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.[2][3]
| 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" | |
Taxonomy
editCurrently Dactylocnemis pacificus is the only described member of the genus Dactylocnemis, however five geographically isolated populations, including the Mokohinau gecko, likely represent distinct species.[3] 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.[4]
Description
editThe gecko has a length of up to 90 mm (3.5 in), with its tail making up approximately half of its total body length.[5] The species is highly variable in colour and pattern, often grey, brown or olive green with a cream-coloured underside.[5] Often geckos will have a mustard-yellow crescent on their necks.[6] The species has brown or olive-coloured eyes, and 3-4 large cloacal spurs on other side of its body.[6] 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).[6]
Behaviour
editThe species living in semi-arboreal coastal and cliff habitats and is nocturnal,[7] although on occasion may be seen sun basking.[6] The species may occasionally enter water and be pray for marine fish species surrounding the islands.[7] Other than around rocks and rock crevices, Mokohinau geckos can often be found on Muehlenbeckia vines, flax, trees or below dense vegetation.[6] Typically the species reproduces annually, giving birth to one or two babies during the late summer or early autumn.[5] The species primarily eats insects.[5]
Geographic distribution and habitat
edit
The Mokohinau gecko is found exclusively in the Mokohinau Islands of the Auckland Region, New Zealand.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Dactylocnemis "Mokohinau"". New Zealand Threat Classification System. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ "Dactylocnemis "Mokohinau"". New Zealand Organisms Register. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ a b 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.