Lygodactylus karamoja
| Karamoja dwarf gecko | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Lygodactylus |
| Species: | L. karamoja
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lygodactylus karamoja | |
Lygodactylus karamoja is a species of dwarf gecko discovered in Uganda in 2023. It is named after the Karamajong people. L. karamoja inhabits "lowland savannahs" in East Africa.[2][3]
Discovery
[edit]After researching in 2015, a team of scientists in Uganda, exploring the rainforest in 2023 found a pregnant dwarf gecko and 7 lizards perched on a tree. They picked it up as a new species.[4]
Distribution
[edit]Lygodactylus karamoja is only known from eastern Uganda.[2][3] It is possible that its true range extends into Kenya and South Sudan.[2]
Description
[edit]Size
[edit]The Karamoja dwarf gecko is relatively large for dwarf geckos, at 3 in (7.6 cm) in length.[2][5]
Appearance
[edit]Karamojas are brown or coral all throughout with yellowish white underside. Its scales have a mix of white, black, and brown shades. 2 black V-shaped marking bands can be found under their heads, pointing forwards.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ a b c d e Lobón-Rovira, Javier; Bauer, Aaron M; Vaz Pinto, Pedro; Trape, Jean-Francois; Conradie, Werner; Kusamba, Chifundera; Júlio, Timóteo; Cael, Garin; Stanley, Edward L; Hughes, Daniel F; Behangana, Mathias; Masudi, Franck M; Pauwels, Olivier S G; Greenbaum, Eli (2024) [2023]. "Integrative revision of the Lygodactylus gutturalis (Bocage, 1873) complex unveils extensive cryptic diversity and traces its evolutionary history". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 201 (2): 447–492. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad123.
- ^ a b Lygodactylus karamoja at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 6 October 2024.
- ^ "New Species Karamoja Dwarf Gecko Found Pregnant in Uganda Forest Along with 4 Other New Gecko Species". Nature World News. 28 September 2023.
In a Ugandan woodland, researchers discovered five new species of geckos, including a Karamoja dwarf gecko that was pregnant. Pregnant Karamoja Dwarf Gecko: A 'dwarf'-like creature was hidden within Uganda's forests. The expectant animal attempted to spend the night atop a tree trunk. Scientists who were passing by noticed the animal was pregnant and found a 'cryptic' new species. According to a recently released report, researchers visited the Karamoja region of central Africa's forests multiple times in 2015.
- ^ a b Pflughoeft, Aspen. "Pregnant 'dwarf'-like creature found on tree in Uganda is 'cryptic' new species". Miami Herald.