Belize leaf-toed gecko explained

The Belize leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus insularis) is a species of gecko native to Belize. It is a small, pale, large headed gecko only found on small islands off Belize's coast and was first described by James R. Dixon in 1960.^[1] This species is currently classified as "vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List.

Description

The Belize leaf-toed gecko is a small, pale, large-headed gecko.^[2] It is nocturnal and emerges from under barks and limbs to feed on insects and other arthropods. Like other geckos it has adhesive friction pads on the toes of each foot.^[3] The gecko emits a sounds similar to a high pitched squeak or click.

Habitat

The gecko lives in trees and can be found in littoral forests on small islands.^[4] It is endemic to lowland Maya forests.^[5] Sub-adults are exclusively found under surface objects while adults are found solely on palm trunks.^[6]

Distribution

The Belize leaf-toed gecko has been recorded on Half Moon Caye, Long Caye, Twin Cayes, Glover's Reef, Crawl Caye, False Caye, Lagoon Caye, Peter Douglas Caye, Ambergris Caye and West Snake Caye off the coast of Belize.^[7]

Elevation

Elevation ranges from sea level to 50 meters.

Reproduction

They are oviparous and typically lay 1 or 2 eggs in a clutch^[8]

Predation

Phyllodactus insularis is known to be preyed upon by rats.

Threats

The IUCN Red List reports that habitat destruction caused by tourism development is a threat to this species. It is also threatened by sea level rise and storm surge.

See also

• Fauna of Belize

Notes and References

1. Dixon . James . The discovery of Phyllodactylus tuberculosus (Reptilia: Sauna) in Central America, the resurrection of P. xanti, and description of a new gecko from British Honduras . Herpetologica . 1960 . 16 . 1 . 1–11 . 3890311.
2. Web site: Half Moon Caye Terrestrial Survey Results and Management Implications. Meerman. J. C.. 1996. Biological Diversity in Belize. October 11, 2017.
3. Web site: The Supratidal Fauna of Twin Cays, Belize. McKeon. C. S.. Feller. I. C.. 2004. Smithsonian Libraries. October 1, 2017.
4. Book: Conservation of Mesoamerican Amphibians and Reptiles . Wilson . L. D. . Townsend, J. H. . Johnson, J. D. . 2010 . Eagle Mountain Publishing . 1 . 9780972015448. Eagle Mountain, Utah.
5. Web site: Edemism in the Maya Forest. Radachowsky. Jeremy. 2002. The Gaps Guide. October 12, 2017.
6. Book: The Amphibians and Reptiles of the Yucatan Peninsula . Julian C. Lee . 1996 . Cornell University Press . Ithaca, New York . xii + 500 pp. + 41 color plates . ResearchGate . en. 2017-10-14.
7. Book: Köhler, Gunther . Reptiles of Central America. 2003. Herpeton. 978-3936180022. English. Offenbach, Germany. 52843681.
8. Book: Bartlett, Richard D.. Geckos: Everything about Selection, Care, Nutrition, Diseases, Breeding, and Behavior. registration . Bartlett. Patricia P.. 1995. Barron's Educational Series. 9780812090826. 43. en.