Black-eyed gecko
| Black-eyed gecko | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mokopirirakau kahutarae by Gregory H. Sherley | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Diplodactylidae |
| Genus: | Mokopirirakau |
| Species: | M. kahutarae |
| Binomial name | |
| Mokopirirakau kahutarae Whitaker, 1985 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Hoplodactylus kahutarae | |
The black-eyed gecko, Mokopirirakau kahutarae, is a species of alpine gecko endemic to New Zealand. The specific epithet, "kahutarae", is taken from "Kahutara saddle", the locale where the type specimen was found.[1] The holotype is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[2]
The black-eyed gecko is named for its unusually melanised irises. These could be an evolutionary response to a higher UV alpine environment above 1300m, but nocturnal habit and other newly discovered alpine geckos without this feature do not support this.
Conservation status
As of 2012 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the Takitimu gecko as Nationally Vulnerable under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ New Zealand Frogs and Reptiles, Brian Gill and Tony Whitaker, David Bateman limited, 2001
- ↑ "Mokopirirakau kahutarae Whitaker, 1985; holotype". Collections Online. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ↑ Hitchmough, Rod; Anderson, Peter; Barr, Ben; Monks, Jo; Lettink, Marieke; Reardon, James; Tocher, Mandy; Whitaker, Tony. "Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2012" (PDF). Department of Conservation. The Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
External links
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