ZADOVOLJSTVO POSLOM ZAPOSLENIKA U HOTELSKOJ INDUSTRIJI HRVATSKE

Mjerenje zadovoljstva zaposlenika poslom pomaže managerima u donošenju na informacijama baziranih odluka u području upravljanja ljudskim potencijalima, ali i poduzeća sveukupno. Mjerenje osim toga doprinosi razumijevanju načina na koji se zadovoljstvo poslom uklapa u sveukupnu sliku motivacije za rad i rezultata rada. U ovom su radu prezentirani rezultati istraživanja zadovoljstva zaposlenika poslom u hrvatskoj hotelskoj industriji

fat - 1 overexpression mitigates the weight gain and intestinal inflammation in ovariectomized mice on high - fat diets

poste

The Uptake of Integrated Perinatal Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: The objective of this review was to assess the uptake of WHO recommended integrated perinatal prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV interventions in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We searched 21 databases for observational studies presenting uptake of integrated PMTCT programs in low- and middle-income countries. Forty-one studies on programs implemented between 1997 and 2006, met inclusion criteria. The proportion of women attending antenatal care who were counseled and who were tested was high; 96% (range 30-100%) and 81% (range 26-100%), respectively. However, the overall median proportion of HIV positive women provided with antiretroviral prophylaxis in antenatal care and attending labor ward was 55% (range 22-99%) and 60% (range 19-100%), respectively. The proportion of women with unknown HIV status, tested for HIV at labor ward was 70%. Overall, 79% (range 44-100%) of infants were tested for HIV and 11% (range 3-18%) of them were HIV positive. We designed two PMTCT cascades using studies with outcomes for all perinatal PMTCT interventions which showed that an estimated 22% of all HIV positive women attending antenatal care and 11% of all HIV positive women delivering at labor ward were not notified about their HIV status and did not participate in PMTCT program. Only 17% of HIV positive antenatal care attendees and their infants are known to have taken antiretroviral prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: The existing evidence provides information only about the initial PMTCT programs which were based on the old WHO PMTCT guidelines. The uptake of counseling and HIV testing among pregnant women attending antenatal care was high, but their retention in PMTCT programs was low. The majority of women in the included studies did not receive ARV prophylaxis in antenatal care; nor did they attend labor ward. More studies evaluating the uptake in current PMTCT programs are urgently needed

Conservation education and habitat restoration for the endangered Sagalla caecilian (Boulengerula niedeni) in Sagalla Hill, Kenya

The Sagalla caecilian (Boulengerula niedeni) is an endangered amphibian endemic to Sagalla Hill in the Taita Hills. This burrowing worm-like species prefers soft soil with high moisture and organic matter. The major threats to the Sagalla caecilian are soil erosion caused by steep slopes, bare ground and water siphoning/soil hardening from exotic eucalyptus trees. The purpose of this study was to get a better understanding of the local people's attitude towards this species and how they can contribute to its continued conservation through restoration of its remaining habitat. In this study, it was found that 96% of Sagalla people are aware of the species, its habits and its association with soils high in organic matter. It was also found that 96% of Sagalla people use organic manure from cow dung in their farms. Habitat restoration through planting of indigenous plants was found to be ongoing, especially on compounds of public institutions as well as on private lands. Although drought was found to be a challenge for seedlings development especially on the low elevation sites, destruction by livestock especially during the dry season is also a major threat. In this study, it was recommended that any future habitat restoration initiative should include strong chain-link fencing to protect the seedlings from livestock activity. Recognizing that the preferred habitats for the species are in the valleys, systematic planting of keystone plant species such as fig trees (Ficus) creates the best microhabitats. These are better than general woodlots of indigenous trees

Ancylodactylus chyuluensis Malonza & Bauer 2022, sp. nov.

