Satara gecko
| Satara gecko | |
|---|---|
 | |
.jpg) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Gekkota |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Hemidactylus |
| Species: | H. sataraensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemidactylus sataraensis Giri & Bauer, 2008 | |
The Satara gecko (Hemidactylus sataraensis) is a species of gecko. It is endemic to the Western Ghats, India.[1][2] The species was described in 2008, from Chalkewadi in Maharashtra[3]. The habitat is lateritic rock outcrop, characterized by extreme climatic conditions during monsoon and summer periods in the Western India[4]. They are mostly found under boulders, in a landscape mostly dominated by windmills, and tourism activities.
The individuals are known to retain their ‘S’-shaped body posture[3][4]. Other species occurring in the habitat are Hemidactylus cf. brookii, Echis carinatus, Sarada superba, and many predatory arthropods including spiders, scorpions, and centipedes[4]. It is estimated that the species breed more than once per year, and many morphological and behavioral characters are similar to the sister species Hemidactylus albofasciatus[4]. The species is different from Hemidactylus albofasciatus by ecological parameters such as elevation[4]. Morphologically it can be distinguished by the large size and a set of specific scale patterns and colors[3].
Assessments by IUCN has shown the species is on decline due to rock extraction, wind farm development, fragmentation by roads, and potentially also, climate change[1].
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Giri, V. (2021). "Hemidactylus sataraensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T194111A158405760. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T194111A158405760.en. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ↑ Hemidactylus sataraensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
- 1 2 3 GIRI, VARAD B.; BAUER, AARON M. (7 February 2008). "A new ground-dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Maharashtra, with a key to the Hemidactylus of India". Zootaxa. 1700 (1). doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1700.1.2. ISSN 1175-5334.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Mirza, Zeeshan A.; Bhosale, Harshal; Sanap, Rajesh (2013). "First description of male Hemidactylus sataraensis Giri & Bauer 2008 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) with notes on its natural history, distribution and conservation status". Hamadryad. 36 (2): 177–180.