Teratoscincus roborowskii

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Teratoscincus roborowskii

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Sphaerodactylidae
Genus: Teratoscincus
Species:
T. roborowskii
Binomial name
Teratoscincus roborowskii
Bedriaga, 1906

Teratoscincus roborowskii, commonly known as the Tibetan wonder gecko or Turpan wonder gecko, is a

snout-vent length
of 75.5–93.6 mm (3.0–3.7 in), and adult males tend to have wider heads than adult females.

This

hibernates in its burrow
.

Juveniles of this species are known to curl their tails forwards when threatened, most likely to mimic venomous scorpions and avoid predation. They are also similar in size, color and running patterns to Mesobuthus scorpions, further supporting the idea that they exhibit Batesian mimicry.

Taxonomy

This species was first

molecular and morphological analyses have supported its status as a distinct and valid species. Although the holotype (ZISP 9155) was originally reported to have been collected from the Oasis of Ssatschsheu (Dunhuang) in Gansu, China, this is believed to be an error as newer studies find that the species is absent there. This is likely due to mixing of museum labels while examining the specimen, and the holotype is probably from the Turpan Depression of Xinjiang, China.[4] The species is commonly referred to as the Tibetan or Turpan wonder gecko in reference to its range.[5][6]

Distribution and habitat

View of the desert environment in the Turpan Depression

The Turpan wonder gecko is

microhabitat for the species, providing shelter, foraging and thermoregulation.[6]

Description

Wild individual near the Turpan Eremophyte Botanic Garden

A moderately sized lizard, the adults of this species reach a

common wonder gecko and Przewalski's wonder gecko. Adults have a largely orange background color with irregular dark spots on the upper surface, while the underside and flanks are lighter.[4] Juveniles have thin dark crossbands on the upper surface that are lost with age. Five to eight of these bands may be present on the body and four to six may be on the tail, but most commonly there are seven and five bands on the body and tail respectively. This patterning may be mimicry of Mesobuthus scorpions, which have seven body plates and five tail segments.[9]

Behavior and ecology

This reptile is a

solitary, male-female pairs have been seen emerging from the same burrows. It is a ground-dwelling species that forages mostly near or under vegetation, and may flee towards shrubs if disturbed on bare ground.[6] The species is oviparous, and the females lay clutches of one or two eggs among shrubs.[1]

Diet

Individual eating a ripe caper fruit

This lizard is an

seed coats, which increases germination rate, breaks dormancy and enhances water uptake of the seeds. In addition, the lizard commonly excretes the seeds via defecation in areas suitable for germination.[11]

Burrowing

This gecko is known to excavate and live in burrows, which generally are over 20 cm (7.9 in) deep and have up to four branches but only a single entrance. This depth provides stability in temperature above 0 °C (32 °F), preventing the animal from freezing during hibernation. Burrows less than 20 cm deep are simpler in structure, with a single unbranched tunnel, and most likely are temporary or unfinished burrows. The burrows of adults are wider and larger than those of juveniles, and are mostly within 20 m (66 ft) of the nearest vegetation, whereas burrows of juveniles tend to be closer to and within 5 m (16 ft) plants. Geckos of all ages produce burrows of similar depth.[6]

Mortality and defence

Like other small reptiles, T. roborowskii is a prey item to various animals. Potential predators of this lizard include the

Tartar sand boa. Juveniles may even fall victim to cannibalism, and an adult has been reported to have regurgitated a juvenile in a sack, presumably after the predation had occurred within said sack.[9]

The gecko is known to employ various

venomous scorpion, the comparatively harmless juvenile gecko may be able to deter predators from attacking it. Individuals of all ages may retreat to their burrows or hide under foliage when pursued.[9]

Conservation

The

eyeshines at a single spot" when turning a full circle while holding a flashlight.[9]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T114619348A114619350.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Jacques, von Bedriaga (1906). "Verzeichnis der von der Central-Asiatischen Expedition unter Stabs-Kapitän W. Roborowski in den Jahren 1893-1895 gesammelten Reptilien". Annuaire du Musée Zoologique de l'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint Pétersbourg. 10: 159–200.
  3. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5
    . (Teratoscincus roborowskii, p. 223).
  4. ^
    doi:10.30906/1026-2296-1997-4-1-8-16
    .
  5. ^ "Tibetan Frog-eyed Gecko - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  6. ^
    ISSN 2095-0357
    .
  7. ^
    PMID 37546566
    .
  8. ^ a b Liu, Y; Song, Y.C.; Li, W.R.; Shi, Lei (February 2010). "Sexual dimorphism in head and body size of Teratoscincus roborowskii and its food habits in different seasons". Chinese Journal of Ecology (in Chinese). 29 (2): 333–338.
  9. ^ a b c d Autumn, Kellar; Han, Batur (April 1989). "Mimicry of scorpions by juvenile lizards, Teratoscincus roborowskii (Gekkonidae)". Chinese Herpetological Research. 2 (2): 60–64.
  10. S2CID 88468788
    .
  11. PMID 33635876
    .
  12. S2CID 91890601
    .

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Teratoscincus roborowskii.
  • Leptien, Rolf; Wai Lui (1997). "Ein Gecko von der alten Seidenstraße im Nordwesten Chinas, Teratoscincus roborowskii Von Bedriaga, 1906". [A gecko from the ancient Silk Road in northwest China, Teratoscincus roborowskii Von Bedriaga, 1906] Sauria 19 (2): 3–6. [in German].
  • Rösler, Herbert (2000). "Kommentierte Liste der rezent, subrezent und fossil bekannten Geckotaxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha) ". [Annotated list of extant, subrecent and fossil gecko taxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha)] Gekkota 2: 28–153. (Teratoscincus roborowskii, p. 118). [in German].
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