| Barahona big-scaled sphaero | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Sphaerodactylidae |
| Genus: | Sphaerodactylus |
| Species: | S. plummeri |
| Binomial name | |
| Sphaerodactylus plummeri | |
The Barahona big-scaled sphaero (Sphaerodactylus plummeri), also known commonly as the Barahona big-scaled geckolet, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species, which is a very small gecko, is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
Originally described as a species new to science in 1992 by herpetologists Richard Thomas and Blair Hedges, it is named after Nicholas Plummer who was one of the collectors of the holotype. [2]
S. plummeri is a relatively small species of Sphaerodactylus that has very large, flattened, keeled dorsal scales. [3] This character is diagnostic, and distinguishes this species from S. streptophorus , S. armstrongi and S. ariasae , all of which are closely related to S. plummeri, but have considerably smaller dorsal scales. [2]
Dosal ground color is pale brownish to grayish, distinctly speckled with darker brown to black scales. These markings can be aligned forming fragmented dorsolateral stripes which are more defined in the scapular and sacral region. This species is sexually dichromatic, as males usually develop orange heads as they mature. [2]
S. plummeri is endemic to the south-western portions of the Barahona peninsula. This species inhabits karstic, xeric scrublands at altitudes of 0–100 m (0–328 ft). [1] [3]
S. plummeri is a terrestrial species that has been found under piles of organic debris including the decaying rosettes of dead Agave , and under piles of dry palm fronds. [2]
It is sympatric with other reptiles including another species of the same genus, S. thompsoni. Although they share the same habitat, niche segregation is especially evident in these two species, as S. plummeri is usually associated with decaying organic matter, while S. thompsoni is saxicolous and associated with the karst itself. Other reptiles and amphibians known to be sympatric with S. plummeri include: Leiocephalus barahonensis , Anolis brevirostris , A. olssoni, A. longitibialis , Pholidoscelis lineolatus, P. taeniurus, P. chrysolaemus, Celestus curtissi , Hypsirhynchus parvifrons , Uromacer frenatus and Eleutherodactylus alcoae. [4]
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.
The ashy gecko is a species of gecko native to Cuba and Hispaniola. 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.
The Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero, Virgin Gorda least gecko, or Virgin Islands dwarf gecko is a species of gecko and also one of the smallest terrestrial vertebrates. It has only been found on three of the British Virgin Islands: Virgin Gorda, Tortola, and Moskito Island. It was discovered in 1964 and is suspected to be a close relative of Sphaerodactylus nicholsi, a dwarf sphaero from the nearby island of Puerto Rico. It shares its range with the big-scaled least gecko (S. macrolepis), which is found in leaf litter. Unlike this larger gecko, the Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero lives on drier hillsides, yet prefers moist microhabitats found under rocks because it lacks the adaptations necessary for preventing water loss, which is a significant problem due to its small body size.
The fantastic least gecko, or fantastic sphaero is a species of gecko found in the Caribbean, on the islands of Dominica, Montserrat, and the Guadeloupe archipelago.
Sphaerodactylus callocricus, also known as the beautifully ringed sphaero, rough-banded sphaero or rough-banded least gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. It is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
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.
Darlington's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
The Martin Garcia 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 richardi, also known commonly as Richard's banded sphaero or the Zapata big-scaled sphaero, is a small species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Cuba.
The Neiba agave sphaero, also known commonly as the Neiba agave geckolet and Schubert's least gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
The Guantanamo collared sphaero, also known commonly as the Monitongas collared geckolet and Schwartz's dwarf gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Cuba.
Shreve's least gecko, also known commonly as the northwest Haiti blotched sphaero and the northwest Haitian blotched geckolet, is an endangered species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Haiti.
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.
Ialtris agyrtes, also known as the Barahona red-headed racer or the Barreras fanged snake, is a rare species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. This species endemic to the south-western Dominican Republic.
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