Sphaerodactylus argus

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Sphaerodactylus argus
Sphaerodactylus argus 01-Barbour 1921.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Sphaerodactylidae
Genus: Sphaerodactylus
Species:
S. argus
Binomial name
Sphaerodactylus argus
Gosse, 1850 [2]

Sphaerodactylus argus, also known commonly as the ocellated gecko, the ocellated sphaero, and the stippled sphaero, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae native to the Caribbean and surrounding regions. There are two recognized subspecies.

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, argus, refers to Argus, the many-eyed giant in Greek mythology, an allusion to the ocelli (eye spots) of this species. [3]

Geographic range

S. argus is found in Jamaica, [4] Cuba and on adjacent islets, The Bahamas, San Andres and Providencia in Colombia and in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. S. argus can also be found in the Florida Keys, where it has well-established populations, though introduced. [1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of S. argus is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 100 m (330 ft). A climbing species, it can also be seen on walls and in buildings. [1]

Diet

S. argus feeds on insects and other small invertebrates.[ citation needed ]

Reproduction

S. argus is oviparous. [5]

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominate subspecies. [4] [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Sphaerodactylus</i> Genus of lizards

Sphaerodactylus is a genus of geckos from the Americas that are distinguished from other Gekkota by their small size, by their round, rather than vertical, eye pupils, and by each digit terminating in a single, round adhesive pad or scale, from which their name is derived. All species in this genus are rather small, but two species, S. ariasae and S. parthenopion, are tiny, and – with a snout-vent length of about 1.6 cm (0.63 in) – the smallest reptiles in the world.

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

The fantastic least gecko, or fantastic sphaero is a species of gecko found in the Caribbean, on the islands of Dominica, Montserrat, and the Guadeloupe archipelago.

Vincent's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Caribbean.

<i>Sphaerodactylus klauberi</i> Species of reptile

Sphaerodactylus klauberi is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae The species is endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico.

Sphaerodactylus beattyi, also known commonly as the Saint Croix's sphaero, Beatty's least gecko, and the cotton ginner gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. There are two recognized subspecies.

Beck's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Navassa Island.

The peninsula least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cope's least gecko</span> Species of lizard

Cope's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the West Indies.

<i>Sphaerodactylus corticola</i> Species of lizard

Sphaerodactylus corticola, also known commonly as the central Bahamas sphaero or the Rum Cay least gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Bahamas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darlington's least gecko</span> Species of lizard

Darlington's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.

The Marche Leon least gecko, also known commonly as the snout-shield sphaero, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Haiti.

Sphaerodactylus gaigeae, also known commonly as the chevronated sphaero or Gaige's least gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Puerto Rico.

Sphaerodactylus nicholsi, also known commonly as Nichols least gecko, Nichol's dwarf sphaero or the Puerto Rican crescent sphaero, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Puerto Rico.

Sphaerodactylus parkeri, also known commonly as Parker's least gecko or the southern Jamaica banded sphaero, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Jamaica.

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

The Pedernales least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.

<i>Sphaerodactylus richardsonii</i> Species of lizard

Sphaerodactylus richardsonii, also known commonly as Richardson's least gecko or the northern Jamaica banded sphaero, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Jamaica.

<i>Sphaerodactylus roosevelti</i> Species of reptile

Sphaerodactylus roosevelti, also known commonly as Roosevelt's beige sphaero or Roosevelt's least gecko, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Puerto Rico.

<i>Sphaerodactylus savagei</i> Species of lizard

Sphaerodactylus savagei, also known commonly as the Altagracia speckled sphaero or Savage's least gecko, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.

Sphaerodactylus storeyae, also known commonly as the Isle of Pines sphaero or the Los Canarreos geckolet, is a small species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Isla de la Juventud in Cuba.

Sphaerodactylus townsendi, known commonly as the Townsend's dwarf sphaero or Townsend's least gecko, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Puerto Rico.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Caicedo, J.R.; Lee, J.; Mandujano, R.C.; Wilson, B.S.; Hedges, S.B.; Fong, A. (2017). "Sphaerodactylus argus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T198439A2526550. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T198439A2526550.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Gosse PH (1850). "Description of a new genus and six new species of Saurian Reptiles". Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Second Series6: 344-348. ("Sphærodactylus Argus ", new species, p. 347).
  3. ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Sphaerodactylus argus, p. 11).
  4. 1 2 Schwartz A, Thomas R (1975). A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Sphaerodactylus argus, p. 144).
  5. 1 2 Species Sphaerodactylus argus at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading


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