Afroedura leoloensis

ReptiliaSquamataGekkonidaeAfroedura
Written By Gary Nicolau

Sekhukhuneland Flat Gecko

Alternative Names
Leolo Flat Gecko (English)
Sekhukhuneland Platgeitjie (Afrikaans)

Species: Afroedura leoloensis Jacobsen, Kuhn, Jackman & Bauer, 2014

Distribution: South Africa (Limpopo; Mpumalanga)
Distribution extended: Endemic to the Leolo Hills and the outcrops above Steelpoort River.

Type Locality: “Farm Hendriksplaats 281KT, 24° 38' S, 30° 08' E, Lydenburg District, (2430CA) Mpumalanga Province, Republic of South Africa.” (Jacobsen et al. 2014).

Habitat: Savanna
Habitat extended: Apparently limited to norite and granitic formations. Sekhukhune Mountain, Bushveld (SVcb 28) and Leolo Summit Sourveld (GM 20) (Mucina & Rutherford 2006).

 

Natural History: Locally abundant. Rupicolous (rock-dwelling) species, seeking refuge in tight crevices or underneath rocks. They are primarily nocturnal and feed on insects and likely other arthropods.

Biology: Oviparous (2 eggs: 8.9–9.0 x 6.1–6.4 mm with a mass of 0.2 g)

Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, this species is classified as "Least Concern," indicating that it is not currently considered to be at high risk of extinction.

Additional information
ReptileDatabase - (See here)
IUCN Red List (See here)
iNaturalist (See here)

LITERATURE

  • Bates, M.F. 2018. Afroedura leoloensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T110191406A110191414. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T110191406A110191414.en. Downloaded on 06 April 2021.

  • Jacobsen NHG. 1992. Flat geckos (genus Afroedura) in the Transvaal. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 40: 22-25.

  • Jacobsen NHG, Kuhn AL, Kuhn AL, Jackman TR, Bauer AM. 2014. A phylogenetic analysis of the southern African gecko genus Afroedura Loveridge (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with the description of nine new species from Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. Zootaxa 5;3846(4):451-501. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3846.4.1.

  • Mucina L, Rutherford MC. 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.

Gary Nicolau
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