Christinus guentheri explained
Christinus guentheri is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae (geckos). The species is endemic to two Australian islands, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.
Common names
C. guentheri has the common names Günther's island gecko, Lord Howe Island gecko, and Lord Howe Island southern gecko.
Taxonomy
The first description of C. guentheri was by Belgian-born British herpetologist George Albert Boulenger, in 1885, as Phyllodactylus guentheri.[1]
Etymology
The specific epithet, guentheri, commemorates German-born British zoologist Albert Günther.[2] [3]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of C. guentheri are forest and rocky areas.
Behavior
C. guentheri is terrestrial, arboreal, and saxicolous (rock-dwelling).
Reproduction
C. guentheri is oviparous.[2] Each adult female lays a single egg, in a communal oviposition site, which may be in a root system, a rock crevice, or a cave.
Conservation status
C. guentheri is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, and by the Australian government's EPBC act.[4]
Further reading
- Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. . (Christinus guentheri, p. 347).
- Wells RW, Wellington CR (1984) ("1983"). "A Synopsis of the Class Reptilia in Australia". Australian Journal of Herpetology 1 (3-4): 73–129. (Christinus guentheri, new combination, p. 75).
- Wilson S, Swan G (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. .
External links
- Web site: Christinus guentheri . Species Profile and Threats Database. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. 2009-01-26.
Notes and References
- [George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]
- Web site: Christinus guentheri . The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. 2009-01-26.
- [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
- Web site: Christinus guentheri . Species Profile and Threats Database. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. 2009-01-26.
