Phyllodactylus nocticolus
Dixon, 1964
Peninsula Leaf-Toed Gecko
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.100392
Element CodeARACD04011
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyGekkonidae
GenusPhyllodactylus
SynonymsPhyllodactylus xanti nocticolusDixon, 1964
Other Common NamesLeaf-toed Gecko (EN)
Concept ReferenceBlair, C., F. R. Méndez de la Cruz, A. Ngo, J. Lindell, A. Lathrop, and R. W. Murphy. 2009. Molecular phylogenetics and taxonomy of leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylidae: Phyllodactylus) inhabiting the peninsula of Baja California. Zootaxa 2027:28-42.
Taxonomic CommentsPhyllodactylus xanti nocticolus and P. x. xanti have been treated as distinct species by some authors, but Grismer (2002) identified a broad zone of intergradation between these nominal taxa and treated them as pattern classes of P. xanti. Stebbins (2003) also regarded them as conspecific (subspecies). de Queiroz and Reeder (in Crother 2012) cited Blair et al. (2009) and older studies in recognizing Phyllodactylus xanti and P. nocticolus as distinct species (the latter taxon is the one in the United States).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2016-08-13
Change Date1996-10-31
Edition Date2016-08-13
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Rank ReasonsLarge range in California and Baja California; many occurrences and locations; presumed large population size; no major threats.
Range Extent CommentsRange extends from southern California, from north of Palm Springs, south to southern Baja California (but does not include the southernmost part of Baja California; Blair et al. 2009), including more than 30 islands in Gulf of California and Islas Magdalena and Santa Margarita off the west coast of Baja California (Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003). Elevational range extends from sea level to about 610 meters (2,000 feet) (Stebbins 2003). Range extent is somewhat less than 100,000 sq km.
Occurrences CommentsThis species has been documented in hundreds of sites that are well distributed throughout the historical range.
Threat Impact CommentsNo major threats have been identified.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
This lizard inhabits rocky areas (volcanic and granitic; ranging from talus and bedrock/boulder habitats to exfoliating slabs to beach cobble); occupied vegetation types include desert scrub, thornscrub, and broken chaparral; sometimes the species can be found under fallen columnar cacti or hidden among other plant material (Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003). When active at night, it may range into dunes or sandy arroyos and may forage on tree trunks or walls of buildings (Grismer 2002). Eggs are laid in crevices among rocks or under exfoliating bark (Grismer 2002).
Terrestrial HabitatsShrubland/chaparralDesert
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| California | SNR | Yes |
Roadless Areas (1)
California (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|
| Caliente | Cleveland National Forest | 5,953 |
References (8)
- Blair, C., F. R. Méndez de la Cruz, A. Ngo, J. Lindell, A. Lathrop, and R. W. Murphy. 2009. Molecular phylogenetics and taxonomy of leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylidae: <i>Phyllodactylus</i>) inhabiting the peninsula of Baja California. Zootaxa 2027:28-42.
- Collins, J. T. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. 3rd ed. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp.
- Crother, B. I. (editor). 2012. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 7th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 39:1-92.
- Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
- Dixon, J. R. 1969. <i>Phyllodactylus xanti</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 79.1.1-79.2.
- Grismer, L. L. 2002. Amphibians and reptiles of Baja California including its Pacific islands and islands in the Sea of Cortes. University of California Press, Berkeley. xiii + 399 pp.
- Murphy, R. W.. 1983. Paleobiogeography and genetic differentiation of the Baja California herpetofauna. Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Sciences 137:1-48.
- Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.