| Sphaerodactylus richardi | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Sphaerodactylidae |
| Genus: | Sphaerodactylus |
| Species: | S. richardi |
| Binomial name | |
| Sphaerodactylus richardi | |
Sphaerodactylus richardi, also known commonly as Richard's banded sphaero or the Zapata big-scaled sphaero, is a small species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Cuba. [2]
The specific name, richardi, is in honor of American herpetologist Richard Thomas. [3]
Sphaerodactylus richardi belongs to the scaber group. Other species in the group are S. oliveri , S. scaber , and S. storeyae . [4]
Sphaerodactylus richardi may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 31.1 mm (1.22 in). It has large non-overlapping dorsal scales, except for a zone of mid-dorsal granular scales which is three scales wide. Adults have a dorsal color pattern of 5-6 bold dark crossbands on the body. [4]
The preferred habitats of S. richardi are forest, shrubland, and marine intertidal. [1]
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.
Sphaerodactylus ariasae, commonly called the Jaragua sphaero or the Jaragua dwarf gecko, is the smallest species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae.
The Barahona big-scaled sphaero, also known commonly as the Barahona big-scaled geckolet, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species, which is a very small gecko, is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
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
The Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero, Virgin Gorda least gecko, or Virgin Islands dwarf gecko is a species of gecko and also one of the smallest terrestrial vertebrates. It has only been found on three of the British Virgin Islands: Virgin Gorda, Tortola, and Moskito Island. It was discovered in 1964 and is suspected to be a close relative of Sphaerodactylus nicholsi, a dwarf sphaero from the nearby island of Puerto Rico. It shares its range with the big-scaled least gecko (S. macrolepis), which is found in leaf litter. Unlike this larger gecko, the Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero lives on drier hillsides, yet prefers moist microhabitats found under rocks because it lacks the adaptations necessary for preventing water loss, which is a significant problem due to its small body size.
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.
John Paul Richard Thomas is an American taxonomist and systematist, and retired professor of herpetology and evolution at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. He described several species new to science, mostly amphibians and reptiles, from throughout the Caribbean islands including the common coquí, the national animal of Puerto Rico.
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 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.
Sphaerodactylus pimienta, also known as the pepper sphaero, Cuban pepper sphaero, or Cuban pepper geckolet, is a species of gecko. It is endemic to Cuba. It is a relatively large Sphaerodactylus measuring 17–36 mm (0.7–1.4 in) in snout–vent length.
Ramsden's least gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Cuba.
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.
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.
Sphaerodactylus scaber, also known as the double-collared sphaero or Camaguey least gecko, is a small species of gecko endemic to Cuba.
The Neiba agave sphaero, also known commonly as the Neiba agave geckolet and Schubert's least gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
The Guantanamo collared sphaero, also known commonly as the Monitongas collared geckolet and Schwartz's dwarf gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Cuba.
Shreve's least gecko, also known commonly as the northwest Haiti blotched sphaero and the northwest Haitian blotched geckolet, is an endangered species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Haiti.
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.
