Gekko kuhli

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Gekko kuhli
Ptychozoon kuhli (Kuala Lumpur).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Gekko
Species:
G. kuhli
Binomial name
Gekko kuhli
(Stejneger, 1902)
Synonyms [2]
  • Lacerta homalocephala
    Creveldt, 1809
    (preoccupied name)
  • Platydactylus homalocephalus
    A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1836
  • Ptychozoon kuhli
    Stejneger, 1902
    ( nomen novum )
  • Gekko (Ptychozoon) kuhli
    Wood et al., 2019

Gekko kuhli, commonly known as Kuhl's flying gecko, Kuhl's parachute gecko, or the gliding gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is found in Southeast Asia. [1] [2]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, kuhli, is in honor of German zoologist Heinrich Kuhl. [3]

Description

Dorsal view of Kuhl's flying gecko in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Ptychozoon kuhli dorsal view.jpg
Dorsal view of Kuhl's flying gecko in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

G. kuhli has adaptations to its skin, including flaps on either side of its body, webbed feet, and a flattened tail to allow it to glide over short distances. This gecko has a remarkable camouflage. The flaps of skin along its sides help it blend with tree bark. Often, its eyes are the only way to distinguish it from its surroundings. This use of camouflage by G. kuhli has caused need for some other adaptions to protect it from the increased UV exposure. Despite being nocturnal, it is considered heliothermic because of the extended sun exposure it receives while resting during the day. This increased UV exposure has led to the adaption of pigmented internal organs to protect the lizard's more important organs from UV damage. [4]

Kuhl's flying gecko, like many other gecko species, has evolved intricate toe pads with microscopic hairs that can adhere to nearly any surface, including glass.

The underside of Kuhl's flying gecko (Gekko kuhli). Note the gliding adaptations: flaps of skin on the legs, feet, sides of the body, and on the sides of the head. Ptychozoon kuhli underside.jpg
The underside of Kuhl's flying gecko (Gekko kuhli). Note the gliding adaptations: flaps of skin on the legs, feet, sides of the body, and on the sides of the head.

Geographic range

G. kuhli is found in the Malay Peninsula (southern Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore) and many adjacent islands and in the Greater Sunda Islands, including the larger islands (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Sulawesi) and many smaller ones. [1] [2] Its presence in Myanmar and the Nicobar Islands (India) is unconfirmed. [1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of G. kuhli is forest. [1]

As a pet

JWsflyinggecko.JPG

The common flying gecko requires, among other things, a terrarium of at least 20 gallons (57–76 litres), preferably tall rather than long, and careful handling. It should be handled as little as possible, due to possible damage to its skin. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gecko</span> Lizard belonging to the infraorder Gekkota

Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 to 60 centimetres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gekkonidae</span> Family of lizards

Gekkonidae is the largest family of geckos, containing over 950 described species in 62 genera. The Gekkonidae contain many of the most widespread gecko species, including house geckos (Hemidactylus), the tokay gecko (Gekko), day geckos (Phelsuma), the mourning gecko (Lepidodactylus), and dtellas (Gehyra). Gekkonid geckos occur globally and are particularly diverse in tropical areas. Many species of these geckos exhibit an adhering ability to surfaces through Van der Waals forces utilizing intermolecular forces between molecules of their setae and molecules of the surface they are on.

<i>Gekko</i> Genus of lizards

Gekko is a genus of Southeast Asian geckos, commonly known as true geckos or calling geckos, in the family Gekkonidae. Although species such as Gekko gecko are very widespread and common, some species in the same genus have a very small range and are considered rare or endangered.

<i>Geckolepis</i> Genus of lizards

Geckolepis is a genus of geckos, commonly referred to as fish scale geckos, which are endemic to Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. They are nocturnal, arboreal, insectivorous lizards, found in primary and secondary forest, as well as degraded habitats. They are best known for their ability to lose their skin and scales when grasped by a predator.

