Goggia sabula, Conradie & Hundermark & Kemp & Keates, 2025

Conradie, Werner, Hundermark, Courtney, Kemp, Luke & Keates, Chad, 2025, New Pygmy Gecko (Goggia: Gekkonidae) from the arid Northern Cape Province of South Africa, Zootaxa 5618 (4), pp. 552-570 : 559-561

Goggia sabula sp. nov.

Gravel Pygmy Gecko

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B205FA15-19D2-4971-9C1D-8620F4356081

( Figs. 3A , 4 , 5 )

Holotype. PEM R27979 , adult male with regenerated tail, collected 12 km south of Klein Pella (-29.107259 19.034182, 840 m a.s.l.), Northern Cape, South Africa by Courtney Hundermark and Luke Kemp on 14 September 2021.

Paratypes. PEM R27980–81 , 27983 (three adult males) and PEM R27978 , 27982 (two adult females). Same collection details as holotype .

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word sabulum, which refers to gravel or coarse sand, appertaining to the substrate with which the species is associated. The name is used as an adjective in the plural form.

Diagnosis. The new species is assigned to the genus Goggia based on the combination of having leaf toes (single pair of large rectangular terminal scansors), a tuberculate dorsal scalation, dorsal cleft in rostral and small overall size ( Heinicke et al. 2017) and phylogenetic similarity (see Results). In general, the genus is very conservative in morphology and species are mostly distinguished based on colour patterns and allopatric distribution due to substrate specificity.

Goggia sabula sp. nov. can be distinguished from G. microlepidota based on its much smaller body size (maximum SVL 28.8 mm versus 68.7 mm), number of chin shields (2–3 versus 0), lower number of scales between nostril and eye (11–12 versus 13–17), lower number of scales across the crest of head at the anterior corners of orbits (14–18 versus 21–26) and lower number of rows of granules around the midbody (72–77 versus 122–138).

The new species can readily be distinguished from G. lineata and G. incognita based on dorsal colour pattern (a clear reticulated pattern versus mostly stripes). Additionally, it differs in having more smaller granules between the nasorostrals (2–4 versus 0–3 in G. lineata and 1–2 in G. incognita ), higher number of scales between nostril and eye (11–12 versus 7–10 in G. lineata and 7–9 in G. incognita ), and higher number of rows of scales on the snout (10–14 versus 8–10 in G. lineata and 9–11 in G. incognita ).

It can be distinguished from G. braacki , G. essexi , G. hewitti , and G. hexapora by the prominent, reticulated dorsal pattern with large pale spots featuring yellow to orange anterior ocelli arranged in 6–7 transverse rows of darker scallops (versus finer reticulated pattern with small white to cream coloured scattered ocelli arranged in 10–11 rows of scallops). It further differs from the above species in having more and smaller granules between the nasorostrals (2–4 versus 0–3 in all four species) and lower number of rows of granules around the midbody (72–77 versus 79–88 in G. braacki , 78–84 in G. essexi , 77–91 in G. hewitti and 75–91 in G. hexapora ). Additionally, it is smaller than G. braacki (maximum SVL 28.8 mm versus 37.9 mm) and G. hewitti (maximum SVL 28.8 mm versus 37.5 mm).

Goggia sabula sp. nov. is most similar in dorsal colour pattern to G. gemmula , G. rupicola and G. matzikamaensis , having a prominent dorsal reticulated pattern with large pale spots and yellow to orange anterior ocelli. It differs from G. gemmula in the large, pale dorsal spots having yellow anterior ocelli, arranged in a discernible transverse scalloped pattern (versus no clear pattern). It differs from G. matzikamaensis in having more scales between nasorostrals (2–4 versus 1), having a higher number of granules between nostril and orbit (11–12 versus 9–11) and having hexagonal scales above orbits (versus oval scales). It differs from G. rupicola in being slightly smaller (maximum SVL 28.8 mm versus 31.5 mm) and having lower number of rows of granules around the midbody (72–77 versus 80–90).

