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Cape Cross thick-toed gecko

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Cape Cross thick-toed gecko
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Pachydactylus
Species:
P. kochii
Binomial name
Pachydactylus kochii
Synonyms[2]
  • Pachydactylus kochii
    V. FitzSimons, 1959
  • Colopus kochi
    Bauer & Lamb, 2005

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

Etymology

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The specific name, kochii, is in honor of Austrian-born South African entomologist Charles Koch.[3]

Geographic range

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P. kochii is found in Namibia and in South Africa (southern Namaqualand).[2]

Habitat

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The preferred natural habitats of P. kochii are desert and savanna, at altitudes of 10–800 m (33–2,625 ft).[1]

Description

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Adults of P. kochii have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in). The body is slender. Dorsally, the ground color is grayish with a lavender tinge, and there are five reddish-brown crossbands. Ventrally it is white.[4]

Behavior

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P. kochii is terrestrial. It shelters in burrows dug by other animals.[1]

Reproduction

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P. kochii is oviparous.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Bauer AM, Becker F (2020). "Pachydactylus kochii ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T196910A110201704.en. Accessed on 28 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Pachydactylus kochii " The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ 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. (Colopus kochii, p. 144).
  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. (Pachydactylus kochii, p. 254 + Plate 80).

Further reading

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  • 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. (Colopus kochii, new combination, p. 105).
  • FitzSimons V (1959). "Some new reptiles from southern Africa and southern Angola". Annals of the Transvaal Museum 23: 405–409. (Pachydactylus kochii, new species, p. 405).
  • Rösler H (1995). Geckos der Welt – Alle Gattungen [= Geckos of the World – All Genera ]. Leipzig: Urania. 256 pp. (Pachydactylus kochii, p. 136). (in German).