Brazilian pygmy gecko explained

The Brazilian pygmy gecko (Chatogekko amazonicus) is a species of South American lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is monotypic in the genus Chatogekko.^[1] It grows to a maximum total length (including tail) of only 24mm. It is found in leaf litter on the forest floor, and preys on springtails and mites.^{[2] [3]} The species is oviparous.

The gecko's skin is highly hydrophobic, to the degree that Chatogekko amazonicus is able to avoid drowning in rainstorms despite its small size, and even float on water.^[4]

The following cladogram presented by Gamble et al. in 2011 represents phylogenetic relationships among the genera of sphaerodactyl geckos which were recognized as being valid at that time.^[1]

Further reading

• Andersson LG (1918). "New Lizards from South America. Collected by Nils Holmgren and A. Roman". Arkiv för Zoologi 1 (16): 1–9. (Sphærodactylus amazonicus, new species, pp. 1–2).

Notes and References

1. Gamble, Tony. Daza, Juan D.. Colli, Guarino R.. Vitt, Laurie J.. Bauer, Aaron M..

   fr:Aaron Matthew Bauer

   . 2011. A new genus of miniaturized and pug-nosed gecko from South America (Sphaerodactylidae: Gekkota). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 163. 4. 1244–1266. 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00741.x. 22125341. 3223738. (Chatogekko, new genus).
2. Book: Pianka, Eric R.. Vitt, Laurie J.. Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity. Oakland, California. University of California Press. 2006. 186. 978-0-520-24847-2.
3. Book: Zug, George R..

   de:George Robert Zug

   . Vitt, Laurie J.. Caldwell, Janalee P.. Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles, Second Edition. San Diego, California. Academic Press. 2001. 480. 978-0-12-782622-6.
4. Web site: BBC One - Life, Reptiles and Amphibians, Floating lizard . 2022-06-05 . BBC . 22 October 2009 . en-GB.