- Takitimu gecko
Taxobox
name = Takitimu gecko
status =
regnum =Animalia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Reptilia
ordo =Squamata
familia =Gekkonidae
genus = "Hoplodactylus "
species = "H. cryptozoicus"
binomial = "Hoplodactylus cryptozoicus"
binomial_authority = Jewell and Leschen, 2004
synonyms =The Takitimu gecko, "Hoplodactylus cryptozoicus", is a species of
gecko in the familyGekkonidae .Distribution
The Takitimu gecko is endemic to
New Zealand , found only in theTakitimu Mountains in theSouth Island .Description
The Takitimu gecko is most similar to the
Stewart Island species "Hoplodactylus nebulosus " and the more widespreadforest gecko , "Hoplodactylus granulatus ", by the sharing of similar coloration and the presence of orange or yellow mouth lining.The tongue is pink. The tail is shorter than the snout to vent length. The body scales are minute (average length 0.002 x SVL). Colour pattern is grey with variable markings involving an overall herringboned pattern, often decorated with (or replaced by) irregular orange patches.
Length is up to 87 mm, snout to vent.
Ecology
Nocturnal , hiding during the day, and rarely seen basking.Etymology
The name "cryptozoicus", masculine and used as an adjective, is derived from a combination of the Greek words "kryptos" (hidden) and "zoikos" (living), referring to the subsurface
scree habitat.References
* [http://www.tigr.org/reptiles/species.php?genus=Hoplodactylus&species=cryptozoicusThe Reptile Database]
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