Hemidactylus gracilis
Hemidactylus gracilis·Gekkonidae
The graceful leaf-toed gecko (Hemidactylus gracilis) is a small gecko species native to India. It is characterized by its slender body, elongated head with a snout slightly longer than the eye-to-ear distance, and a tail devoid of enlarged tubercles. This species exhibits a grey coloration with distinct black spots and a characteristic black streak edged with white above the eye.
Key Facts
- ›Native to India, with the holotype described from Berar (modern-day Amravati).
- ›Possesses a narrow, elongated head with a snout longer than the eye-to-ear distance.
- ›Body is covered in coarse granules mixed with keeled tubercles, while abdominal scales are large.
- ›Tail is round, slightly depressed at the base, and lacks enlarged or spinose tubercles.
- ›Coloration is grey above with subquadrangular black spots, and a distinctive white-edged black streak passes through the eye.
- ›Whitish underneath, sometimes with grey longitudinal lines.
Graceful Leaf-Toed Gecko
India
- Small-Sized Gecko.
- Head Is Narrow and Elongated.
- Snout Is Slightly Longer Than the Distance Between the Eye and the Ear-Opening.
- Forehead Is Not Concave.
- Ear-Opening Is Small and Roundish.
- Body and Limbs Are Slender.
- Snout Has Polygonal Rugose Scales.
- Back of the Head Has Small Granules.
- Body Is Covered Above With Coarse Granules Intermixed With Oval, Subtrihedral, Strongly Keeled Tubercles Arranged In About Twelve Irregular Longitudinal Series.
- Abdominal Scales Are Large.
- Tail Is Round, Slightly Depressed At the Base, Tapering, and Lacks Any Enlarged Or Spinose Tubercles.
- Coloration Is Grey Above With Subquadrangular Black Spots Arranged In Longitudinal Series.
- Features A Black Streak, White-Edged Above, On the Side of the Head Passing Through the Eye.
- Underside Is Whitish, With Or Without Longitudinal Grey Lines.
About Hemidactylus gracilis
The graceful leaf-toed gecko, scientifically known as Hemidactylus gracilis, is a small species of gecko indigenous to India. Its presence was first formally documented in Berar, a region now part of the Amravati district in India, where the holotype specimen was described.
Physical Characteristics
Hemidactylus gracilis is distinguished by its slender build and an elongated head, featuring a snout that extends slightly beyond the distance between its eye and ear opening. The forehead is not concave, and the ear opening is small and roundish. The gecko's body is covered with coarse granules, interspersed with oval, keeled tubercles arranged in longitudinal series. In contrast, the abdominal scales are notably large. The tail is generally round, though it may be slightly flattened at the base, and it tapers without any enlarged or spiny tubercles. Dorsally, the coloration is grey, punctuated by subquadrangular black spots that form longitudinal patterns. A characteristic marking is a black streak, bordered by white above, running along the side of the head and through the eye. The ventral side is typically whitish, sometimes exhibiting longitudinal grey lines.
Taxonomy and Distribution
While the precise family is commonly Gekkonidae for geckos of this genus, Hemidactylus gracilis is specifically found within India. Its type locality is noted as southeastern Berar and Reipur in the Central Provinces, underscoring its geographical origin within the subcontinent.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name for the graceful leaf-toed gecko?
The scientific name for the graceful leaf-toed gecko is Hemidactylus gracilis. This binomial nomenclature is used to distinguish it within the scientific community.
Where is Hemidactylus gracilis found?
Hemidactylus gracilis is found in India. The original description of the holotype was made in Berar, which is now part of Amravati.
What are the distinctive physical features of Hemidactylus gracilis?
This gecko has a narrow, elongated head with a snout that is slightly longer than the distance between its eye and ear opening. Its body and limbs are slender, and its tail is round with a slight depression at the base, lacking any enlarged or spinose tubercles.
What is the coloration of the graceful leaf-toed gecko?
Hemidactylus gracilis is typically grey on its upper side, marked with subquadrangular black spots arranged in longitudinal series. A notable feature is a black streak, edged with white above, that runs along the side of the head through the eye. Its underside is whitish, occasionally featuring longitudinal grey lines.