Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus

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Rough-snouted giant gecko
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Diplodactylidae
Genus: Rhacodactylus
Species:
R. trachyrhynchus
Binomial name
Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus
Bocage, 1873

The rough-snouted giant gecko (Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus), also known as the greater rough-snouted gecko or tough-snouted gecko, is a species of gecko found in New Caledonia. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Description

The common name of the rough-snouted giant gecko refers to the enlarged scales that cover its snout. Other characteristics of this gecko include broad toes and a prehensile tail. the rough-snouted giant gecko has a mottled color pattern, generally a grayish-green to brown mixed with white. Its body length (BDL) is usually around 19 centimetres (7.5 in), making it a large gecko species, with its tail being roughly the same length. [6]

Behavior and habitat

The rough-snouted giant gecko is a nocturnal species, hunting in the nighttime and taking shelter in the daytime. It lives in forests, mostly in tropical and subtropical climates but also in forests with evergreen trees. It exhibits ovoviviparity, causing it to have a lower reproductive rate than other species in its genus. [1] Like all Rhacodactylus geckos, the rough-snouted giant gecko is an omnivore. Its diet consists mainly of insects and fruit, and can include as well small lizards and nestling birds and rodents.

Distribution

The rough-snouted giant gecko lives only in several small areas in New Caledonia. [1] Sparse populations are known from Province Sud and Province Nord, specifically in Ile des Pins and small parts of Grand Terre, the main island of New Caledonia. [6] Its occupies a total of 149 km2 of land up to 500 metres (1,600 ft) above sea level. [1]

Although the exact population trend of the rough-snouted giant gecko is unknown, both its range and population size are declining for a number of reasons. Habitat loss is one of its major threats, specifically due to wildfires, larger animals such as pigs destroying its habitat, and humans clearing its forests in favor of farmland. In addition, rodents and cats were introduced to the area, which prey on the gecko; fire ants (i.e. Wasmannia auropunctata [6] ) are a danger as well. The species has also been collected and traded illegally in some areas, sometimes being used as a pet. Although some of the areas it lives in are protected, no conservation actions are taking place for the species. The decline of its population and its small distribution cause it to be listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [1] and has been assessed as vulnerable by Endemia. [6]

Breeding

The rough-snouted giant gecko is the only Rhacodactylus gecko that gives live birth. It is sometimes seen in captivity and as an arboreal species, requires a vertically oriented terrarium. Males should be housed separately or as a part of a breeding pair or trio with females. Although males housed together will often fight, females are social and can be housed together.

Taxonomy

The description of the species was published by José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage in 1873. [7] A population assigned as a subspecies, originally described by George Boulenger in 1878 as species Chameleonurus trachycephalus, has been recognised as species Rhacodactylus trachycephalus . [8] [9]


Related Research Articles

<i>Hemidactylus</i> Genus of common geckos

Hemidactylus is a genus of the common gecko family, Gekkonidae. It has 189 described species, newfound ones being described every few years. These geckos are found in all the tropical regions of the world, extending into the subtropical parts of Africa and Europe. They excel in colonizing oceanic islands by rafting on flotsam, and are for example found across most of Polynesia. In some archipelagoes, cryptic species complexes are found. Geckos like to live in and out of houses. They have been introduced to Australia.

<i>Bavayia</i> Genus of lizards

Bavayia is a genus of lizards in the family Diplodactylidae. Species in the genus Bavayia are also known commonly as New Caledonian geckos or bavayias. The genus is native to the remote New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands. The 12 species are moderately small to medium-sized geckos, and are distinguished from other genera by their tail length and the shape of their digits.

<i>Eurydactylodes</i> Genus of lizards

Eurydactylodes is a small genus of geckos commonly referred to as chameleon geckos from the subfamily Diplodactylidae, endemic to New Caledonia and few adjacent islands. Within the Diplodactylidae, Eurydactylodes resides in the Carphodactylini tribe, and consists of four species. All species share similar morphology as well as lifestyle and habits. The first of the Eurydactylodes species to be classified, E. vieillardi, was discovered in 1869.

<i>Rhacodactylus</i> Genus of lizards

Rhacodactylus is a genus of medium to large geckos of the family Diplodactylidae. All species in this genus are found on the islands that make up New Caledonia.

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

The gargoyle gecko, knob-headed giant gecko, New Caledonia bumpy gecko, or New Caledonian bumpy gecko is a species of gecko found only on the southern end of the island of New Caledonia. Its habitat is threatened by deforestation on the island. This species of gecko is the smallest of the six recognized species in its genus where they often reach about 125 mm in size. This gecko, along with several other Rhacodactylus species are being considered for protective measures by CITES, which would put restrictions on their exportation. This gecko was first described by Bavay in 1869.

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

The crested gecko or eyelash gecko is a species of gecko native to southern New Caledonia. In 1866, the crested gecko was described by a French zoologist named Alphonse Guichenot. This species was thought extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 during an expedition led by Robert Seipp. Along with several other New Caledonian gecko species, it is being considered for protected status by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.

<i>Rhacodactylus leachianus</i> Species of lizard

Rhacodactylus leachianus, commonly known as the New Caledonian giant gecko,Leach's giant gecko,Leachianus Gecko, or simply Leachie, is a large species of gecko in the family Diplodactylidae. The species, which was first described by Georges Cuvier in 1829, is endemic to New Caledonia.

<i>Mniarogekko chahoua</i> Species of lizard

Mniarogekko chahoua is commonly known as the mossy New Caledonian gecko, short-snouted New Caledonian gecko, Bavay's giant gecko, or mossy prehensile-tailed gecko. It is an arboreal gecko found natively on the southern portion of the island of New Caledonia and on the outlying islands of Île des Pins.

