Nocturnal. Animals have been observed at night walking slowly on the sand among dense vegetation. Tracks belonging to this species were found on several occasions traversing fairly long distances over soft sand between large bushes and trees, indicating extensive ground activity. During the day, animals have been found sheltering under bark of dead Acacia trees and among roots and dried stumps on large Tamarix phytogenic mounds. Lays up to 4 clutches of 2 eggs, which are buried in shallow soil. An adult female survived 7 years in captivity. Animals reach maturity within one year (in captivity).
Within the genus, the ecology of T. mindiae most closely resembles that of Tarentola neglecta Strauch 1895, which is also a ground-dwelling and arboreal species. In fact, there is some morphological resemblance between the two species; e.g., reduced dilation of digits and a small number of subdigital lamellae (regular cursorial activity), and densely packed dorsal tubercles and dark color (arboreal adaptations). These similarities may indicate convergence.
Least Concern
Medium-sized and robustly built lizard reaching up to 81 mm SVL. Back covered with regular bands of protruding tubercles, those on dorsal surface of tail round and obtuse. Tubercles have a strong middle keel and many lateral keels and are surrounded by rosettes of 5-8 medium-sized scales in a 'horseshoe'-like formation. Tubercles are separated laterally from each other by 2-3 small scales. Tubercles on temporal region indistinct and separated by subequal scales. There is one row of enlarged postmentals that are 3-5 times larger than the gulars. Digits moderately dilated (length over width of fourth toe = 3.4). There is an average of 16 lamellae under fifth toe. Rostral excluded from the nostril. Dorsum light brown with 5-6 blackish bands across back between occiput and sacrum. A prominent dark streak runs from nostril through the eye to side of neck. Two dark, near-parallel lines run on the snout from the rostral to the interorbital region. There are other irregular dark streaks and marbling on top of head and on limbs. Venter gray-white, each scale with one or more very small dark spots. Iris is ochre.
Tarentola mindiae is known from of the Qattara Depression, Siwa Oasis, and their periphery. The north rim of the Qattara Depression appears to represent the northern limit of its distribution. It has been recorded as far south as Sitra Oasis. Its occurrence further south in the other oases of the Egyptian Western Desert needs further investigation, but appears unlikely. Intensive searches carried out in seemingly suitable habitats in and around Bahariya Oasis failed to locate the species. The easternmost record is of an animal found at 30°06'N 29°17E, southeast of El Maghra Oasis. It is possible that the species reaches as far east as Wadi El Natrun. The westernmost record in Egypt is of an animal found in Hatyat Um El Ghuzlan near the border with Libya.
Northwest Egypt and northern Cyrenaica, Libya.
Tarentola mindiae inhabits densely vegetated microhabitats in otherwise flat barren sandy desert receiving less than 50 mm of rain annually. It is primarily arboreal and ground dwelling. Almost all known specimens have been found on woody vegetation, namely Acacia raddiana, Tamarix sp. Phoenix dactylifera, and Calligonum sp. The attachment of T. mindiae to arboreal microhabitats appears to be strong. The only known non-arboreal records of the species are of animals found among petrified tree trunks around El Maghra Oasis, some quite far from vegetation.It is typically found in highly isolated small vegetation clusters tens of kilometers from other refuge. In these situations animals occur in fairly high densities. At the type locality 5 animals were found under the bark of one dead Acacia branch. Strong territorial behavior has been noted in captive animals. New animals added to a group of 'cage mates' are rejectedand severely attacked. This is probably a mechanism by which scarce suitable microhabitats are defended against new intruders.
Localized and uncommon.
The Qattara gecko (Tarentola mindiae) is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae.[1][2]
T. mindiae is a relatively large and robust gecko, with a maximum snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 81 mm (3.2 in). The back is covered in bands of warty tubercules. It is light brown on the upperside, with 5-6 dark bands across the back, a dark streak running from the nose through the eye, and irregular streaks and marbling on the head and limbs. The underside is pale greyish-white with small dark spots. The iris is ochre.[3]
The specific name, mindiae, commemorates Mindy Baha El Din, an environmentalist and herpetologist from Egypt. She was the wife of Sherif Baha El Din, also a herpetologist, who described this lizard as a new species.[4]
T. mindiae is found in Egypt[3][5] and Libya.[1] The areas it has been confirmed to occur in are the Qattara Depression and the Siwa Oasis in Egypt and Jialo Oasis in eastern Libya.[1]
The natural habitats of T. miniae are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and freshwater springs.[1]
T. mindiae is arboreal and territorial, it occurs in small, isolated clusters of vegetation where it can be found at quite high densities. It is nocturnal and has been observed walking slowly across on the sand between vegetation at night, and tracks show that it may move quite far between trees and bushes. During the day it hides under the bark of dead acacias or among the roots of tamarisks. The females bury their eggs in the soil, and they lay 4 clutches of 2 eggs each in a season. The young are mature within a year. In captivity it can live for quite a long time (at least seven years).[3]
T. mindiae is threatened by habitat loss.[1] In Egypt, it is expected to lose much of its currently suitable distribution in the future due to anthropogenic climate change.[5]
The Qattara gecko (Tarentola mindiae) is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae.
