Ashy gecko | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Sphaerodactylidae |
Genus: | Sphaerodactylus |
Species: | S. elegans |
Binomial name | |
Sphaerodactylus elegans | |
The ashy gecko (Sphaerodactylus elegans) is a species of gecko native to Cuba (including Isla de la Juventud) and Hispaniola (Haiti, including Gonâve Island and Les Cayemites, and the Dominican Republic). [2] It is a small species, dark in color with many white spots. It is also a good climber. Ashy geckos have been introduced to a few small islands in southernmost Florida, and have established populations there. [3]
There are two subspecies of S. elegans: [2]
S. elegans elegans is the subspecies native to Cuba including Isla de la Juventud, the archipelagos of Canarreos and Jardines de la Reina, and throughout the length of the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago. [4]
S. elegans elegans is small. S. elegans elegans has granular scales. Its snout has a maximum length of 39 millimeters. [4] Its colors range from a red tail to a blue tail, with a green midsection, and always with thin horizontal bands of black across its body. Its limbs are a variously colored and seem almost opaque in comparison to the rest of the body. There are no color differences between male and females in this subspecies. [5] The other subspecies, S. elegans punctatissimus, is more muted and earthy in tone, overall less vibrant, with more of a spotted pattern.
The first observation of the species in Florida occurred in 1922 when it was introduced from somewhere in the West Indies excluding The Bahamas. [6] Prior to 1930 species from the West Indies migrated to nearby islands through the means of cargo shipments. This mechanism is the most probable means of the immigration for S. elegans elegans to Monroe County, specifically the lower Florida Keys. The subspecies has not travelled far since 1922. Still found in the lower Keys, this species has had a century to migrate north but has been limited by geographic barriers. [6] Although many of the lower Keys are connected by bridges used for vehicular traffic, and the Seven Mile Bridge connects Big Pine Key and Bahia Honda Key to Marathon Key, this is apparently not a viable route for this tiny, tropical species. S. elegans elegans is one of only twelve of over five hundred species of reptiles and amphibians from the West Indies to colonize south Florida. The proximity of the origin of the species is an important factor in its immigration to the lower Keys. [5]
Sphaerodactylus is a genus of geckos from the Americas that are distinguished from other Gekkota by their small size, by their round, rather than vertical, eye pupils, and by each digit terminating in a single, round adhesive pad or scale, from which their name is derived. All species in this genus are rather small, but two species, S. ariasae and S. parthenopion, are tiny, and – with a snout-vent length of about 1.6 cm (0.63 in) – the smallest reptiles in the world.
Sphaerodactylus ariasae, commonly called the Jaragua sphaero or the Jaragua dwarf gecko, is the smallest species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae.
Sphaerodactylus argus, also known commonly as the ocellated gecko, the ocellated sphaero, and the stippled sphaero, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae native to the Caribbean and surrounding regions. There are two recognized subspecies.
Sphaerodactylus notatus, also known as the Floridareef gecko or brown-speckled sphaero, is a small species of gecko native to Florida and the Caribbean.
Albert Schwartz was an American zoologist who worked extensively with the herpetofauna of Florida and the West Indies, and later with butterflies. One magazine article once dubbed him as one of the "Kings of West Indian Anole Taxonomy".
Aristelliger lar, also known as the Hispaniolan giant gecko and the spotted Caribbean gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.
Armstrong's least gecko, also known commonly as the southern forest geckolet, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.
The peninsula least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
Cochran's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
Cope's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the West Indies.
Sphaerodactylus corticola, also known commonly as the central Bahamas sphaero or the Rum Cay least gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Bahamas.
Darlington's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
The Cap-Haitien least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Haiti.
The Morne Dubois least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Haiti.
The Peravia least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
The Pedernales least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
Sphaerodactylus savagei, also known commonly as the Altagracia speckled sphaero or Savage's least gecko, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
Sphaerodactylus storeyae, also known commonly as the Isle of Pines sphaero or the Los Canarreos geckolet, is a small species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Isla de la Juventud in Cuba.
Sphaerodactylus thompsoni, also known commonly as Thompson's least gecko or the Barahona limestone geckolet, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Hispaniola.
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