Phyllodactylus xanti | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Phyllodactylidae |
Genus: | Phyllodactylus |
Species: | P. xanti
|
Binomial name | |
Phyllodactylus xanti |
Phyllodactylus xanti is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae. It is endemic to northwestern Mexico. [3] It is also known as the leaf-toed gecko ( among many other species) or Raza Island leaf-toed gecko when referring to the subspecies from the Isla Rasa; at present, there are altogether four recognized subspecies, while several more have been recognized previously. [3]
P. xanti is found in the Baja California Peninsula and associated islands in Mexico. [3] Records from southern California (USA) refer to Phyllodactylus nocticolus, first described as Phyllodactylus xanti nocticolus, now considered a distinct species. [4]
The preferred natural habitats of P. xanti are desert and shrubland. [1]
P. xanti has vertical pupils, immovable eyelids, and leaf-like toe pads. It has a brownish, grey, or pinkish dorsum, with a light venter. The granular dorsal scales are interspersed with tubercles.
It often squeaks when handled, and it has a very fragile tail which is readily lost.
This gecko is between 2.5 and 6.2 cm (1.5 and 2.5 inches) in snout-to-vent length (SVL).
Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. [3]
The specific epithet, xanti, commemorate John Xantus, [5] a nineteenth century naturalist active in the United States of America. [6]
The subspecific names, sloani and zweifeli, are in honor of American herpetologists Allan John Sloan and Richard G. Zweifel, respectively. [6]
The accepted scientific name and original description were published in 1863 by Edward Drinker Cope. [3]
Phyllodactylus xanti | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Phyllodactylidae |
Genus: | Phyllodactylus |
Species: | P. xanti
|
Binomial name | |
Phyllodactylus xanti |
Phyllodactylus xanti is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae. It is endemic to northwestern Mexico. [3] It is also known as the leaf-toed gecko ( among many other species) or Raza Island leaf-toed gecko when referring to the subspecies from the Isla Rasa; at present, there are altogether four recognized subspecies, while several more have been recognized previously. [3]
P. xanti is found in the Baja California Peninsula and associated islands in Mexico. [3] Records from southern California (USA) refer to Phyllodactylus nocticolus, first described as Phyllodactylus xanti nocticolus, now considered a distinct species. [4]
The preferred natural habitats of P. xanti are desert and shrubland. [1]
P. xanti has vertical pupils, immovable eyelids, and leaf-like toe pads. It has a brownish, grey, or pinkish dorsum, with a light venter. The granular dorsal scales are interspersed with tubercles.
It often squeaks when handled, and it has a very fragile tail which is readily lost.
This gecko is between 2.5 and 6.2 cm (1.5 and 2.5 inches) in snout-to-vent length (SVL).
Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. [3]
The specific epithet, xanti, commemorate John Xantus, [5] a nineteenth century naturalist active in the United States of America. [6]
The subspecific names, sloani and zweifeli, are in honor of American herpetologists Allan John Sloan and Richard G. Zweifel, respectively. [6]
The accepted scientific name and original description were published in 1863 by Edward Drinker Cope. [3]