Green geckos

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Green geckos
A green gecko of the species Naultinus grayii

A green gecko of the species Naultinus grayii

Systematics
without rank: Sauropsida
Superordinate : Scale lizards (Lepidosauria)
Order : Scale reptiles (Squamata)
without rank: Geckos (gekkota)
Family : Double- fingered geckos (Diplodactylidae)
Genre : Green geckos
Scientific name
Naultinus
Gray , 1842

The green geckos or green tree geckos ( Naultinus ) are a New Zealand genus of the double- fingered geckos (Diplodactylidae). They are closely related to the New Zealand brown geckos ( Hoplodactylus ).

Appearance

All New Zealand green geckos are predominantly green or greenish in color. On this greenish ground most of the species are drawn with light, whitish or yellow, spots or stripes, which in some cases are framed darker. The sexes partly differ in color or pattern. The green color probably serves as a camouflage in the vegetation. In some species there are also yellowish colored individuals. In contrast to the brown geckos ( Hoplodactylus ), green geckos cannot change their body color. However, in some species the coloring of the young is slightly different from that of the adults. The underside of the body is usually much lighter in color than the upper side. The inside of the mouth is conspicuously colored in many ways, for example blue, red or yellow. The tail can be used to a limited extent as a grasping organ, and it can also be thrown off by its wearer. The toes of the green geckos are relatively slim. The maximum head-trunk length is between 6 cm and 10 cm, depending on the species, the tail length is usually around 10 cm.

distribution and habitat

The genus Naultinus occurs only in New Zealand , on both main islands. There their representatives live mainly in forests and bushland. All species are allopatric , that is, their ranges do not overlap.

Way of life and behavior

The green geckos are mostly on trees and / or bushes, but also hide in Schründen in bad weather, for example. Some species mainly hunt at night, while others are mainly diurnal. This probably depends, among other things, on the climate in the distribution area of ​​the respective species and the current weather. Probably all species often sunbathe during the day. When climbing, the green geckos use their tail at least to some extent as a grasping organ. They can also shed their tail, but they don't do so lightly. Like many gecko species, green geckos often use sounds to communicate. The usual 'chat' sounds sound like chirping, chirping, chattering. In addition, they may also utter a warning or scream, which is supposed to sound like barking or croaking. This serves in connection with the colorful inside of the mouth to deter predators. If it is necessary to flee, at least some species jump from the wood or drop from it and get to safety on the ground.

food

When hunting, the green geckos feed on articulated animals in particular . For the preferred prey of many species are insects .

Reproduction

The females bring after a gestation period of z. B. 10 to 12 months usually around autumn two live youngsters are born. Strictly speaking, the young burst their egg shells during birth. This is called ovoviviparia . The young geckos are usually about 6 cm to 7 cm long and immediately on their own, and they also eat independently from the start. In some species the young are initially colored slightly differently than the adults. In these cases, the animals take on their adult dress at an age of about one and a half years.

species

The genus Naultinus is currently divided into eight species.

literature

  • Günter Diesener: Green Tree Gecko Naultinus elegans. In: Jürke Grau, Josef H. Reichholf (ed.): Naturenzyklopädie der Welt. Volume 16: Australia and Oceania. Habitats, animal and plant species. Mosaik-Verlag, Munich 1995, ISBN 3-577-10116-4 , pp. 190-191.
  • Brian Gill, Tony Whitaker: New Zealand frogs and reptiles. David Bateman Publishing, Auckland 1996, ISBN 1-86953-264-3 .
  • Manfred Rogner : Lizards. Volume 1: geckos, pinnipeds, agamas, chameleons and iguanas. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1992, ISBN 3-8001-7248-8 , p. 30.
  • Rodney PV Rowlands: New Zealand geckos. A guide to captive maintenance and breeding. 3rd revised edition. EcoPrint, Auckland 1999, ISBN 0-473-05831-6 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Stuart V. Nielsen, Aaron M. Bauer, Todd R. Jackman, Rod A. Hitchmough, Charles H. Daugherty: New Zealand geckos (Diplodactylidae): Cryptic diversity in a post-Gondwanan lineage with trans-Tasman affinities. In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. Volume 59, No. 1, 2011, pp. 1–22, doi: 10.1016 / j.ympev.2010.12.007 .

Web links

Commons : Green geckos ( Naultinus )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files