Goggia essexi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Goggia
Species:
G. essexi
Binomial name
Goggia essexi
(Hewitt, 1925)
Synonyms[2]
  • Phyllodactylus essexi
    Hewitt, 1925
  • Phyllodactylus lineatus essexi
    — Hewitt, 1937
  • Phyllodactylus essexi
    — Branch, Bauer & Good, 1995
  • Goggia essexi
    — Bauer, Good & Branch, 1997

Goggia essexi, also known commonly as Essex's dwarf leaf-toed gecko, Essex's leaf-toed gecko, and Essex's pygmy gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.[2]

Etymology

The specific name, essexi, is in honor of South African herpetologist Robert Essex.[3]

Geographic range

G. essexi is found in Eastern Cape province, South Africa.[1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of G. essexi is rocky areas in shrubland.[1]

Description

G. essexi is very small for its genus. Adults usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2.0–2.5 cm (0.79–0.98 in), with a tail slightly longer than SVL. The maximum recorded SVL is 2.84 cm (1.12 in).[4]

Reproduction

G. essexi is oviparous.[2] Sexually mature females lay eggs in a communal site under a rock.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c Bates, M.F.; Branch, W.R. (2018). "Goggia essexi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T169698A115655138. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T169698A115655138.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Goggia essexi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  3. ^ 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. (Goggia essexi, p. 85).
  4. ^ a b 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. (Goggia essexi, p. 240 + Plate 108).

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