Namib desert gecko
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Pachydactylus
Species:
P. vanzyli
Binomial name
Pachydactylus vanzyli
(Steyn & Haacke, 1966)
Synonyms[2]
  • Kaokogecko vanzyli
    Steyn & Haacke, 1966
  • Palmatogecko vanzyli
    — Kluge, 1993
  • Pachydactylus vanzyli
    — Bauer & Lamb, 2005

The Namib desert gecko (Pachydactylus vanzyli), also known commonly as the Kaoko web-footed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, vanzyli, is in honor of amateur naturalists Mr. & Mrs. Ben Van Zyl of Namibia.[3]

Geographic range

P. vanzyli is found in Angola and Namibia.[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of P. vanzyli is gravel plains.[4]

Description

Adults of P. vanzyli usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5.0–5.5 cm (2.0–2.2 in). The maximum recorded SVL is 6.6 cm (2.6 in).[4]

Behavior

P. vanzyli is nocturnal.[4]

Diet

P. vanzyli preys upon small beetles and termites.[4]

Reproduction

P. vanzyli is oviparous.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Bauer, A.M., Becker, F., Conradie, W. & Ceríaco, L.M.P. 2020. Pachydactylus vanzyli. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T110215228A110215246. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T110215228A110215246.en. Downloaded on 29 August 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Pachydactylus vanzyli at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  3. ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Palmatogecko vanzyli, p. 273).
  4. 1 2 3 4 Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Palmatogecko vanzyli, p. 264 + Plate 80).

Further reading

  • Barts M (2018). "Auf der Suche nach dem Kaokogecko, Pachydactylus (früher Kaokogecko) vanzyli". Draco 16 (4): 24–29. (in German).
  • Bauer AM, Lamb T (2005). "Phylogenetic relationships of southern African geckos in the Pachydactylus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae)". African Journal of Herpetology 54 (2): 105–129. (Pachydactylus vanzyli, new combination).
  • Rösler H (2000). "Kommentierte Liste der rezent, subrezent und fossil bekannten Geckotaxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha)". Gekkota 2: 28–153. (Kaokogecko vanzyli, p. 90). (in German).
  • Steyn W, Haacke WD (1966). "A New Web-footed Gecko (Kaokogecko vanzyli, gen. et sp. nov.) from the North-western South West Africa". Cimbebasia (18): 1–23. (Kaokogecko vanzyli, new species).



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