Gehyra mutilata

Gehyra mutilata
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Gehyra
Species:	G. mutilata
Binomial name
	Gehyra mutilata; (Wiegmann, 1834)
Synonyms
	Hemidactylus mutilatus; Wiegmann, 1834; Hemidactylus peronii; A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1836; Peropus mutilatus; — Fitzinger, 1843; Peripia peronii; — Gray, 1845; Hemidactylus platurus; Bleeker, 1859; Gecko pardus; Tytler, 1865; Peropus packardii; Cope, 1869; Peripia mutilata; — Günther, 1873; Hemidactylus navarri; Dugès, 1883; Gehyra mutilata; — Fischer, 1885; Gehyra butleri; Boulenger, 1900; Gehyra beebei; de Rooij, 1915; Peropus butleri; — M.A. Smith, 1930; Gehyra mutilata; — Liner, 1994;

Last updated December 31, 2023

Gehyra mutilata, also known commonly as the common four-clawed gecko, Pacific gecko, stump-toed gecko, sugar gecko in Indonesia, tender-skinned house gecko, and butiki in Filipino, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia. It has made its way to several areas of the world including Sri Lanka, Indochina, and many of the Pacific Islands. Compared to the common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), the appearance of G. mutilata is somewhat plump, with delicate skin. The skin is usually colored a soft purplish/pinkish gray, with golden spots on younger specimens; these spots eventually fade with age.

Description

The head of G. mutilata is longer than broad. The snout is longer than the distance between the eye and the ear-opening, about 1.3 times the diameter of the orbit. The forehead has a median groove. The ear-opening is moderately large and suboval. The body and limbs are moderately elongate and depressed. A fold of the skin borders the hind limb posteriorly. The digits are short and more or less webbed at the base. The inferior lamellae are angular and divided by a median groove. The upper surface of the body and the throat are covered with small granular scales, which are largest and flat on the back. The abdominal scales are moderate. The rostral is quadrangular, broader than deep, with a median cleft above. The nostril is pierced between the rostral, the first labial, and three nasals, the upper much the largest and generally in contact with its fellow. There are 8 or 9 upper labials, and 6 or 7 lower labials. The mental is moderately large and pentagonal. There are 3 pairs of chin shields. The innermost pair is very large and elongate. The outermost pair is small, frequently broken up into small scales. The femoral pores are in a doubly curved line, angular in the middle, 14 to 19 on each side. The tail is depressed, normally with a sharpish, minutely serrated lateral edge. The upper surface of the tail is covered with very small flat scales. Its lower surface generally has a median series of large transversely dilated scales. G. mutilata is greyish or reddish brown above, uniform or dotted or variegated with darker. The lower surfaces are uniform whitish.^[3]

G. mutilata may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2.25 in (5.7 cm), with a tail length equal to SVL.^[3]

A key identification character is the absence of a claw on the innermost digit.^[4]

Geographic range

The species G. mutilata is widely distributed throughout Borneo, southeastern China, French Polynesia, Hawaii (Maui), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Mascarene Islands, western Mexico, Myanmar, New Guinea, the Philippines, the Pitcairn Islands, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.^[1]^[2]^[4]^[5]

Behavior and habitat

Like many other geckos, G. mutilata is very adaptable to its surroundings, although it usually prefers woodlands, rocky areas, and human dwellings, at altitudes from sea level to 1,400 m (4,600 ft).^[1] It is also very common on sand beaches in Hawaii, where it is considered an invasive species. It makes itself at home in people's houses, and doesn't seem to mind the humans living beside it. Many people don't mind the gecko either, perhaps because, being a nocturnally active species, it spends much of its time high up on walls and ceilings. It is quite unobtrusive and helpfully preys on household insects.

Like many gecko species, G. mutilata is able to make noises to communicate. Its call, which sounds like "tock", is repeated six to eight times with increasing volume.^[5] It is also capable of running faster than other house geckos.

G. mutilata are often compared to the common gecko (H. frenatus) when it comes to habitat location, and it is often said that G. mutilata will not be found around H. frenatus although this pattern can differ depending on location.

Diet

G. mutilata preys upon isopods, termites, and other small insects.^[1]

Reproduction

G. mutilata is oviparous.^[2] Clutch size is one to three eggs, usually two.^[1]

Related Research Articles

Blythia reticulata, commonly known as Blyth's reticulate snake, Blyth's reticulated snake, or the iridescent snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae of the superfamily Colubroidea. The species is endemic to Asia.

