Integrative Taxonomy of Cyrtodactylus Geckos

Integrative taxonomy in Cyrtodactylus geckos unites morphological, molecular and ecological data to resolve species boundaries within the most speciose reptile genus. With over 300 described species across South Asia to Melanesia, traditional morphology-only approaches have underestimated diversity and obscured evolutionary relationships. Contemporary frameworks combine multilocus DNA sequencing (mitochondrial genes such as ND2 and COI, nuclear loci), detailed morphological assessments and habitat association studies to detect cryptic lineages, delimit narrow-range endemics and define monophyletic species groups. This synthesis has revealed distinctive clusters in karst landscapes, montane systems and island archipelagos, highlighting convergent adaptations and biogeographic patterns driven by geological history. Integrative approaches also inform conservation priorities by pinpointing habitat specialists and micro-endemic taxa. Altogether, this methodology provides robust taxonomic hypotheses, refines classification, guides biodiversity inventories and underpins targeted conservation strategies for a globally significant lineage of bent-toed geckos.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial ND2 sequences from northern and western Thailand have uncovered four well-supported geographic clades within Cyrtodactylus, each exhibiting unique morphological traits and distributions along mountain ranges. This work has exposed extensive cryptic diversity and led to the recognition of previously undocumented taxa, reshaping regional views on speciation. A foundational study of DNA barcoding evaluated the COI marker’s performance against more variable loci, demonstrating its value for rapid species identification while cautioning against its limitations at deeper phylogenetic levels. Together, these investigations underscore the importance of multilocus frameworks and careful marker selection in integrative taxonomic practice.

Integrative Taxonomy of Cyrtodactylus Geckos publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in integrative taxonomy of cyrtodactylus geckos across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Integrative taxonomy: An approach that combines molecular, morphological and ecological data to delimit species and clarify evolutionary relationships.

Cryptic diversity: Genetically distinct lineages that are morphologically similar and often remain unrecognised without molecular evidence.

Mitochondrial marker: A DNA region inherited maternally (for example ND2 or COI) commonly used for phylogenetic reconstruction and species barcoding.

Monophyletic species group: A set of species sharing a common ancestor and all its descendants, forming a distinct clade in an evolutionary tree.

Karst habitat: Limestone landscapes characterised by caves and rocky outcrops that frequently host specialised, range-restricted taxa.

References

1. Phylogenetic analyses of distantly related clades of bent-toed geckos (genus Cyrtodactylus) reveal an unprecedented amount of cryptic diversity in northern and western Thailand. Scientific Reports (2021).
2. Karstic Landscapes Are Foci of Species Diversity in the World’s Third-Largest Vertebrate Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata; Gekkonidae). Diversity (2021).
3. Phylogenetic partitioning of the third-largest vertebrate genus in the world, Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia; Squamata; Gekkonidae) and its relevance to taxonomy and conservation. Vertebrate Zoology (2021).
4. Barcoding utility in a mega-diverse, cross-continental genus: keeping pace with Cyrtodactylus geckos. Scientific Reports (2017).
5. The biogeography of bent-toed geckos, Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae). PeerJ (2022).