Common flat-tail gecko

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Common flat-tail gecko
Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko, Nosy Mangabe, Madagascar.jpg
A giant leaf-tailed gecko on the island of Nosy Mangabe off Madagascar
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Uroplatus
Species:
U. fimbriatus
Binomial name
Uroplatus fimbriatus
(Schneider, 1797)
Uroplatus fimbriatus distribution.png
Synonyms

Stellio fimbriatusSchneider, 1797

The common flat-tail gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) is a gecko endemic to Madagascar. It is found in eastern Madagascar and on the islands Nosy Bohara and Nosy Mangabe. These geckos live in tropical rain forests. They reach a total length of 330 mm.

Contents

Etymology

The generic name, Uroplatus , is a Latinization of two Greek words: "ourá" (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and "platys" (πλατύς) meaning "flat". Its specific name fimbriatus is the Latin word for "fringed" based upon the gecko's unique appearance of fringed skin.

Description

Size compared to hand. At the Bronx Zoo. Giant leaf tail gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) 2.jpg
Size compared to hand. At the Bronx Zoo.

It is a large nocturnal gecko. [2] Because the eyes are extremely sensitive to light, 350 times more sensitive than the human eye, the species is able to see in colors even at night. [3] By day it plasters itself to a small tree trunk and rests head down. If disturbed it will raise its tail and head, open its mouth and scream. [2]

Threats

Habitat destruction and deforestation in Madagascar is the primary threat to this animal's future as well as collection for the pet trade. [4] The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lists all of the Uroplatus species on their "Top ten most wanted species list" of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade, because of it "being captured and sold at alarming rates for the international pet trade". It is a CITES Appendix 2 protected animal. [4] However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the commercial export as likely sustainable. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Uroplatus</i> Genus of lizards

Uroplatus is a genus of geckos, commonly referred to as leaf-tail geckos or flat-tailed geckos, which are endemic to Madagascar and its coastal islands, such as Nosy Be. They are nocturnal, insectivorous lizards found exclusively in primary and secondary forest.

<i>Uroplatus ebenaui</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus ebenaui, commonly known as Ebenau's leaf-tailed gecko, the Nosy Be flat-tail gecko, and the spearpoint leaf-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Günther's flat-tail gecko</span> Species of lizard

Günther's flat-tail gecko, also known commonly as Güenther's leaf-tail gecko, is a species of nocturnal gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko</span> Species of lizard

Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko, also known commonly as Henkel's flat-tailed gecko or the frilled leaf-tail gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lined flat-tail gecko</span> Species of lizard

The lined flat-tail gecko is a gecko which is found in eastern Madagascar and on the island Nosy Bohara. These geckos live on trees in tropical rain forests and on bamboo plants. They reach a total length of 270 mm. Threats to this species are posed by deforestation and illegal pet trade.

<i>Uroplatus phantasticus</i> Species of gecko endemic to Madagascar

Uroplatus phantasticus, the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, eyelash leaf-tailed gecko or the phantastic leaf-tailed gecko, is a species of gecko indigenous to the island of Madagascar. First described in 1888 by George Albert Boulenger, U. phantasticus is the smallest in body of the Uroplatus geckos, though there is an ongoing debate as to whether one of its cousins, U. ebenaui, is smaller because of its shorter tail.

<i>Acrantophis dumerili</i> Species of snake

Acrantophis dumerili, commonly known as Dumeril's boa, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antsingy leaf chameleon</span> Species of lizard

The Antsingy leaf chameleon is a species of lizards in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is also referred to as Armoured leaf chameleon.

<i>Brookesia minima</i> Species of reptile

Brookesia minima,, is a diminutive chameleon that was regarded as the smallest lizard of the Chamaeleonidae until a smaller species, Brookesia nana, was described in 2021.

<i>Uroplatus sikorae</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus sikorae, commonly referred to as the mossy leaf-tailed gecko or the southern flat-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar. It is a CITES II protected animal due to habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown leaf chameleon</span> Species of lizard

The brown leaf chameleon or stump-tailed chameleon is a small chameleon found along the eastern coast of Madagascar, as well as the island of Nosy Boraha. Its appearance mimics that of a dead leaf. The taxonomy is in need of revision.

<i>Paroedura masobe</i> Species of lizard

Paroedura masobe, also called masobe gecko, is an endangered species of gekkonid gecko. They are known for their white-speckled dark skin and big eyes. The average life span of the Paroedura masobe is approximately eight years. Paroedura masobe reaches lengths of up to 17 centimetres (6.69 in).

<i>Brookesia micra</i> Species of lizard

Brookesia micra, also known as the Nosy Hara leaf chameleon is a species of chameleons from the islet of Nosy Hara in Antsiranana, Madagascar. At the time of its discovery, it was the smallest known chameleon and among the smallest reptiles, until the 2021 discovery of the even smaller B. nana. Adult B. micra can grow up to 29 mm (1.1 in) in length.

<i>Brookesia stumpffi</i> Species of lizard

Brookesia stumpffi, also known as the plated leaf chameleon, is a species of chameleon found in some parts of Madagascar. It can be found in Nosy Bé, north-west Madagascar, Nosy Komba, and Nosy Sakatia.

<i>Uroplatus sameiti</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus sameiti is a species of leaf-tailed gecko. Like all members of the genus Uroplatus, U. sameiti is endemic to Madagascar, and is found in primary and secondary forests on the island. It has the ability to change its skin colour to match its surroundings and possesses dermal flaps which break up its outline when at rest.

<i>Uroplatus alluaudi</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus alluaudi, also known commonly as the northern flat-tail gecko and the northern leaf-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant leaf-tail gecko</span> Species of lizard

The giant leaf-tail gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. It can reach a snout–vent length of 20 cm and a total length of 32.2 cm.

<i>Uroplatus pietschmanni</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus pietschmanni, known commonly as the cork-bark leaf-tail gecko, the cork bark leaftail gecko, and the spiny leaf-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Uroplatus garamaso is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is endemic to northern Madagascar.

References

  1. 1 2 Raxworthy, C.J.; Ratsoavina, F.; Glaw, F.; Rabibisoa, N. (2011). "Uroplatus fimbriatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T172939A6945080. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172939A6945080.en .
  2. 1 2 Glaw, F.; Vences, M. (1994). A Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Köln: Vences & Glaw Verlag. p. 313. ISBN   3-929449-00-5.
  3. "Night time hunt of ghostly gecko". BBC News. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Inclusion of Uroplatus spp. in Appendix II" (PDF). Technical comments in support of amendments to CITES appendices submitted by Madagascar. CITES. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2008.