Dierogekko kaalaensis BAUER, JACKMAN, SADLIER & WHITAKER, 2006
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Higher Taxa | Diplodactylidae, Gekkota, Sauria, Squamata (lizards: geckos) |
Subspecies | |
Common Names | E: Kaala Striped Gecko |
Synonym | Dierogekko kaalaensis BAUER, JACKMAN, SADLIER & WHITAKER 2006 Dierogekko kaalaensis — SKIPWITH et al. 2016 |
Distribution | New Caledonia (Province Nord, Kaala massif) Type locality: New Caledonia, Province Nord, Kaala massif, headwaters of Oué Injob, 6 km N Kaala-Gomen, 20°37′03.2′′S, 164°22′49.0′′E (elevation 900 m). |
Reproduction | oviparous |
Types | Holotype: MNHN-RA 2004.0017 (formerly AMS R 161096): Adult male; collected by A.H. Whitaker and V.A. Whitaker, 2 June 2002. |
Diagnosis | Diagnosis: Dierogekko kaalaensis can be distinguished from all congeners on the basis of the following combination of characters: size relatively large (to 45.4 mm SVL), 1–2 internasal scales; distal subdigital lamellae divided; male preanal pores in a single row of 12–15. Narrow dark brown markings bordering dorsal pale region laterally reduced to a series of widely spaced dark speckles corresponding to individual granular scales. |
Comment | CONSERVATION STATUS.—Dierogekko kaalaensisis known only from three localities on the Kaala massif. The area supports introduced Rattus species, cats, deer and pigs and has been heavily exploited by mining. Two mines on the summit of the massif are still active and there are current plans to re-open one of the old mines on the western slopes. In addition, recent wildfires have severely affected the western slopes of Kaala. As this species is at potential risk from several threats in its restricted range, we regard it as Critically Endangered. Abundance: only known from its original description (Meiri et al. 2017). This is one of the species called 'lost' and 'rediscovered' by Lindken et al. 2024. |
Etymology | The specific epithet kaalaensis is derived from the Kaala massif, the ultramafic mountain (1079 m maximum elevation) to which this species appears restricted. |
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