Ancylodactylus chyuluensis sp. nov. Chyulu Hills Pygmy Forest Gecko (Figure 13) Holotype. NMK-L3869, adult male, Chyulu Hills National Park, Makueni County, Kenya (02.56017° S, 37.88877° E; 1200 m), collected September 21 2016 by Patrick K. Malonza, Felista K. Kilunda & Justus Ochong. Diagnosis. An extremely small-sized Ancylodactylus with a SVL of 28 mm in the unique type. Dorsal scalation mostly homogeneous with a single pair of rows of very small tubercles along the flanks; other scales minute and granular. Limbs and digits long, with enlarged basal lamellae under and proximal to penultimate interphalangeal joint (3 under digit IV). Length of intact original tail slightly longer than SVL. Tail dorsum distal to the pygal portion of the tail atuberculate; median subcaudal scales in a single row of large, but not transversely widened scales. Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of 8. Dorsal pattern of pale fleurs-de-lis and chevrons as well as pale and dark spots on spots on a gray-brown to olive background; tail with pairs of dark brown and ashy chevrons or crossbands. Ventral coloration grayish with darker markings on the edges of scales yielding a mottled pattern; throat and chin mottled with a bluish center. Comparisons with Congeners. Ancylodactylus chyuluensis sp. nov. may be distinguished from A. spinicollis and A. petrodroma in lacking an enlarged preaxial metatarsal scale and from these two species plus A. alantika in having a series of flattened, rectangular lamellae subtending the second and third phalanges of the pedal digits, rather than single enlarged, rounded scale (plaque of Perret 1986) at the penultimate joint of each digit. It is distinguished from A. uzungwae, A. quattuorseriatus, A. dickersonae (but see Spawls et al. 2018), A. petrodroma, A. occidentalis, A. spinicollis, A. alantika, A. kituiensis sp. nov., and A. spawlsi sp. nov. by lacking tubercles on the post-pygal (autotomic) portion of the tail dorsum. It has only two tubercle rows on the trunk, one on each flank, a feature that differentiates it form all congeners except some A. dickersonae (0–6 rows fide Perret 1986; 0–4 fide Spawls et al. 2018) and A. mathewsensis sp. nov. (0–2 rows), and A. spawlsi sp. nov. (2 rows). It possesses a lower number of precloacal pores (8) than A. africanus (9–12), A. barbouri (14), A. alantika (11), and A. gigas (15–16), but has a greater number than A. mathewsensis sp. nov. (6–7), A. laikipiensis sp. nov. (7), and A. spawlsi sp. nov. (6). It may also be distinguished in having a single median series of enlarged, but not transversely widened subcaudals in contrast to A. spinicollis, A. petrodroma, and A. occidentalis (irregular subcaudals), A. elgonensis, A. barbouri, A. uzungwae, A. kenyaensis sp. nov., and A. kituiensis sp. nov. (alternating single and paired scales), and A. dilepis, A. gigas, A. africanus, A. quattuorseriatus, A. dickersonae, and A. koehleri, (single row of median subcaudals, but transversely widened or not uniform throughout). In lacking any yellow or orange ventral coloration A. chyuluensis sp. nov. may be distinguished from A. africanus, A. elgonensis, A. koehleri, A. dilepis, A. spinicollis, A. petrodroma, A. occidentalis, A. alantika, A. mathewsensis sp. nov., A. laikipiensis sp. nov., and A. spawlsi, sp. nov. This last feature also distinguishes the new species from A. elgonensis, With the only known specimen having a SVL of 28 mm, Ancylodactylus chyuluensis sp. nov. is the smallest known Ancylodactylus. Although diminutive (<30 mm SVL) species of South Asian Cnemaspis have been identified (Rösler 2016; Batuwita et al. 2019; Sayyed et al. 2021), A. spawlsi sp. nov. and A. chyuluensis sp. nov. represent the first such tiny forms for Ancylodactylus. Among Kenyan congeners both of these species are easily separated on size from A. africanus (maximum 54 mm SVL), A. elgonensis (maximum SVL 61 mm), A. dickersonae (maximum SVL 41 mm), A. kenyaensis sp. nov. (maximum SVL 65 mm, kituiensis sp. nov. (maximum SVL 50 mm), and A. mathewsensis sp. nov. (maximum SVL 40 mm). Description of holotype. Specimen generally in good condition. Body dorsoventrally flattened, tail entire (Fig 13). Measurements: SVL = 27.2; TAL = 27.1; TRL = 12.5; HL = 8.7; HW = 5.7; OD = 1.3; SE = 3.3. Head elongate (HL/SVL = 0.32), moderately wide (HW/HL = 0.65), depressed, and distinct from the neck, loreal region flattened, canthus rostralis slightly pointed. Scales on snout and loreal region domed, larger than scales of interorbital region and crown. Eyes very small (OD/HL = 0.15), ear opening slit-like; two large internasals, 4 infralabials and 5 supralabials. Mental scale subtriangular; 3 postmentals, the outer pair in contact with the first infralabials and mental, central postmental hexagonal and smaller than its neighbors; 5 post-post mentals. Mental scale pentagonal and divided, 3 postmentals the outer larger and in contact with the infralabials and mental, and 5 post-post mentals. Dorsal pholidosis mostly homogenous, body covered by minute granular scales (Fig. 13A, 13D) 13. Very small (~ twice size of granular scales), somewhat elongate tubercles present in a sparse row from the neck, across the flanks to the tail base (Fig. 13A). Ventral scales much larger than dorsals, smooth, imbricate, slightly larger in precloacal and femoral regions than on chest and belly, smallest in gular region; scales on lateral aspect of neck granular. Ventrolateral folds feebly developed. Fore-and hind limbs relatively long, slender, covered by granular to slightly enlarged sub-imbricating scales, the latter chiefly on the preaxial surfaces. All digits moderately long and slender, strongly clawed; penultimate phalanx of all digits curved, arising angularly from distal portion of wider basal toe pad; three wide basal lamellae, the distalmost much larger than the more proximal, and 9 narrower distal lamellae under digit IV of pes (Fig. 11C). Enlarged basal lamellae on digits of pes: I:1, II:2, III:4, IV:3, V:1. Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of 8 (Fig. 13E). Hemipenial bulge pronounced, a single pair of small postcloacal spurs (Fig. 13A). Tail slightly depressed in cross section; segmentation not pronounced. Length of tail 99% of SVL. Scales of tail dorsum granular, squarish to rectangular or rounded, larger than trunk granules; lacking tubercles in post-pygal portion of tail (Figs. 13C, 13F). Subcaudal scales larger than dorsals; enlarged midventral subcaudal scales in a single row, but not greatly broadened transversely (Fig. 13B). Coloration (in preservative). Dorsum dark grayish-brown with a series of light gray blotches or chevrons along the back, separated from one another by narrow dark transverse bands (Fig. 13C). Dark brown spots parallel to chevrons and also forming a lower row along the flanks, though weakly differentiated. Crown of the head dark grayish-brown, mostly uniform except for a light grayish marking on the occiput and scattered darker patches, e.g. on the snout. Labial scales with alternating light and dark markings. Limbs grayish-brown with darker mottling or spotting; dark bands on all digits. Tail dorsum slightly lighter than trunk with thin transverse dark brown bands. Venter whitish with dark stippling. Coloration (in life). Based on photographs of freshly euthanized holotype (see Figs. 13A, 13B). During the day the dorsal color is mainly shades of light to dark gray-brown to olive, although like its congeners, body color was changeable based on substrate, environmental conditions and physiological state. Dorsum bearing a series of eight partly overlapping blue-greyish fleurs-de-lis from the nape to the sacrum. An additional smaller peach-colored marking (cream to orangish) present on the occiput. Anterior margins of fleurs-de-lis with dark brown anterior borders, expanding laterally to form pairs of blotches lateral to the anterior apices of the fleurs-de-lis (Figs. 13A). Lateral surfaces with a series of approximately 12 small, roundish, blue-grayish spots extending from the neck, across the shoulder and down the flanks to the sacrum; largest spots between the limb insertions. The sparse flank tubercles are bright white and are each enclosed within a pale spot, although not all spots contain tubercles. A parallel series of smaller, less conspicuous pale spots runs between the fleurs-de-lis and larger spots. Much of the flank area not occupied by pale markings supports irregular, almost blackish spots of different sizes. The head grayish with a dark brown line passing from the snout and through the eye and another extending posteroventrally from the corner of the mouth. Broken transverse blackish bands pass over the crown and between the orbits and there are whitish granules speckled over the lower margins of the head. Posterior to the angle of the jaws there is a single pale peach-colored marking (Fig. 13A). Limbs predominantly gray with blackish markings forming irregular banding on the limbs. Thighs with whitish banding alternating with gray and black. Alternating bands of blackish, gray, and ashy white on the digits. The small postcloacal spur is bright white. Tail dorsum mostly pale grayish-olive and bearing a series of 12 dark brown chevrons or cross bands from tail base to tail tip. Proximal dark bands are thin and are followed by a more diffuse ashy border. These markings become less regular near the middle of the tail and both the dark (now blackish) and ashy marks become thicker, excluding the grayish-olive base color from the tail tip, which terminates in a dark brown tip. Individual dark brown or ashy scales are scattered on the spaces between the bands and larger spots alternate along the ventrolateral margin of the tail (Fig. 13A). Ventral color of trunk dark overall (Fig. 13B) with most individual ventral scales including scattered blackish pigment granules. Distal margins of most scales from neck to groin appear almost pale yellowish as do some of the lateralmost of the ventral scales. Undersides of limbs similarly dark, darker beneath thighs where dark pigment is present at the periphery of all scales. Palms and soles gray with scattered darker punctations. Throat and chin dull whitish to bluish (centrally) and heavily marked by purplish spotting anteriorly and complex reticulations posteriorly that are confluent with the dark trunk markings. Subcaudal surface of the tail pale greenish-white with most scales having their distal and lateral margins darkly pigmented. Pigmentation denser towards tail tip, where some scales are almost entirely black. Etymology. Named for the Chyulu Hills, the type locality where the single known specimen was collected. Natural History. This specimen was found at approximately 8h00 in a pitfall trap in an X-shaped drift fence array in a dry forest patch growing within volcanic rocks with fallen dry tree branches/logs in the vicinity. We suspect that the species is arboreal but can descend to utilize fallen logs and trunk bases as well as the crevices in volcanic rocks. It is likely to be a diurnal species and we assume it had entered the trap on the morning of capture or during late afternoon of the previous day, as it was found resting during the cold morning. However, we have no evidence to rule out the possibility of it being nocturnal. Two-day searches had been done in the area before the trapping with the only commonly recorded gecko species at the site being Lygodactylus tsavoensis Malonza, Bauer, Granthon, Williams & Wojnowski on trees and fallen logs/branches. The sampling was carried out during the peak of the dry season in September. Habitat and Distribution. This is a mid- to high altitude montane species. In the Chyulu Hills there is dry forest on volcanic rocks from elevations of around 1200m that gives way to largely open grasslands from about 1400m. The grassland continues up to the hilltops’ maximum elevation of around 2000m with hilltop patches of moist forests surrounded by grasslands from elevations of about 1800m and above. We suspect the species to be present in these forest patches on tree trunk crevices and cracks, like its congeners. The Chyulu Hills are prone to perennial wildfires. The area where the specimen was collected had been burned in previous years and fires occurred during the sampling period. This is a major conservation threat for this species because the dry trees increase the fire intensity, permitting the fires to burn for long periods, even underground within the volcanic rocks.Published as part of Malonza, Patrick K. & Bauer, Aaron M., 2022, Resurrection of the African gecko genus Ancylodactylus Müller, 1907 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and description of six new species from Kenya, pp. 101-139 in Zootaxa 5141 (2) on pages 129-131, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5141.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/658158

A rediscovery after two decades: the Changamwe lowland caecilian Boulengerula changamwensis Loveridge, 1932 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caecilidae)

Boulengerula changamwensis is known only from a few specimens and has not been reported for more than 20 years and from its type locality for 70 years. We here report our recent collection of an additional specimen from the vicinity of the type locality and provide some morphometric and meristic data.Journal of East African Natural History Vol. 93 (1&2) 2004: pp.57-6

Ancylodactylus mathewsensis Malonza & Bauer 2022, sp. nov.

&lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus mathewsensis&lt;/i&gt; sp. nov. &lt;p&gt;Mathews Range Forest Gecko&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;(Figures 7&ndash;8)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Cnemaspis dickersonae&lt;/i&gt; (part) Spawls &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2018:80.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Holotype.&lt;/b&gt; NMK-L3375/1, adult male, Mathews Range Forest at Mugur area, Namunyak Conservancy, Samburu County, Kenya (01.25558&deg; N, 37.22130&deg; E; 1768 m), collected 9 June 2010 by Patrick K. Malonza &amp; Justus Ochong.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Paratypes.&lt;/b&gt; NMK-L3375/2, adult female and NMK-L3375/4, adult male, same data as holotype; NMK-L3368/3, adult female, Mathews Range Forest, Lemurit area, Samburu County, Kenya (01.17122&deg; N, 37.34365&deg; E; 1469 m), collected 4 June 2010 by Patrick K. Malonza &amp; Justus Ochong.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Diagnosis.&lt;/b&gt; A small-sized &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus&lt;/i&gt;, both sexes with a maximum SVL of approximately 40 mm. Dorsal scalation mostly homogeneous with smooth, granular scales. Trunk with a few small, scattered tubercles, particularly in the sacral region; may otherwise be atuberculate, or there may be a single row of tubercles on each flank. Limbs and digits long, with enlarged basal lamellae under and proximal to penultimate interphalangeal joint (4 under digit IV). Original tail slightly longer than SVL. Tail dorsum distal to the pygal portion of the tail atuberculate; median subcaudal scales transversely widened and in a single row. Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of 6&ndash;7. Dorsal pattern of pale fleurs-de-lis and spots on a yellowish- to grayish-brown background; diamond-shaped markings on tail. Ventral coloration of trunk yellow, tail venter orange, chin and anterior throat whitish with diffuse dark longitudinal stripes. whitish with faint darker markings on throat and trunk.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Comparisons with Congeners.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus mathewsensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; may be distinguished from &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt; in lacking an enlarged preaxial metatarsal scale and from these two species plus &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt; in having a series of flattened, rectangular lamellae subtending the second and third phalanges of the pedal digits, rather than single enlarged, rounded scale (plaque of Perret 1986) at the penultimate joint of each digit. It is distinguished from &lt;i&gt;A. uzungwae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. quattuorseriatus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. dickersonae&lt;/i&gt; (but see Spawls &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2018), &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. occidentalis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. spawlsi&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; by lacking tubercles on the postpygal (autotomic) portion of the tail dorsum. It has fewer rows of dorsal trunk tubercles (0&ndash;2) than all its congeners except &lt;i&gt;A. dickersonae&lt;/i&gt; (0&ndash;6 fide Perret 1986; 0&ndash;4 fide Spawls &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2018), &lt;i&gt;A. laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (0), &lt;i&gt;A. spawlsi&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (0&ndash;2), and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (2). It possesses a lower number of precloacal pores (6&ndash;7) than &lt;i&gt;A. africanus&lt;/i&gt; (9&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt; (14), &lt;i&gt;A. dilepis&lt;/i&gt; (8), &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt; (8&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. occidentalis&lt;/i&gt; (8&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt; (11), &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt; (15&ndash;16), &lt;i&gt;A. kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (8), &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (8&ndash;13), and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;. (8). It may also be distinguished in having an enlarged single median series of subcaudals in contrast to &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. occidentalis&lt;/i&gt; (irregular subcaudals), &lt;i&gt;A. elgonensis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. uzungwae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (alternating single and paired scales), and &lt;i&gt;A. africanus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. quattuorseriatus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. dickersonae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. koehleri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. spawlsi&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (single row of median subcaudals, but without midventral scales transversely widened or not uniform throughout). In having yellow on most of the venter it differs from &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. uzungwae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. quattuorseriatus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; Among Kenyan congeners &lt;i&gt;A. mathewsensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (40 mm maximum SVL) is significantly smaller than &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (maximum SVL 65 mm) and &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (maximum SVL 50 mm) but marginally larger than &lt;i&gt;A. laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (maximum SVL 35 mm), and substantially larger than &lt;i&gt;A. spawlsi&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (maximum SVL 30 mm), and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;. (maximum SVL 28 mm).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Description of holotype.&lt;/b&gt; Specimen generally in good condition. Body somewhat dorsoventrally flattened, tail curved (Fig 7). Holotype measurements: SVL = 37.3; TAL = 41.0; HL = 11.0; HW = 7.4; OD = 2.0; SE = 5.0. Head elongate (HL/SVL = 0.29), moderately wide (HW/HL = 0.67), somewhat depressed, and distinct from the neck, loreal region flattened, canthus rostralis prominent. Scales on snout and loreal region domed, much larger than scales of interorbital region and crown. Eyes small (OD/HL = 0.18), ear opening oval; two large internasals, 6 infralabials and 6 supralabials. Mental scale subtriangular with truncated posterior apex; 3 postmentals, the outer pair larger and in contact with the first infralabials, separated from one another by smaller, hexagonal median postmental and mental; 5 post-post mentals.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dorsal pholidosis mostly homogenous, covered by minute granular scales. Very few, scattered, slightly enlarged scales (approximately twice the diameter of typical granules) on dorsum of trunk; neither bearing keels nor forming discrete longitudinal rows (Figs. 7A, 7B). A single row of enlarged, smooth, conical tubercles may be present along each flank (Fig. 8A). Ventral scales larger than dorsal, smooth, imbricate, slightly larger in precloacal and femoral regions than on chest and belly; approximately 15 at midbody. No distinct ventrolateral folds; gular region with still smaller sub-imbricate scales, those on the lateral aspect of neck granular. Fore-and hind limbs relatively long, slender, covered by granular to slightly enlarged sub-imbricating scales, the latter chiefly on the preaxial surfaces. All digits moderately long and slender, strongly clawed; penultimate phalanx of all digits curved, arising angularly from distal portion of the distinctly wider basal toe pad; four wide basal lamellae, the distalmost much larger than the more proximal, and 10 narrow distal lamellae under digit IV of pes (Fig. 7C). Enlarged basal lamellae on digits of pes: I:1, II:3, III:4, IV:4, V:3.