Sphaerodactylus (Gekkonidae) in the Greater Puerto Rico Region

Abstract

The geckos of the genus Sphaerodactylus in Greater Puerto Rico (those West Indian islands between Mona Passage and Anegada Passage) are discussed in detail. S. macrolepis Gunther and S. grandisquamis Stejneger are combined, and seven new subspecies of the resulting S. macrolepis are described from Puerto Rico and Isla Vieques. S. nicholsi Grant and S. townsendi Grant are regarded as races of a single species. S. danforthi Grant is considered a synonym of S. macrolepis Gunther. A new subspecies of S. beattyi Grant is described from St. Croix. Variation, detailed discussions of coloration and pattern, and geographic distribution of the remaining Puerto Rican forms are given and a hypothetical history of the macrolepis complex is presented.