Lutz's gecko

Lutz's gecko (Phyllopezus lutzae), also known commonly as Bogert's gecko and Lutz' marked gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae. The species is endemic to Brazil.^[3]

Lutz's gecko
Phyllopezus lutzae in Sergipe, Brazil
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Gekkota
Family:	Phyllodactylidae
Genus:	Phyllopezus
Species:	P. lutzae
Binomial name
Phyllopezus lutzae (Loveridge, 1941)
Synonyms[2]
Bogertia lutzae Loveridge, 1941 Phyllopezus lutzae — Gamble et al., 2012

Etymology

The specific name, lutzae, is in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Bertha Lutz.^[4] The original generic name, Bogertia, was in honor of American herpetologist Charles Mitchill Bogert.^[4]

Geographic range

Phyllopezus lutzae is found in northeastern Brazil, in the Brazilian states of Bahia, Paraíba, and Pernambuco.^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Phyllopezus lutzae is forest.^[1]

Behavior

Phyllopezus lutzae is terrestrial, and it is both diurnal and nocturnal.^[1]

Defensive behavior

If threatened, Phyllopezus lutzae may vocalize, and it may shed its tail (autotomy).^[1]

Diet

Phyllopezus lutzae preys upon arthropods, mainly spiders and beetles. Its diet varies ontogenetically and seasonally.^[1]

Reproduction

Phyllopezus lutzae is oviparous.^[2]

Taxonomy

This species was originally described as Bogertia lutzae by Loveridge (1941). Based on DNA analysis, Gamble et al. (2012) placed the species Bogertia lutzae in the genus Phyllopezus as Phyllopezus lutzae, along with three other described species and several undescribed species.^[5]