Aristelliger nelsoni is a species of gecko in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Swan Islands of Honduras.[2] It was often considered a subspecies of Aristelliger praesignis prior to genetic testing establishing it as a separate species.[2] It is rated as Endangered by the IUCN, owing to its small geographic range and strong recent population decline. This population decline is likely a result of competition with Hemidactylus frenatus (the Asian house gecko), which was introduced to Great Swan Island in 2007. Future development of the Swan Islands by the Honduran military or commercial enterprises would also threaten the survival of the species.[1]
| Aristelliger nelsoni | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Sphaerodactylidae |
| Genus: | Aristelliger |
| Species: | A. nelsoni
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aristelliger nelsoni Barbour, 1914
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Etymology edit
The specific name, nelsoni, is in honor of the collector of the holotype, George Nelson (born 1873) who was Chief Taxidermist at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard.[2][3]
Distribution edit
A. nelsoni is found on Great Swan Island and on Little Swan Island.[4]
Description edit
A. nelsoni may attain a total length (including tail) of 23.5 cm (9.3 in). It has 15 lamellae under the fourth toe.[5]
Ecology edit
References edit
- ^ a b Townsend, J.H.; Powell, R. (2019). "Aristelliger nelsoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T75605298A75607624. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T75605298A75607624.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Aristelliger nelsoni at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
- ^ Beolens. Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Nelson, G.", pp. 188–189).
- ^ Schwartz A, Thomas R (1975). A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Aristelliger praesignis nelsoni, p. 109).
- ^ Barbour (1914).
Further reading edit
- Barbour T (1914). "A Contribution to the Zoögeography of the West Indies, with Especial Reference to Amphibians and Reptiles". Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy at Harvard College 44 (2): 205-359 + one plate. (Aristelliger nelsoni, new species, pp. 258–259).
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