m of elevation. The gecko is sluggish with deliberate movements. 43 Range: Known by its type specimen, which was collected from Udigram, Swat, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, Pakistan. Teratolepis fasciata (Blyth) 1. Digits are moderately dilated, with a terminal slender clawed phalanx arising angularly from the middle of the terminal expanded part of the digit (Figure 13E). 2. A series of transverse subdigital lamellae, anterior of which are slightly notched. 3. Body dorsum with large pointed imbricate scales, much larger than the ventrals. 4. Tail swollen, its posterior one-fourth tapers abruptly behind to a point, dorsally covered with large imbricate scales. 5. Subdigital lamellae 7 under first, 8-9 under fourth toe. 6. Male with 5-6 preanal pores. Snout-vent length 45-46 mm, tail 32-33 mm. Color: Light grayish brown dorsum, with 5 longitudinal dark brown stripes, crossed by 6 rows of large whitish spots. A pair of whitish transverse bands on the occiput. Tail brownish with whitish crossbars. 44 Habitat:: The most striking feature of this gecko is its large thick flat tail, covered with large leaf-like scales. The tail serves as storehouse for the surplus fat, and is used as a shield and as an assault organ. The gecko inhabits flat terrain with an average elevation of 10 m above sea level. The soil is generally loose gray silt with desert scrub vegetation, dominant plants are Salsola and grasses. Range: The gecko is recorded from different localities in the lower Indus Delta in Pakistan. Teratoscincus microlepis Nikolsky 1. Middorsal large cycloid scales do not extend beyond shoulder. 2. Scales round midbody 100. 3. Head with granular scales. 4. Postmentals absent. 5. Tail with a median dorsal series of large flat scales. 6. A prominent upper movable eyelid. Snout-vent length 71-73 mm, tail 47-51 mm. Color: Dorsum cream, with dark brown, oblique or V-shaped bars on back, indistinct in older specimen. A dark U-shaped mark on the back of head. Tail barred with dark. 45 Habitat: Xerophytic shrubs in loose sandy soil. It movements are slow and deliberate, however, to escape capture it sprints and takes to shelter. Captured individuals lunge and strike with the tail, which is kept twitching sideways. The geckos feed on soft-bodied arthropods and larvae of certain sand beetles. When moving on sand the tail leaves a streak between the tracks. Range: The gecko has been collected from Nushki and Kharan in Balochistan; it extends westward to Dasht-i-Lut, near Kirman, Iran. Teratoscincus scincus (Schlegel) 1. A median dorsal series of large cycloid scales extends to the back of head. 2. No postmental scales. 3. Scales round the midbody 28-34. 4. Head with granular scales. 5. Tail with a median dorsal series of large cycloid scales. 6. Upper eyelid moveable. Snout-vent length 116-120 mm, tail 89-92 mm. Color: Dorsum cream, with faint dark brown transverse bars or with 4 reddish brown longitudinal stripes. Head with brown markings, lips barred. Sides and ventrum pinkish to white. 46 Habitat: Restricted to fine windblown tracts of sand, it is nocturnal, becoming active just after sunset. It walks deliberately with the legs holding the body high, tail trailing behind, and leaving distinct spoor. When followed it sprints for a short distance, stopping occasionally to observe the pursuer. When cornered it turns around to attack with a snarl, twitching and swaying its tail, the scales of which produce faint rustling sound. It often lashes the intruder with its tail. The gecko, if cornered, bites powerfully. Its burrows are 20-28 cm deep and the entrances are plugged by sand. Range: This gecko has a wide range in the west from the Caspian Sea to Tajikistan, and extends into western Balochistan, Pakistan. Tropiocolotes depressus Minton & J. A. Anderson 1. Postmentals absent or a small pair may be present, not in contact with each other. 2. No enlarged internasal and postnasal scales, four scales border the naris. 3. Lamellae under 4th toe 17-18. 4. A pair of preanal pores in large preanal scales. Snout-vent length 31-34 mm, tail 30-31 mm. Color: Dorsum saffron yellow, with a transverse dark band on neck, 3-5 on body, narrower than interspaces, 6 on tail. Ventrum pinkish white. A dark stripe from snout through eye onto neck. 47 Habitat:: The mountain dwarf gecko has been collected from hillsides with sparse vegetation between 1800 and 2000 m. It inhabits crevices among rocks. The gecko is agile, it running on rocks and stones with agility, feeding on soft-bodied arthropods. Its eggs have been found under stones and rocky slabs in humid places (Minton and Anderson, 1965). Range: The gecko is recorded from hilly tracts north of Quetta, Balochistan. Tropiocolotes persicus (Nikolsky) 1. Supralabials 8-10. 