Additionally, the new species occurs in allopatry from all congeneric species, with the closest geographical relative being G. lineata (less than 30 km away) and differs from other Goggia species with regard to the ND2 gene fragment, by a net uncorrected p-distance value of 11.03–22.91% ( Table 1 ).

Holotype description ( Fig. 4 ). Adult male with a snout-vent length ( SVL) of 26.1 mm and a regenerated tail measuring 21.9 mm. The body is cylindrical and not elongate (AGL/ SVL ratio = 0.43). The head is deep and not dorsoventrally flattened (HW/ HD ratio = 2.13). The snout is rounded and approximately twice the diameter of the orbit. The lores are inflated, and the interorbital region is slightly concave. The snout is short, with scales that are noticeably larger, more rounded, and more domed than the scales on the rest of the head. There are 13 rows of scales extending from the rostral to the anterior edge of the orbits, and 11 scales from the nostril to the anterior edge of the orbit. The crown scales are smaller and flatter, with 15 scales separating the anterior margins of the orbits. Scales above the orbits are hexagonal. The rostral scale is subpentagonal with a median dorsal cleft. The nostril is pierced between the rostral scale, the first supralabial, and three smaller nasal scales. The nostril is positioned at the junction of the rostral and the first supralabial. The nasorostrals border the rostral and are separated by three smaller granules. The ear opening is small, obliquely oval-shaped, and oriented laterally being narrower anteriorly and wider posteriorly. There is no tympanic shield. Eight supralabials and seven infralabials on each side. The mental scale is subpentagonal with a shallow posterior apex and is bordered by three enlarged chin shields, which are in turn bordered by six smaller granules. The gular scales in contact with the infralabials are larger than those on the remainder of the throat.

The dorsum is covered by uniform, smooth, flat subimbricate scales, which have a rhomboid appearance due to their subimbricate arrangement. The ventral scales are larger, smooth, and imbricate, with a hexagonal shape and occasionally denticulate edges. At midbody, the scales are arranged in 76 rows. Five precloacal pores are present anterior to the cloaca, arranged in a slight V-shape, with the central pore positioned about one scale above the others. There are three enlarged cloacal spurs on either side at the base of the tail, aligned with the hemipenial bulges. The limbs are relatively short (FL/ SVL ratio = 0.19) and covered with uniform, subimbricate or imbricate granules. The median series of granules is slightly broader than the lateral series. The toe tips are rounded, with small expansions that bear a pair of large, rectangular scansors, and a small claw between them. The tail is cylindrical, tapering, and mostly regenerated. The original portion of the tail measures 6.8 mm, while the regenerated portion is 15.2 mm. The original portion has regular rows of uniform, smooth scales on the dorsal side and larger, flatter imbricate scales on the ventral side. The tail is weakly segmented, with 5 transverse scale rows above and 4 below per segment. The regenerated portion is entirely covered with large imbricate scales.

Colouration. In preservative, the dorsum is gray-brown in colour. There are barely perceptible dark temporal lines extending from the eyes above the ears to the nape, and from the nostril to the front of the orbit. On the dorsum, a series of seven faded, dark, backward-facing scallops extends transversely across the back, with the dark scallops on the unbroken portion of the tail being more prominent and well-marked. Directly behind these body scallops are four large pale spots. The regenerated portion of the tail is a uniform light grey. Ventrally, the body is immaculate and cream-coloured medially, with scattered black specks on the sides. The ventral side of the original tail segment and the limbs are pale with scattered gray scales. The undersides of the fingers and toes are uniformly gray. In life, the ground color is a blend of grey with brown and cream hues. The pattern is similar to that observed in preservative, featuring dark temporal lines above the ears and a series of transverse scallops across the dorsum. However, these markings are much more vivid and pronounced. Each of the larger pale spots posteriorly to the darker scallops has a distinct yellow-orange ocellus at the anterior edge. The venter remains cream-coloured, while the regenerated portion of the tail is more brownish compared to the rest of the body.

