Marlborough green gecko

The Marlborough green gecko, also known as the manuka gecko,^[3] (Naultinus manukanus) is a small species of gecko endemic to New Zealand. It grows to a maximum of 70mm, and is green, with some individuals displaying gold markings. The underside of the gecko is a lighter green in females, and silvery in males. The holotype is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.^[4]

Marlborough green gecko
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Infraorder:	Gekkota
Family:	Diplodactylidae
Genus:	Naultinus
Species:	N. manukanus
Binomial name
Naultinus manukanus (McCann, 1955)
Distribution of the Marlborough green gecko on a map of the South Island   Known native range
Synonyms
Heteropholis manukanus

Description

Naultinus manukanus is a green gecko usually about 80 millimetres (3.1 in) long from snout to vent; the tail is longer than the body. The geckos weigh only about 12 grams (0.42 oz). In colour, Marlborough geckoes are usually green on their backs, and sometimes have along the sides of their backs rows of irregular markings or spots that range from pale green or yellow to white. A defining characteristic of the species is enlarged and raised scales, which are located on their snout, around the head and nape of their necks, along the side of their backs.^[5][6]

Conservation status

In 2012 the Department of Conservation classified the Marlborough gecko as At Risk under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. It was judged as meeting the criteria for At Risk threat status as a result of it having a low to high ongoing or predicted decline. This gecko is also regarded as being Conservation Dependent.^[7]