Monito Gecko
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Monito Gecko
Sphaerodactylus micropithecus
Description
The Monito gecko is a small lizard, only about 1.5 in (4 cm) long when fully grown. It is light to dark gray with a spotty patching of brown and tan. Occasionally individuals have white eye-shaped markings on the back. The tan or dark brown tail contrasts sharply with the body. Juveniles are consistently darker than adults are. The tail, which is easily separated from the body, will regenerate. This gecko is similar in appearance and closely related to the Puerto Rican gecko (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis).
Behavior
Based on similar species and limited observations, Monito geckos are thought to breed between March and November. This species has not been closely studied, and little is known of diet, behavior, or habitat preference.
Habitat
Monito Island is an islet situated halfway between Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, 3 mi (5 km) northwest of Mona Island. It consists of a limestone plateau with a total surface area of less than 38 acres (15 hectares), surrounded by nearly vertical cliffs. The highest elevation on the island is 218 ft (66 m). Cliff bases have been eroded and undercut by wave action. Mean annual rainfall is 31 in (79 cm). The vegetation is a dry scrub, consisting mostly of shrubs, dwarfed trees, and cacti. Monito geckos have been observed sunning on rock piles and have scurried away to hide under rocks and plants.
Distribution
This lizard has been found only on Monito Island. In 1982 personnel from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources surveyed the entire island for the Monito gecko and observed 24 individuals. Because of the rugged topography, this count does not reflect the actual number of geckos on the island but is an indication of its relative rarity.
Threats
The Monito gecko is an extremely rare lizard with a range restricted by the small size of its island home. Never very numerous, it is further threatened by a large population of introduced black rats that are known to prey on young lizards and lizard eggs. After the Second World War, the island was used by the U.S. Air Force as a bombing range, which caused extensive damage to the habitat. Although the vegetation appears to have recovered somewhat, bomb damage is still very evident over much of the island.
Conservations And Recovery
Monito Island is owned by the Puerto Rican Commonwealth and is currently managed as a reserve for seabirds. To limit human disturbance of the habitat, unauthorized visitation of the island has been prohibited. The most pressing need is for some form of rodent control to diminish the rat infestation. In the absence of rats, it is likely that the gecko population would recover and stabilize. In 1985, this species was listed as Endangered under Puerto Rico's Regulation to Govern the Management of Threatened and Endangered Species. The entire island has been designated as Critical Habitat for the Monito gecko.
Contacts
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Regional Office, Division of Endangered Species
1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
http://southeast.fws.gov
Caribbean Field Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 491
Boquerón, Puerto Rico 00622
(809) 851-7297
References
Dodd, C. K., Jr., and P. R. Ortiz. 1983. "An Endemic Gecko in the Caribbean." Oryx 3 (17): 119-121.
Hammerson, G. A. 1984. "Monito Gecko Survey." Department of Natural Resources, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ortiz, P. R. 1982. "Status Survey of the Monito Gecko." Report. Department of Natural Resources, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Schwartz, A. 1977. "A New Species of Sphaerodactylus from Isla Monito, West Indies." Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 4 (90): 985-992.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. "Monito Gecko Recovery Plan." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta.
| Status | |
| Listed | |
| Family | |
| Description | |
| Habitat | |
| Food | |
| Reproduction | |
| Threats | |
| Range |
The Monito gecko is a small lizard, only about 1.5 in (4 cm) long when fully grown. It is light to dark gray with a spotty patching of brown and tan. Occasionally individuals have white eye-shaped markings on the back. The tan or dark brown tail contrasts sharply with the body. Juveniles are consistently darker than adults are. The tail, which is easily separated from the body, will regenerate. This gecko is similar in appearance and closely related to the Puerto Rican gecko (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis).
Behavior
Based on similar species and limited observations, Monito geckos are thought to breed between March and November. This species has not been closely studied, and little is known of diet, behavior, or habitat preference.
Habitat
Monito Island is an islet situated halfway between Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, 3 mi (5 km) northwest of Mona Island. It consists of a limestone plateau with a total surface area of less than 38 acres (15 hectares), surrounded by nearly vertical cliffs. The highest elevation on the island is 218 ft (66 m). Cliff bases have been eroded and undercut by wave action. Mean annual rainfall is 31 in (79 cm). The vegetation is a dry scrub, consisting mostly of shrubs, dwarfed trees, and cacti. Monito geckos have been observed sunning on rock piles and have scurried away to hide under rocks and plants.
