Peninsula leaf-toed gecko

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Peninsula leaf-toed gecko
Phyllodactylus nocticolus 28046821.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Phyllodactylidae
Genus: Phyllodactylus
Species:
P. nocticolus
Binomial name
Phyllodactylus nocticolus
Dixon, 1964
Synonyms [2]

Phyllodactylus xanti nocticolusDixon, 1964 [3]

The peninsula leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus nocticolus) is a medium-sized gecko. [1] [2] [4] It is found in southern California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico), including many islands in Gulf of California as well as Islas Magdalena and Santa Margarita off the west coast of Baja California. [1]

Contents

Habitat

The peninsula leaf-toed gecko occurs in areas of desert shrubs and large open rocks. When looking at their range we can see that they live only in a small part of California. They have been found in abundance starting at the border, continuing through Anza-Borrego Desert State park and stopping just north of Palm Springs. Although they only inhabit a small part of California they are found all throughout Baja California along the peninsula. They live among desert chaparral and can be found in little crevices or on large bare rocks.  

Behavior

The peninsula leaf-toed gecko is nocturnal so it is most commonly found at night. They are often found out and about on rocks during the night and during day they can be found underneath rock slabs or in crevices. Although it’s not common, they are occasionally found underneath plant substance. They stalk and eat small invertebrates including moths, spiders and more. They have been seen mostly feeding from rocks but have also been spotted hunting along the ground and around plants.

Conservation status

This species is not listed as an endangered species within California. This is likely due to the fact that they are found in areas where there is little to no human activity. Once humans start to slowly build and live within their environment then they may not thrive as well.

Bibliography

"Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko - Phyllodactylus nocticolus". californiaherps.com. Retrieved 2022-10-13. [5]

-This is an article taken from a website that is the guideline to Amphibians and Reptiles of California, so it should be a reliable source for information on a species of geckos.

"Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko". GeckoWeb. Retrieved 2022-10-13. [6]

-This is an article taken from a website that is an electronic field guide to geckos, so it should be a reliable source for information on a species of geckos.

Related Research Articles

<i>Phyllodactylus xanti</i> Species of lizard

Phyllodactylus xanti is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae. It is endemic to northwestern Mexico. It is also known as the leaf-toed gecko or Raza Island leaf-toed gecko when referring to the subspecies from the Isla Rasa; at present, there are altogether four recognized subspecies, while several more have been recognized previously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James R. Dixon</span> American herpetologist

James Ray Dixon was professor emeritus and curator emeritus of amphibians and reptiles at the Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection at Texas A&M University. He lived in El Campo, Texas, throughout most of his childhood. He published prolifically on the subject of herpetology in his distinguished career, authoring and co-authoring several books, book chapters, and numerous peer reviewed notes and articles, describing two new genera, and many new species, earning him a reputation as one of the most prominent herpetologists of his generation. His main research focus was morphology based systematics of amphibians and reptiles worldwide with emphasis on Texas, US, Mexico, Central America, and South America, although bibliographies, conservation, ecology, life history and zoogeography have all been the subjects of his extensive publications.

Isla Cayo, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the La Paz Municipality.

Isla Danzante, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Loreto Municipality.

Isla Coronados, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula in Baja California Sur state, Mexico. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Loreto Municipality.

Isla El Coyote is an island in the Gulf of California, located within Bahía Concepción east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mulegé Municipality.

Isla Gallina, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the La Paz Municipality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isla Las Ánimas</span> Island in the Gulf of California

Isla Las Animas, is a Mexican island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the La Paz Municipality.

Isla Mosca, is an island in the Gulf of California, located within Bahía Concepción east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mulegé Municipality.

Isla Pardo, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Loreto Municipality.

Isla San Ildefonso, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mulegé Municipality.

Isla Santa Cruz, is an island in the Gulf of California, east of the Baja California Peninsula in Baja California Sur state.

Isla Pond, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isla La Ventana</span>

Isla La Ventana, or the Window, is an island in the Gulf of California, located within Bahía de los Ángeles east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Ensenada Municipality.

Isla Mejia is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality.

Isla Rasa is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality. The 0.21 sq./mi island has three small ponds and has small shed located in the center of the island.

Isla Salsipuedes is an island in the Gulf of California off the coast of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality.

Isla San Lorenzo Norte is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality. The much larger Isla San Lorenzo Sur is located immediately southeast of Isla San Lorenzo Norte.

Isla San Lorenzo Sur, is an island in the Gulf of California east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Mexicali Municipality. Isla San Lorenzo Norte is located immediately northwest of Isla San Lorenzo Sur.

Isla Piojo, or Lice Island, is an island in the Gulf of California, located within Bahía de los Ángeles east of the Baja California Peninsula. The island is uninhabited and is part of the Ensenada Municipality.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hammerson, G.A. (2019). "Phyllodactylus nocticolus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T90066791A90066807. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T90066791A90066807.en . Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 Phyllodactylus nocticolus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 31 May 2021.
  3. ↑ Dixon, James R. (1964). "The systematics and distribution of lizards of the genus Phyllodactylus in North and Central America" (PDF). New Mexico State University Scientific Bulletin. 64 (1): 1–139. (Phyllodactylus xanti nocticolus, new subspecies, pp. 55–59)
  4. ↑ Nafis, Gary (2000–2021). "Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko - Phyllodactylus nocticolus". A Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of California. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  5. ↑ "Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko - Phyllodactylus nocticolus". californiaherps.com. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  6. ↑ "Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko". GeckoWeb. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
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