Uroplatus sikorae

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Uroplatus sikorae
Mossy leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus sikorae), Vohimana reserve, Madagascar.jpg
from Vohimana Reserve, Andasibe
Mossy leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus sikorae) Montagne d'Ambre.jpg
from Montagne d'Ambre National Park
both U. sikorae
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Uroplatus
Species:
U. sikorae
Binomial name
Uroplatus sikorae
(Boettger, 1913)
Uroplatus sikorae distribution.png
Geographic range of U. sikorae in Madagascar
Synonyms [2]
  • Uroplates sikorae
    Boettger, 1913
  • Uroplatus fimbriatus sikorae
    — Mertens, 1933
  • Uroplatus sikorae
    — Glaw & Vences, 1994

Uroplatus sikorae, commonly referred to as the mossy leaf-tailed gecko or the southern flat-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar. It is a CITES II protected animal due to habitat loss.

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, sikorae, is a Latinization of the surname of Franz Sikora  [ de ], an Austrian fossil-hunter and explorer of Madagascar. [3]

Taxonomy

The species was first described by German zoologist Oskar Boettger but not published until three years after his death. [4] Its common name refers to the mossy-like camouflage patterns and colors of the lizard's skin. The whole complex of U. sikorae is in need of taxonomic revision and probably contains numerous new, undescribed species. [5]

The genus Uroplatus contains 14 species endemic to Madagascar. The species Uroplatus sameiti was considered to be a subspecies of U. sikorae until 2007, when it was proposed to be elevated to species level on the basis of its pale oral mucosa, in contrast to the dark oral mucosa of U. sikorae. [6] Subsequent publications have maintained this separate status, which has now also been verified molecularly. [7] However, in the most recent review of the taxonomy of the genus Uroplatus, [7] it was revealed that the different colour of the mouth is not diagnostic of these two species, as some U. sikorae species were found to share the light oral pigmentation. [7] The diagnosis of these species based on morphology remains difficult.

Phylogenically, U. sikorae has been placed within a monophyletic complex consisting of three other species of Uroplatus: U. fimbriatus, U. giganteus, U. henkeli , and U. sameiti. [8] This complex represents the larger species of the genus. [7] [8]

Distribution and habitat

Uroplatus sikorae is endemic to Madagascar. [1] [9] These geckos can be found in primary and secondary forests of the Eastern and central tropical forests of Madagascar.

Description

The mossy leaf-tailed gecko ranges in size from 15 to 20 centimetres (6 to 8 in) when measured from nose to base of the tail. Their eyes are large and lidless, and have yellow sclera with elliptical pupils, suited for the gecko's nocturnal habits. As with all Uroplatus geckos, the tail is dorso-ventrally flattened. U. sikorae has coloration developed as camouflage, most being grayish brown to black or greenish brown with various markings meant to resemble tree bark, down to the lichens and moss found on the bark.

U. sikorae has flaps of skin, running the length of its body, head and limbs, known as the dermal flap, which it can lay against the tree during the day, scattering shadows, and making its outline practically invisible. [10] Additionally, the gecko has a limited ability to alter its skin color to match its surroundings. [11]

Biology and behavior

Mossy leaf-tailed geckos are nocturnal and arboreal. These geckos rely on their natural camouflage as they dwell among the trees. [9] They spend most of the daylight hours hanging vertically on tree trunks, head down, resting. During the night, they will venture from their daylight resting spots, and go off in search of prey. [10] It has the ability to change its skin color to match its surroundings and possesses dermal flaps which break up its outline when at rest. Mossy leaf-tailed geckos are insectivores eating insects, arthropods, and gastropods.

Captivity

The mossy leaf-tailed gecko is uncommon in captivity and often kept in breeding pairs or trios. They eat a variety of appropriately sized insects including crickets and moths. If breeding is successful in captivity, eggs will be laid every 30 days and take 90 days to hatch.

Threats

Habitat destruction and deforestation in Madagascar is the primary threat to this animal's future as well as collection for the pet trade. [12] The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lists all of the Uroplatus species on their "Top ten most wanted species list" of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade, because of them "being captured and sold at alarming rates for the international pet trade". It is a CITES Appendix 2 protected animal. [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Phelsuma</i> Genus of lizards

Phelsuma is a large genus of geckos in the family Gekkonidae. Species in the genus Phelsuma are commonly referred to as day geckos.

<i>Lygodactylus</i> Genus of lizards

Lygodactylus is a genus of diurnal geckos with 82 species. They are commonly referred to as dwarf geckos. They are mainly found in Africa and Madagascar although two species are found in South America. Lygodactylus picturatus, the best known species, is found in Kenya and commonly known as the white-headed dwarf gecko. Recently, illegal importation from Tanzania of brightly colored, Lygodactylus williamsi, known as electric blue geckos, has been gaining attention for Lygodactylus geckos in the reptile trade.

<i>Paroedura</i> Genus of lizards

Paroedura is a genus of geckos, endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros. These geckos are typically terrestrial, though the young of most species can climb until they are too heavy for their feet to support.

<i>Uroplatus</i> Genus of lizards

Uroplatus is a genus of geckos, commonly referred to as leaf-tail geckos or flat-tailed geckos, which are endemic to Madagascar and its coastal islands, such as Nosy Be. They are nocturnal, insectivorous lizards found exclusively in primary and secondary forest.

