The forest gecko (Mokopirirakau granulatus) is a species of gecko that is endemic to New Zealand. Granulatus refers to the granular texture of the skin.[3] Its Māori name is moko pirirākau[4][5] ("lizard that clings to trees"). It is found in all parts of the country except the Far North, Marlborough, and Canterbury. It is a protected species under the Wildlife Act 1953.
| Forest gecko | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Diplodactylidae |
| Genus: | Mokopirirakau |
| Species: | M. granulatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mokopirirakau granulatus Gray, 1845
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| Synonyms | |
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Conservation edit
In 2012 the Department of Conservation reclassified the forest gecko as At Risk under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. It was judged as meeting the criteria for At Risk threat status as a result of it having a low to high ongoing or predicted decline. This gecko is also regarded as being Data Poor which indicates the Department of Conservations uncertainty about the listing due to lack of data.[1]
In June 2010 seven forest geckos, four female and three male, were stolen from a wildlife park in Northland.[6]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Hitchmough, Rod; Anderson, Peter; Barr, Ben; Monks, Jo; Lettink, Marieke; Reardon, James; Tocher, Mandy; Whitaker, Tony. "Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2012" (PDF). Department of Conservation. The Government of New Zealand. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ Listed by New Zealand
- ^ Gill, B.J. and Whitaker, A.H. (2001). New Zealand Frogs and Reptiles. David Bateman Limited, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand
- ^ "moko pirirākau". Te Aka Māori Dictionary. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Atlas species information - Mokopirirakau cryptozoicus". www.doc.govt.nz. New Zealand Department of Conservation. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ Eriksen, Alanah May (30 June 2010). "Thousands for stolen geckos on European black market". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
External links edit
- Hoplodactylus granulatus at the New Zealand Herpetological Society
- Hoplodactylus granulatus at the J. Craig Venter Institute