Diversity
Lepidodactylus
is a genus of geckos consisting of 45 extant species with new species discovered
regularly. They are a part of family
Gekkonidae
and share similar traits with other genera in the family, including their tropical
habitat range. Species of
Lepidodactylus
are widespread amongst the Pacific Islands and are most successful in environments
with little competition from other species. One of the most notable species within
Lepidodactylus
is
Lepidodactylus lugubris
due to their ability to undergo parthenogenesis, making a nearly unisexual species
composed of females with several distinct lineages. The relationship between
L. lugubris
and the rest of the genus is still actively investigated, especially when regarding
ancestry and hybridization amongst species.
Geographic Range
Members of
Lepidodactylus
are found across multiple islands in the Oriental and Australian regions. Evidence
suggests a combination of natural and human-mediated dispersal between the islands,
resulting in different species populations. Asexual populations tend to be more widespread
and evenly distributed throughout islands while sexual populations occupy smaller
regions close to beaches.
L. lugubris
, the asexual species of the genus, can be found as an invasive species in other tropical
regions such as Central America.
- Biogeographic Regions
- oriental
- australian
Habitat
Habitats vary between species of
Lepidodactylus
, especially when comparing sexual versus asexual populations (
L. lugubris
). While both populations can exist together,
L. lugubris
use larger areas of habitat and have a larger range of prey. Sexual populations primarily
live in tropical lagoons and urban centers within islands while asexual populations
are more evenly distributed throughout. Some sexual species, such as
L. pantai
, are limited in their habitat ranges based on species richness and do better with
low species diversity Both populations are active during the evenings when they hunt
for prey and hide during the day in small shelters such as holes, bark, and cracks.
Moreover,
L. lugubris
is considered an invasive species on many islands.
- Habitat Regions
- tropical
- terrestrial
- Terrestrial Biomes
- rainforest
Systematic and Taxonomic History
Lepidodactylus
was first described in 1843 by Leopold Fitzinger. The genus is in the family
Gekkonidae
and evidence to support this arrangement remains strong.
Physical Description
Lepidodactylus
species are small geckos, with the smallest species in the genus having a snout the
size of 33mm. They are primarily tan, grey, and/or brown and their patterns differ
between species. Most patterns consist of repetitive stripes and spots that blend
well into their environments. Some members of the genus, such as
L. lugubris
, have small spines on their tails. Other species can differ in head size, tail size,
and scansor morphology.
- Other Physical Features
- ectothermic
- Sexual Dimorphism
- sexes alike
Reproduction
Sexual species of
Lepidodactylus
are known to mate with multiple conspecifics and males may exhibit aggression towards
other males to defend mates.
L. lugubris
reproduces asexually through parthenogenesis. The number of clutches laid can alter
based on dominance hierarchies between
L. lugubris
, with dominant females laying more clutches per year.
- Mating System
- polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Mating behaviors differ between the bisexual species of
Lepidodactylus
and the asexual species,
L. lugubris
.
L. lugubris
is parthenogenetic and reproduces by cloning, with all offspring genetically identical
to the parent. Nearly all offspring are female and are limited to two eggs per clutch,
reproducing year-round. Males within the species are rare and are often infertile.
Female members of
L. lugubris
have been documented breeding with other male species of
Lepidodactylus
, suggesting hybridization. Sexual species of
Lepidodactylus
are more aggressive and compete for mates, unlike the asexual species.
- Key Reproductive Features
- seasonal breeding
- year-round breeding
- parthenogenic
- sexual
- asexual
- oviparous
Lepidodactylus
species have similar investments to other geckos within
Gekkonidae
. Eggs are adhered to surfaces above the ground to prevent predation and are abandoned
after being laid.
L. lugubris
, the asexual
Lepidodactylus
species, prefer to lay their clutches in preexisting nest sites already containing
other eggs.
- Parental Investment
- no parental involvement
Lifespan/Longevity
Lepidodactylus
species have been documented living between 2-4 years in captivity and in rare cases,
up to 5 years. Currently, there are not a lot of data about the lifespan of wild
Lepidodactylus
species.
Behavior
Lepidodactylus
species are typically solitary, with
L. lugubris
being known to establish dominance hierarchies in small populations. Dominance hierarchies
influence habitat and resource usage as well as fecundity, with dominant females generally
consuming more prey and having more clutches per year than subordinate females. Sexual
species of
Lepidodactylus
are more likely to show intraspecific aggression, especially if they are of the same
sex. Aggressive behaviors are used to defend mates, resources, and shelters. Asexual
and sexual populations alike have been documented coexisting together without conflict
and can occasionally hybridize. Like many other gecko species, members of
Lepidodactylus
can voluntarily drop their tails if threatened and can subsequently regrow them.
Lepidodactylus
species are most active during dusk and dawn when they hunt.
