markscherz:Geckolepis maculata Peters, 1880Distribution:Geckolepis maculata is generally considered
markscherz:Geckolepis maculata Peters, 1880Distribution:Geckolepis maculata is generally considered to be distributed widely around Madagascar, and only truly absent from the south west of the island (Köhler et al. 2009). It is found in rainforest, littoral forest, and deciduous forest. It is not found at altitudes exceeding 650 m above sea level. Geckos conforming to the strict definition of G. maculata are only found in northern Madagascar (Lemme et al. 2012).Morphology & Colouration:Geckolepis maculata is a medium-sized gecko, though the largest member of the genus Geckolepis. It reaches body lengths of up to 8 cm, with its tail as long or longer again. The innermost postmental scales contact one another (an important diagnostic character, though not completely reliable). It possesses 22-25 scale rows at mid-body. The body colour is brownish, often marked with brown spots in adults. Juveniles can be more colourful. A lateral head streak is usually present.Habits:Geckolepis maculata is an arboreal, nocturnal species. It typically roosts beneath loose bark on dead trees, or the dead leaf axils of Ravenala trees, up to a height of 5 metres above the ground. It eats a variety of insects. Eggs are laid under tree bark or beneath stones as well. These geckos may aestivate, storing fat in the base of their tails.Conservation Status:Geckolepis maculata is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, due to its widespread distribution and abundance.Systematics and Taxonomy:The taxonomy of the genus Geckolepis is complicated. G. humbolti, from the Comoros, is considered a junior synonym of G. maculata, as it does not differ strongly in any morphometric characters. It can be distinguished from G. typica by its larger size, postmental scales in contact as opposed to without contact, and more midbody scale rows. It can be distinguished from G. polylepis by its larger size, fewer scale rows at midbody, fewer ventral cale rows, and lack of longitudinal dark lines.Characters given here are those corresponding to clade AB from Lemme et al. (2012), as this is probably the clade that refers to the original G. maculata sensu stricto. It is thought that at least 9 other species of Geckolepis exist, meaning that seven remain to be described, so affinities are still unclear.Phylogeny:Animalia-Chordata-Reptilia-Gekkonidae-Geckolepis-G. maculataFirst photo by Jon Boone, second by Pagale Bacha, third by CowyeawClick here to see more TaxonFiles!References:Köhler, G., H.-H. Diethert, R.A. Nussbaum and C.J. Raxworthy. 2009. A revision of the fish scale geckos, genus Geckolepis Grandidier (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Madagascar and the Comoros. Herpetologica 65:419-435Lemme, I., M. Erbacher, N. Kaffenberger, M. Vences and J. Köhler. 2012. Molecules and morphology suggest cryptic species diversity and an overall complex taxonomy of fish scale geckos, genus Geckolepis. Organisms Diversity & Evolution 13:87-95 -- source link