Boiga forsteni, also known commonly as Forsten's cat snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.

The checkered keelback, also known commonly as the Asiatic water snake, is a common species in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. It is non-venomous.

Psammophis leithii, commonly called the Pakistan sand racer, Pakistani ribbon snake, or Leith's sand snake, is a species of rear-fanged snake in the family Psammophiidae. The species is native to South Asia. It is harmless to humans.

The Oriental leaf-toed gecko, also known commonly as the Asian smooth gecko, Bowring's gecko, Bowring's smooth gecko, and the Sikkimese dark-spotted gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to East Asia.

Hemidactylus brookii, also known commonly as Brooke's house gecko and the spotted house gecko, is a widespread species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae.

The Indo-Pacific gecko, also known commonly as Garnot's house gecko, the fox gecko, and the Assam greyish brown gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is found in India, across Southeast Asia, Australia, and throughout Polynesia. Adults are about 4 to 5 in in total length. They are seen as dark gray or brown with light markings in daylight and a pale, translucent colour at night. The belly is orange or yellow. The head has a long, narrow snout, hence the name fox gecko. The flattened tail has a row of spiny scales on the lateral edges. The species is parthenogenic – all individuals are female and lay eggs that hatch without requiring male fertilisation.

The Indian golden gecko or Beddome's golden gecko is a species of gecko endemic to the Eastern Ghats of India. It was rediscovered from the hills near present-day Tirupati. The rediscovery was after over 100 years since its description.

<i>Sibynophis collaris</i> Species of snake

Sibynophis collaris, commonly known as the common many-toothed snake,Betty's many toothed snake or the collared black-headed snake, is a species of colubrid snake endemic to South and East Asia.

Hemidactylus maculatus, also known as the spotted leaf-toed gecko or giant spotted gecko, is a species of large gecko found in the Western Ghats of India and in parts of Sri Lanka.

Leschenault's leaf-toed gecko is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to South Asia and parts of West Asia. It is often found inside homes. Its scientific name commemorates French botanist Jean Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour.

The flat-tailed house gecko, also known as the frilled house gecko or Asian house gecko, is a species of Gekkonidae native to southeastern and southern Asia. The species is sometimes classified under the genus Cosymbotus.

Hemidactylus karenorum, commonly known as the Burmese leaf gecko, the Burmese leaf-toed gecko, or the Burmese spotted gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.

Hemidactylus persicus, also known as the Persian leaf-toed gecko or Persian gecko, is a species of gecko found in West Asia.

The reticulate leaf-toed gecko is a species of terrestrial, nocturnal, insectivorous gecko found in rocky areas of South India. It takes refuge under stones on ground during day time and emerges out at night for its activities.

Hemidactylus subtriedrus, also known as Jerdon's gecko or Madras blotched gecko, is a species of gecko found in India and Sri Lanka.

Hemidactylus triedrus, also known as the termite hill gecko, Dakota's leaf-toed gecko, or blotched house gecko, is a species of gecko found in South Asia. The race lankae of Sri Lanka, is now given species status and known as Hemidactylus lankae

<i>Ophisops leschenaultii</i> Species of lizard

Ophisops leschenaultii, commonly called Leschenault's snake-eye, Leschenault’s lacerta, or Leschenault's cabrita, is a species of lacertid lizard endemic to India and eastern Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, this lizard is called Pandura katussa in Sinhala. In some parts of the country, it is also called Heeraluwa or sikanala, which is more common name for all skink-like reptiles.

Cnemaspis anslemi, or Anslems' day gecko, is a species of diurnal gecko endemic to island of Sri Lanka described from northwestern foothills of Samanalawewa Nature Reserve.

References

1 2 3 4 5 Lwin, K.; Wogan, G.; Phimmachak, S.; Neang, T.; Stuart, B.L.; Thaksintham, W.; Danaisawat, P.; Yang, J. (2021). "Gehyra mutilata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T172668A1363221. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T172668A1363221.en . Retrieved 24 July 2023.
1 2 3 Species Gehyra mutilata at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
1 2 Boulenger GA (1890). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xviii + 541 pp. (Gehyra mutilata, pp. 96–97, Figure 28).
1 2 Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Gehyra mutilata, p. 94).
1 2 Das I (2006). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Borneo. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-061-1. (Gehyra mutilata, p. 97).