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of 7. Hemipenial bulge prominent (Fig. 7D, 8C), a single prominent, postcloacal spur on each side of the vent (Fig. 7A, 8C). Tail (partly regenerated) slightly depressed, slightly longer than SVL (TAL 109% SVL), original portion of tail dorsum covered in small, mostly uniform juxtaposed squarish to oval scales (Fig. 7E); segmentation of tail obscure. Sacral region with two pairs of adjacent, enlarged, rounded tubercles followed by a single pair of similar tubercles over the pygal portion of the tail. The post-pygal portion of the tail bears no dorsal tubercles (Fig. 7E). Scales of regenerated portion of tail sub-imbricate, larger than those on original portion, somewhat irregular in size and shape. Transversely enlarged midventral subcaudal scales in a single row (Fig. 8C).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Coloration (in preservative).&lt;/b&gt; Dorsum dark grayish-brown with a series of pale brown chevrons or diamondshaped marks along the back, partly running together to form a pale vertebral stripe of varying width from the occiput to the tail base. Margins of individual chevrons partly demarcated by scattered dark flecks. Crown of the head grayish-brown; infralabials and supralabials pale with dark stippling. Limbs grayish-brown with slightly darker transverse mottling or banding; dark bands on all digits. Tail dorsum dull yellowish-brown with a series of pale diamond-shaped markings, each flanked anteriorly by a pair of dark brown markings. Pattern of regenerate mottled light and dark brown. Body venter cream-white, subcaudal surfaces light cream.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Coloration (in life).&lt;/b&gt; Based on specimens photographed in life (see Fig. 8). In life, during the day, the dorsal color is mainly shades of pale yellowish-brown to dark grayish-brown, with a middorsal series of paler markings, each resembling a fleur-de-lis that partly overlaps the next most anterior marking. Dorsal color may be affected by the substrate on which the gecko is resting and/or external stimuli, such as prevailing weather conditions. The dorsal markings may be cream colored (Fig. 8A) or reddish-brown (Fig. 8B) and have a darker central marking and are outlined anteriorly by a thin dark brown border. The darkest portions of the dorsum are in paravertebral position just anterior to the lateral portions of the chevrons/fleurs-de-lis. A series of pale, rounded markings, roughly the same color as the dorsal markings run along the flanks. These are each partly surrounded by darker brown irregular borders and may be centered on the flank tubercles, if present.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;The head bears the same colors as the dorsum, with a darker background bearing roughly symmetrical paler markings, including an occipital blotch. A diffuse brown line runs anteriorly from the eye and meets its counterpart on the posterior portion of the snout. From the posterior margin of the orbit a brown line passes above the ear to meet its counterpart on the nape, behind the pale occipital blotch and another passes posteroventrally towards the posterior end of the jaw. The labial scales exhibit alternating light and dark markings. Limbs mottled to banded with the same colors as the trunk; digits with well-demarcated alternating light and dark bands. The dorsal pattern continues onto the tail with the pale markings becoming distinctly diamond-shaped. 8&ndash;9 such markings on the original tail, each flanked anteriorly by a thick, irregular dark brown border and with a narrow, dark brown mid-vertebral line in its center.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;The venter is bright yellow from the posterior throat region to the pygal portion of the tail, with the most intensely pigment region on the neck. The anterior throat is whitish and bears a series of diffuse, dark longitudinal lines; the yellow coloration of the rest of the venter pales to a wash on the posterior throat, mostly fading away by the widest portion of the head, although traces of pale yellow extend forward along the edge of the jaws. The undersides of the limbs are also bright yellow, with the palms and soles grayish or mottled gray and yellow. The subcaudal surface is a bright orange, especially intense on the scales bordering the transverse subcaudal plates. At the base of the post-pygal portion of the tail there is a transition zone from yellow to orange within which the scale centers bear the latter color and their margins the former (Fig 8C). The ventral surface of the regenerated portion of the tail is a dull orange, fading distally.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Variation.&lt;/b&gt; Mensural data for the type series is given in Table 4. Paratypes generally resemble the holotype and all are in good general condition. Variation in life color is discussed above. There is no evidence of sexual dimorphism in size or color. The male paratype has a single continuous series of 6 precloacal pores.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Etymology.&lt;/b&gt; Named for the Mathews Range, the type locality of this taxon.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Natural History.&lt;/b&gt; This is a diurnal, scansorial gecko found mainly on rock outcrops with crevices, as well as on trees. In the Mathews Range Forest it is found along with the Mathews Range Forest Lizard, &lt;i&gt;Adolfus mathewsensis&lt;/i&gt; (Greenbaum, Dowell-Beer, Hughes, Wagner, Anderson, Villanueva, Malonza, Kusamba, Aristote &amp; Branch), Kenya Dwarf Gecko &lt;i&gt;Lygodactylus keniensis&lt;/i&gt; Parker, Striped Skink &lt;i&gt;Trachylepis&lt;/i&gt; cf. &lt;i&gt;striata&lt;/i&gt; (Peters), Five-lined Skink &lt;i&gt;Trachylepis quinquetaeniata&lt;/i&gt; (Lichtenstein), and Kenya Red-headed Rock Agama &lt;i&gt;Agama lionotus&lt;/i&gt; Boulenger. It is agile and on rock outcrops, when disturbed, immediately dashes into a crevice.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Habitat, Distribution and Conservation Status.&lt;/b&gt; This is dryland, hilltop montane forest species endemic to the Mathews Range (Ol Doinyo Lenkiyo), a chain of hills with several peaks, the highest being around 2375 m. The range is isolated by small valleys from other geologically similar mountain blocks: to the south Mt. Warges (Uarges) 2688 m and the Ndoto Mountains (2637 m), and Mt. Nyiru or the Nyiru Range (Ol Doinyo Nyiro) at 2752 m to the north. They are all within the Precambrian basement rock system. Other peaks with hill-top montane forests in the region are the volcanic Mt. Kulal (2285 m) and Mt. Marsabit (1707 m). These neighboring mountain blocks may harbor this &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus&lt;/i&gt; species or perhaps their own endemic ones, as they are all isolated to some extent. However, they have not yet been surveyed. The Mathews Range rises to 2375 m from the surrounding &lt;i&gt;Acacia-Commiphora&lt;/i&gt; arid bushlands at about 950 m. Mid-elevation dry forest starts at around 1350 m and it is from this elevation upwards to around 1800 m that the species has been recorded, although they may occur even higher. The lower forest is dominated by &lt;i&gt;Croton megalocarpus&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Podocarpus&lt;/i&gt; species in the higher elevations. During the collection period (start of the long dry season) the species was relatively common in suitable sites.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Malonza, Patrick K. &amp; Bauer, Aaron M., 2022, Resurrection of the African gecko genus Ancylodactylus Müller, 1907 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and description of six new species from Kenya, pp. 101-139 in Zootaxa 5141 (2)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 116-120, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5141.2.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/6581580"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/6581580&lt;/a&gt