<i>Correlophus sarasinorum</i> Species of lizard

Correlophus sarasinorum, also called commonly Roux's giant gecko, Sarasins' giant gecko, Sarasin's [sic] giant gecko (incorrectly), and the suras gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is native to the southern portions of the outlying New Caledonian island of Grande Terre.

<i>Hoplodactylus delcourti</i> Extinct species of lizard

Hoplodactylus delcourti, also commonly known as kawekaweau, Delcourt's sticky-toed gecko and Delcourt's giant gecko, is an extinct species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species was the largest known of all geckos, with a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 370 mm (14.6 in) and an overall length of at least 600 mm (23.6 in). Scientifically it is known from just one taxidermied specimen that was rediscovered unlabelled in a museum in France. The origin of the specimen is unknown; New Zealand and New Caledonia have been suggested. The idea that Hoplodactylus delcourti is the kawekaweau of Maori tradition has been contested.

Antoine Alphonse Guichenot was a French zoologist who taught, researched, and participated in specimen collecting trips on behalf of the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (Paris), including an extensive biological survey of Algeria.

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

The Diplodactylidae are a family in the suborder Gekkota (geckos), with over 150 species in 25 genera. These geckos occur in Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Diplodactylids are the most ecologically diverse and widespread family of geckos in both Australia and New Caledonia, and are the only family of geckos found in New Zealand. Three diplodactylid genera have recently been split into multiple new genera.

<i>Bavayia sauvagii</i> Species of lizard

Bavayia sauvagii, also known commonly as Sauvage's bavayia and Sauvage's New Caledonian gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to New Caledonia.

Dierogekko thomaswhitei, also known commonly as White's nimble gecko and the Taom striped gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to New Caledonia.

Eurydactylodes occidentalis is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Grande Terre in New Caledonia.

Eurydactylodes symmetricus, sometimes known commonly as the symmetrical gecko or the large-scaled chameleon gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Grande Terre in New Caledonia.

<i>Eurydactylodes vieillardi</i> Species of lizard

Eurydactylodes vieillardi, sometimes known commonly as Bavay's gecko or Vieillard's chameleon gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Grande Terre in New Caledonia.

Paniegekko is a monotypic genus of geckos in the family Diplodactylidae, containing the species Paniegekko madjo. It is endemic to humid montane forests on Mont Ignambi and Mont Panié in the Panié massif of New Caledonia. It was once considered a species of Bavayia, a similar genus of arboreal geckos. Paniegekko madjo is endangered, owing to predation by introduced rodents and cats combined with habitat degradation by wildfires and introduced pigs and deer. It has not been observed since 1998.

<i>Rhacodactylus trachycephalus</i> Species of lizard

Rhacodactylus trachycephalus, commonly known as the lesser rough-snouted giant gecko, dwarf rough-snouted giant gecko, or tough-snouted giant gecko, is a species of gecko endemic to two small areas of islands in New Caledonia. Its body grows to around 10 centimetres (3.9 in) and has a mosaic pattern with a variety of colors. Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus is a closely related species, but R. trachycephalus is smaller and has a number of other noticeable differences. R. trachycephalus is viviparous, giving birth to only one or two young a year. Its restricted humid forest habitat is vulnerable due to multiple threats. As a result of habitat reduction, low reproduction rate and small population, it is one of the rarest geckos in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pygopodoidea</span> Superfamily of lizards

Pygopodoidea is a gecko superfamily and the only taxon in the gekkotan subclade Pygopodomorpha. The clade includes three Australasian families: Diplodactylidae, Carphodactylidae, and Pygopodidae. Traditional gekkotan systematics had considered Diplodactylidae and Carphodactylidae as subfamilies of the family Gekkonidae, but recent molecular work have placed Pygopodidae within Gekkonidae making it paraphyletic. These analyses have shown support of Pygopodidae and Carphodactylidae being sister taxa, with Diplodactylidae occupying a basal position in Pygopodoidea.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Sadlier, R.A.; Bauer, A.M.; Jourdan , H.; Astrongatt, S.; Deuss, M.; Duval, T.; Bourguet, E.; McCoy, S.; Bouteiller, A.; Lagrange, A. (2021). "Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T123730428A123248729. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T123730428A123248729.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Boulenger, George Albert (1885). "Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History)". Nature (2 ed.). 32 (812): 178. Bibcode:1885Natur..32...49.. doi:10.1038/032049a0. hdl: 2027/umn.31951d00413865i . S2CID   46257485 . Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  3. ↑ Bauer, Aaron M.; Sadlier, Ross A. (2000). "New data on the distribution, status, and biology of the New Caledonian giant geckos (Squamata: Diplodactylidae: Rhacodactylus spp.)" (PDF). Amphibian and Reptile Conservation: 24–29. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  4. ↑ Bauer, A. M.; Sadlier, Ross; Jackman, Todd; Whitaker, Anthony H. (July 2012). "Revision of the giant geckos of New Caledonia (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae: Rhacodactylus)". Zootaxa . 3404: 1. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3404.1.1 . Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  5. ↑ "Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus". Reptile Database . Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus". Endemia.nc. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  7. ↑ Bocage, J. V. Barboza du. 1873. Mélanges erpétologiques. l. Note sur quelques geckotiens nouveaux ou peu connus de la Nouvelle Calédonie. Jornal de Sciencias Mathematicas, Physicas e Naturaes, Lisboa, 4: 201—207.
  8. ↑ Boulenger, G.A. (1878). "Description d'un genre nouveau et d'une espece nouvelle de la famille des geckotides". Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France (in French). 3: 68–70.
  9. ↑ "Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
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