Agamura persica

Taxobox
name = Gekkoninae
image_width =
image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Lacertilia
familia = Gekkonidae
genus = "Agamura"
species = "A. persica"
binomial = "Agamura persica"
binomial_authority = Dumeril, 1856

"Agamura persica" (Duméril 1856), commonly known Persian Spider Gecko, hails from semi-desert regions of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan where temperatures range from extreme summer day highs to extreme winter night lows. (Anderson, 1999)(Szczerbak, Golubev, 1986)(Szczerbak, Golubev, 1986)(Meyer, 2004) Their long, slender legs and tail give a spider-like impression and make them ideal for climbing the rocky environment they inhabit. Their toes are slender, clawed, and angularly bent. They share this feature with a number of other species and are classified as Angular-toed geckos. Other genera in this group include "Altigekko" (Khan 2003), "Cyrtopodion" (Fitzinger 1843), "Indogekko" (Khan 2003), and "Siwaligekko" (Khan 2003). (Anderson, 1999)(Khan, 2005)Three other species, "Agamura femoralis" (Smith 1933), "Agamura misonnei" (De Witte 1973), and "Agamura gastropholis" (Werner 1917), have fallen into the "Agamura" classification at various times but Khan has (unofficially) reclassified these as "Rhinogekko femoralis", "Rhinogekko misonnei", and "Cyrtopodion gastrophole", respectively. (Anderson, 1999)

Natural history

Persian Spider Gecko inhabits rocky and stony terrain close to sandy semi-desert, on hill slopes, and barren plains. They are primarily nocturnal but can be found during the day basking at temperatures of about 17.5C (air) and 15.5C (surface), and active at temperatures as high as 44C (surface).

Diagnostic features

Size: Females range from 42 to 77 mm (SVL) with a tail of 34 to 59 mm while males range from 35 to 65 mm with a tail of 27 to 59 mm (Anderson, 1999) Colour: "Agamura persica" has a light grey upper body with yellow pigment and 5 dark crossbars almost as broad as the interspaces, 9 to 10 on tail and flecked grey belly (Anderson, 1999)(Khan, 2006)"Agamura p. persica" is found in the eastern regions of their range (Eastern Iran, Afghanistan) and is differentiated by "three dark crossbars, first on nape, second behind shoulders, third in front of sacrum". (Anderson, 1999)"Agamura p. cruralis" is found in the western regions (most of Iran) and is differentiated by five darker brown dorsal crossbars, "first on nape, fifth on sacrum, nine to ten on tail. (Anderson, 1999) Natural history: "Agamura persica" inhabits rocky and stony terrain close to sandy semi-desert, on hill slopes, and barren plains. (Anderson, 1999)(Meyer, 2004) They are primarily nocturnal but can be found during the day basking at temperatures of about 17.5C (air) and 15.5C (surface), and active at temperatures as high as 44C (surface). (Anderson, 1999) Breeding: March to May, eggs are laid in June and juveniles appear in September (Szczerbak, Golubev, 1986) It is very docile and easily captured. Some colour and morphological differences exist between localities but all are distinctly agamoid. While primarily nocturnal, Anderson suggests "Agamura's" "well-developed (but immovable) upper 'eyelid'" is an adaptation to diurnal life. The lid serves as a sort of "sunshade". (Anderson, 1999)(Szczerbak, Golubev, 1986)

ubspecies

"A. p. persica" is found in the eastern regions of their range (Eastern Iran, Afghanistan) and is differentiated by three dark crossbars, first on nape, second behind shoulders, third in front of sacrum. (Anderson, 1999)

"A. p. cruralis" is found in the western regions (most of Iran) and is differentiated by five darker brown dorsal crossbars, first on nape, fifth on sacrum, nine to ten on tail. (Anderson, 1999)

Breeding

Persian Spider Gecko reaches breeding size at 18 to 24 months. Breeding period is from March to May, eggs are laid in June and juveniles appear in September.(Anderson, 1999)

exing

Male "Agamura persica" have an obvious hemipenal bulge visual from a side profile. The thin morphology of the gecko makes the bulge even more noticeable.Males also have 2 to 4 pre-anal pores however captive bred males often have 0 to 4 pre-anal pores.

Females lack a bulge and pre-anal pores entirely.

Juveniles also lack this bulge, however by about the 8th to 12th week (roughly 7-8 cm SVL) male juveniles will begin to show slight bulging although it may happen as late as the 4th to 6th month.

External links

* [http://www.agamura.nl Agamura.nl]
* [http://www.leguanundco.de/Geckos.html Agamura Persica]
* [http://www.spidergecko.com Spidergecko.com - Care and Husbandry of Agamura persica]

References

* Spidergecko.com - Care and Husbandry of Agamura persica (http://www.spidergecko.com)
* The Reptile Database (http://www.reptile-database.org)
* Anderson, S. C. (1999). The Lizards of Iran. Ithaca, New York: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.
* Khan, M. S. (2005). An Overview of the Angular-toed Geckos of Pakistan (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Gekko, 4.2. 20-30.
* Khan, M. S. (2006). Amphibians and Reptiles of Pakistan. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing.
* Meyer, Michael (2004). Agamura persica - der Spinnengecko aus dem Mittleren Osten. Draco, 18(5), 59-63.
* Szczerbak, N.N., Golubev, M.L. (1986). Gecko Fauna of the USSR and Contiguous Regions. Kiev: Naukova Dumka.