The Cape Cross thick-toed gecko (Pachydactylus kochii), also known commonly as Koch's gecko and Koch's thick-toed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.
| Cape Cross thick-toed gecko | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Pachydactylus |
| Species: | P. kochii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pachydactylus kochii (V. FitzSimons, 1959)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Etymology
editThe specific name, kochii, is in honor of Austrian-born South African entomologist Charles Koch.[3]
Geographic range
editP. kochii is found in Namibia and in South Africa (southern Namaqualand).[2]
Habitat
editThe preferred natural habitats of P. kochii are desert and savanna, at altitudes of 10–800 m (33–2,625 ft).[1]
Description
editAdults of P. kochii have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in). The body is slender. Dorsally, the ground color is grayish with a lavender tinge, and there are five reddish-brown crossbands. Ventrally it is white.[4]
Behavior
editP. kochii is terrestrial. It shelters in burrows dug by other animals.[1]
Reproduction
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Bauer AM, Becker F (2020). "Pachydactylus kochii ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T196910A110201704.en. Accessed on 28 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Pachydactylus kochii " The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Colopus kochii, p. 144).
- ^ Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Pachydactylus kochii, p. 254 + Plate 80).
Further reading
edit- Bauer AM, Lamb T (2005). "Phylogenetic relationships of southern African geckos in the Pachydactylus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae)". African Journal of Herpetology 54 (2): 105–129. (Colopus kochii, new combination, p. 105).
- FitzSimons V (1959). "Some new reptiles from southern Africa and southern Angola". Annals of the Transvaal Museum 23: 405–409. (Pachydactylus kochii, new species, p. 405).
- Rösler H (1995). Geckos der Welt – Alle Gattungen [= Geckos of the World – All Genera ]. Leipzig: Urania. 256 pp. (Pachydactylus kochii, p. 136). (in German).