| Sphaerodactylus notatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Sphaerodactylidae |
| Genus: | Sphaerodactylus |
| Species: | S. notatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Sphaerodactylus notatus Baird, 1859 | |
Sphaerodactylus notatus, also known as the Floridareef gecko or brown-speckled sphaero, is a small species of gecko native to Florida and the Caribbean.
There are four subspecies: S. n.notatus (native to most of The Bahamas, Cuba, and Florida), S. n.amaurus (endemic to the Great Bahama Bank, on San Salvador Island and Cat Island), S. n.atactus (endemic to the Cayo Ballenatos, near Nuevitas in Cuba, and apparently introduced to the Morant and Pedro Cays in Jamaica and Great Inagua in the Bahamas), and S. n. peltastes (endemic to Little Bahama Bank). The taxonomic status of populations on Isla de la Juventud and the Canarreos Archipelago is uncertain. [1]
It is found in Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas, and has been introduced to some offshore islands of Jamaica. Being found in Florida, it is widely considered to be one of the few geckos native to the United States. Many herpetologists have questioned whether it should truly be considered native; Stejneger and Barbour (1933) claimed that the species was accidentally introduced into Key West in 1878, when trade between Florida and Cuba was far more common; the same route is responsible for at least seven other herpetofaunal species established in Florida. [2] [3] There were past attempts to put this gecko on the threatened/endangered list, but due to the debate over its origins, it was denied. [4] The reef gecko was detected in Florida circa 1850, around the times it became a U.S. territory, supporting the shipping-introduction theory. However, genetic evidence indicates that they originally colonized Key Largo, not Key West, likely by rafting, supporting a natural origin for the species in Florida. [5]
The reef gecko can be found in both natural and man-made habitats. It is mainly found in damp forests, in shrubs, bushes, under logs, or in hollow timber. In Florida, its survival is closely linked to that of the seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera); the species was extirpated from some localities after devastating events such as Hurricane Irma, but recolonized these areas when the seagrape returned. Additionally, in Florida, the species is threatened by sea level rise, and it has disappeared from some known regions of habitation, including Everglades National Park, parts of Big Pine Key, and parts of Miami Beach. It has been petitioned that the Florida reef gecko be listed as an endangered species in the state of Florida, which would legally afford it beneficial protections. [5]
Sphaerodactylus notatus is a small lizard, about two inches long. It feeds on insects and spiders.
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.
Andros Island is an archipelago within the Bahamas, the largest of the Bahamian Islands. Politically considered a single island, Andros in total has an area greater than all the other 700 Bahamian islands combined. The land area of Andros consists of hundreds of small islets and cays connected by mangrove estuaries and tidal swamplands, together with three major islands: North Andros, Mangrove Cay, and South Andros. The three main islands are separated by bights, estuaries that trifurcate the island from east to west. It is 167 kilometres (104 mi) long by 64 km (40 mi) wide at the widest point.
The flat-tailed house gecko, also known as the frilled house gecko or Asian house gecko, is a species of Gekkonidae native to southeastern and southern Asia. The species is sometimes classified under the genus Cosymbotus.
The Monito gecko is a lizard, a species of gecko endemic to the island of Monito, in the archipelago of Puerto Rico.
The Bahamian pineyards are a tropical and subtropical coniferous forest ecoregion in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The ashy gecko is a species of gecko native to Cuba and Hispaniola. It is a small species, dark in color with many white spots. It is also a good climber. Ashy geckos have been introduced to a few small islands in southernmost Florida, and have established populations there.
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. The species is indigenous to the Caribbean. There are two recognized subspecies
Sphaerodactylus klauberi is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae The species is endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico.
Gonatodes albogularis, which has been called a number of vernacular names in English, is a smallish species of gecko found in warm parts of Central and South America, Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica. They prefer to live in tropical dry forest habitats. It is sexually dimorphic: the male is colourful, while the female is a more drab grey. The fingers do not have lamellar pads for climbing smooth surfaces like many other geckos but instead have normal claws like most lizards. At one time the species had a breeding population in southern Florida, especially Key West, but this population appears to have died out by the early 1990s. They are believed to be able to tell the difference between brightness and hues of conspecifics. Males are incredibly aggressive with territory defense against both other males and potential predators.
The peninsula least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
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.
The Cap-Haitien least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Haiti.
The Juventud least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the West Indies.
The Pedernales least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
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 underwoodi, also known commonly as Underwood's least gecko or the Turks Islands geckolet, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Grand Turk Island.
