Blanc's dwarf gecko

Blanc's dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus blanci) is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to central Madagascar.[2] They are the least known species of dwarf geckos in Madagascar.[3] Blanc's dwarf geckos are one out of eleven gecko species that are protected in Madagascar. Hence, collecting them is only allowed with an appropriate permit.[4]

Blanc's dwarf gecko
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Lygodactylus
Species:
L. blanci
Binomial name
Lygodactylus blanci

Etymology

Both the specific name, blanci, and the common name, Blanc's dwarf gecko, are in honor of French herpetologist Charles Pierre Blanc (born 1933).[5]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of L. blanci is large rocks.[2] Blanc's dwarf geckos also use buildings and tall trees near freshwater wetlands as their habitat. This species has been observed to be adapted to human environments.[4]

Description

A large species for its genus, L. blanci may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of almost 4 cm (1.6 in).[2] Blanc's dwarf geckos have whorled tails.[2] The throat is usually spotted, which can lead to the formation of longitudinal lines.

Reproduction

Lygodactylus blanci is oviparous.[2] Based on the observations of locals in Madagascar, this species appears to be most active during the month of October and eggs are seen in January and February.[4]

Threats

Mining, logging, wood harvesting, and habitat changes are some of the threats Blanc's dwarf gecko faces to sustain its existence.[1]

References
  1. Raxworthy, C.J.; Vences, M. (2010). "Lygodactylus blanci". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T178577A7574137. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T178577A7574137.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Lygodactylus blanci at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 May 2013.
  3. Randrianantoandro, C.; Hobinjatovo, T. (2011). "New distribution record of Lygodactylus blancae, a poorly known dwarf gecko from Madagascar". Herpetology Notes. 4: 233–237.
  4. Rakotondrazafy, Andry Malalan’Ny Aina; Miguel Vences (2011). "New observations of Blanc's dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus blancae Pasteur, 1995) from the central highlands of Madagascar" (PDF). Herpetology Notes. 4: 409–412. S2CID 198947678.
  5. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Lygodactylus blanci, p. 26).

Further reading
  • Glaw F, Vences M (2006). A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar, Third Edition. Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlag. 496 pp. ISBN 978-3929449037.
  • Pasteur G (1967). "Note préliminaire sur les geckos du genre Lygodactylus rapportés par Charles Blanc du Mont Ibity (Madagascar)". Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 39: 439–443. (Lygodactylus blanci, new species). (in French).
  • Puente M, Glaw F, Vieites DR, Vences M (2009). "Review of the systematics, morphology and distribution of Malagasy dwarf geckos, genera Lygodactylus and Microscalabotes (Squamata: Gekkonidae)". Zootaxa 2103: 1–76. (Lygodactylus blanci, p. 37).
  • Rösler (2000). "Kommentierte Liste der rezent, subrezent und fossil bekannten Geckotaxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha)". Gekkota 2: 28–153. (Lygodactylus blanci, p. 92). (in German).
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