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Tobago least gecko

Species of lizard From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Tobago least gecko (Sphaerodactylus molei), also known commonly as Mole's gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is native to the Caribbean and northern South America.

Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Gekkota
Quick facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Tobago least gecko
Sphaerodactylus molei,
drawing by E.N. Fischer from Barbour, 1921
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Gekkota
Family: Sphaerodactylidae
Genus: Sphaerodactylus
Species:
S. molei
Binomial name
Sphaerodactylus molei
Boettger, 1894
Synonyms[2]
  • Sphaerodactylus molei
    Boettger, 1894
  • Sphaerodactylus buergeri
    F. Werner, 1900
  • Sphaerodactylus venezuelanus
    Roux, 1927
  • Sphaerodactylus molei
    — King, 1962
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Etymology

The specific name, molei is in honor of British naturalist Richard Richardson Mole (1860–1926) of Port of Spain, Trinidad.[3]

Geographic distribution

Sphaerodactylus molei is found in the Antilles, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela including Margarita Island.[2]

Habitat

The preferred habitat of Sphaerodactylus molei is forest at altitudes of 0–500 m (0–1,640 ft).[1]

Description

Adults of Sphaerodacrtlus molei have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 25 mm (0.98 in).[4]

Reproduction

Sphaerodactylus molei is oviparous.[2] The adult female usually lays one egg, rarely two, in a rotten stump.[5] Average egg size is 7 mm (0.28 in) by 5.0–5.5 mm (0.20–0.22 in).[5]

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