Lepidodactylus lugubris explained

Lepidodactylus lugubris, known as the mourning gecko or common smooth-scaled gecko, is a species of lizard, a gecko of the family Gekkonidae.

Description

Lepidodactylus lugubris measure 8.5–10 cm in length including tail (4–4.4 cm snout-to-vent). L. lugubris is cryptically coloured, typically light to dark tan with dark spots down the length of its back and a brown strip from the ear to the tip of the nose. This species is capable of changing color, and so the same individual may appear light or dark at different times during the day.

Behavior and ecology

L. lugubris is primarily nocturnal, but is occasionally encountered exposed but near cover during the day.[1] [2] [3]

This species is nearly all female, and reproduces via parthenogenesis. While males occasionally occur, they are very rare and often sterile.[4] Females lay 1–2 eggs at a time, and glue them to surfaces in protected locations. Clutches are laid every 4–6 weeks.

The obligate parthenogenetic mechanism involves premeiotic endoreplication of the chromosomes.[5]

Distribution

This species is widespread in coastal regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans, including the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Hawai'i, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Australia (Cocos Island), Western Samoa, Guam, the Society Islands, Pitcairn, and the Mascarene Islands.

It has been introduced widely in the Neotropics, including in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador (including the Galapagos), Colombia and Chile, as well as to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean.

Diet

L. lugubris are omnivorous. In the wild, they eat a varied diet of insects, spiders, amphipods, pill bugs, fruit, nectar, pollen, and even their own eggs.[6] They will also feed on jam, sugar, sweetened drinks, and milk, if given the opportunity.[6]

Captivity

L. lugubris are occasionally kept as pets due to their simple care requirements and social nature. Because they are parthenogenic, these geckos reproduce well in captivity and thus most individuals kept as pets are captive-bred.

References

Notes and References

  1. Gamble. Tony. Greenbaum. Eli. Jackman. Todd R.. Bauer. Aaron M.. 2015-08-01. Into the light: diurnality has evolved multiple times in geckos. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 115. 4. 896–910. 10.1111/bij.12536. 0024-4066. free.
  2. Web site: Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris) Tropical Herping. 2021-07-17. www.tropicalherping.com.
  3. Book: McKeown, Sean. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians in the Hawaiian Islands. 1996. Diamond Head Publishing. 0-9650731-0-6. Los Osos, Calif., U.S.A.. 35357345.
  4. Griffing. Aaron. Sanger. Thomas. Matamoros. Itzel. Nielsen. Stuart. Gamble. Tony. 2018-06-29. Protocols for Husbandry and Embryo Collection of a Parthenogenetic Gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Herpetological Review. 49. 230–235.
  5. Dedukh D, Altmanová M, Klíma J, Kratochvíl L . Premeiotic endoreplication is essential for obligate parthenogenesis in geckos . Development . 149 . 7 . April 2022 . 35388415 . 10.1242/dev.200345 .
  6. Web site: Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris) .

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