{"id":2886,"date":"2020-01-15T15:53:23","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T15:53:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/?page_id=2886"},"modified":"2023-02-07T19:07:10","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T19:07:10","slug":"saurodactylus_mauritanicus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/ficha\/saurodactylus_mauritanicus\/","title":{"rendered":"Species page of Saurodactylus mauritanicus"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Morocco Lizard-fingered Gecko
\nSaurodactylus mauritanicus<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(Dum\u00e9ril & Bibron, 1836)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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By\u00a0Wouter Beukema<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Updated:\u00a09\/06\/2013<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Taxonomy: Gekkota | Sphaerodactylidae | Saurodactylus | Saurodactylus mauritanicus<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Saurodactylus
Saurodactylus mauritanicus. Ain Sfa. Photo: \u00a9 Wouter Beukema<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Range<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0\u00a0Saurodactylus mauritanicus<\/span><\/p>\n

Distribution map of
\nSaurodactylus mauritanicus<\/span>
\nin Morocco.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Gallery: 0 photos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Phylogenetic frame<\/h2>\n

As part of their monographic work, Dumer\u00edl & Bibron (1836) described\u00a0Gymnodactylus mauritanicus<\/span>\u00a0based on specimens originating from Algiers, Algeria. Only a few years later Fitzinger (1843) transferred this species to the genus\u00a0Saurodactylus<\/span>, of which it has been part ever since. Bons & Pasteur (1957) attributed the name\u00a0S.\u00a0m.\u00a0brosseti<\/span>\u00a0to the allopatric populations occurring in south-western Morocco, which are now recognized at species level as\u00a0S.\u00a0brosseti<\/span>\u00a0(Bons & Geniez, 1996). Genetic variation within\u00a0S. mauritanicus<\/span>\u00a0is minimal according to mtDNA and nuclear analyses (Rato & Harris, 2008), which is likely a result of the largely continuous distribution and wide environmental tolerances of this species.<\/p>\n

Description<\/h2>\n

Saurodactylus mauritanicus<\/span>\u00a0is a minute gecko which measures up to 60 mm total length, which makes it the smallest species in the genus (Bons & Pasteur, 1957). Dorsal scale rows range from 70-90. Scales are relatively granular. Snout vent length is slightly smaller than tail length. Tail tapers to a fine point. Subcaudal scales of the non-regenerated tail are large and transversely rectangular shaped, while those of regenerated tails are even slightly larger and irregular-shaped. Between 14-20 lamellae are present under the 4th toe.<\/p>\n

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\"Saurodactylus<\/p>\n

Saurodactylus mauritanicus<\/span>. Ras Kebdana. Photo: \u00a9 Wouter Beukema.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Dorsal colouration varies from greyish to brown or bronze, interspersed by vague dark brown or black patches. This pattern can be highly restricted, with individuals being nearly uniform coloured. Cream to yellow coloured ocelli are often present on the entire body, which are especially conspicuous in juveniles. The tail is either yellowish (older individuals), yellow or bright orange (younger individuals) with a similar pattern as the dorsum, although the ocelli are usually much larger. Additionally, larger dark stripes can be present on the tail. The lower flanks and underside are lighter coloured than the dorsum.<\/p>\n

Ecology and habits<\/h2>\n

All members of the genus\u00a0Saurodactylus<\/span>\u00a0are highly cryptic species which spend considerable amounts of time hidden under large stones. Juveniles are readily encountered, in contrast to adult individuals. Their behaviour is largely crepuscular, with general activity taking place during sundown (Bons& Geniez, 1996). Coastal populations remain active year-round as long as temperatures are favourable, while inland populations generally spend several months in hibernation (Pers. obs.). Females can lay up to eight clutches of a single egg per year in captivity, which are deposited in self-dug tunnels (Joger\u00a0et al<\/em>., 2009). The diet of\u00a0Saurodactylus<\/span>\u00a0species has reported to consist mainly of beetles (Bons & Pasteur, 1957).<\/p>\n

Distribution, habitat and abundance<\/h2>\n

Saurodactylus mauritanicus<\/span>\u00a0occurs in north-eastern Morocco, north and north-western Algeria and Spain; Melilla and the Chafarinas Islands (Bons & Geniez, 1996). In Albor\u00e1n Island, where it was found in 1997, it has never been found again despite the many prospections done in the island so it could have been an involuntary introduction which was unsuccessful (Paracuellos\u00a0et al.<\/span>, 2005; M. Paracuellos, pers. comm.). Within Morocco, this species occurs from the northern foothills of the Rif Mountains (where the exact western distribution limit is not known), eastwards through the arid eastern Rif. The southern limit is formed by the Middle Atlas (Barata\u00a0et al<\/em>., 2011) and the Haut Plateaux. Populations occur from sea level up to 1200 m in the eastern Rif Mountains and BeniSnassen Massif.<\/p>\n

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\"Saurodactylus<\/p>\n

Habitat. Ain Sfa. Photo: \u00a9 Wouter Beukema.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Saurodactylus<\/p>\n

Habitat near Ras Kebdana. Photo: \u00a9 Wouter Beukema.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Habitats which\u00a0S. mauritanicus<\/span>\u00a0occupies are generally semi-arid to arid, while being characterized by sparse vegetation and an abundance of stones (Fahd & Pleguezuelos, 1996). Individuals have also been found in dune ecosystems and open coniferous- or\u00a0Eucalyptus<\/span>\u00a0forests. Where it is found, this species is often moderately to highly abundant (Werner, 1931). The continuous distribution and general abundance of\u00a0S. mauritanicus<\/span>\u00a0motivated Joger\u00a0et al<\/em>. (2009) to list this species as \u2018Least Concern\u2019 on the IUCN Red List.<\/p>\n

References<\/h3>\n