A new species of Lygodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) endemic to Mount Namuli, an isolated ‘sky island’ of northern Mozambique

Researchers have identified a new species of dwarf gecko, Lygodactylus, endemic to Mount Namuli in northern Mozambique. This discovery highlights the unique biodiversity of the island's 'sky island' ecosystem and its genetic divergence from related species, such as the King Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus rex) found on Mount Mulanje in Malawi. The study employed morphological and genetic analyses to distinguish this new species, emphasizing its significance for conservation efforts in the Afromontane archipelago. This finding further underscores the historical biogeographic connections between Mount Namuli and other inselbergs in the region, contributing to a growing body of evidence that prioritizes Mount Namuli as a critical area for biodiversity protection.

PORTIK, D. M., TRAVERS, S. L., BAUER, A. M., & BRANCH, W. R. (2013).

A new species of Lygodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) endemic to Mount Namuli, an isolated ‘sky island’ of northern Mozambique

Zootaxa, 3710(5), 415. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3710.5.2