Southern even-fingered gecko
| Southern even-fingered gecko | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Alsophylax |
| Species: | A. laevis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Alsophylax laevis Nikolsky, 1907
| |
The southern even-fingered gecko (Alsophylax laevis) is a ground and tree dwelling species of gecko found in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. [2] The gecko lives in the desert and shrublands. [3]The Gecko is part of a divergence from the Squamata order around 65 million years ago, and the species is part of the Gekkonidae family.[4] Limited research has been done on the southern even-fingered gecko due to the fact that the species is critically endangered.[4] The Gecko has only been captured once in recent years. In 2020 it was captured for the first time since 1963.[5] Conservation efforts are being put in place to mitigate the harm caused to the habitat of the gecko.[6]
Distribution and Habitat
The Southern even-fingered gecko is a species of gecko that can be found in southern Turkmenistan, southern Uzbekistan, northern Iran, Tajikistan and northern Afghanistan.[7] The gecko lives in a somewhat sporadic area across these countries in what can be known as a “broken zone district.”[8] This means that the populations of the gecko are not consistent across the regions. The general area in which they are found tends to be around 200-250 meters above sea level.[8]
Behavior and Ecology
The behavior of the Southern even-fingered gecko is still mostly unknown as they have only been spotted a few times over the last few decades.[9] The Ecology of the Gecko is more understood, as the sightings have been in a small region. In the countries Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Tajikistan the gecko lives in the Badghyz and Karabil semi-desert. The biome in these areas is classified as Deserts and Xeric Shrublands.[10] In the countries Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, the gecko has been spotted in the Central Asian southern desert which is again part of the Deserts and Xeric Shrublands biomes.[10] In Iran and Turkmenistan the gecko is found in the Kopet Dag semi-desert as well as the Kopet Dag woodlands and forest steppe. These areas are classified in the deserts, xeric shrublands, Montane Grasslands, and shrublands biomes. All of these realms belong to the Palearctic realm.[10]
References
- ^ Ananjeva, N.B.; Orlov, N.L. (2017). "Alsophylax laevis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T164598A1060504. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T164598A1060504.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "Alsophylax laevis". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ "Southern Even-fingered Gecko - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ a b "Southern Even-fingered Gecko". EDGE of Existence. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ "Biologist's Uzbekistan expedition nets long-sought, tiny gecko - La Sierra News". La Sierra University. 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ "Using Watering Holes to Improve Livelihoods and Conserve the Southern Even-fingered Gecko - IUCN SOS". 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ "Alsophylax laevis". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ a b "Southern Even-fingered Gecko". EDGE of Existence. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ "Southern Even-fingered Gecko". EDGE of Existence. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ^ a b c "World Species : Alsophylax laevis (Southern Even-fingered Gecko)". worldspecies.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.