Ancylodactylus laikipiensis Malonza & Bauer 2022, sp. nov.

&lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; sp. nov. &lt;p&gt;Laikipia Pygmy Forest Gecko&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;(Figures 9&ndash;10)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Cnemaspis dickersonae&lt;/i&gt; (part) Spawls &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2018:80.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Holotype.&lt;/b&gt; NMK-L3214/1, adult female, Ol Ari Nyiro Ranch-Laikipia Nature Conservancy at Mukutani Gorge Lodge, Laikipia County, Kenya (00.61500&deg; N, 36.36889&deg; E; 1775 m), collected 31 July 2009 by Victor D. Wasonga, Mike Roberts &amp; J. Benjamin. Note that the largest female was chosen as the holotype because in both male paratypes not enough of the post-pygal tail was present to adequate evaluate the condition of caudal tuberculation.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Paratypes.&lt;/b&gt; NMK-L1462/1, L1462/2, adult males Mukutani Gorge in the vicinity of the holotype locality (00.62215&deg; N, 36.372276&deg; E; 1682m), collected 18 April 2012 by Victor D. Wasonga &amp; Justus Ochong; NMK- L3152, adult female, Mukutani Gorge in the vicinity of holotype locality (00.61472&deg; N, 36.36917&deg; E), collected 9 July 2008 by Victor D. Wasonga &amp; Joash O. Nyamache.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Diagnosis.&lt;/b&gt; A small-sized &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus&lt;/i&gt; with a maximum SVL of approximately 35 mm. Dorsal scalation mostly homogeneous with no trunk tubercles, but some variation in granular scale size on the trunk. Limbs and digits long, with enlarged basal lamellae under and proximal to penultimate interphalangeal joint (3 under digit IV). Length of intact original tail unknown. Tail dorsum distal to the pygal portion of the tail atuberculate; median subcaudal scales in a single row of large, but not transversely widened scales. Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of 7. Dorsal pattern of pale fleurs-de-lis and spots on a dull, yellowish-brown background. Ventral coloration of trunk, limbs and underside of head bright yellow, tail venter yellow to orange; no dark markings on chin, throat or trunk, chin and anterior throat whitish with diffuse dark longitudinal stripes. Whitish with faint darker markings on throat and trunk.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Comparisons with Congeners.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; may be distinguished from &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt; in lacking an enlarged preaxial metatarsal scale and from these two species plus &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt; in having a series of flattened, rectangular lamellae subtending the second and third phalanges of the pedal digits, rather than single enlarged, rounded scale (plaque of Perret 1986) at the penultimate joint of each digit. It is distinguished from &lt;i&gt;A. uzungwae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. quattuorseriatus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. dickersonae&lt;/i&gt; (but see Spawls &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2018), &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. occidentalis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. spawlsi&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; by lacking tubercles on the post-pygal (autotomic) portion of the tail dorsum. It lacks dorsal tubercle rows on the trunk, a feature that differentiates it from all congeners except &lt;i&gt;A. dickersonae&lt;/i&gt; (0&ndash;6 fide Perret 1986; 0&ndash;4 fide Spawls &lt;i&gt;et al&lt;/i&gt;. 2018), and &lt;i&gt;A. mathewsensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (0&ndash;2). It possesses a lower number of precloacal pores (7) than &lt;i&gt;A. africanus&lt;/i&gt; (9&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt; (14), &lt;i&gt;A. dilepis&lt;/i&gt; (8), &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt; (8&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. occidentalis&lt;/i&gt; (8&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt; (11), &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt; (15&ndash;16), &lt;i&gt;A. kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (8), &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (8&ndash;13), and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;. (8). It may also be distinguished in having an single median series of enlarged, but not transversely widened subcaudals in contrast to &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. occidentalis&lt;/i&gt; (irregular subcaudals), &lt;i&gt;A. elgonensis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. uzungwae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (alternating single and paired scales), and &lt;i&gt;A. dilepis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. africanus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;quattuorseriatus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. dickersonae&lt;/i&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. koehleri&lt;/i&gt;, (single row of median subcaudals, but transversely widened or not uniform throughout). In having yellow on most of the venter it differs from &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. uzungwae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. quattuorseriatus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;., and it is the only Kenyan &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus&lt;/i&gt; in which the entire venter is yellow, including the underside of the head. Among Kenyan congeners &lt;i&gt;A. laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (35 mm maximum SVL) is significantly smaller than &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (maximum SVL 65 mm) and &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (maximum SVL 50 mm), marginally smaller than &lt;i&gt;A. mathewsensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (maximum SVL 40 mm), and larger than &lt;i&gt;A. spawlsi&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (maximum SVL 30 mm) and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;. (maximum SVL 28 mm).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Description of holotype.&lt;/b&gt; Specimen generally in good condition. Body somewhat dorsoventrally flattened, tail cut through third post-pygal segment. Holotype measurements: SVL = 33.2; TAL = N/A (cut); HL = 9.6; HW = 5.9; OD = 1.5; SE = 3.6.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Head elongate (HL/SVL = 0.29), relatively narrow (HW/HL = 0.61), depressed, and distinct from the neck, loreal region flattened, canthus rostralis prominent (Fig 9A). Scales on snout and loreal region domed, about twice as large as scales of interorbital region and crown. Eyes small (OD/HL = 0.15), ear opening slit-like; four internasals, 5 infralabials and 5 supralabials. Mental scale triangular, 4 postmentals, left postmental fragmented into two scales, which together match the rightmost postmental in size and shape; central postmental much smaller, hexagonal with anterior indent from apex of mental; 6 post-post mentals, Dorsal pholidosis mostly homogenous, covered by minute granular scales (Fig 9A, 9B), scales on anterior trunk and mid-dorsally only about as half the size of the largest granules on the dorsolateral surface of the abdomen. Ventral scales larger than dorsal, smooth, imbricate, larger in precloacal and femoral regions than on chest and belly, smallest in gular region; approximately 15 at midbody. Scales on lateral aspect of neck granular. A weakly developed ventrolateral fold evident. Fore-and hind limbs relatively long, slender, covered by granular to slightly enlarged sub-imbricating scales, the latter chiefly on the preaxial surfaces. All digits moderately long and slender, strongly clawed; penultimate phalanx of all digits curved, arising angularly from distal portion of wider basal toe pad; three wide basal lamellae, the distalmost larger than the more proximal, and 9 narrower distal lamellae under digit IV of pes (Fig. 9C). Enlarged basal lamellae on digits of pes: I:1, II:2, III:2, IV:3, V:2.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Tail dorsum smooth with granular scales, depressed and oval in transverse section. Tail of paratype L3152 almost half the body length (TAL/SVL = 0.86); ventral scales larger than dorsal, with a single median scale row slightly enlarged transversely. Tail (cut through third post-pygal segment) slightly depressed, original tail length unknown. Original portion of tail dorsum covered in small, mostly uniform juxtaposed squarish to oval scales (Fig. 9E); segmentation of tail obscure. Sacral region with scattered, rounded tubercles about three times the size of adjacent granules. The post-pygal portion of the tail bears no dorsal tubercles (Fig. 9E). Subcaudal scales larger than dorsals; enlarged midventral subcaudal scales in a single row, but not especially broadened transversely (Fig. 9F).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Coloration (in preservative).&lt;/b&gt; Dorsum dark grayish-brown with a series of grayish-beige chevrons or diamondshaped marks along the back, largely confluent forming a pale vertebral stripe of varying width from the occiput to the tail base (Fig. 9A). Margins of individual chevrons partly demarcated by scattered dark brown flecks. A series of pale spots along the flanks. Crown of the head grayish-brown with beige around the margins of the parietal table. Small scattered dark brown markings on the crown and irregular transverse markings between the anterior margins of the orbit; more discrete brown lines from orbit to snout and from posteroventral margin of orbit towards the jaw. Limbs light brown with darker transverse mottling or banding; dark bands on all digits. Tail base dorsum slightly lighter than trunk with large beige diamond-shaped markings and a pair of dark brown spots located just posterior to the sacrum. More distal parts of original tail dull yellowish-brown with a series of pale diamond-shaped markings, each flanked anteriorly by a pair of dark brown markings. Pattern of regenerate mottled light and dark brown. Body venter and subcaudal surfaces whitish.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Coloration (in life).&lt;/b&gt; Based on photographed holotype (see Fig. 10). Base color a dull yellowish-brown with dorsal series of eight overlapping chevrons or fleurs-de-lis ranging from whitish on nape to light brown on sacrum. A more irregularly-shaped whitish marking from occiput on to anterior nape. Lateral surfaces with a series of approximately 15 round spots extending from the posterior part of the head, across the shoulder and down the flanks to the sacrum; largest spots between the limb insertions. A parallel series of smaller, less conspicuous pale spots runs between the fleurs-de-lis and flank spots. Like the fleurs-de-lis, both rows of spots are more whitish anteriorly, becoming a yellowish-brown after the midbody (Fig. 10A). Small, dark brown flecks scattered across body, forming 1&ndash;2 irregular rows along the lower flanks and also roughly paralleling the pale markings on the dorsum. Markings on head as described above, with pale markings around parietal table whitish and scattered cream-to-beige markings on the snout and interorbital area, and medium brown lines emanating from the orbit. Labial scales alternating cream and brown. Limbs paler and more yellowish than body, with medium to dark brown markings and banding on the digits. Tail dorsum similar to trunk, with large, beige-to-cream diamonds mid-dorsally (all tails broken or regenerated, so number of markings unknown). Pair of very dark brown spots over posterior sacrum. Ventral color of throat, trunk and limbs bright yellow (Fig. 10B). Subcaudal coloration yellow at base, becoming more orange distally, a duller yellowish-brown on regenerated portion of tail; scattered yellow-orange single scales extending on to ventrolateral margins of tail. Palms and soles yellow mottled with gray.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Variation.&lt;/b&gt; Mensural data for the type series is given in Table 5. All the paratypes generally resemble the holotype. The paratypes are all in general good condition with some showing the clear dorsal chevron marks. The most extensive tail (regenerated) is 86% of SVL (NMK-L3152). In neither male paratype was enough of the post-pygal tail present to unambiguously confirm the atuberculate condition No clear sexual dimorphism in size and color. Two males have a continuous series of 7 precloacal pores (Fig 9, Table 5); hemipenial bulge not pronounced, postcloacal spurs tiny.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Etymology.&lt;/b&gt; Named for the Laikipia Plateau area, the type locality.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Natural History.&lt;/b&gt; This is a diurnal, arboreal gecko found mainly on rock outcrops and rock faces with crevices, as well as on trees. In the mixed forest of Mukutani Gorge it co-occurs with other arboreal tree species including the Mt. Kilimanjaro Forest Lizard &lt;i&gt;Adolfus kibonotensis&lt;/i&gt;, which may use the same rock crevices as retreats.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Habitat and Distribution.&lt;/b&gt; This a mid-altitude forest species. It is endemic to Laikipia Plateau and is currently known only from the Mukutani Gorge area and Lolldaiga Hills where it is sympatric with &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus spawlsi&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Malonza, Patrick K. &amp; Bauer, Aaron M., 2022, Resurrection of the African gecko genus Ancylodactylus Müller, 1907 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and description of six new species from Kenya, pp. 101-139 in Zootaxa 5141 (2)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 121-124, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5141.2.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/6581580"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/6581580&lt;/a&gt

Ancylodactylus kenyaensis Malonza & Bauer 2022, sp. nov.

