Common flat-tail gecko
A giant leaf-tailed gecko on the island of Nosy Mangabe off Madagascar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Uroplatus
Species:
U. fimbriatus
Binomial name
Uroplatus fimbriatus
(Schneider, 1797)
Synonyms

Stellio fimbriatus Schneider, 1797

The common flat-tail gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) is a gecko endemic to Madagascar. It is found in eastern Madagascar and on the islands Nosy Bohara and Nosy Mangabe. These geckos live in tropical rain forests. They reach a total length of 330 mm.

Etymology

The generic name, Uroplatus, is a Latinization of two Greek words: "ourá" (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and "platys" (πλατύς) meaning "flat". Its specific name fimbriatus is the Latin word for "fringed" based upon the gecko's unique appearance of fringed skin.

Description

It is a large nocturnal gecko.[2] Because the eyes are extremely sensitive to light, 350 times more sensitive than the human eye, the species is able to see in colors even at night.[3] By day it plasters itself to a small tree trunk and rests head down. If disturbed it will raise its tail and head, open its mouth and scream.[2]

Threats

Habitat destruction and deforestation in Madagascar is the primary threat to this animal's future as well as collection for the pet trade.[4] The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lists all of the Uroplatus species on their "Top ten most wanted species list" of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade, because of it "being captured and sold at alarming rates for the international pet trade". It is a CITES Appendix 2 protected animal.[4] However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the commercial export as likely sustainable.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Raxworthy, C.J.; Ratsoavina, F.; Glaw, F.; Rabibisoa, N. (2011). "Uroplatus fimbriatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172939A6945080. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172939A6945080.en.
  2. 1 2 Glaw, F.; Vences, M. (1994). A Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Köln: Vences & Glaw Verlag. p. 313. ISBN 3-929449-00-5.
  3. ↑ "Night time hunt of ghostly gecko". BBC News. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Inclusion of Uroplatus spp. in Appendix II" (PDF). Technical comments in support of amendments to CITES appendices submitted by Madagascar. CITES. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
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