2. Two pairs of postmental scales, usually first pair in contact with each other. 3. Interorbital scales 19. Total length 25.3 mm, tail 17-18 mm. Color In alcohol dorsum light yellowish. A wide dark brown stripe from nostril through eye extends along dorsolateral sides of the body; 5-7 similar crossbars between neck and base of the tail; 6-10 bands across tail dorsum, head and limbs without pattern, ventrum white. 48 Range: Extends from southwestern Iran to southeastern Sindh, Pakistan. Tropiocolotes persicus euphorbiacola Minton et al. 1. Dorsal bands, on body, as wide as or narrower than the interspaces. 2. Postmentals 1-3, first in contact with each other. 3. Regenerated tail always yellow. 4. Subdigital lamellae under fourth toe 14. Snout-vent length 28-33 mm, tail 32-34 mm. Color: Body dorsum pale yellow or amber. Five dark brown transverse bands on body, 8 on tail. A dark stripe from snout to the eye joins first dorsal bar. Ventrum pinkish. 49 Habitat:: It is a widely distributed small gecko in Las Bela and found to be plentiful in the vicinity of drying dead plants of Euphorbia caudicifolia from mid-November to February. The gecko appears to have great affinity with the plant, perhaps it is well protected by its strong thorns. However, in rocky terrain below 200 m, the gecko invades rocks. In warm moist weather the geckos are very active on rocks, slipping from stone to stone with agility, hiding in crevices and holes. Range: This gecko has been reported from Las Bela, Balochistan and lower Sindh, Pakistan. 50 ZOOGEOGRAPHY 1 2 3 4 51 5 7 6 52 APPENDEX Scientific, common English and Urdu names EUBLEPHARIDAE Eublepharis macularius ( Blyth, 1854) Fat-tail geckos Fat-tail Spotted Gecko Moti dum Chapkalian Khun khun, Motidumn Kirrli GEKKONIDAE Crossobamon lumsdenii (Boulenger, 1887) Crossobamon maynardi (Smith, 1933) Crossobamon orientalis (Blanford, 1876) Geckos Comb-toed sand gecko Striped Sand Gecko Yellow-tail Sand Gecko Chap kalian Kanghi-ungusht chapkali Cyrtopodion agamuroides (Nikolski, 1900) Cyrtopodion kachhense kachhense (Stoliczka, 1872) Cyrtopodion kachhense ingoldbyi Khan, 1997 Cyrtopodion kohsulaimanai (Khan, 1991) Cyrtopodion montiumsalsorum (Annandale, 1913) Cyrtopodion potoharensis Khan, 2001 Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden, 1827) Cyrtopodion watsoni (Murray, 1892) Makran Spider Gecko Kachh Spotted Gecko Western Spotted Gecko Sulaiman Range Gecko Salt Range Gecko Makrani makra chapkali Kachh zaviaungusht chakali Pachhmi ZaviaUngusht chapkali Koh-Sulaiman Zaviaungusht chapkali Koh-namak Zaviaungusht chapkali Potohar Zaviaungusht chapkali Ubhar-dar Zaviaungusht chapkli Shamali Zaviaungusht chapkali Tika-dar pista ungusht chapkali Zarad shakam kota ungusht chapkali Janli kota ungusht chapkli Chaal kota-ungusht Hemidactylus brookii Gray, 1845 Hemidactylus flaviviridis Rüppell, 1835 Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel, 1836 Potohar Gecko Tuberculate Gecko Northern Spotted Gecko Spotted Barn Gecko Yellow-belly Gecko Waif Gecko Bark Gecko Dhari-dar chapkali Pelee-dum chapkali 53 Hemidactylus leschenaultii Duméril & Bibron, 1836 Hemidactylus persicus J. Anderson, 1872 Hemidactylus triedrus (Daudin, 1802) Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) Indogekko fortmunroi (Khan, 1993) Indogekko indusoani (Khan, 1980) Indogekko rhodocaudus (Baig, 1998) Indogekko rohtasfortai (Khan & Tasnim, 1990) Mediodactylus walli (Ingoldby, 1922) chapkali Persian Gecko Blotched Gecko Mediterranean Gecko Munro Gecko Soan Gecko Red-tail Gecko: Rohtas Gecko Chitral Gecko: Irani kota-ungusht chapkali Chittri kota-ungusht chapkali Turkish kota-ungusht chapkali Fort Munro zaviaungusht chapkli Soan zavia-ungusht chapkali Surakh-dum zaviaungusht chapkli Rohtas zaviaungusht chapkli Chitrali zaviaungusht chapkli Pankh-ungusht chapkli Nook-dum zaviaungusht chapkli Nakayli zaviaungusht chapkli Siwaligekko mintoni (Golubev & Szczerbak, 1981) Fan-toed Gecko: swollen nose Spider Gecko: Long-nose Gecko: Reticulate Plum zaviaungusht chapkli Banded zaviaungusht chapkli Swati Plump zavia-ungusht chapkli Teratolepis fasciata (Blyth, 1853) Teratoscincus microlepis Nikolski, 1899 Flat-tail Gecko Baloch Sand Gecko Chapti-dum chapkili Teratoscincus scincus keyserlingi Strauch, 1863 Turkish Sand