Lepidodactylus tepukapili

Lepidodactylus tepukapili is a species of gecko, which is known as the Tuvalu forest gecko and is known in the Tuvaluan language as moko or pili.[1] It is the only recorded vertebrate that is endemic to Tuvalu.[2][3] It has been located on Fuagea (also called Fuakea) and on Tepuka.[2][4]

Lepidodactylus tepukapili
Top view of Lepidodactylus tepukapili
Bottom view of Lepidodactylus tepukapili
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Lepidodactylus
Species:
L. tepukapili
Binomial name
Lepidodactylus tepukapili
Zug, Watling, Alefaio, Alefaio, & Ludescher, 2003

Lepidodactylus tepukapili's naming is based upon the Tuvaluan language words for "small lizard" and the island of Tepuka, where specimens were first discovered.[5]

In 2021, the IUCN published its assessment of the Tuvalu forest gecko, classifying it as Critically Endangered due to the ongoing threat of sea-level rise, as related to anthropogenic climate change. The two small low-lying islands on which it occurs average just 2 metres above sea level. IUCN Red List.[6]

References

  1. Randy Thaman; Feagaiga Penivao; Faoliu Teakau; Semese Alefaio; Lamese Saamu; Moe Saitala; Mataio Tekinene & Mile Fonua (2017). "Report on the 2016 Funafuti Community-Based Ridge-To-Reef (R2R)" (PDF). Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the Conservation Status of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) in Tuvalu. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  2. George R. Zug; Dick Watling; Tataua Alefaio; Semese Alefaio & Claudia Ludescher (2003). "A new gecko (Reptilia: Squamata: Genus Lepidodactylus) from Tuvalu, South-central Pacific" (PDF). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 116 (1): 38–46. S2CID 38959270. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-03-04.
  3. Lepidodactylus tepukapili at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  4. "Lepidodactylus tepukapili Zug, Watling, Alefaio, Alefaio & Ludescher" (PDF). polynesian diversity. 12 February 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  5. Lepidodactylus tepukapili. Reptile Database. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  6. Tuvalu Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Ministry of Public Works, Labour, Meteorology and Disaster. Government of Tuvalu. 2020. p. 79. Retrieved February 2, 2022.


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