The Indo-Pacific gecko (Hemidactylus garnotii), also known as Garnot's house gecko, fox gecko, or the Assam greyish-brown gecko, is a species of gecko native to South and Southeast Asia, Polynesia, and the east coast of Australia. Adults grow to about 10–13 cm (4–5 in) in length. Similar to H. frenatus, they exhibit the ability to change the colour of their skin, from dark gray or brown with light markings in daylight, to a pale, translucent colour at night. Often mistaken for a common house gecko, the species can be distinguished by its rows of large, spiny scales on the lateral edges of the tail.
Etymology The species epithet, garnotii, is named in honor of the French naturalist Prosper Garnot. The name gecko is onomatopoeic, in reference to the chirp of H. frenatus, one of three extant relatives of H. garnotii, which has historically been interpreted as a "gecko, gecko" sound. The common name fox gecko relates to the species' long, narrow snout, similar to that of a fox.
Description The Indo-Pacific gecko bears a striking resemblance to its extant cousin H. frenatus, its closest relative. However, individuals of H. garnotii tend to be much larger than H. frenatus, with more prevalent markings on the back. The belly of H. garnotii is usually a pale yellow or orange. It also bears two large, spiky rows of scales, one along each side of its tail. These scales are soft, and are the same colour as the tail. Their purpose is unknown.
Reproduction H. garnotii reproduces solely through parthenogenesis, with all individuals being female. Like all reptiles, H. garnotii lays eggs, but because it is parthenogenetic, the eggs can hatch without the need for male fertilization.
Geographic range The Indo-Pacific gecko is native to South and Southeast Asia, Polynesia, and Australia's east coast. It can also be found in Remote Oceania (particularly New Zealand, Hawaii, and Fiji), Seychelles, the Bahamas, and tropical United States. In the U.S. states of Hawaii, Florida, and Georgia, it is considered an invasive species. In Australia, the Indo-Pacific gecko has only a few populations, though they are well-established. They can particularly be found in Sydney and Fraser Coast.
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References
Further reading Behler JL, King FW (1979). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. ISBN 0-394-50824-6. ("Hemidactylus garnoti [sic]", pp. 492–493 + Plate 401). Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. Geckonidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I-XXXII. (Hemidactylus garnotii, pp. 141–142). Conant R (1975). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. + Plates 1–48. ISBN 0-395-19979-4 (hardcover), ISBN 0-395-19977-8 (paperback). ("Hemidactylus garnoti [sic]", p. 84 + Plate 17 + Map 43). Crawford, Daniel M.; Somma, Louis A. (1993). "Hemidactylus garnotii (Indo-Pacific gecko)". Herpetological Review 24 (3): 108–109. Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. ("Hemidactylus garnoti [sic]", p. 98). Duméril AMC, Bibron G (1836). Erpétologie générale ou Histoire naturelle complète des Reptiles, Tome troisième [=Volume 3]. Paris: Roret. iv + 517 pp. (Hemidactylus garnotii, new species, pp. 368–369). (in French). Goin CJ, Goin OB, Zug GR (1978). Introduction to Herpetology, Third Edition. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman. xi + 378 pp. ISBN 0-7167-0020-4. ("Hemidactylus garnoti [sic]", pp. 148, 285). Gray JE (1845). Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the British Museum. London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Edward Newman, printer). xxviii + 289 pp. (Doryura garnotii, p. 157). Meshaka, Walter E. Jr. (1995). "Hemidactylus garnotii ". Herpetological Review 26 (2): 108. Smith HM, Brodie ED Jr (1982). Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. ISBN 0-307-13666-3. ("Hemidactylus garnoti [sic]", pp. 68–69). Smith MA (1935). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. II.—Sauria. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 440 pp. + Plate I + 2 maps. ("Hemidactylus garnoti [sic]", pp. 100–101). Stoliczka F (1871). "Notes on new or little-known Indian lizards". Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (Calcutta) 1871: 192–195.
