A preliminary 16S rRNA phylogeny of the Indian Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with the description of two new cryptic species from the C. wynadensis clade

Two new species of geckos of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 are described from the Western Ghats of Kerala using an integrated taxonomic approach employing phylogenetic and multivariate morphometric methods. We provide a preliminary 16S rRNA tree of the Indian Cnemaspis and ascertain the phylogenetic placement of the two new species within the wynadensis clade. Our morphometric analysis indicates that, although there was overlap in the morphospace across species, the morphospace occupied by the two new species were considerably different from most other species within the wynadensis clade. Both the species Viz. C. zacharyi sp. nov. and C. chengodumalaensis sp. nov. are medium to large-sized Cnemaspis and are genetically and morphologically distinct from other Indian congeners. Both species are predominantly found in rocky outcrops within forested patches outside protected areas in north Kerala, which are currently under threat from illegal quarrying and other unplanned developmental activities. The discovery of these novel species outside protected areas highlights the conservation value of rocky outcrops outside Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks and calls for urgent need to document species across protected and non-protected areas of the Western Ghats as well as the midland hillocks of Kerala.