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Wahlberg's velvet gecko (Homopholis wahlbergii) is a species of large gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species occurs exclusively in Southern Africa.
| Wahlberg's velvet gecko | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Homopholis |
| Species: | H. wahlbergii
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| Binomial name | |
| Homopholis wahlbergii (A. Smith, 1849)
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| Distribution in south-east Africa according to the IUCN.
Extant (resident)
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| Synonyms[3] | |
Etymology edit
The specific name, wahlbergii, is in honour of Swedish naturalist Johan August Wahlberg.[4]
Geographic range edit
H. wahlbergii is endemic to Miombo and Mopane bushveld of Botswana, South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. The largest part of its range covers Zimbabwe.[citation needed]
Habitat edit
H. wahlbergii shelters under tree bark, rocks, empty bird nests, and other places in coastal bush and mesic and arid savannas.[1]
Description edit
Wahlberg's velvet gecko is so called because the skin looks and feels like velvet. The back varies from dark grey to soft grey-brown and may be crossed with paler chevrons or crossbars or have mottled paler areas nestled along the centre of its back and spine.[5] Adults may attain a total length (including tail) of 21 cm (8.3 in), but average total length is 14–18 cm (5.5–7.1 in).[citation needed]
Behaviour edit
H. wahlbergii is nocturnal; however, it has been observed to occasionally be active during the day.[1] It ventures far from its usual roost only at night, when courtship generally occurs.[citation needed] It is frequently found in baobab trees and in the roofs and walls of traditional mud-huts and other human dwellings.[5]
Diet edit
H. wahlbergii is mainly insectivores.[1] Beetles make up the majority of its diet, with butterflies making up the next largest proportion, although it can also consume millipedes.[6]
Breeding edit
Males and females of H. wahlbergii exhibit little to no sexual dimorphism.[6] Females reproduce annually once they reach sexual maturity.[6] The female lays pairs of large, hard-shelled eggs that start soft and adhesive. Egg length, 17–19 mm (0.67–0.75 in), is not correlated to maternal length.[6] These eggs are concealed under bark overhangs or in rock crevices.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Bates MF, Branch WR (2018). "Homopholis wahlbergii". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T120696043A115894707. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T120696043A115894707.en. Downloaded on 22 October 2020.
- ^ Bates MF; et al. (Alexander, G.J., Conradie, W., Pietersen, D., Tolley, K.A., Weeber, J. & Branch WR) (2022). "Homopholis wahlbergii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T120696043A197429420. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T120696043A197429420.en. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ Species Homopholis walbergii at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ 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. (Homopholis wahlbergii, p. 278).
- ^ a b c Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Homopholis wahlbergii, pp. 244–245 + Plate 90).
- ^ a b c d Whiting MJ, Reaney LT, Keogh JS (2007). "Ecology of Wahlberg's velvet gecko Homopholis wahlbergii in southern Africa". African Zoology 42: 38-44.
Further reading edit
- Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. Geckonidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I-XXXII. (Homopholis wahlbergii, p. 191).
- Branch, Bill [in French] (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa (2nd ed.). Cape Town: Struik. ISBN 1868726193.
- Smith A (1849). Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa:" Together with a Summary of African Zoology, and an Inquiry into the Geographical Ranges of Species in that Quarter of the Globe. [Volume III. Reptilia.] London: Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). Plates with unnumbered pages of text. (Geko wahlbergii, new species, Plate 75).