Family : GEKKONIDAE
Species :  Cyrtodactylus pantiensis
Size (snout to vent) : 7.7 cm
Size (total length) : up to 19 cm

This attractive gecko, first described in 2008, occurs in lowland forests : within such habitat it appears to be confined to the margins of forest streams passing through freshwater swamp forest.

The species is named after Gunung Panti ('Gunung' = mountain), at the base of which is extensive swamp forest.

The specimen in Figure 2 was active at night amongst a log-jam of fallen tree branches. Upon disturbance it immediately retreated into a crevice. Grismer (2011) observes that these geckos will readily run across the surface of streams to evade a perceived threat.

Specimens from the Panti area can be identified in the field by the mirrored arrangement of two half-moon shaped blotches at the back of the skull, forward of the nape. Paired brown blotches also extend down the body, either side of the vertebral line, and like the distinctive half-moon blotches, are surrounded by creamy yellow speckles. The tail is banded brown and creamy  yellow.

The Panti Bent-toed Gecko appears to be endemic to southern Peninsular Malaysia: it has been recorded from the states of Johor, Pahang, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan.

Fig 1 : Example from Sungai Menyala Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Peninsular Malaysia, found in low-lying, swampy habitat.

Fig 2 : A Panti Bent-toed Gecko runs for cover after being disturbed next to a stream passing through freshwater swamp forest in Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

Fig 3 : Acidic swamp forest stream - typical habitat for Cyrtodactylus pantiensis.


References :

Grismer, L. L. (2011). Lizards of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and their Adjacent Archipelagos. Their Description, Distribution, and Natural History. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main. 728 pp.