‘Large’ creature with ‘baggy’ skin found in dark forest and discovered as new species

In a dark forest of Papua New Guinea, a “large” creature with a “baggy”-looking appearance perched on a branch. Something about the pale animal caught the attention of locals — and for good reason.

It turned out to be a new species.

Villagers on Sudest Island caught the “giant” lizard in 2004 and gave it to Fred Kraus, a scientist studying the area’s reptiles , he wrote in a study published Sept. 19 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.

Intrigued, Kraus studied the unfamiliar-looking lizard and tracked down two similar archive specimens from the 1950s, the study said. He soon realized he’d discovered a new species: Gehyra chrysopeleia, or the Chrysopeleia four-clawed gecko.

Chrysopeleia four-clawed geckos are considered “large,” reaching over 9 inches in length, the study said. They have “robust” bodies with “extensive loose skin,” giving them a “‘baggy’ appearance.”

A photo shows the yellowish gray coloring of the new species. Its pale hue stands out from the surrounding plants, and its skin flaps hang along its sides.

Like other related geckos, the “giant” new species has four claws on each hand, Kraus wrote. It was found in forested areas along the coast but remains poorly known.

Kraus said he named the new species “Chrysopeleia” after the “Latinized name of one of the Greek hamadryads, nymphs of trees and woodlands.” Literally translated, the name means “golden dove” and refers to the gecko’s yellowish hue.

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So far, Chrysopeleia four-clawed geckos have been found at three sites on Sudest Island but may live on other nearby islands, the study said. Sudest Island, also known as Tagula Island, is off the southeastern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea and northeast of Australia.

The new species was identified by its toes, skin folds, size, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. A DNA analysis was not included in the study.

Kraus also discovered three more new species of gecko: one with brown, “baggy” skin ; one “banded with spots” and another with “tan” eyes.

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