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Mniarogekko chahoua

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Species of lizard
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Mniarogekko chahoua
Conservation status

Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Diplodactylidae
Genus: Mniarogekko
Species: M. chahoua
Binomial name
Mniarogekko chahoua
(Bavay, 1869)
Synonyms
  • Platydactylus chahoua Bavay, 1869
  • Platydactylus (Rhacodactylus) chahoua — Sauvage, 1879 (part)
  • Chameleonurus chahoua
    — Boulenger, 1879 (part)
  • Rhacodactylus chahoua
    — Boulenger, 1883
  • Mniarogekko chahoua
    — A.M. Bauer et al., 2012

Mniarogekko chahoua, commonly known as the mossy New Caledonian gecko, short-snouted New Caledonian gecko, Bavay's giant gecko, or mossy prehensile-tailed gecko, is an arboreal gecko found natively on the southern portion of the island of New Caledonia and on the outlying islands of Île des Pins.

Conservation status

Mniarogekko chahoua is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.

Taxonomy and systematics

Mniarogekko chahoua was first described in 1869 as Platydactylus chahoua by Arthur Bavay, a French pharmacist and herpetologist.

Description

Mniarogekko chahoua gets its common name from the moss or lichen-like pattern it displays. Colors range from rusty red and brown to green or gray. There has been some notation that color could possibly be a geographic indicator in this species as the geckos from the outer islands most often display the lighter gray patterns. It possesses a strong, well-muscled, fully prehensile tail and is not subject to dropping it as readily as some of its relatives. Adult length is 10-12" (25–31 cm).

Diet

Mniarogekko chahoua, like most of the New Caledonian geckos, are seasonally-dependent omnivores and frugivores. Their diet in the wild consists of various insects and fruits, generally alternating from one to the other according to several factors, including seasonal changes, tree and fruit blooming times, and fruit and insect availability. They may also supplement their diet with small lizards.

Reproduction

Mniarogekko chahoua lays two well-calcified eggs that become adhered to one another shortly after laying. This is known as "egg gluing". Mniarogekko chahoua is the only Rhacodactylus gecko that lays adhering eggs. The eggs are generally laid on top of the substrate (usually under loose tree bark and leaf litter) and are guarded by the female. The eggs hatch 60–90 days after laying.

Captivity

This gecko is sometimes found in the pet trade, and typically available captive-bred. With good care, this species can live up to 15–20 years.

References

  1. Sadlier, R.A.; Bauer, A.M.; Jourdan, H.; Astrongatt, S.; Deuss, M.; Duval, T.; Bourguet, E.; McCoy, S.; Bouteiller, A.; Lagrange, A. (2021). "Mniarogekko chahoua". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T123713402A123255051. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T123713402A123255051.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
  3. ^ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  4. "Mniarogekko chahoua". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  5. "Bavay's Giant Gecko". IUCN Red List. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  6. Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Rhacodactylus chahoua, p. 19).

Further reading

  • Bauer AM, Jackman TR, Sadlier RA, Whitaker AH. (2012). "Revision of the giant geckos of New Caledonia (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae: Rhacodactylus)". Zootaxa 3404: 1-52. (Mniarogekko, new genus).
  • Bavay A. (1869). "Catalogue des Reptiles de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et description d'espèces nouvelles". Mémoires de la Société Linnéenne de Normandie 15: 1-37. (Platycephalus chahoua, p. 3).
  • Boulenger GA. (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. Geckonidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I- XXXII. (Rhacodactylus chahoua, pp. 177–178).
Taxon identifiers
Mniarogekko chahoua
Platydactylus chahoua
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