Ancylodactylus kenyaensis sp. nov. Kenya Forest Gecko (Figures 2–3) Cnemaspis quattuorseriatus (part) Loveridge 1947:80. Cnemaspis dickersonae (part) Spawls et al. 2018:80. Holotype. NMK-220L/2 (Field No. Chuka 2), adult male, Mt. Kenya Forest, Chuka Block, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya (00.30101° S, 37.58712° E; 1680 m), collected 9 May 2019 by Patrick K. Malonza & Joash O. Nyamache. Paratypes. NMK-220L/1 (Field No. Chuka 1), adult female, Mt. Kenya Forest, Chuka Block, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi Couinty, Kenya (00.30463° S, 37.56624° E; 1862 m), collected 9 May 2019, by Patrick K. Malonza & Joash O. Nyamache; NMK-L3888/2, adult female, Karura Forest, Nairobi County, Kenya (01.24068° S, 36.84965° E; 1663 m), collected 16 February 2017 by Patrick K. Malonza, Washington Wachira & Vincent Muchai; NMK- L3131/3, adult male, Ngaya Forest, Nyambene Hills, Meru County, Kenya (00.371667° N, 38.02114° E; 1232 m), collected 21–27 April 2008 by Patrick K. Malonza & Vincent Muchai; NMK-L3186/2, adult female, Chogoria Forest Block-Meru, Mt. Kenya Forest, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya (00.23914° S, 37.58914° E; 1724 m), collected 6 March 2009 by Patrick K. Malonza, Joash Nyamache & Vincent Muchai. Other locality. Blue Post Hotel-Thika rock outcrops and forest patch (01.02583°S, 37.06706° E; 1459 m elevation). Observed, but not collected in July 2019 by Patrick K. Malonza. Diagnosis. A large Ancylodactylus, (to 60 mm SVL in males and 65 mm in females). Dorsal scalation heterogeneous, minute granular scales with enlarged, irregularly-arranged, rounded tubercles in 11–14 irregular longitudinal rows at midbody, extending posteriorly from the nape or occiput. Limbs and digits long, with enlarged basal lamellae under and proximal to penultimate interphalangeal joint (6 under digit IV). Original tail slightly longer than SVL; dorsal scalation of tail lacking tubercles; median subcaudal scales with alternating pattern of single enlarged scales and pairs of somewhat smaller scales. Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of eight. Dorsal pattern of chevrons, broken bands and spots on a light brown to grayish-brown background. Ventral coloration whitish with faint darker markings on throat and trunk. Comparisons with Congeners. Ancylodactylus kenyaensis sp. nov. may be distinguished from A. spinicollis and A. petrodroma in lacking an enlarged preaxial metatarsal scale and from these two species plus A. alantika in having a series of flattened, rectangular lamellae subtending the second and third phalanges of the pedal digits, rather than single enlarged, rounded scale (plaque of Perret 1986) at the penultimate joint of each digit. It is distinguished from A. uzungwae, A. quattuorseriatus, A. dickersonae, A. petrodroma, A. occidentalis, A. spinicollis, A. alantika, A. kituiensis sp. nov., and A. spawlsi sp. nov. by lacking tubercles on the post-pygal (autotomic) portion of the tail dorsum. It has substantially more longitudinal rows of dorsal trunk tubercles (11–14) than A. quattuorseriatus, A. dickersonae, A. dilepis, A. mathewsensis sp. nov., A. laikipiensis sp. nov., A. spawlsi, sp. nov., and A. chyuluensis sp. nov. (maximum 6 rows), and a greater maximum number than all remaining species (8–12 rows). It possesses a lower number of precloacal pores (8) than A. africanus (9–12), A. barbouri (14), A. alantika (11), and A. gigas (15–16) and a higher number than A. mathewsensis sp. nov., A. laikipiensis sp. nov., and A. spawlsi, sp. nov. (6–7), It may also be distinguished in having an enlarged median series of subcaudals consisting of alternating single and paired scales from A. africanus, A. dilepis, A. gigas, A. alantika, A. mathewsensis sp. nov., A. laikipiensis sp. nov., A. spawlsi, sp. nov., and A. chyuluensis sp. nov. (all with a single median row of enlarged subcaudals) and from A. spinicollis, A. petrodroma, and A. occidentalis (irregular subcaudals). In lacking any yellow or orange ventral coloration A. kenyaensis sp. nov. may be distinguished from A. africanus, A. koehleri, A. dilepis, A. spinicollis, A. petrodroma, A. occidentalis, A. alantika, A. mathewsensis sp. nov., A. laikipiensis sp. nov., and A. spawlsi, sp. nov. This last feature also distinguishes the new species from A. elgonensis, which it resembles in size and most features of scalation. A. kenyaensis sp. nov., with a maximum size of 65 mm SVL, is the largest member of its genus in Kenya and is at least 50% larger than A. barbouri, A. uzungwae, A. quattuorseriatus, A. dickersonae, A. dilepis, A. mathewsensis sp. nov., A. laikipiensis sp. nov., A. spawlsi, sp. nov., and A. chyuluensis sp. nov. Description of holotype. Specimen generally in good condition. Body somewhat dorsoventrally flattened (Figs. 2, 3). Measurements: SVL = 55.0; TAL = 60.0; HL = 15.8; HW = 10.3; OD = 3.4; SE = 7.0. Head elongate (HL/SVL = 0.29), moderately wide (HW/HL = 0.65), only weakly depressed, distinct from the neck, loreal region flattened, canthus rostralis prominent. Scales on snout and loreal region much larger than scales of interorbital region and crown. Eyes relatively small (OD/HL = 0.21), ear opening oval; two large internasals. 7 infralabials and 7 supralabials. Mental scale triangular; 3 postmentals, the outer larger and in contact with the first infralabials and mental; 5 post-post mentals. Dorsal pholidosis heterogeneous; minute juxtaposed granules interspersed with enlarged tubercles, several times size of adjacent granular scales, arranged in approximately 12 irregular longitudinal rows at midbody (Fig 2B). Tubercles broad, rounded, conical to weakly keeled; those on nape and shoulders smaller than on more posterior portions of trunk; rows becoming more irregular in sacral region and on flanks. Scattered tubercles on occipital and temporal regions smaller than those on body. Ventral scales larger than dorsal, smooth, imbricate, slightly larger in precloacal and femoral regions than on chest and belly; approximately 13 at midbody. Fore-and hind limbs relatively long, slender, covered by granular to slightly enlarged sub-imbricating scales, the latter chiefly on the preaxial surfaces. Prominent axillary pockets present. All digits moderately long and slender, strongly clawed; penultimate phalanx of all digits curved and very slender, arising angularly from the distinctly wider basal toe pad; six wide basal lamellae and 10 narrow distal lamellae under digit IV of pes (Fig. 2D). Enlarged basal lamellae on digits of pes: I:1, II:4, III:6, IV:6, V:4. Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of eight (Fig 2C). Hemipenial bulge prominent (Fig. 2C, 3B), a single prominent, pale postcloacal spur on each side of the vent. Tail slightly depressed, slightly longer than SVL (TAL 109% SVL), tail dorsum covered in small, mostly uniform subimbricate to juxtaposed squarish to oval scales (Fig. 2E), lacking tubercles throughout; midventral subcaudal scales with a single enlarged scale alternating with a pair of smaller scales (Fig. 3B). Coloration (in preservative). Dorsum light grayish-brown with dark blotches and a series of faint chevron marks (Fig. 2A). Dorsolateral tubercles light brownish. Crown of head brown with some darker marks; infralabials and supralabials with alternating light and dark markings. Limbs brown with slightly darker transverse mottling or bands; dark banding on digits. Tail light gray to brown with faint diamond/chevron marks. Body venter whitish, tail venter light cream, throat whitish. Coloration (in life). In life, during the day, the dorsal color is predominantly light brown to grayish brown, with a series of irregular, yellowish- or pinkish-brown spots or diamond-shaped marks. Additional longitudinal rows of yellowish markings in paravertebral position and on flanks; collectively the markings form a broken chevron-like pattern on the dorsum (Fig. 3A). The original tail is mainly brownish with about 6–7 yellowish-brown to whitish diamond-shaped marks formed by the fusion of the paravertebral markings continuing from the trunk. The head is light brownish with some dark scattered markings yielding an irregular, ill-demarcated, reticulated pattern. Dorsal color may occasionally be affected by the substrate on which the gecko is resting and/or external stimuli like prevailing weather conditions. Throat and belly are largely off-white, becoming more grayish under the tail and under distal portions of the limbs and feet. Some faint speckling of throat and chest (Fig 3B). Post-cloacal spur bright white or yellow (Figs. 3A, 3C). Variation. Mensural data for the type series is given in Table 1. All paratypes are in generally good condition and all retain at least partial tails. Paratypes generally similar to holotype in most aspects. In some individuals a mixture of yellow, dark brown and pale brown granules may yield a speckled appearance (Fig. 3C). The dorsal markings may fuse to form more complete chevrons or transverse bands, and the vertebral spots or diamonds may fuse to yield a more-or-less continuous vertebral stripe (Fig. 3C). No clear sexual dichromatism but females achieve slightly larger sizes than males. Males have a continuous single series of 8 precloacal pores (Table 1). Etymology. Named for the Mt. Kenya region and the central Kenya highlands where the species occurs. Natural History. This is a diurnal arboreal gecko found mainly on tree trunks (Fig. 3B) and fallen logs. In the Karura Forest, Mt. Kenya Forest and Ngaya Forest individuals were found mostly in tree trunk crevices. At the Blue Post Hotel-Thika riverine forest they were found in crevices and caves in rock outcrops. They are alert and rapidly dash into their retreats and at most localities they occur microsympatrically on tree trunks with the Mt. Kilimanjaro Forest Lizard, Adolfus kibonotensis (Lönnberg). In the Kirimiri Forest-Mt. Kenya they are also microsympatric with their dwarf congener, Ancylodactylus spawlsi sp. nov. The holotype and some other specimens were infested with trombiculid mites, most occupying the axillary pockets, but also the lateral surfaces of the neck (Figs. 3A–C). Habitat and Distribution. This is a montane forest species occurring in the central Kenyan highlands in the Mt. Kenya Forest Reserve (Chogoria and Chuka Forest Blocks, Kirimiri Forest-Runyenjes), Karura Forest-Nairobi, Nyambene Hills (Ngaya and Keiga Forests), and the Blue Post Hotel forest patch in Thika. We expect it to be present in similar sites throughout the central montane region. All known localities are at elevations of approximately 1200–2000 m.Published as part of Malonza, Patrick K. & Bauer, Aaron M., 2022, Resurrection of the African gecko genus Ancylodactylus Müller, 1907 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and description of six new species from Kenya, pp. 101-139 in Zootaxa 5141 (2) on pages 106-109, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5141.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/658158

