• Source: Mniarogekko chahoua

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






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).

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Mniarogekko chahoua
• Mniarogekko
• Rhacodactylus
• List of largest extant lizards
• Diplodactylidae
• IUCN Red List vulnerable species (Animalia)