<i>Calumma</i> Genus of lizards

Calumma is a genus of chameleons, highly adapted and specialised lizards, in the family Chamaeleonidae. The genus is endemic to the island of Madagascar. One species, formerly known as Calumma tigris, was transferred to the genus Archaius in 2010, upon the discovery of its closer relation to Rieppeleon—one of several genera referred to collectively as "leaf" or "pygmy" chameleons—rather than to Calumma. The earliest known fossil of the genus is of Calumma benovskyi, from early Miocene Kenya, showing that the genus likely originated on mainland East Africa. The genus includes one of the heaviest and longest chameleon species, the Parson's chameleon.

<i>Brookesia</i> Genus of lizards

Brookesia is a genus of chameleons, lizards in the family Chamaeleonidae. The genus is endemic to Madagascar. Member species range from small to very small in size, and are known collectively as leaf chameleons. Brookesia includes species considered to be the world's smallest chameleons, and are also among the smallest reptiles. Members of the genus Brookesia are largely brown, and most are essentially terrestrial.

<i>Uroplatus ebenaui</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus ebenaui, commonly known as Ebenau's leaf-tailed gecko, the Nosy Be flat-tail gecko, and the spearpoint leaf-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to Madagascar.

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

The common flat-tail gecko is a gecko endemic to Madagascar. It is found in eastern Madagascar and on the islands Nosy Bohara and Nosy Mangabe. These geckos live in tropical rain forests. They reach a total length of 330 mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Günther's flat-tail gecko</span> Species of lizard

Günther's flat-tail gecko, also known commonly as Güenther's leaf-tail gecko, is a species of nocturnal gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko</span> Species of lizard

Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko, also known commonly as Henkel's flat-tailed gecko or the frilled leaf-tail gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Uroplatus phantasticus</i> Species of gecko endemic to Madagascar

Uroplatus phantasticus, the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, eyelash leaf-tailed gecko or the phantastic leaf-tailed gecko, is a species of gecko indigenous to the island of Madagascar. First described in 1888 by George Albert Boulenger, U. phantasticus is the smallest in body of the Uroplatus geckos, though there is an ongoing debate as to whether one of its cousins, U. ebenaui, is smaller because of its shorter tail.

<i>Uroplatus sameiti</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus sameiti is a species of leaf-tailed gecko. Like all members of the genus Uroplatus, U. sameiti is endemic to Madagascar, and is found in primary and secondary forests on the island. It has the ability to change its skin colour to match its surroundings and possesses dermal flaps which break up its outline when at rest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iaraka River leaf chameleon</span> Species of lizard

The Iaraka River leaf chameleon, also commonly known as the mossy pygmy leaf chameleon, is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Phelsuma roesleri</i> Species of lizard

Phelsuma roesleri, also known commonly as Rösler's day gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Uroplatus alluaudi</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus alluaudi, also known commonly as the northern flat-tail gecko and the northern leaf-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

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

The giant leaf-tail gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. It can reach a snout–vent length of 20 cm and a total length of 32.2 cm.

<i>Uroplatus pietschmanni</i> Species of lizard

Uroplatus pietschmanni, known commonly as the cork-bark leaf-tail gecko, the cork bark leaftail gecko, and the spiny leaf-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Achille Philippe Raselimanana is a Malagasy herpetologist.

Uroplatus garamaso is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It is endemic to northern Madagascar.

References

  1. 1 2 Ratsoavina, F.; Glaw, F.; Rabibisoa, N.; Rakotondrazafy, N.A. (2011). "Uroplatus sikorae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T172820A6924215. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172820A6924215.en . Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  2. ↑ Uroplatus sikorae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  3. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Uroplatus sikorae, p. 243).
  4. ↑ Boettger O (1913). "Reptilien und Amphibien von Madagascar, den Inseln und dem Festland Ostafrikas ". pp. 269–375. In: Voeltzkow A (1913). Reise in Ostafrika in den Jahren 1903–1905. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse. Band III [Volume 3]. Systematische Arbeiten. Stuttgart: E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Nägele & Dr. Sproesser. ("Uroplates [sic] sikorae", new species, pp. 294–295 + Plate 26, figure 2).
  5. ↑ Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (December 2018). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar (3rd ed.). Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlags. ISBN   978-3929449037.
  6. ↑ Pearson R, Raxworthy CJ, Nakamura M, Townsend Peterson A (2007). "Predicting species distributions from small numbers of occurrence records: a test case using cryptic geckos in Madagascar". Journal of Biogeography. 34: 102–117. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01594.x. S2CID   82263959.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Ratsoavina FM, Raminosoa NR, Louis EE Jr, Raselimanana AP, Glaw F, Vences M (2013). "An overview of Madagascar's leaf tailed geckos (genus Uroplatus): species boundaries, candidate species, and review of geographical distribution based on molecular data". Salamandra. 49 (3): 115–148.
  8. 1 2 Greenbaum E, Bauer A, Jackman T, Vences M, Glaw F (2007). "A phylogeny of the enigmatic Madagascan geckos of the genus Uroplatus". Zootaxa. 1493: 41–51. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1493.1.2.
  9. 1 2 Bradt, Hilary; Garbutt, Nick; Schuurman, Derek (2001). Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 144. ISBN   1-84162-029-7.
  10. 1 2 Pianka, Eric R. (2006). Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity . Berkeley: University of California Press. pp.  247. ISBN   0-520-24847-3.
  11. ↑ Selim, Jocelyn (31 March 2005). "A Naturalist's Paradise". Discover Magazine. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  12. 1 2 "Inclusion of Uroplatus spp. in Appendix II" (PDF). Technical comments in support of amendments to CITES appendices submitted by Madagascar. CITES. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
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