Monica's gecko (Pachydactylus monicae), also known commonly as Monica's thick-toed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.

Monica's gecko
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Pachydactylus
Species:
P. monicae
Binomial name
Pachydactylus monicae
Bauer, Lamb & Branch, 2006

Etymology edit

The specific name, monicae, is in honor of Monica Frelow Bauer who is the wife of Aaron M. Bauer.[2]

Habitat edit

Pachydactylus monicae is found in mesic microhabitats near rivers and adjacent rocky outcrops in arid habitats. P. monicae is generally found below elevations of 100 meters, but also can be found on the lower slopes of mountains.[3]

Geographic range edit

P. monicae is found in the Lüdertiz and Karasburg districts of Namibia and the most northwestern part of the Northern Cape in South Africa.[3]

Description edit

Relatively large for its genus, P. monicae may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4.8 cm (1.9 in).[4]

Reproduction edit

P. monicae is oviparous.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Bates, M.F.; Bauer, A.M.; Becker, F. (2020). "Pachydactylus monicae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T196941A139765052. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T196941A139765052.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ 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. (Pachydactylus monicae, p. 182).
  3. ^ a b Bauer, Aaron (2014). Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-919976-96-9.
  4. ^ a b Pachydactylus monicae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 30 December 2018.

Further reading edit

  • Barts, Mirko (2011). "The Thick-toed geckos of Southern Africa. Part XII. Pachydactylus monicae Bauer, Lamb & Branch, 2006". Sauria Terraristik und Herpetologie, Berlin 33 (2): 9–14.
  • Bauer, Aaron M.; Lamb, Trip; Branch, William R. (2006). "A Revision of the Pachydactylus serval and P. weberi Groups (Reptilia: Gekkota: Gekkonidae) of Southern Africa, with the Description of Eight New Species". Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Fourth Series 57 (23): 595–709. (Pachydactylus monicae, new species, pp. 664–667 + Figures 82–87 on pp. 634–637).