Distribution
This lizard has been found only on Monito Island. In 1982 personnel from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources surveyed the entire island for the Monito gecko and observed 24 individuals. Because of the rugged topography, this count does not reflect the actual number of geckos on the island but is an indication of its relative rarity.
Threats
The Monito gecko is an extremely rare lizard with a range restricted by the small size of its island home. Never very numerous, it is further threatened by a large population of introduced black rats that are known to prey on young lizards and lizard eggs. After the Second World War, the island was used by the U.S. Air Force as a bombing range, which caused extensive damage to the habitat. Although the vegetation appears to have recovered somewhat, bomb damage is still very evident over much of the island.
Conservations And Recovery
Monito Island is owned by the Puerto Rican Commonwealth and is currently managed as a reserve for seabirds. To limit human disturbance of the habitat, unauthorized visitation of the island has been prohibited. The most pressing need is for some form of rodent control to diminish the rat infestation. In the absence of rats, it is likely that the gecko population would recover and stabilize. In 1985, this species was listed as Endangered under Puerto Rico's Regulation to Govern the Management of Threatened and Endangered Species. The entire island has been designated as Critical Habitat for the Monito gecko.
Contacts
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Regional Office, Division of Endangered Species
1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
http://southeast.fws.gov
Caribbean Field Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 491
Boquerón, Puerto Rico 00622
(809) 851-7297
References
Dodd, C. K., Jr., and P. R. Ortiz. 1983. "An Endemic Gecko in the Caribbean." Oryx 3 (17): 119-121.
Hammerson, G. A. 1984. "Monito Gecko Survey." Department of Natural Resources, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ortiz, P. R. 1982. "Status Survey of the Monito Gecko." Report. Department of Natural Resources, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Schwartz, A. 1977. "A New Species of Sphaerodactylus from Isla Monito, West Indies." Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 4 (90): 985-992.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. "Monito Gecko Recovery Plan." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta.
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
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Monito Gecko
 |
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2010) |
| Monitor Gecko | |
|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Sphaerodactylus |
| Species: | S. micropithecus |
| Binomial name | |
| Sphaerodactylus micropithecus Schwartz, 1977 |
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The Monito Gecko (Sphaerodactylus micropithecus) is a species of gecko endemic to the island of Monito, in the archipelago of Puerto Rico.
The Monito Gecko is restricted to two locations on Monito: along the island's northwestern shelf over a sea cave, and an area along the northeastern edge in the vicinity of Castle Rock measuring approximately 500 by 300 meters, an area of 0.15 km².It was discovered in May 1974 when a single adult and an egg were collected from the island of Monito.
It is endangered, unlike other Sphaerodactylus species. It is believed that its scarcity may be due to the introduction of rats to Monito and from habitat destruction caused by United States Navy bombing practices after World War II. In 1982, a survey was conducted to establish the population range and size of the species. A total of 18 individuals were observed. For these reasons the species was placed in the endangered species list on October 15, 1982 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
When first described, the Monito Gecko was thought to be closely related to either the Mona Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus monensis), an endemic of the island of Mona located approximately 5 km southeast of Monito or to the Desecheo Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus levinsi) an endemic of the island of Desecheo. Subsequent studies proved that the Monito Gecko is more closely related to S. macrolepis, a species common throughout the Puerto Rican Bank.
Due to the rarity of the species biological information is limited. The Monito Gecko is light-gray to tan in coloration with darker spots on top of the body. The maximum length for this species is 36 mm from snout to vent. Information on the diet of the Monito Gecko is currently unavailable but it is believed that, similar to other geckos, it is an insectivore and/or carnivore. Reproductive information is also limited but it is estimated that breeding season lasts from March to November. It is believed that females lay one or two eggs that hatch in 2 to 3 months. Contrary to the majority of geckos, it is diurnal.
See also
- List of amphibians and reptiles of Puerto Rico
- Fauna of Puerto Rico
- List of endemic fauna of Puerto Rico
References
- Tolson (1996). Sphaerodactylus micropithecus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN D v2.3)
- "Species Account - Monito Gecko". Division of endangered species. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. http://www.fws.gov/endangered/i/c/sac27.html. Retrieved April 10, 2006.[dead link]
- "Monito Gecko". http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/lists/e154007.htm. Retrieved April 10, 2006.
- Sabin, Melinda and Mack, Lisa. "Monito Gecko". Archived from the original on October 27, 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20051027104531/http://www.orecity.k12.or.us/ochs/departments/science/species/monito_gecko.html. Retrieved April 12, 2006.
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