Systematics of the Pacific slender-toed geckos, Nactus Pelagicus complex: Oceania, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands populations
Zug GR and Moon BR. 1995. Systematics of the Pacific slender-toed geckos, Nactus Pelagicus complex: Oceania, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands populations. Herpetologica. 51(1):77-90
The current nominal species Nactus pelagicus represents a species complex that includes bisexual and unisexual populations. Four karyotypic morphs are known, but previous authors have noted that populations do not differ in gross external morphology. In this study, a comparison of samples from five bisexual and five unisexual populations confirms a high level of morphological uniformity (mensural and meristic) within and between samples. Morphological differences are slight but, in some cases, significantly different. Although the differences are slight, multivariate analyses (PCA, DFA) segregate some bisexual populations from unisexual ones and support specific recognition of the bisexual populations (N. multicarinatus--southern Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) and unisexual populations (N. pelagicus--southern Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Oceania). Lectotypes are designated, and type-localities are restricted for both species; each species is redescribed.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Zug, George; Moon, Brad
- Units
- AMME , NPSA , PACN , WAPA
- Keywords
- American Samoa, Animal Studies, Gecko, Mariana Islands, Nactus pelagicus, Reptilia