Six new species of gecko have been hiding in plain sight, including one in the Mount Isa ranges.
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Gehyra Lauta, better known as the "ghost gecko" was discovered in north west Queensland and the top of the Northern Territory.
The holotype was found at Sybella Creek on the Dajarra Road, 17.2 km south of Mount Isa and was named in reference to the plain or washed out dorsal pattern of the species.
Paratypes were also found in various parts of the region including West Leichhardt Station, Kajabbi, Gunpowder Ridge, Lawn Hill and parts of the Northern Territory.
Another new species, named the plain tree gecko Gehyra gemina, is common on road houses and other building from Broome to the Queensland border, yet despite being widely found across northern Australia, the species was undescribed by science until now.
Queensland Museum Senior Curator and Griffith University researcher Dr Paul Oliver said that this species is one of six new species from the genus Gehyra.
"This gecko, at first glance can look a lot like a common Asian House Gecko and can sometimes be dismissed as such, but in actual fact it's an Australian gecko and a new species," Dr Oliver said.
"It has been hiding in plain sight this whole time and thanks to genetics we have been able to formally describe this species, along with five others."
Dr Oliver said genetics were critical to identifying these new species.
"Genetics help us define species particularly when many really do look very similar to each other - there are some that I can't tell apart just by looking at them," Dr Oliver said.
"New advances in genetics mean we can confidently say they really are not interbreeding, despite the fact that many look really similar.
"They may not look that different to us, but clearly they can tell each other apart."
Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said that research is central to species identification.
"Research such as this highlights the importance taxonomy plays in the field of science and understanding our biodiversity," Dr Thompson said.
"There is still much to learn about biodiversity in our country and museums play an important role in describing and conserving our natural history in Australia."
Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said this discovery highlights the importance new technologies play in classifying new species.
"As technology advances, researchers are able to unlock information and data that allows them to increase our understanding the incredibly diverse array of species that inhabit our state," Minister Enoch said.
"Queensland Museum scientists are using the latest technology in DNA sequencing to describe six new species that were previously unknown to science.
"What I find fascinating is that people have had these geckos frequenting their homes and yards for years and not known they were living with a species unknown to science."
New species:
- Gehyra lauta: The species epithet is from the Latin word lautus (washed, neat, elegant), in reference to the plain or washed out dorsal pattern of the species. Found: Restricted to the rocky ranges of north-western Qld and north-eastern NT.
- Gehyra arnhemica: The species epithet refers to the Arnhem Land region of the north-east top end of the NT, in reference to the species occurrence and apparent endemism to the region. Found: Top end of the Northern Territory.
- Gehyra gemina: The species epithet is from the Latin word gemina (twin, same), in reference to the species' morphological similarities shared with other members of the G. australis complex, G.australis in particular. Found: Northern deserts of WA and the NT.
- Gehyra chimera: The species named after Chimera, a monstrous hybrid creature of Greek mythology. Found: Found in the west of the Kimberley region of WA, as far south as Bell Gorge in the King Leopold Ranges, west to Koolan and Kingfisher Islands on the northern edge of the Yampi Peninsula, and north as far as Theda Station.
- Gehyra lapistola: The species epithet is formed from the Latin words lapis (rock, stone) and stolo. Found: Restricted to the rocky ranges of north-eastern NT.
- Gehyra calcitectus: The species epithet is formed from the Latin words calcis (limestone) and tectus. Found: Known only from three isolated and disjunct limestone ranges along the southern and western edge of the Kimberley region, in Pillara Range on Gogo Station and on Lissadell and Argyle Stations.
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