Mokohinau gecko
| Mokohinau gecko | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Diplodactylidae |
| Genus: | Dactylocnemis |
| Species: | D. "Mokohinau"
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dactylocnemis "Mokohinau" | |
The Mokohinau gecko (Dactylocnemis "Mokohinau") is an undescribed species of gecko found in the Mokohinau Islands, 100 km (62 mi) north of Auckland in the Auckland Region of New Zealand.
Taxonomy
[edit]Currently Dactylocnemis pacificus is the only described member of the genus Dactylocnemis, however five geographically isolated populations, including the Mokohinau gecko, likely represent distinct species.[2] The Mokohinau gecko has been variously referred to as Hoplodactylus "Mokohinau", Hoplodactylus "Mokohinaus", Dactylocnemis "Mokohinaus" and Dactylocnemis "Mokohinau". The interim name was standardised as Dactylocnemis "Mokohinau" in 2014.[3]
Description
[edit]The gecko has a length of up to 90 mm (3.5 in), with its tail making up approximately half of its total body length.[4] The species is highly variable in colour and pattern, often grey, brown or olive green with a cream-coloured underside.[4] Often geckos will have a mustard-yellow crescent on their necks.[5] The species has brown or olive-coloured eyes, and 3-4 large cloacal spurs on other side of its body.[5] It can be distinguished from Duvaucel's gecko due to adult Mokohinau geckos being smaller in size, and having fewer subdigital lamellae (between 10 to 14).[5]
Behaviour
[edit]The species living in semi-arboreal coastal and cliff habitats and is nocturnal,[6] although on occasion may be seen sun basking.[5] The species may occasionally enter water and be pray for marine fish species surrounding the islands.[6] Other than around rocks and rock crevices, Mokohinau geckos can often be found on Muehlenbeckia vines, flax, trees or below dense vegetation.[5] Typically the species reproduces annually, giving birth to one or two babies during the late summer or early autumn.[4] The species primarily eats insects.[4]
Geographic distribution and habitat
[edit]
The Mokohinau gecko is found exclusively in the Mokohinau Islands of the Auckland Region, New Zealand.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Dactylocnemis "Mokohinau"". New Zealand Threat Classification System. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Chapple, David G. (2016). Chapple, David G. (ed.). "Synthesising Our Current Knowledge of New Zealand Lizards". New Zealand Lizards. Cham: Springer International Publishing: 1–11. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41674-8_1. ISBN 978-3-319-41674-8. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ Bell, Trent (2014). "Standardized common names for New Zealand reptiles". BioGecko. 2: 8–11.
- ^ a b c d "Mokohinau gecko". New Zealand Herpetological Society. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e van Winkel, Dylan; Baling, Marleen; Hitchmough, Rod (2018). Reptiles and Amphibians of New Zealand (1st ed.). Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 110–111. ISBN 978-1-86940-937-1. OL 40449345M. Wikidata Q76013985.
- ^ a b Van Winkel, Dylan; Orton, Tony (2022). "Dactylocnemis "Mokohinau"". Herpetological Review. 53 (4): 679-680.
- ^ Melzer, Sabine; Hitchmough, Rod; van Winkel, Dylan; Wedding, Chris; Chapman, Simon; Rixon, Melinda (March 2022). Conservation Status of Reptile Species in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 11 September 2024.