| Gonatodes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male brilliant South American gecko (Gonatodes ceciliae), Trinidad | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Sphaerodactylidae |
| Genus: | Gonatodes Fitzinger, 1843 [1] [2] |
| Species | |
34, see text | |
Gonatodes is a genus of New World dwarf geckos of the family Sphaerodactylidae. [3] [4]
The majority of the species in the genus Gonatodes are diurnally active, scansorial, and sexually dichromatic, with adult body size (snout–vent length) ranging from 28 to 65 mm (1.1 to 2.6 in) for known species.[ citation needed ]
The diets of the various species of Gonatodes are composed mainly of very small arthropods.[ citation needed ]
Clutch size is one, with most species producing several clutches per year, and some utilizing communal egg-laying sites.[ citation needed ]
Most species are humid tropical forest dwelling (some in warm lowlands, and others in somewhat cooler montane regions), with relatively fewer species utilizing more open, drier habitats at forest edge, tropical dry seasonal forest and scrub forest. Some species (usually those that use drier natural habitats) are able to utilize even more open human modified environments; in some cases including highly urbanized areas. Gonatodes usually spend most of their active hours perched anywhere from ground level to about 0.6 metres (2 feet) above ground, sometimes up to 2 or 3 metres (6.6 or 9.8 feet), on vertical or near vertical surfaces of tree trunks, tree stumps, logs and sometimes rocks (as well as on walls and house-posts for those that are able to use human altered environments). They seldom sit exposed to direct strong sunlight (they do not appear to bask), and most seem to prefer shade / filtered light with less exposure to direct sun light.[ citation needed ]
Species of Gonatodes are found in Central America including southern Mexico, a few Caribbean Islands (including Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and the northern part of South America, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, parts of Brazil, Venezuela, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, and some of the small islands just off the cost of northern South America.[ citation needed ]
Human mediated introductions have occurred with Gonatodes caudiscutatus in the Galapagos Islands and G. albogularis in Florida. In addition, some species have been transplanted by human activity to various regions within the general range of the genus where the particular species did not previously exist.[ citation needed ]
The following 34 species are recognized as being valid. [2] Some subspecies are also listed.
Nota bene : A binomial authority or trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species or subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Gonatodes.
Pseudogonatodes is a genus of sphaerodactylid geckos, often known as South American clawed geckos, containing seven described species. Like most sphaerodactylines, Pseudogonatodes are miniaturized geckos and among the smallest living lizards. They are diurnal and terrestrial, foraging among leaf litter and rotting wood on the ground. Prey items are primarily small arthropods such as springtails, insect larvae, and orthopterans. Though locally common and not strongly threatened with extinction, most species occupy restricted ranges in remote tropical forests. The most widespread and well-studied species, Pseudogonatodes guianensis, is found throughout the Amazon rainforest.
Little Tobago is a small island off the northeastern coast of Tobago, and part of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Saint Giles Island is the largest in a group of small islands off the northeast tip of Tobago. It is very steep sided and hosts tropical dry forest and wind-swept littoral scrub.
The Paraguanan ground gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae.
Gonatodes albogularis, which has been called a number of vernacular names in English, is a smallish species of gecko found in warm parts of Central and South America, Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica. They prefer to live in tropical dry forest habitats. It is sexually dimorphic: the male is colourful, while the female is a more drab grey. The fingers do not have lamellar pads for climbing smooth surfaces like many other geckos but instead have normal claws like most lizards. At one time the species had a breeding population in southern Florida, especially Key West, but this population appears to have died out by the early 1990s. They are believed to be able to tell the difference between brightness and hues of conspecifics. Males are incredibly aggressive with territory defense against both other males and potential predators.
Dixon's leaf-toed gecko is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae. The species is endemic to Venezuela.
Gonatodes alexandermendesi is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is indigenous to northern South America.
The brilliant South American gecko, also known commonly as the brilliant clawed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is native to northern South America.
The South American gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Haseman's gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is indigenous to northern South America.
Gonatodes nascimentoi is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.
Peters' gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Venezuela.
Gonatodes riveroi is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Colombia.
Roze's gecko, also known commonly as limpiacasa, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Venezuela.
The Estados Sucre gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Venezuela.
The Sarisariñama Forest gecko is a species of lizard in the Sphaerodactylidae family native to Venezuela.
The Estado Aragua gecko, also known commonly as the ring-necked clawed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Venezuela.
The Tobago least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Caribbean and northern South America.
| Authority control databases: National |
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