Paroedura rennerae

Paroedura rennerae
	Male from Ambatomainty
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Paroedura
Species:	P. rennerae
Binomial name
	Paroedura rennerae; Miralles, Bruy, Crottini, Rakotoarison, Ratsoavina, Scherz, Schmidt, Kohler, Glaw, & Vences, 2021
	Range of the species within the Paroedura bastardi clade, with P. rennerae indicated by the red squares

Last updated November 08, 2023

Paroedura rennerae is a species of lizards in the family of the Gekkonidae. Members of this species were formerly assigned to Paroedura bastardi , but a study in 2021 found that they represent a separate species within the species complex. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it occurs in a variety of habitats.^[1]

Taxonomy

Specimens of Paroedura rennerae were not originally recognized as a separate species from Mocquard's Madagascar ground gecko, with collected specimens labelled as P. bastardi or P. sp. aff. bastardi.^[2]^[3] It was not until 2021 that an integrative revision of the P. bastardi species complex found that P. rennerae represents a morphologically and genetically distinct species. An adult female collected on 2 December 2010 from Kirindy Reserve was designated as the holotype specimen of P. rennerae. The specific name honors botanist and biologist Susanne Renner.^[4]

The following cladogram shows the position of P. rennerae among its closest relatives according to Piccoli et al. (2023):^[5]

Paroedura picta (Outgroup)

Paroedura bastardi

	Paroedura guibeae

	Paroedura manongavato

Paroedura rennerae

Paroedura ibityensis

	Paroedura neglecta

	Paroedura tanjaka

Distribution and habitat

Paroedura rennerae is believed to be a widespread species across the central and southern region of Madagascar, as it has been reliably recorded from five localities of varying habitats, some of which are rather distant from each other. It has been observed in dry forests, caves, human settlements, canyons, and on large granitic boulders. Though it may occur in drier environments, some specimens have been collected from humid microhabitats such as cavities below boulders and shaded areas near waterfalls.^[4]

Description

This species is large for a member of the Paroedura bastardi complex, commonly growing over 7 cm in snout–vent length, with large individuals reaching more than 8 cm. The head is wider than the neck, being comparable to the torso in width. Marked median depressions are present on the well-developed canthal ridges, and the ear opening is a vertical slit. The rectangular rostral scales, over twice as wide as they are tall, are separated from the nostrils by prenasals.^[4]

Distinctly enlarged and spiny scales are present across the body. At the midbody, there are 17 rows of tuberculate scales arranged longitudinally. The dorsal scales of the limbs are mostly keeled and tuberculate, and the digits are expanded at the tips. The ventral scales of the forelimbs are notably smaller than the ventral scales elsewhere on the body. In adults, the tail has irregular rows of spine tubercles, whereas juveniles present these tubercles in very regular rows.^[4]

This lizard has brown dorsal colors with lighter ochre crossbands which fade at the flanks, distinctly visible as they are bordered by darker colors. These crossbands are even more distinct in juveniles. Contrasting darker brown markings are present across the body. The flanks and underside are a lighter, creamy color than the dorsum.^[4]

Biology

Because all individuals in one study have been observed at night or near dusk, it is believed that Paroedura rennerae is a nocturnal species. This lizard has been seen climbing large boulders, tree trunks and wooden walls of huts, reaching heights of around 1 to 2 m above the ground. Similar to other species in the P. bastardi complex, P. rennerae is reported to be quick to bite when handled, likely as a defence mechanism. This species is one of many lizards known to engage in autotomy, as some specimens (including the holotype) have been found with regenerated tails, indicating it may shed its tail to evade predators.^[4]

This gecko is known to coexist with the related Paroedura manongavato , which has a much more restricted range, in both localities the latter species is known to occur. The analysed genes of the two species in the same localities show no gene flow, indicating reproductive isolation between them (possibly due to differing substrate use).^[5]

Related Research Articles

Lygodactylus is a genus of diurnal geckos with 82 species. They are commonly referred to as dwarf geckos. They are mainly found in Africa and Madagascar although two species are found in South America. Lygodactylus picturatus, the best known species, is found in Kenya and commonly known as the white-headed dwarf gecko. Recently, illegal importation from Tanzania of brightly colored, Lygodactylus williamsi, known as electric blue geckos, has been gaining attention for Lygodactylus geckos in the reptile trade.

Paroedura is a genus of geckos, endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros. These geckos are typically terrestrial, though the young of most species can climb until they are too heavy for their feet to support.

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.

Blaesodactylus is a genus of six species of lizards, endemic to Madagascar, commonly known as velvet geckos, and formerly considered part of the genus Homopholis.

Lygodactylus blancae is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

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).

Parsigecko is a monotypic genus of lizards in the family Gekkonidae. It contains one species, Parsigecko ziaiei, known as Ziaie's Pars-gecko. It is found in southern Iran.

Paragehyra austini is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Paragehyra felicitae is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Mocquard's Madagascar ground gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is a moderately-sized reptile reaching just over 7 cm (2.8 in) in snout–vent length. The species is endemic to southeastern Madagascar, where it can be found on the ground or climbing tree trunks.

