Cyrtodactylus philippinicusis a nocturnal species, often found on the butresses of trees, exposed root bundles, and rocky outcrops along river drainages.
Cyrtodactylus philippinicus is one of the largest species of Philippine Bent-toed gecko, characterized by the presence of prominent and strongly spinose dorsal tubercles, enlarged femoral scales without pores, pore-bearing precloacal scales in males, and a deep precloacal groove in males.
Cyrtodactylus philippinicus is widely distributed throughout much of the Greater Luzon and Mindoro Faunal Regions, as well as northern portions of the Greater Visayan Faunal Region. It is highly abundant throughout its range, suggesting that it is not highly threatened as long as some natural vegetation is preserved in riparian habitats.
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 philippinicus 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).
This species can be diagnosed from all other Philippine Cyrtodactylus by a combination of: (1) maximum snout–vent length 93.6 mm; (2) subcaudal scales undivided; (3) 3 or 6 transverse dorsal bands through axilla–groin region; (4) 17–20 midbody tubercle rows; (5) 7–10 pre-bearing precloacal scales; (6) 2–5 post-cloacal lateral tubercles; (7) "M"-shaped nuchal patterning; (8) distinct lateral tubercle row; (9) generally homogenous tuberculation throughout body; (10) the presence of a preanal groove; and (11) enlarged femoral scales without pores.
Cyrtodactylus philippinicus distributed throughout much of the northern part of the Philippine Archipelago, including Borocay, Calotcot, Catanduanes, Lubang, Luzon, Masbate, Mindoro, Negros, Polillo, Semirara, Sibuyan, and Tablas islands.
Like all Philippine Bent-toed gekkos, Cyrtodactylus philippinicus prefers exposed roots overhanging stream banks, from trunks of trees bordering flowing water, and from large boulders in river and stream beds.
The specific epithet was likely chosen in recognition of the Philippine Archipelago, as all Philippine Cyrtodactylus were included under the original philippinicus taxon.
Visayan (Central) and Luzon Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complexes, as well as many deep-ocean islands and island groups.
Cyrtodactylus philippinicus has been documented in low- and mid-elevation gallery forests and riparian habitats, often on exposed root bundles or tree butresses.
Successful conservation and managemnet of this species relies on the protection of upland raparian corridor habitats.
The mostly likely threats to this species come from habitat alteration and loss. As with all Philippine Cyrtodactylus, upland riparian corridors and karst outcrops are preferred habitats, and essential to the preservation of this species.
Cyrtodactylus philippinicus, commonly known as the Philippine bent-toed gecko[1] or Philippine bow-fingered gecko,[2][3] is a species of gecko in family Gekkonidae.[2]
Cyrtodactylus philippinicus was first described by Austrian zoologist Franz Steindachner in 1867. It was named after its distribution in the Philippines.[2] It is commonly known as the Philippine bent-toed gecko[1] or Philippine bow-fingered gecko.[2][3]
Cyrtodactylus philippinicus is found throughout the northern Philippines. It is common from low- to mid-elevation riparian forests, at elevations of 800 or 900 metres (2,600 or 3,000 ft).[4] Introduced populations exist in Indonesia and Malaysia.[1]
The species is nocturnal, active at night on rocks and boulders, over-hanging stumps and logs, or on root balls of large trees exposed by flowing water.[4]
Cyrtodactylus philippinicus has been evaluated as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution, estimated large population, and stable population trend. It is mainly threatened by deforestation.[1]
This article incorporates text from a scholarly publication published under a copyright license that allows anyone to reuse, revise, remix and redistribute the materials in any form for any purpose: Brown, Rafe; Siler, Cameron; et al. (2013). "The amphibians and reptiles of Luzon Island, Philippines, VIII: the herpetofauna of Cagayan and Isabela Provinces, northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range". ZooKeys (266): 1–120. doi:10.3897/zookeys.266.3982. ISSN 1313-2970. PMC 3591760. PMID 23653519. Please check the source for the exact licensing terms. Cyrtodactylus philippinicus, commonly known as the Philippine bent-toed gecko or Philippine bow-fingered gecko, is a species of gecko in family Gekkonidae.
