Uroplatus fimbriatus
| Uroplatus fimbriatus | |
|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Uroplatus |
| Species: | U. fimbriatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Uroplatus fimbriatus Schneider, 1797 |
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Uroplatus fimbriatus is a gecko which 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.
A large nocturnal gecko, by day it plasters itself to a small tree trunk and rests head down. If disturbed it will raise its tail and head, open its mouth and scream.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Etymology
The generic name, Uroplatus, is a Latinization of two Greek words: "ourá" (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and "platys" (πλατύς) meaning "flat". Its specific name fimbriatus is the Latin word for "fringed" based upon the gecko's unique appearance of fringed skin.
[edit] Threats
Habitat destruction and deforestation in Madagascar is the primary threat to this animal's future as well as collection for the pet trade.[2] 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 it "being captured and sold at alarming rates for the international pet trade". It is a CITES Appendix 2 protected animal.[2]
[edit] Gallery
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Giant Leaftail Gecko
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Leaf Tailed Gecko
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Leaf Tailed Gecko - from below
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The underside of the Leaf Tailed Gecko clinging to glass
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[edit] References
- ^ Glaw, F.; Vences, M. (1994). A Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Köln: Vences & Glaw Verlag. pp. 313. ISBN 3929449005.
- ^ a b "Inclusion of Uroplatus spp. in Appendix II" (pdf). Technical comments in support of amendments to CITES appendices submitted by Madagascar. CITES. 2004. http://www.cites.org/common/cop/13/inf/E13i-32.pdf. Retrieved 02 November 2008.