Ancylodactylus spawlsi Malonza & Bauer 2022, sp. nov.

&lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus spawlsi&lt;/i&gt; sp. nov. &lt;p&gt;Spawls&rsquo; Pygmy Forest Gecko&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;(Figures 11&ndash;12)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Cnemaspis dickersonae&lt;/i&gt; (part) Spawls &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2018:80.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Holotype.&lt;/b&gt; NMK-L3470, adult male, Lolldaiga Farm, Lolldaiga Hills Conservancy, Laikipia County, Kenya (00.21300&deg; N, 37.12985&deg; E; 2120 m), collected 30 October 2013 by Stephen Spawls, Patrick K. Malonza &amp; Vincent Muchai.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Paratypes.&lt;/b&gt; NMK-L4007/1, adult male, Kirimiri Forest, Embu County, Kenya (00.42740&deg; S, 37.54967&deg; E; 1573 m), collected 23 June 2017 by Arthur M. Gitari; NMK-L3997/1, adult female, and NMK-L3997/2, male, Kirimiri Forest, Embu County, Kenya (00.42715&deg; S, 37.54862&deg; E; 1612 m and 00.42760&deg; S, 37.54748&deg; E; 1563 m, respectively), collected 17 May 2017 by Arthur M. Gitari.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Diagnosis.&lt;/b&gt; A an extremely small-sized &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus&lt;/i&gt; with a maximum SVL of approximately 30 mm. Dorsal scalation mostly homogeneous with a single pair of rows of very small tubercles along the flanks; other scales minute and granular. Limbs and digits long, with enlarged basal lamellae under and proximal to penultimate interphalangeal joint (3 under digit IV). Length of intact original tail slightly longer than SVL. Tail dorsum distal to the pygal portion of the tail bearing tubercles throughout its length; six tubercles per row proximally, decreasing to four and becoming flatter and less conspicuous distally; median subcaudal scales in a single row of large, but not transversely widened scales. Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of 6. Dorsal pattern of pale fleurs-de-lis and spots on a grayish- to mustard-brown background. Ventral coloration of trunk and limbs, pale to bright yellow, fainter on the undersides of limbs than elsewhere; chin and anterior throat grayish to bright white with faint or bold dark markings, and a yellow wash onto the posterior throat.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Comparisons with Congeners.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus spawlsi&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; may be distinguished from &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt; in lacking an enlarged preaxial metatarsal scale and from these two species plus &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt; in having a series of flattened, rectangular lamellae subtending the second and third phalanges of the pedal digits, rather than single enlarged, rounded scale (plaque of Perret 1986) at the penultimate joint of each digit. It is distinguished from &lt;i&gt;A. africanus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. elgonensis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. koehleri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. dilepis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. mathewsensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;., &lt;i&gt;A. laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt; by bearing rows of tubercles on the post-pygal (autotomic) portion of the tail dorsum. It has only two tubercle rows on the trunk, one on each flank, a feature that differentiates it from all congeners except some &lt;i&gt;A. dickersonae&lt;/i&gt; (0&ndash;6 rows fide Perret 1986; 0&ndash;4 fide Spawls &lt;i&gt;et al&lt;/i&gt;. 2018) and &lt;i&gt;A. mathewsensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (0&ndash;2 rows), and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;. (2 rows). It possesses the lowest number of precloacal pores (6) of any of its congeners, distinguishing it from &lt;i&gt;A. africanus&lt;/i&gt; (9&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt; (14), &lt;i&gt;A. dilepis&lt;/i&gt; (8), &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt; (7&ndash;11), &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt; (8&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. occidentalis&lt;/i&gt; (8&ndash;12), &lt;i&gt;A. alantika&lt;/i&gt; (11), &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt; (15&ndash;16), &lt;i&gt;A. kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (8), &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (8&ndash;13), &lt;i&gt;A. laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (7), and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;. (8). It may also be distinguished in having single median series of enlarged, but not transversely widened subcaudals in contrast to &lt;i&gt;A. spinicollis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. petrodroma&lt;/i&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. occidentalis&lt;/i&gt; (irregular subcaudals), &lt;i&gt;A. elgonensis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. uzungwae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (alternating single and paired scales), and &lt;i&gt;A. dilepis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. africanus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;quattuorseriatus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. dickersonae&lt;/i&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;A. koehleri&lt;/i&gt; (single row of median subcaudals, but transversely widened or not uniform throughout). In having yellow on most of the venter it differs from &lt;i&gt;A. barbouri&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. uzungwae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. quattuorseriatus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. gigas&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;i&gt;A. kituiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;., and it differs from &lt;i&gt;A. laikipiensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; in having a white throat (versus yellow). Among Kenyan congeners &lt;i&gt;A. spawlsi&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; (30 mm maximum SVL) is rivaled in small size only by &lt;i&gt;A. chyuluensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov&lt;/b&gt;. (maximum SVL 28 mm).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Description of holotype.&lt;/b&gt; Specimen in moderate condition. Body dorsoventrally flattened, tail tip clipped (Fig 11A). Measurements: SVL = 29.0; TAL = 24.0; HL = 9.2; HW = 5.0; OD = 1.9; SE = 3.7. Head elongate (HL/SVL = 0.32), narrow (HW/HL = 0.54), depressed, and distinct from the neck, loreal region flattened, canthus rostralis rounded. Scales on snout and loreal region domed, only somewhat larger than scales of interorbital region and crown. Eyes moderately small (OD/HL = 0.21), ear opening slit-like; two large internasals, 5 infralabials, 6 supralabials. Mental scale subtriangular; 3 postmentals, the outer pair in contact with the first infralabials and mental, central postmental hexagonal and only marginally smaller than its neighbors; 5 post-post mentals.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Dorsal pholidosis mostly homogenous, body covered by minute granular scales. Very small (~ twice size of granular scales), somewhat elongate tubercles present in a sparse row from the neck to the lower flanks (Fig. 12A). Additional scattered tubercles (2&ndash;3 times granule size) scattered on lumbar and sacral regions (Fig. 12C). Ventral scales much larger than dorsals, smooth, imbricate, slightly larger in precloacal and femoral regions than on chest and belly, smallest in gular region; approximately 14 at midbody. Scales on lateral aspect of neck granular. No distinct ventrolateral folds. Fore-and hind limbs relatively long, slender, covered by granular to slightly enlarged sub-imbricating scales, the latter chiefly on the preaxial surfaces. All digits moderately long and slender, strongly clawed; penultimate phalanx of all digits curved, arising angularly from distal portion of wider basal toe pad; three wide basal lamellae, the distalmost much larger than the more proximal, and 9 narrower distal lamellae under digit IV of pes (Fig. 11C). Enlarged basal lamellae on digits of pes: I:1, II:2, III:4, IV:3, V:1.