- Source: Ptenopus kochi
Ptenopus kochi, also known commonly as the interdune barking gecko, Koch's barking gecko, and Koch's chirping gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Namibia.
Etymology
The specific name, kochi, is in honor of Austrian-born South African entomologist Charles Koch.
Description
Adults of P. kochi usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in). Its large bulging eyes and swollen nostrils give it a frog-like appearance. The body scales are very small and numerous, arranged in 187–222 rows around the body at midbody. The tail length is slightly shorter than SVL. The toes of all four feet have lateral fringes of elongate pointed scales. Dorsally, P. kochi is reddish brown, with light spots and dark speckles. Ventrally, it is whitish. The throat and labials of males are yellow.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of P. kochi is sandy desert, at altitudes of 50–500 m (160–1,640 ft).
Behavior
P. kochi is terrestrial and crepuscular. It digs burrows as long as 90 cm (35 in) and as deep as 40 cm (16 in). During the summer breeding season, males vocalize from burrow entrances around sunset to attract females and establish territory.
Reproduction
P. kochi is oviparous.
References
Further reading
Haacke WD (1964). "Description of two new species of lizards and notes on Fitzsimonsia brevipes (FitzSimons) from the central Namib Desert". Scientific Papers of the Namib Desert Research Station 25: 1–15. (Ptenopus kochi, new species, p. 1).
Murray, Ian W.; Lease, Hilary M. (2015). "Ptenopus kochi (Koch's Barking Gecko). Diurnal Activity". Herpetological Review 46 (3): 346.
Rösler H (2000). "Kommentierte Liste der rezent, subrezent und fossil bekkanten Geckotaxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha)". Gekkota 2: 28–153. (Ptenopus kochi, p. 107). (in German).
Schleicher, Alfred (2020). Reptiles of Namibia. Windhoek, Namibia: Kuiseb Publishers. 271 pp. ISBN 978-9994576708.
