New species of Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Cameroon

Abstract

A new large (100 mm SVL) species of forest‐dwelling gecko of the genus Hemidactylus is described from the Furu‐Awa area in the Northwest Province of Cameroon. The species is distinguished from other equatorial West African members of the genus by its large size, 18–20 rows of small dorsal tubercles, 45 precloacal‐femoral pores in males, transversely enlarged median subcaudal plates, reduced tail tuberculation and distinctive purplish colour pattern.