- Key Behaviors
- arboreal
- crepuscular
- solitary
- dominance hierarchies
Communication and Perception
Lepidodactylus species are primarily visual species and use body language to communicate with others. Both sexual and asexual species show aggression via lunging toward others. Dominant females within the asexual species L. lugubris exhibit these behaviors more often than subordinate females. Similar to other gecko genera, Lepidodactylus species are ambush predators and rely on sight to detect prey. L. lugubris has also been documented to avoid areas contaminated with feces compared to bisexual species, making L. lugubris less susceptible to parasites. The exact mechanisms for recognizing feces remain unknown, however.
Although there are not a lot of data on individual
Lepidodactylus
species in regards to vocalization, species within the genus are known to make chirping
noises. Chirps may be used similarly to other
Gekkonidae
species to warn others in the area of their presence and to communicate.
Food Habits
Species of
Lepidodactylus
prey on amphipods, insects, and other arthropods.
L. lugubris
are known to be generalists and feed on a wider variety of invertebrates than sexual
species, although sexual species tend to hunt larger prey.
- Primary Diet
-
carnivore
- insectivore
- eats non-insect arthropods
Predation
Lepidodactylus
species, similar to other
Gekkonidae
species, have the ability to drop their tails if threatened by a predator. This ability
can be used to escape if caught, or the tail can be dropped in advance to distract
a potential predator because the tail wiggles for a brief period of time after being
detached.
Lepidodactylus
species also have cryptic coloration to match tree bark, rock, and other textures
in their environment to avoid being detected. Larger lizards are known predators to
Lepidodactylus
species.
- Anti-predator Adaptations
- cryptic
Ecosystem Roles
There are not a lot of data on the specific ecological roles of
Lepidodactylus
species. However, some species, such as
L. pantai
, are known to live in areas of low species diversity to occupy higher niches in smaller
food webs. They are often unsuccessful in establishing populations in communities
with several lizard species, as they become widely preyed on.
Lepidodactylus
species as a whole are predators of insects and arthropods and are prey for larger
lizards within their ecosystems.
L. lugubrs
members are invasive in certain regions. Although specific details of their impacts
on non-native ecosystems have not been studied, typical implications of invasive species
hold for these populations, such as increased competition and biodiversity loss.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Although several species in
Lepidodactylus
do not have significant positive effects on humans,
L. lugubris
is an exception. Because
L. lugubris
have the ability to clone themselves, they are useful in lab settings.
L. lugubris
are also known to be kept recreationally as pets and can thrive under human care.
- Positive Impacts
- pet trade
- research and education
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Some species of
Lepidodactylus
are invasive in certain regions, notably
L. lugubris
. However, the effects of these populations on humans are not well-understood. Typical
implications of invasive species are present such as competition with local fauna,
although it is not clear if there are adverse effects on humans.
Conservation Status
Generally, the conservation status of
Lepidodactylus
species is of Least Concern or listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List.
L. listeri
was classified as Extinct in the wild in 2017 after being Critically Endangered in
2014 despite efforts to protect the species. The reintroduction of the species to
the wild was not deemed practical due to wolf snake (
Lycodon
) predation.
L. listeri
remains the only species in the genus to be classified as Extinct in the wild.
Other Comments
The common name of
L. lugubris
, the mourning gecko, has an interesting origin due to the species being entirely
female. The species communicates through chirps, and it was said the chirps were the
mourning of a lack of a mate.
Additional Links
Contributors
Janna Novak (author), Colorado State University, Audrey Bowman (editor), Colorado State University, Sydney Collins (editor), Colorado State University.
- oriental
-
found in the oriental region of the world. In other words, India and southeast Asia.
- introduced
-
referring to animal species that have been transported to and established populations in regions outside of their natural range, usually through human action.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- Australian
-
Living in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea and associated islands.
- introduced
-
referring to animal species that have been transported to and established populations in regions outside of their natural range, usually through human action.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- tropical
-
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
- terrestrial
-
Living on the ground.
- rainforest
-
rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.
- ectothermic
-
animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature
- polygynandrous
-
the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.
- seasonal breeding
-
breeding is confined to a particular season
- year-round breeding
-
breeding takes place throughout the year
- parthenogenic
-
development takes place in an unfertilized egg
- sexual
-
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
- asexual
-
reproduction that is not sexual; that is, reproduction that does not include recombining the genotypes of two parents
- oviparous
-
reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.
- arboreal
-
Referring to an animal that lives in trees; tree-climbing.
- crepuscular
-
active at dawn and dusk
- solitary
-
lives alone
- dominance hierarchies
-
ranking system or pecking order among members of a long-term social group, where dominance status affects access to resources or mates
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- cryptic
-
having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.
- pet trade
-
the business of buying and selling animals for people to keep in their homes as pets.
- carnivore
-
an animal that mainly eats meat
- insectivore
-
An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.
References
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