Cyrtodactylus agusanensis is a nocturnal species, often found on the butresses of trees, exposed root bundles, and rocky outcrops along river drainages.
The genus Cyrtodactylus is characterised by an inflection between the second and third segment of each digit, conferring the common name of Bent-toed gekko. Cyrtodactylus agusanensis is one of the largest species of Bent-toed geckos in the Philippines. This species, as with all Philippine congeners, is cryptically colored, with a light brown to gray ground color overlain with dark brown transverse body bands. Original tails are boldly striped with alternating creamy white and dark gray bands, while regenerated tails are generally a medium gray ground color with variable dark flecking, and lack bands.
Although Taylor (1915, 1922) considered this species rare at the type locality, recent surveys indicate that Cyrtodactylus agusanensis may be quite common throughout its distribution. Due to logistical obsticles, subsiquent surveys to the original type locality in order to assess the local population's status have not been possible. Given the niche specificity of gekkonids, continued habitat loss will likely be the greatest threat facing this taxon. The preservation of large tracts of intact forest, especially those which contain geographically and biologically diverse entities should be a top priority in the future. This strategy, while maintaining the validity of gekkonid populations, will undoubtedly have positive implications for the conservation of a variety of species.
We have evaluated this species against the IUCN criteria for classification, and find that it does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened status. Cyrtodactylus agusanensis has been documented to have a broad geographic distribution and is quite abundant at all sampled localities. We therefore classify this species as Least Concern, LC (IUCN, 2010).
Members of the Cyrtodactylus agusanensis Species Complex can be distinguished from Philippine congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) body long, SVL 70–105 mm; (2) differentiated precloacofemoral pore scales 10–25, noncontinuous; (3) Toe IV subdigital lamellae 23–31; (4) supralabials 7–10; (5) midbody ventrals 53–70; (6) midbody dorsals 87–124; (7) paravertebrals 150–196; (8) postcloacal lateral tubercles 4–11; and (9) dorsal tubercles moderate in size, and present in 14–19 longitudinal rows at midbody, 19–31 paravertebrally. True C. agusanensis can be distinguished from other members of the Complex by: (1) midbody dorsals 111–124; (2) post cloacal lateral tubercles 8–11; and (3) extensive anterior–posterior dorsal band projections.
Cyrtodactylus agusanensis is a cryptically colored species, exhibiting a dorsal ground coloration (of head, body, and limbs) light brown to gray, with indistinct dark brown speckling; head patterning is often indistinct in canthal and temporal regions; head with dark brown longitudinal band extending from posterior margin of eye to nuchal region (running dorsal to auricular opening), then bifurcating and continuing both dorsally along posterior margin of parietal region, as well as on lateral surface through nuchal and into axilla–groin region; trunk with dark brown transverse bands, characterized in axilla–groin and sacral region by longitudinal elongations on either side of vertebral column, conferring a vaguely “bow-tie” shape; laterally, dorsal bands connected by irregularly broken dark brown longitudinal stripe (continuing from head and nuchal region); limbs with medium brown, faded bands and irregular speckling; digits generally light brown with irregular dark bands; ground color of tail light gray just posterior to sacral region, gradually becoming light cream to white distally, and patterned with alternating light and dark bands. Ventral coloration primarily light cream; hands and feet slightly darker. Preserved specimens of this species, as with all similarly colored congeners, fade to a more uniform tan or light brown through time, and often lose much of their doral banding characteristics.
Until recently, this taxon was presumed to occur throughout eastern protions of the Mindanao faunal region, including localities in eastern Mindanao Island, as well as on Samar, Leyte, and Dinagat islands. In 2010 this taxon was shown to be a complex of four distinct evolutionary lineages lineages. The recognized distribution of C. agusanensis is now confined to eastern portions of Mindanao Island, as each of the remaining lineages and have been elevated to full species status.
Like all Philippine Bent-toed gekkos, Cyrtodactylus agusanensis prefers roots overhanging stream banks, from trunks of trees bordering flowing water, and from large boulders in river and stream beds.
Taylor (1915) named Cyrtodactylus agusanensis for the type locality of the taxon, Agusan del sur Province, Mindanao Island, Philippines.
Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex
As with many species of Bent-toed geckos, C. agusanensis can be found in a variety of habitats, including both intact and disturbed forests, but generally along riparian corridors and occasionaly among karst outcrops.
Other members of the Cyrtodactylus agusanensis species Complex are most likely to be confused with true C. agusanensis. However, distribution and subtle differences in morphology among lineages in this Complex allow for relatively easy delineation.
Successful conservation and managemnet of this species relies on the protection of upland raparian corridor habitats.
Although this species does not appear to be in relatively high abundances throughout its distribution, its mostly likely threats come from habitat alteration and loss. As with all Philippine Cyrtodactylus, riparian corridors and karst outcrops are preferred habitats, and essential to the preservation of this species.
Cyrtodactylus agusanensis is a species of gecko endemic to the southern Philippines. It is sometimes considered conspecific with Cyrtodactylus mamanwa.
Cyrtodactylus agusanensis is a species of gecko endemic to the southern Philippines. It is sometimes considered conspecific with Cyrtodactylus mamanwa.
