''Mokopirirakau galaxias'' is a species of
gecko
Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates. They range from .
Geckos are unique among lizards ...
that is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...
to New Zealand. Its Māori name is ''hura te ao''. It is in the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
Diplodactylidae
The Diplodactylidae are a Family (biology), family in the suborder Gekkota (geckos), with over 150 species in 25 Genus, genera. These geckos occur in Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Diplodactylids are the most ecologically diverse and ...
. Genetic analysis suggests that its closest relatives are the clade comprising the
forest gecko (''Mokopirirakau granulatus'') and the
black-eyed gecko (''Mokopirirakau kahutarae'').
It was discovered in 2018 in alpine greywacke rock outcrops in
North Otago
North Otago is an area in New Zealand that covers the area of the Otago region between Shag Point and the Waitaki River, and extends inland to the west as far as the village of Omarama (which has experienced rapid growth as a developing centre f ...
.
It has been found in two mountain ranges in the
Oteake Conservation Park. The holotype was collected in the Ida Range.
This gecko is
nocturnal
Nocturnality is a ethology, behavior in some non-human animals characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnality, diurnal meaning the opposite.
Nocturnal creatur ...
, and is notable for the small bright spots on its back that resemble stars.
See also
*
Geckos of New Zealand
Dozens of species of gecko are found in New Zealand. The exact number is unknown; as of 2021, there are 48 described species across 7 genera, with more being studied. All are native to New Zealand and are endemic (i.e., found nowhere else). All ...
References
External links
* ''Mokopirirakau galaxias'' discussed on
RNZ ''
Critter of the Week
''Critter of the Week'' is a weekly RNZ National programme about endangered and neglected native plants and animals of New Zealand.
Beginning in 2015, ''Critter of the Week'' is an approximately 15-minute discussion between Nicola Toki (origi ...
''
2 June 2023
Mokopirirakau
Endemic reptiles of New Zealand
Reptiles described in 2021
Taxa named by Carey Knox
{{Diplodactylidae-stub