The Ibity ground gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. Though initially described in 1998 as a subspecies of the Mocquard's Madagascar ground gecko, it has been recognized as a distinct species within the species complex since 2008. It is endemic to Ibity and Itremo in the Central Highlands of Madagascar, and is named after Mount Ibity where it was first discovered.

Paroedura maingoka, the scorpion leaf-toed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is endemic to southwest Madagascar, where it occurs on rock outcrops in dry forests and scrubland. It is a nocturnal species, emerging to feed at night.

Paroedura tanjaka is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is endemic to northwestern Madagascar, and is currently known only to occur in Bemaraha and Namoroka. This nocturnal species is found in karstic dry forests at night, and is known to dwell in caves during the day. It is one of the largest species in the genus Paroedura, reaching up to 18 cm in length.

Paroedura vahiny is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. This nocturnal species is terrestrial and can be found on the ground or climbing onto vegetation. It is endemic to southwest Madagascar, where it is found in deciduous dry forests.

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.

Paroedura neglecta is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It was first discovered in 2006, but the species was not named until 2019, hence the specific name meaning "neglected". It is endemic to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in northwestern Madagascar.

Paroedura guibeae, Guibé's ground gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species was formerly synonymized with Paroedura bastardi, but a study in 2021 found that it represents a separate species within the species complex. It is endemic to Madagascar.

Paroedura manongavato is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It was described as a distinct species in 2023, and while specimens have been known for years prior, they were formerly assigned to Paroedura bastardi. It is a microendemic species found only in two locations in Madagascar.

References

↑ Paroedura rennerae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
↑ Aprea, Gennaro; Andreone, Franco; Fulgione, Domenico; Petraccioli, Agnese; Odierna, Gaetano (2013-04-01). "Chromosomal Rearrangements Occurred Repeatedly and Independently during Species Diversification in Malagasy Geckos, Genus Paroedura". African Zoology. 48 (1): 96–108. doi:10.3377/004.048.0101. ISSN 1562-7020.
↑ Cocca, Walter; Rosa, G.; Andreone, F.; Aprea, G.; Bergò, P. E.; Mattioli, F.; Mercurio, V.; Randrianirina, J. E.; Rosado, D.; Vences, M.; Crottini, A. (2018). "The herpetofauna ( Amphibia , Crocodylia , Squamata , Testudines ) of the Isalo Massif , Southwest Madagascar : combining morphological , molecular and museum data". Salamandra. 54 (3): 178–200.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Miralles, Aurélien; Bruy, Teddy; Crottini, Angelica; Rakotoarison, Andolalao; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M.; Scherz, Mark D.; Schmidt, Robin; Köhler, Jörn; Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (2021-02-26). "Completing a taxonomic puzzle: integrative review of geckos of the Paroedura bastardi species complex (Squamata, Gekkonidae)". Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 27–48. doi: 10.3897/vz.71.e59495 . ISSN 2625-8498.
1 2 Piccoli, Costanza; Belluardo, Francesco; Lobón-Rovira, Javier; Alves, Ivo Oliveira; Rasoazanany, Malalatiana; Andreone, Franco; Rosa, Gonçalo M.; Crottini, Angelica (2023-04-10). "Another step through the crux: a new microendemic rock-dwelling Paroedura (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from south-central Madagascar". ZooKeys. 1181: 125–154. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.108134 . ISSN 1313-2970.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[RDB-1] Paroedura rennerae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database

[2] Aprea, Gennaro; Andreone, Franco; Fulgione, Domenico; Petraccioli, Agnese; Odierna, Gaetano (2013-04-01). "Chromosomal Rearrangements Occurred Repeatedly and Independently during Species Diversification in Malagasy Geckos, Genus Paroedura". African Zoology. 48 (1): 96–108. doi:10.3377/004.048.0101. ISSN 1562-7020.

[3] Cocca, Walter; Rosa, G.; Andreone, F.; Aprea, G.; Bergò, P. E.; Mattioli, F.; Mercurio, V.; Randrianirina, J. E.; Rosado, D.; Vences, M.; Crottini, A. (2018). "The herpetofauna ( Amphibia , Crocodylia , Squamata , Testudines ) of the Isalo Massif , Southwest Madagascar : combining morphological , molecular and museum data". Salamandra. 54 (3): 178–200.

[:0-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Miralles, Aurélien; Bruy, Teddy; Crottini, Angelica; Rakotoarison, Andolalao; Ratsoavina, Fanomezana M.; Scherz, Mark D.; Schmidt, Robin; Köhler, Jörn; Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (2021-02-26). "Completing a taxonomic puzzle: integrative review of geckos of the Paroedura bastardi species complex (Squamata, Gekkonidae)". Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 27–48. doi: 10.3897/vz.71.e59495 . ISSN 2625-8498.

[:1-5] 1 2 Piccoli, Costanza; Belluardo, Francesco; Lobón-Rovira, Javier; Alves, Ivo Oliveira; Rasoazanany, Malalatiana; Andreone, Franco; Rosa, Gonçalo M.; Crottini, Angelica (2023-04-10). "Another step through the crux: a new microendemic rock-dwelling Paroedura (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from south-central Madagascar". ZooKeys. 1181: 125–154. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1181.108134 . ISSN 1313-2970.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]