Microgecko helenae

Microgecko helenae, also known commonly as the banded dwarf gecko, Helen's banded dwarf gecko, Helen's tiny gecko, the Khuristan dwarf gecko, and the Khuzestan dwarf gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Iran. There are two recognized subspecies.^[2]

Microgecko helenae
Geographic distribution
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Gekkota
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Microgecko
Species:	M. helenae
Binomial name
Microgecko helenae Nikolsky, 1907
Synonyms[2]
Microgecko helenae Nikolsky, 1907 Tropiocolotes helenae — Mertens, 1956 Microgecko helenae — S. Anderson, 1961 Tropiocolotes (Microgecko) helenae — Rösler, 2000 Microgecko helenae — Bauer et al., 2013

Etymology

The specific name, helenae, is in honor of Helena Nikolsky.^[3]

Geographic range

M. helenae is found in western Iran.^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of M. helenae are forest, shrubland, and grassland, at altitudes up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft).^[1]

Description

Adults of M. helenae have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 15.0–26.2 mm (0.59–1.03 in).^[2]

Reproduction

M. helenae is oviparous.^[2]

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.^[2]

• Microgecko helenae fasciatus (J.J. Schmidtler & J.F. Schmidtler, 1972)
• Microgecko helenae helenae Nikolsky, 1907

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Microgecko.