Scientists from the Western Australian Museum have discovered a rare new species of gecko in the State’s Mid-West and will reveal it to the public for the first time at the WA Museum – Geraldton on Tuesday, October 22.

WA Museum reptile curator Dr Paul Doughty said the Cloudy Stone Gecko (Diplodactylus nebulosus) is a new species of gecko lizard endemic to the Geraldton region.

“The species only occurs from Mt Lesueur in the south, in the hills to the east of Geraldton and up to the Hutt River,” Dr Doughty said.

“The new gecko is a Stone Gecko, meaning it prefers the harder surfaces of the ranges behind the coast, as opposed to more sandy surfaces.”

Described in the latest Records of the Western Australian Museum, Dr Doughty and his University of Melbourne colleague Paul Oliver used specimens and genetics at the Museum’s Collection and Research Centre in Welshpool to identify the species as unique.

“The gecko differs from other species in that it has a pattern on its back resembling a cloud or nebula, instead of a straight line like its Wheatbelt relatives,” Dr Doughty said.

“The toes have grippy surfaces, but it can’t climb walls like other geckos – instead it prefers to hide under slabs of rock or logs during the day. It can, however, climb low shrubs to forage for spiders and cockroaches.”

Dr Doughty will present two lectures at the WA Museum – Geraldton on October 22 at 10am and 7pm, with a live Cloudy Stone Gecko present for visitors to see. For more information and to book, phone the Museum on 9921 5080.

The latest Records of the Western Australian Museum: Volume 28 describing nine new WA species is available online at museum.wa.gov.au/research/records-supplements/records

Media Contact:
Niki Comparti
Media and Publicity Officer, WA Museum
6552 7805
niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au