Woodworthia "Raggedy Range"

Raggedy Range gecko

Woodworthia "Raggedy Range"

Raggedy Range (Central Otago). © Samuel Purdie
Image attribution
Raggedy Range gecko (Central Otago). © Samuel Purdie
Herpetofaunal category
Native
Species complex
Conservation Status
Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable
Other Names
Raggedy Range gecko
Common names
Raggedy Range gecko

Length: SVL up to 68mm, with the tail being equal to the body length

Weight: unknown

Description

A recently-recognized species of Woodworthia that closely resembles some of its relatives. Their dorsal surface is generally grey, brown or olive-brown, with pale, transverse markings. Their ventral surface is typically pale grey or brown. Their mouth interior is pink, with a pink tongue. 

Life expectancy

Unknown. Presumably long-lived like other Woodworthia (e.g. more than 25 years).

Distribution

This species is only known from the Raggedy Range, north of the Idaburn in Central Otago.

Ecology and habitat

Raggedy Range geckos are cathemeral, terrestrial, and most active at night. They can often be found hunting on the surfaces of schist outcrops or among boulder piles. 

Social structure

Unknown. However, presumably similar to other, related, Woodworthia.

Breeding biology

Unknown. However, presumably similar to other, related, Woodworthia.

Diet

Predominantly insectivorous, but may also feed on the fruits of small shrubs. 

Disease

Unknown.

Conservation strategy

This species is not being actively managed and are considered a threatened species (Hitchmough et al. 2021). There is very little known about their distribution. However, they appear to be reasonably abundant. Future conservation work will likely aim to learn more about the ecology, distribution, and behaviour of this species.

Interesting notes

The Raggedy Range gecko gets both its common and TAG names from its known locality - the Raggedy Range in Central Otago.

Raggedy Range geckos look very similar to some of their relatives but were only recently recognized as a distinct species. 

The Raggedy Range gecko, along with its sister taxa (the kōrero gecko and mountain beech gecko) sit within the Southern clade of the Woodworthia complex, with the Southern Alps gecko and greywacke gecko being their closest relatives within the group.

References

Hitchmough, R., Barr, B., Knox, C., Lettink, M., Monks, J. M., Patterson, G. B., Reardon, J. T., van Winkel, D., Rolfe, J., & Michel, P. (2021). Conservation status of New Zealand reptiles, 2021New Zealand threat classification series 35. Wellington: New Zealand Department of Conversation.