Sphaerodactylus

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Sphaerodactylus
Sphaerodactylus macrolepis (cropped).jpg
Sphaerodactylus macrolepis
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Sphaerodactylidae
Genus: Sphaerodactylus
Wagler, 1830 [1]

Sphaerodactylus is a genus of geckos from the Americas [2] 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 (Sphaero = round, dactylus = finger) 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. [3]

Contents

Fossil record

Fossil remains referred to Sphaerodactylus have been recovered from Dominican amber. [4]

Species

The following 108 species are recognized as being valid. [5]

Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Sphaerodactylus.

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Leiocephalidae, also known as the curlytail lizards or curly-tailed lizards, is a family of iguanian lizards restricted to the West Indies. One of the defining features of these lizards is that their tail often curls over. They were previously regarded as members of the subfamily Leiocephalinae within the family Tropiduridae. There are presently 29 known species, all in the genus Leiocephalus.

<i>Eleutherodactylus</i> Genus of amphibians

Eleutherodactylus is a genus of frogs in the family Eleutherodactylidae. Many of the 200 species of the genus are commonly known as "rain frogs" or "robber frogs", due to their sharp, high-pitched, insect-like calls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barahona big-scaled sphaero</span> Species of lizard

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.

<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.

Cochran'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 inaguae, also known as the Inagua sphaero or Inagua least gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. It is endemic to Great Inagua in the Bahamas.

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.

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.

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

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.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neiba agave sphaero</span> Species of lizard

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.

Sphaerodactylus williamsi, also known commonly as Williams's least gecko or the Haitian striped geckolet, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Haiti.

References

  1. "Sphaerodactylus ". ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
  2. Gamble T, Bauer AM, Colli GR, Greenbaum E, Jackman TR, Vitt LJ, Simons AM (2011). "Coming to America: Multiple Origins of New World Geckos". Journal of Evolutionary Biology24: 231–244.
  3. Pennsylvania State University (2001). World's Smallest Lizard Discovered in the Caribbean Archived 2009-02-02 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 26 January 2009.
  4. Poinar, George O.; Poinar, Roberta (1999). The Amber Forest: A Reconstruction of a Vanished World. Princeton University Press. ISBN   978-0-691-05728-6.
  5. Genus Sphaerodactylus at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  6. Noble GK, Klingel GC (1932). "The Reptiles of Great Inagua Island, British West Indies". American Museum Novitates (549): 1–25.

Further reading