<i>Luperosaurus</i> Genus of lizards

Luperosaurus is a genus of lizards, commonly known as camouflage geckos, fringed geckos, wolf geckos, and flap-legged geckos, in the family Gekkonidae. The genus is native to Southeast Asia.

<i>Ptychozoon</i> Genus of lizards

Ptychozoon was a genus of arboreal geckos, endemic to Southeast Asia, known commonly as flying geckos, gliding geckos, or parachute geckos. They all are now placed in the genus Gekko in the family Gekkonidae. The biogeographic history of the genus Ptychozoon was deeply nested within that of the genus Gekko, the center of diversity of which is within Southeast Asia. Since dispersing into Southeast Asian rainforests, Pytochozoon, like other forest-dwelling vertebrates, adapted to facilitate gliding. All species in the genus Ptychozoon are characterized by cryptic coloration and elaborate webs surrounding the neck, limbs, trunk, and tail. These membranes help to conceal the gecko against trees. When the gecko leaps into the air, the flaps are used to generate lift and allow the gecko to control its fall. It can glide up to 200 feet. Also it does a swoop at the end of its glide to land softly. A similar adaptation is found in geckos of the genus Cosymbotus. There were thirteen described species in the genus Ptychozoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heinrich Kuhl</span> German naturalist and zoologist (1797–1821)

Heinrich Kuhl was a German naturalist and zoologist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tokay gecko</span> Species of reptile

The tokay gecko is a nocturnal arboreal gecko in the genus Gekko, the true geckos. It is native to Asia and some Pacific Islands.

<i>Gekko lionotum</i> Species of lizard

Gekko lionotum, commonly known as smooth-backed gliding gecko or Burmese flying gecko, is a species of gecko found in Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Persian spider gecko</span> Species of lizard

The Persian spider gecko hails from semidesert regions of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, where temperatures range from extreme summer day highs to extreme winter night lows.

<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.

The Namib day gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is found in the deserts of Namibia and southern Angola. It is the type species of the genus Rhoptropus.

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

Grossmann's gecko, also known commonly as the marbled gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Vietnam.

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

Adler's gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to southern China and northern Vietnam.

Ross's Calayan gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Calayan Island in the Philippines.

Gekko shibatai is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands.

Brooks's wolf gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Sumatra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pak Djoko's flap-legged gecko</span> Species of lizard

Pak Djoko's flap-legged gecko, also known commonly as Iskandar's wolf gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Sulawesi.

<i>Luperosaurus macgregori</i> Species of lizard

Luperosaurus macgregori, known commonly as MacGregor's wolf gecko or McGregor's flapped-legged gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Philippines.

<i>Gekko horsfieldii</i> Species of lizard

Gekko horsfieldii, also known commonly as Horsfield's flying gecko, Horsfield's gliding gecko, and Horsfield's parachute gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Asia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Grismer, L.; Quah, E.; Iskandar, D.; Riyanto, A.; Kamsi, M.; Achyuthan, N.S. (2021). "Gekko kuhli ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T101950722A101950724. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T101950722A101950724.en . Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Gekko kuhli at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 1 March 2022.
  3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Ptychozoon kuhli, p. 147).
  4. Griffing, Aaron H.; Gamble, Tony; Bauer, Aaron M. (2020). "Distinct patterns of pigment development underlie convergent hyperpigmentation between nocturnal and diurnal geckos (Squamata: Gekkota)". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 20 (1): 40. doi: 10.1186/s12862-020-01604-9 . PMC   7099784 . PMID   32220231.
  5. Flying Geckos - Facts Archived 2011-07-08 at the Wayback Machine , Pet Supplies Comparison Shopping. Awesome Pet Library. Retrieved January 14, 2011. "As with most tree dwelling or arboreal geckos, it is best not to touch or handle these geckos frequently. Their skin is sensitive and can be damaged easily."

Further reading