Paratype variation. Scale counts in the paratype series show minor variation compared to the holotype ( Table 3 ). 2–3 (usually 2) chin shields; 5–7 (mean 6.2) enlarged scales touching the chin shields; 5 (rarely 4) scales entering the nostril; the nasorostrals are separated by 2–4 (usually 3 or 4) smaller scales; 11–12 (mean 11.3) scales between nostril and anterior edge of orbit; 14–18 (mean 15.3) scales between anterior edges of eyes; 10–14 (mean 11.8) rows of scales from rostral to anterior corners of eyes; 72–77 (mean 74.8) rows of granules around midbody; supralabials 7–8 (usually 8); infralabials 7. Precloacal pores 4–5, positioned in a slight arc, one specimen has 4 pores separated by a central non-pore scale ( PEM R27983 ). SVL 22.4–28.8 mm; HW 4.1–5.4; HD 2.0–2.5; AGL 10.4–13.3; FL 4.3–5.5. Longest original tail is 28.8 mm ( PEM R27978 ), slightly longer than SVL. Dorsal colour pattern agrees with the holotype, displaying slight variations (see Fig. 5 ).

Natural History and habitat. Goggia sabula sp. nov. is a rupicolous species, sheltering in thin crevices on rock outcrops. Individuals were found moving on coarse gneiss pavements in the evening, in cold (~11 o C) and windy conditions, suggesting that this species may remain active even under adverse environmental conditions, when large-bodied competitors, such as the Bibron’s Gecko ( Chondrodactylus bibronii (Smith, 1846)) were observed to be inactive. The habitat ( Fig. 6 ) is rugged and arid, with very sparse vegetation cover. The type locality is located in an area classed as vegetation type Dg 10 Eastern Gariep Rocky Desert ( Jürgens 2006), with geology consisting of units from the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Complex and the Wortel Formation of the Bushmanland Group ( Agenbacht 2007). The basement rocks, a heterogeneous body of coarse and highly foliated, medium-grained gneisses of the Haramoep Gneiss, are overlain by a loose scree of hard, white quartzites of the Wortel Formation, constituting an ideal habitat for a small-bodied, rupicolous gecko, where abundant refugia have formed as a result of the weathering of the rock. The vegetation consists of a variety of arid-adapted plant species, including Aloidendron dichotomum , Boscia albitrunca , Euclea pseudebenus , Euphorbia gregaria , Euphorbia mauritanica , and Stipagrostis ciliata , among numerous others. The climate is extreme, with summer temperatures sometimes reaching 50 degrees Celsius, and with a mean annual precipitation of only 45–80 mm ( Jürgens 2006). The type locality occurs within the Eastern Gariep Centre of Endemism ( Desmet 2013).

Distribution and conservation. Currently, Goggia sabula sp. nov. is only known from the type locality, potentially being endemic to South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, although it might be found in similar habitat in adjacent southern Namibia. Therefore, further insight into its potential occurrence within any formally protected areas will be required to inform a conservation assessment. It is possible that this species and its habitat may in future be impacted by nearby mining operations ( Smit 2024).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Maximum likelihood (ML) phylogeny of Goggia with Bayesian inference (BI) support overlaid. Node support represents maximum likelihood bootstrap (BS) above, and Bayesian inference posterior probabilities (PP) below as indicated in the insert. Bottom left insert: phased median joining haplotype network for the RAG-1 gene. Inset photo credits: LK.

FIGURE 4. Holotype of Goggia sabula sp. nov. (PEM R27979) in life, from just south of Klein Pella, Northern Cape, prior to fixation. Full body in A—dorsal and B—ventral views. Details of head in C—dorsal and D—ventral views. Scale bar = 5 mm. Photo credit: CH.

FIGURE 5. Paratype dorsal colour variation in life, prior to fixation. A—adult female PEM R27978. B—adult female PEM R27982. C—adult male PEM R27983. D—adult male PEM R27981. E—subadult male PEM R27980. Scale bar = 5 mm. Photo credit: CH.

FIGURE 6. Habitat at the type locality south of Klein Pella, Northern Cape. Photo credit: CH.