Western banded gecko

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Western banded gecko
Coleonyx Variegatus.jpg

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Eublepharidae
Genus: Coleonyx
Species:
C. variegatus
Binomial name
Coleonyx variegatus
(Baird, 1858)[2]
Synonyms[3][4]
  • Stenodactylus variegatus
    Baird, 1858
  • Coleonyx variegatus
    — Cope, 1867
  • Eublepharis variegatus
    — Boulenger, 1885
  • Coleonyx variegatus
    — Stejneger & Barbour, 1917

The western banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) is a species of lizard in the family Eublepharidae. The species is native to the southwestern United States and adjacent northwestern Mexico. Five subspecies are recognized.

Geographic range[]

In the United States, C. variegatus is found in southern Arizona, southern California, southwestern New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. In Mexico, it is found in northwestern Baja California and Sonora.

Subspecies[]

Five subspecies of C. variegatus are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[3]

  • Coleonyx variegatus abbotti Klauber, 1945 – San Diego banded gecko
  • Coleonyx variegatus bogerti Klauber, 1945 – Tucson banded gecko
  • Coleonyx variegatus sonoriensis Klauber, 1945 – Sonoran banded gecko
  • Coleonyx variegatus utahensis Klauber, 1945 – Utah banded gecko
  • Coleonyx variegatus variegatus (Baird, 1858) – desert banded gecko

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Coleonyx.

Description[]

The western banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus), San Bernardino County, CA.

The western banded gecko is a terrestrial lizard, ranging in total length (including tail) from 4–6 inches (10–15 cm). Hatchlings measure 1 inch (2.5 cm).[5] The body is sandy-colored with dark crossbands broken into patches. The tiny scales give its skin a silky texture. Unlike typical geckos, it has prominent eyes with movable lids.[6]

Habitat[]

The western banded gecko is found in a wide range of habitats, including creosote bush and sagebrush desert, pinyon-juniper woodland, and catclaw-cedar-grama grass associations in the eastern part of its range and chaparral areas in the west. Its elevational range extends from below sea level to about 1,520 m (4,990 ft) asl.[1]

Behavior[]

The western banded gecko is secretive and nocturnal, with individuals remaining hidden during the day and emerging after sunset to forage for food.[7][8] C. variegatus preys on small insects and spiders, and is one of the few reptiles that control scorpion populations by eating baby scorpions. Individuals prefer warm nights around 80°F, and they can often be seen near human habitations looking to make an easy meal of the insects attracted to landscape or porch lighting.[7]

C. variegatus is preyed upon by many species including coyotes, foxes, snakes, larger lizards, and even large invertebrates such as tarantulas and solpugids.[7] If captured, C. variegatus may squeak and may discard its tail in an attempt to distract the predator and escape. To deter predation, it can also curl its tails over its body to mimic a scorpion.[5]

Breeding occurs during April and May.[6] Females lay up to three clutches of one to two soft-shelled eggs in the spring and summer. Eggs hatch after six weeks.[5]

Etymologies[]

The subspecific name, abbotti, is in honor of American ornithologist Clinton Gilbert Abbott.[9]

The subspecific name, bogerti, is in honor of American herpetologist Charles Mitchill Bogert.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Hammerson, G.A.; Frost, D.R.; Gadsden, H. (2007). "Coleonyx variegatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T64039A12739050. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64039A12739050.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Baird SF (1858). "Description of New Genera and Species of North American Lizards in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution". Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 1858: 253-256. (Stenodactylus variegatus, new species, p. 254).
  3. ^ a b Coleonyx variegatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 17 July 2014.
  4. ^ Stejneger L, Barbour T (1917). A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. 125 pp. (Coleonyx variegatus, p. 43).
  5. ^ a b c "Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus)". Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
  6. ^ a b "Desert Banded Gecko - Coleonyx variegatus variegatus ". www.californiaherps.com. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  7. ^ a b c "Western Banded Gecko". digital-desert.com. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  8. ^ Evans, Kenneth J. (1967). "Observations on the Daily Emergence of Coleonyx variegatus and Uta stansburiana". Herpetologica. 23 (3): 217–222. ISSN 0018-0831.
  9. ^ a b , , (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Coleonyx variegatus abbotti, p. 1; C. v. bogerti, p. 30).

Further reading[]

  • Behler JL, (1979). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. ISBN 0-394-50824-6. (Coleonyx variegatus, pp. 491–492 + Plates 392, 395).
  • Goin CJ, , Zug GR (1978). Introduction to Herpetology, Third Edition. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman. xi + 378 pp. ISBN 0-7167-0020-4. (Coleonyx variegatus, pp. 112, 129, 155).
  • Smith HM, (1982). Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. ISBN 0-307-13666-3 (paperback), ISBN 0-307-47009-1 (hardcover). (Coleonyx variegatus, pp. 66–67).
  • Stebbins RC (2003). A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin. xiii + 533 pp. ISBN 978-0-395-98272-3. (Coleonyx variegatus, pp. 264–265 + Plate 24 + Map 74).
  • Zim HS, Smith HM (1956). Reptiles and Amphibians: A Guide to Familiar American Species: A Golden Nature Guide. New York: Simon and Schuster. 160 pp. (Coleonyx variegatus, pp. 47, 155).


Retrieved from ""