1/23

Cyrtopodion scabrum / Karinalı Keler / Rough Bent-toed Gecko, Rough-tailed Gecko

Cyrtopodion scabrum / Karinalı Keler / Rough Bent-toed Gecko, Rough-tailed Gecko

Cyrtopodion scabrum / Karinalı Keler / Rough Bent-toed Gecko, Rough-tailed Gecko [Adult / Erişkin] from Şanlıurfa.


A nocturnal semi-terrestrial, medium-sized (SVL up to 5.5 cm) with a maximum total length of about 10 cm, relatively slender gecko with long and slender digits and numerous dorsal tubercles. Head is elongately oval, moderately flattened; the eyes are large and prominent with a vertical pupil; the ear opening is small, vertically elliptical. Two pairs of distinctly enlarged postmental scales are present. Limbs are relatively long, the forelimbs carried forwards reach as far as the tip of the snout, the hind limb reaching articulation of neck. The digits are rather long and slender, cylindrical at the base, laterally compressed, without any pectination; with a single series of smooth transverse subdigital lamellae. Body covered with irregular, small, mostly flat scales, with large-trihedral, strongly keeled tubercles, forming 12-14 more or less longitudinal series. Tail is relatively slender, gradually tapered to a fine point, with rows of large spinose trihedral tubercles above, ventrally with a medial row of enlarged transverse plates. The males differ from females in the presence of distinct hemipenial pouches ventrally on the tail base. Ground colour usually creme greyish or brownish, above with a darker pattern consisting of brown irregular spots in more or less distinct longitudinal rows. Ventral side whitish. The coloration becomes more contrasting in the darkness.


This gecko species is distributed from Eritrea throughout Sudan, Egypt, Sinai, Israel, Jordan, Syria, SE Anatolia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Persian Gulf and Iran, to Afghanistan and Pakistan. In SE Anatolia (Turkey), it is known from only Sanliurfa province and has been collected from the vicinity of Seyhmaksut by us. However, the actual distribution may be wider. Due to its close association with human settlements, it is probably spread by human activities.


It occurs mainly in habitats of anthropogenous origin as walls of human settlements, ruins and also on rocky outcrops. Often encountered hunting insects on building walls around lights and windows after nightfall. The females lay usually two hard-shelled eggs in one clutch repeatedly during the year. It feeds on a wide variety of small arthropods.


*****


Kaynaklar/References & Daha Fazla Bilgi için/For More Info: 1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips. 2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition/2nci Baskı, 2008].  


3. AdaMerOs Herptil Türkiye / Turkherptil.


*****


Copyright ©Bayram GÖÇMEN, her hakkı saklıdır*/All rights reserved**. 


*Bu sitede yayınlanan fotoğrafların ve yazıların hakları tarafıma aittir. Fotoğraflar, yazılar ve diğer içeriğin izin alınmadan herhangi bir ortam ve biçimde kullanılması T.C. 5846 sayılı Fikir ve Sanat Eserleri Yasası'na göre suçtur. 


**The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work (photos & info submited by me) contained herein for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited.