Korowai gecko

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Korowai gecko
Korowai gecko (cropped).jpg
Status NZTCS NV.svg
Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Diplodactylidae
Genus: Woodworthia
Species:
W. korowai
Binomial name
Woodworthia korowai
van Winkel et al., 2023

The korowai gecko (Woodworthia korowai), also known as the Muriwai gecko, [2] is a gecko found on the west coast of the Auckland Region of New Zealand. [3] First discovered on Oaia Island in 1954, the species was recognised as distinct from Woodworthia maculata in 2016, and was formally described in 2023. Only 32 individuals are known to exist as of 2023, all within a very restricted range, on Te Korowai-o-Te-Tonga Peninsula, Muriwai Beach, Muriwai Regional Park and Oaia Island.

Contents

Taxonomy

Woodworthia geckoes were first identified as living on the west coast of the Auckland Region in 1954 when geckoes were found living on Oaia Island; then identified as Woodworthia maculata. [4] The korowai gecko was first recognised as a distinct species in 2016. [5] It was formally described in 2023, by herpetologists Dylan van Winkel, Sarah Jane Wells, Nicholas Harker and Rod Hitchmough, based on morphological and genetic differences. [3] [5]

The species name was given by Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, who named the species after their habitat, Te Korowai-o-Te-Tonga Peninsula, and after korowai (traditional cloaks), as their striped patterns are reminiscent of some traditional patterns seen on korowai. [3] The species is most closely related to Woodworthia maculata , and is distinct morphologically and genetically. The scientists who described the korowai gecko estimate the two species diverged in the mid to late Pliocene era. [5] Before the species was formally described, it was referred to as the Muriwai gecko, and in scientific texts Woodworthia aff. maculata "Muriwai". [4]

The holotype was collected by Stephen Thorpe in 2003, and is stored at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. [2] This holotype was originally identified as Woodworthia maculata. [6]

Description

The korowai gecko is a grey or sandy brown colour, and has an inverted "v" marking between its eyes, and have lighter stripes on the back halves of their bodies. [4] The species grows to a length of up to 69 millimetres (2.7 in) from its nose to the base of its tail. [7] The species appears to have colour variation based on its habitat, with populations in Muriwai sand dunes appearing more tan, while those living in rocky eastern Oaia Island appearing more grey. [8]

The korowai gecko can be distinguished from Dactylocnemis pacificus due to separation of the nostrils and rostral scale, and from Woodworthia maculata due to having shorter final sections of their legs (distal phalanges). [4]

Behaviour

The species is primarily nocturnal, and can be found sun-basking in daytime close to vegetation. [8] The species typically birth around March or April. [8]

Geographic distribution and habitat

The species has a restricted range, primarily living in sand dunes around Muriwai Beach MuriwaiBeach.33.JPG
The species has a restricted range, primarily living in sand dunes around Muriwai Beach

As of 2023, only 32 individuals are known to exist, and the species is exclusively found on the west coast of the Auckland Region, New Zealand, at Te Korowai-o-Te-Tonga Peninsula, Muriwai Beach, in Muriwai Regional Park and on Oaia Island. [3] [4] Korowai gecko primarily live in sand dunes, [5] or in rocky areas of Oaia Island. [8] Auckland Council senior ecologist Melinda Rixon is concerned that off-road vehicle access in the gecko's habitat on Muriwai Beach may be adversely affecting the species. [3]

The species is exclusively found on the west coast of the North Island, while Woodworthia maculata is found on the east coast. The two coastal species are likely separated geographically by the Pacific gecko, whose range is primarily inland. [4]

Conservation

As of 2021 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the korowai gecko as Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. [1]

Related Research Articles

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Muriwai, also called Muriwai Beach, is a coastal community on the west coast of the Auckland Region in the North Island of New Zealand. The black-sand surf beach and surrounding area is a popular recreational area for Aucklanders. The Muriwai Regional Park includes a nesting site for a large colony of gannets.

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

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small-scaled skink</span> Species of lizard

The small-scaled skink is a species of skink in the family Scincidae. The first specimen was captured in 1971 on Motutaiko Island, Lake Taupō but it is now known to be endemic to the central North Island of New Zealand in small population pockets. The holotype is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

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

The gold-striped gecko, gold-stripe gecko, or golden sticky-toed gecko is a species of gecko in the family Diplodactylidae. It is endemic to New Zealand, and is only found in the Taranaki region and Mana Island. The holotype is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

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

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen's Island gecko</span> Species of reptile

The Stephen's Island gecko, also known commonly as the Cook Strait striped gecko, Stephen's sticky-toed gecko, and the striped gecko, is a species of gecko in the genus Toropuku in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.

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

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Coast green gecko</span> Species of lizard

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

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Korowai-o-Te-Tonga Peninsula</span>

Te Korowai-o-Te-Tonga Peninsula, also known as South Head and by its former name of the South Kaipara Peninsula, is a long peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand, extending north along the western edge of the Kaipara Harbour for some 35 kilometres (22 mi) from near Helensville to the harbour's mouth. The peninsula was officially renamed in 2013 as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement. The name, which is Māori for "The cloak of the south", reflects the peninsula's geographical role in guarding the southern half of the Kaipara Harbour from the Tasman Sea and prevailing westerly winds. The mouth of the Kaipara Harbour separates the peninsula from the larger Pouto Peninsula to the north.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oaia Island</span> Island in New Zealand

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References

  1. 1 2 Hitchmough, R.; Barr, B.; Knox, C.; Lettink, M.; Monks, J. M.; Patterson, G. B.; Reardon, J. T.; van Winkel, D.; Rolfe, J.; Michel, P. (2021). Conservation Status of New Zealand Reptiles, 2021 (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. Vol. 35. Department of Conservation. pp. 3–6. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Woodworthia korowai". Auckland War Memorial Museum . Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Ternouth, Louise (30 January 2024). "New species of Gecko on Auckland's West Coast named". Radio New Zealand . Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Korowai gecko". New Zealand Herpetological Society. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Winkel, D. V.; Wells, S. J.; Harker, N.; Hitchmough, R. A. (16 November 2023). "On the sand and among the crowds: a new species of Woodworthia gecko (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae) from Auckland, Aotearoa/ New Zealand". Zootaxa . 5374 (2): 263–294. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5374.2.7. ISSN   1175-5334. Wikidata   Q124389935.
  6. ↑ Brooke, Martha (30 September 2020). "Searching for the elusive Muriwai gecko". Auckland Zoo . Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "Muriwai gecko". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 van Winkel, Dylan; Baling, Marleen; Hitchmough, Rod (2018). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand (1st ed.). Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 120–121. ISBN   978-1-86940-937-1. OL   40449345M. Wikidata   Q76013985.
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