Gliding Geckos are cryptic species distributed in the tropical forests of southeastern Asia, including southern China. Among the 60 species of Gekko, four Gliding Geckos are placed under the subgenus Ptychozoon, restricted to India, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and the mainland Southeast Asian countries. Although species of this subgenus have been recorded from northeastern India and Myanmar, they have not been reported from Bangladesh.
In a paper published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa on 26 November 2020, Rashedul Kabir Bhuiyan of the National Botanical Garden in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Fazle Rabbe of the Department of Zoology at the University of Dhaka, and the Padma Bridge Museum, Mohammad Firoj Jaman, also of the Department of Zoology at the University of Dhaka, and Ananda Kumar Das and Samiul Mohsanin, also of the Padma Bridge Museum, present the first country record of the Smooth-backed Gliding Gecko, Gekko lionotum, from Bangladesh.
Bhuiyan et al. found a freshly dead adult specimen in the Sangu Wildlife Sanctuary in Bandarban District, Bangladesh, which was later donated to Padma Bridge Museum. In the museum this specimen was identified as a Smooth-backed Gliding Gecko, Gekko lionotum, based on the body features and other morphometric measurements. Considered a rare specimen and a valuable resource for future studies, the Gecko was preserved in alcohol as a wet specimen. According to The Reptile Database, this species is distributed in India (Mizoram), Myanmar (Rakhine and Bago), Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Bhuiyan et al. combined characters to identify the species from several previous works by other authors. The key characters were: snout-vent length 94.8 mm; the absence of imbricated scales to support parachute, dorsal tubercles and postorbital stripe; the presence of predigital notch in preantebrachial expansion; 14–15 lamellae in 4th toe; five caudal lobes fused to form terminal lobe of the tail and denticulated laterally with expansion; absence of caudal tubercles in tail terminus; angling is slight between caudal lobes. Bhuiyan et al. compared these characteristics with other species of the subgenus Ptychozoon. The characteristics clearly show the present specimen is Gekko lionotum.
Bhuiyan et al. measured morphometric characteristics using regular slide calipers with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. They compared their morphometric data with the specimen described by Samraat Pawar and Sayantan Biswas from Mizoram State in India. Bhuiyan et al.'s comparison matches the description given for specimens from Myanmar, and the nearest specimen from Mizoram, India. Bhuiyan et al. also observed the colour pattern and body shape of their specimen. The upper parts of the body are gray to dark gray and the underparts are yellowish with black spots. The anterior ventral part is light grayish-yellow and the posterior is dark grayish-yellow. Ten transverse, distinct, wavy, blackish-gray bands present in the dorsal side (one in the head, four in inter-limb area, five in the tail). The head is triangular, with two dark gray-brown bands running from eye to ear opening and a deep gray-brown band present at the central region. The neck is narrow, small, and brownish colour; thighs and arms are similar in color. The tail is slightly shorter than the snout-vent length, dark black at the tip, and both dorsal and ventral sides are covered with a dark gray-black band. The skin of limbs, toes, and fingers is extended and lamellae are yellowish-white in colour. Coloration of the body can perfectly match with woods and trees for camouflage.
Located in the southeast of the country, Bandarban District is a global biodiversity hotspot of the Indo-Malayan region, although the forest vegetation has been degraded by settlers, local inhabitants and others. Bhuiyan et al. believe that more new species can be found if proper effort is given, however, the richest biodiversity zone also attracts organised poachers to traffic wildlife resources, timber and illegal drugs. The discovery of the Lizard species indicates the probability of getting more novel species in this area. Bhuiyan et al. suggest more research work to expand knowledge and strictly manage the diversity of the zone with the leadership of the Bangladesh Forest Department.
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