A new species of Gekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from central Luzon Island, Philippines

We describe a new species of gekkonid lizard, Gekko carusadensis, from low elevation, disturbed and secondary-growth forest in east-central Luzon Island, Philippines. Numerous features of its external morphology distinguish it from other congeners, including the presence of a distinct color pattern, body size, and a unique combination of scale counts. The new species has been found on karst outcrops and cave systems at low elevation. The new species typifies the rapidly expanding known diversity of Philippine gekkonid lizards, and is the third species in the genus to be described in the last three years.