Stephen's Island gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stephen's Island gecko |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Stephen's Island gecko on Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Toropuku
|
| Species: |
stephensi
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Stephen's Island gecko (Toropuku stephensi), also known commonly as the Cook Strait striped gecko, Stephen's sticky-toed gecko, and the striped gecko, is a species of gecko in the genus Toropuku in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to New Zealand.
Etymology
The genus name, Toropuku, derives from the Maori word for "secret" or "stealthy".
The specific name, stephensi, refers to Stephens Island, New Zealand.
Taxonomy
The holotype of T. stephensi is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Toropuku was believed to be a monotypic genus until the 2020 description of Toropuku inexpectatus.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of T. stephensi are forest and shrubland, at altitudes from sea level to 225 m (738 ft).
Reproduction
T. stephensi is viviparous.
Conservation status
As of 2012 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the Stephen's Island gecko as Nationally Vulnerable under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
In 2020, T. stephensi was split into two species, and so a re-evaluation of its conservation status is necessary as T. stephensi is now believed to be restricted to only three islands.
