Monito Gecko
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| Sphaerodactylus micropithecus Schwartz, 1977 |
The Monito Gecko is an endangered gecko endemic to the island of Monito in the archipelago of Puerto Rico belonging to the Sphaerodactylus genus of the Gekkonidae family of reptiles. Contrary to the majority of geckos the species is diurnal.
The Monito Gecko is restricted to two locations, one along the island's northwestern shelf over a sea cave, and one along the northeastern edge in the vicinity of Castle Rock, in the island of Monito which measures approximately 500 by 300 metres, an area of 0.15 km². This species, contrary to other Sphaerodactylus sp., is very rare. It was discovered in May of 1974 when a single adult and an egg were collected from the island of Monito. Reasons for the extreme rarity of the species is unknown but it is believed that the introduction of rats and habitat destruction as a result of bombing practices by the United States Navy after World War II are responsible for its scarcity. In 1982, a survey was conducted to establish the population range and size of the species. A total of 18 individuals were observed. For these reasons the species was placed in the endangered species list on October 15, 1982 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
When first described the Monito Gecko was thought to be closely related to either the Mona Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus monensis), an endemic of the island of Mona located approximately 5 km southeast of Monito or to the Desecheo Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus levinsi) an endemic of the island of Desecheo. Subsequents studies proved that the Monito Gecko is more closely related to S. macrolepis, a species common throughout the Puerto Rican Bank.
Due to the rarity of the species biological information is limited. The Monito Gecko is light-gray to tan in coloration with darker spots on top of the body. The maximum length for this species is 36 mm from snout to vent. Information on the diet of the Monito Gecko is currently unavailable but it is believed that, similar to other geckos, it is an insectivore and/or carnivore. Reproductive information is also limited but it is estimated that breeding season lasts from March to November. It is believed that females lay one or two eggs that hatch in 2 to 3 months.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Tolson (1996). Sphaerodactylus micropithecus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN D v2.3)
- Species Account - Monito Gecko. Division of endangered species. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Retrieved on April 10, 2006.
- Monito Gecko. Retrieved on April 10, 2006.
- Sabin, Melinda and Mack, Lisa. Monito Gecko. Retrieved on April 12, 2006.