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Male precloacal pores in a single continuous row of 6 (Fig. 11B). Hemipenial bulge not pronounced, a single pair of small postcloacal spurs (Fig. 12A). Tail slightly depressed in cross section and distinctly segmented. Length of tail (with tip removed) 83% of SVL. Scales of tail dorsum granular, bead-like, rounded, larger than trunk granules; bearing enlarged rounded to elongate, somewhat flattened, tubercles. Caudal tubercles in rows at the posterior margins of each segment; six tubercles per row in basal segments, decreasing to four distally and becoming less prominent (Figs. 11A, 11C, 11E). Subcaudal scales larger than dorsals; enlarged midventral subcaudal scales in a single row, but not greatly broadened transversely (Fig. 11D, 11F).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Coloration (in preservative).&lt;/b&gt; Dorsum grayish-brown with a series of light gray blotches or chevrons along the back, partly confluent and elsewhere separated from one another by narrow brown transverse bands (Fig. 11A). Dark brown flecks scattered along the flanks. Crown of the head dark grayish-brown, mostly uniform except for a light grayish marking on the occiput. Limbs grayish-brown with darker transverse mottling or banding; dark bands on all digits. Tail dorsum slightly lighter and less grayish than trunk with thin transverse bands largely aligned with the segmental margins (Figs. 11A, 11D). Pattern of regenerate mottled light and dark brown. Body venter and subcaudal surfaces whitish.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Coloration (in life).&lt;/b&gt; Based on specimens photographed in life (see Fig. 12). Base color a dull grayish-brown or mustard-brown, with dorsal series of seven adjacent cream to beige chevrons or fleurs-de-lis from the nape to the sacrum. An additional smaller pale marking (cream to orangish) on the occiput may be connected or not to the more posterior vertebral markings. Anterior margins of pale markings with dark brown anterior borders, expanding laterally to form pairs of blotches lateral to the anterior apices of the fleurs-de-lis (Figs. 12A&ndash;C, 12E). Lateral surfaces with a series of approximately 10 roundish, cream to pale yellowish spots extending from the neck, across the shoulder and down the flanks to the sacrum; largest spots between the limb insertions. Parallel series of smaller, less conspicuous pale spots run dorsal and ventral to this line of spots and numerous small dark brown flecks are distributed in the interstices between all of the pale flank markings. The head is complexly and variably patterned. A dark brown line passes from the snout, through the eye and there is an irregular dark brown border around the parietal table, enclosing the pale occipital blotch; the two maybe nearly confluent (Fig. 12A) or may be disjunct (Fig. 12E). A diffuse brown patch or band is present over the anterior edge of the orbit and another is on the snout. Irregular whiteish to cream or beige markings cover other parts of the head. Labial scale markings alternate cream and dark brown and in some specimens there is a dark brown line extending posteroventrally from the corner of the mouth (Fig. 12A). Limbs similar in color to body or pale pinkish (Fig. 12E), with medium to dark brown markings or discrete bands, and alternating pale yellowish-white and narrower dark brown bands on the digits. Tail dorsum similar to trunk, with large, beige-to-cream fleurs-de-lis or diamonds mid-dorsally; approximately 12 such markings on intact tails (Fig. 12B), each with a pair of dark brown markings flanking the central apex. Ventral color of trunk pale (Fig. 12D) to bright yellow (Fig. 12F). Subcaudal coloration yellow to orange; distally duller under regenerated portion of tail; scattered yellow-orange single scales extending on to ventrolateral margins of tail. Ventral surfaces of limbs less brightly pigmented than trunk or lacking yellow/orange pigment entirely; palms and soles grayish brown. Chin, gular region and anterior region of throat off-white to bright white, with some suffusion of yellow posteriorly (Fig. 12D) or continuing anteriorly in the form a scattered pale yellow scales (Fig. 12F). Throat with only vague, pale diffuse darker mottling or with discrete and extensive contrasting blackish mottling.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Variation.&lt;/b&gt; Mensural data for comparative material is given in Table 6. Paratypes generally resemble the holotype with tails tapering to a fine tip (TAL 111% SVL in paratype NMK-L3997/1 with intact original tail). The paratypes are all in general good condition with some showing the clear dorsal chevron marks or stripe. No clear sexual dimorphism in size and color. Males have a continuous series of 6 precloacal pores (Fig 11, Table 6).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Etymology.&lt;/b&gt; Named in honor of Stephen Spawls (born 1953), who specifically collected the holotype specimen inside the wooden house (Lolldaiga Farm House) where our collecting party were staying.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Natural History.&lt;/b&gt; This is a diurnal, arboreal gecko. In Lolldaiga the holotype specimen was collected resting inside a wooden house. In Kirimiri Forest the majority were collected in degraded forest replanted with exotics, mainly &lt;i&gt;Eucalyptus&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Casuarina&lt;/i&gt; and Nandi flame (&lt;i&gt;Spathodea campanulata&lt;/i&gt;). Here they were present on the base of trunks or on loose bark of peeling or dead trees. The single specimen in the &lt;i&gt;Croton megalocarpus-&lt;/i&gt; dominated indigenous Kirimiri Forest was on a fallen log. In the Lolldaiga Hills, on other wooden houses and on walls of other farm structures we commonly found &lt;i&gt;Lygodactylus keniensis&lt;/i&gt; Parker. We expect the species to be present where retreats are provided by rock crevices or by the loose bark of scattered mature cedar trees (&lt;i&gt;Juniperus procera&lt;/i&gt;). The lacertid &lt;i&gt;Adolfus kibonotensis&lt;/i&gt; also occurs on trees in the area. In Kirimiri Forest and Ngaya Forest&mdash;Nyambene Hills the species coexists with the much larger &lt;i&gt;Ancylodactylus kenyaensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; In Ngaya Forest&mdash;Nyambene Hills the species was common on small tree trunk crevices and cracks. In Kijege Hill&mdash;Chiakariga individuals where collected hidden in or basing outside small rock cracks and crevices/slabs. In the Borana Wildlife Conservancy montane forest individuals were also found in the crevices of tree trunks. On either substrate (trees or rocks), individuals are very alert and agile and dash swiftly into their retreats where they wedge tightly, making extraction difficult. A female specimen from Kirimiri Forest was gravid with two eggs clearly visible through the abdomen (Fig. 12F) and small trombiculid mites were present, though sparse in front of the shoulder (Fig. 12A), on the flank (Fig. 12E) and near the axillae and throat (Fig. 12F) in three different individuals.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Habitat and Distribution.&lt;/b&gt; This appears to be a sporadically distributed highland montane forest species endemic to the highland areas around Mt Kenya. The presence of five isolated populations to the northwest (Lolldaiga Hills, Laikipia), north (Borana Wildlife Conservancy, Laikipia Plateau, Laikipia County, 00.27338&deg; N, 37.32976&deg; E; 1952 m), northeast (Ngaya Forest, Nyambene Hill, Meru County, 00.31622&deg; N, 38.02033&deg;E; 1223 m), east (Kirimiri Forest, Embu County, Kenya), and southeast (Kijege Hill, Chiakariga, Tharaka-Nithi County, 00.27217&deg; S, 37.93591&deg;E; 1033 m) of Mt. Kenya suggests that it should occur in other similar suitable forest areas in the region. Kijege Hill is a quite isolated dryland rocky hill with only a small patch of montane forest at the Chiakariga community, otherwise the rest of the hill is covered by dry rocky bushland. In montane areas this species appears to adapt to human modified habitats like forest plantations and wooden structures.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Malonza, Patrick K. &amp; Bauer, Aaron M., 2022, Resurrection of the African gecko genus Ancylodactylus Müller, 1907 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and description of six new species from Kenya, pp. 101-139 in Zootaxa 5141 (2)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 124-129, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5141.2.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/6581580"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/6581580&lt;/a&gt