Gecko Tropiocolotes depressus Minton & J. A. Anderson, 1965 Mountain Dwarf Gecko: Persian Dwarf Gecko Ptyodactylus homolepis Blanford, 1876 Rhinogecko femoralis (Smith, 1933) Rhinogecko misonnei de Witte, 1973 Siwaligekko battalensis (Khan, 1993) Siwaligekko dattanensis (Khan, 1980) Tropiocolotes persicus persicus Jal-dar goal-jasm Kirrli Hazara goal-jasm Kirrli Swati goal-jasm Kirrli Bloch reg- chipkali Turk reg- chipkali Chittani chipolia Irani chipolia 54 (Nikolski, 1903) Tropiocolotes p. euphorbiacola Minton, Anderson, & J. Anderson, 1970 Sindh Dwarf Gecko Sindhi chipolia . Bibliography BOOKS (Amphibians and reptiles of Pakistan). Publication # 366. Urdu Science board, 299Upper Mall, Lahore. [in Urdu]. Khan, M. S. 2000. Khan, M. S. 2006. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pakistan. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida, pp. 311. Research papers Khan, M. S. and Mirza, M. R. 1977. An annotated checklist and key to the reptiles of Pakistan. Part II: Sauria (Lacertalia). Biologia, 23:41-64. Khan, M. S.1980. A new species of gecko from northern Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 12:11-16. Khan, M. S.1988. A new cyrtodactylid gecko from northwestern Punjab, Pakistan. J. Herpetol., 22:241-243. Khan, M. S. 1989. Rediscovery and redescription of the highland ground gecko, Tenuidactylus montiumsalsorum (Annandale, l913). Herpetologica, 45:46-54. Khan, M. S.1990. Discovery of a new gecko! Natura-WWF-Pakistan, Lahore, 9: 2. 55 Khan, M. S. and Tasnim, Rashida, 1990. A new gecko of the genus Tenuidactylus from northeasten Punjab, Pakistan, and southwestern Azad Kashmir. Herpetologica, 46:142-148. Khan, M. S.1972. Checklist and key to the lizards of Jhang District, West Pakistan. Herpetologica, 28:94-98. Khan, M. S.1991. A new Tenuidactylus gecko from the Sulaiman Range, Punjab, Pakistan. J. Herpetol., 25:199-204. Khan, M. S.1992. Validity of the mountain Ingoldby, 1922. Herptol. J., 2:106-109. gecko Gymnodactylus walli Khan, M. S.and Baig, K.J. 1992. A new tenuidactylid gecko from northeastern Gilgit Agency, North Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 24:273-277. Khan, M. S.1993. A new angular-toed gecko from Pakistan, with remarks on the taxonomy and a key to the species belonging to genus Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia:Sauria:Gekkonidae). Pakistan J. Zool, 25:67-73. Khan, M. S.1993. A new sandstone gecko from Fort Munro, Dera Ghazi Khan district, Punjab, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 25:217-221. Khan, M. S.1993. A checklist and key to the gekkonid lizards of Pakistan. Hamadryad, 18:35-41. Khan, M. S.1994. Validity and redescription of (J. Anderson). Pakistan J. Zool., 26:139-143. Tenuidactylus yarkandensis Golubev, Michael, Khan, M. S., and Anderson, Steve. C. 1995. On the systematics of some Palearctic geckos. Abstracts, second Asian Herpetological meeting, 6-10 September, Ashgabat, Turkmeninstan:23-24. Khan, M. S.1997. Validity, generic redesignation, and taxonomy of western rock gecko Gymnodactylus ingoldbyi Proctor, 1923. Russian J. Herpetol., 4(2):8388. Khan, M. S.1997. Biodiversity of gekkonid fauna of Pakistan.:383-389. In: Biodiversity of Pakistan. Edits: Mufti, S. A., Woods, C. A. and Hasan, S. A. 1997. Pakistan Mus. Nat Hist. Islamabad, Pakistan. 56 Khan, M. S. and Rosler, R.1999. Redescription and generic redesignation of Gymnodactylus stoliczkai Steindachner, 1869. J. Asiatic Research, 8:60-68. Khan, M. S. 2001. Taxonomic notes on angular-toed gekkota of Pakistan, with description of a new species of genus Cyrtopodion. Pakistan J. Zool., 33(1):1324. Khan, M. S. 2002c. Key and checklist to the lizards of Pakistan (Reptilia: Squamata: Sauria). HERPETOZOA 15 (3/4): 90-119. Khan, M. S. 2003. Anmerkungen zur Morphologie, Verbreitung und den Habitatpraferenzen einiger pakistanischer geckos. Sauria, Berlin, 25(3): 35-47. Khan, M.S. 2003. Notes on circum Indus geckos of genus Cyrtopodion (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Gekkota, Quedlinburg, 4: 43-59. Minton, S. A. 1962. An annotated key to the amphibians and reptiles of Sind and Las Bela, West Pakistan. Am. Mus. Novit. No. (2081):1-21. Minton, S. A. 1966. A contribution to the herpetology of West Pakistan. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 134(2):31-184. Mertens, R. 1974. Die Amphibien und Reptilien West-Pakistans. Senckenb. Biol. 55(1-3):35-38. ***** Any question? Please contact: Typhlops99@outlook.com Typhlops2004@yahoo.com Muhammad.sharifkhan@gmail.com **** 57