Mokopirirakau
Mokopirirakau is a genus of geckos that are endemic to New Zealand. They range from arboreal species that live in forest trees down to the coastline, to terrestrial species that live on rocky ground in the alpine zone, and species that live in both habitats. They are spread throughout the country.
The genus was erected in 2011, when the New Zealand geckos were reorganised into seven genera based on DNA sequencing; the then scientifically described Mokopirirakau species had previously been in the Hoplodactylus genus. There are thought to be eleven species, but only five have been scientifically described so far.
Taxonomy
The Mokopirirakau genus was erected in 2011, when the New Zealand geckos were reorganised into seven genera based on DNA sequencing. The then scientifically described Mokopirirakau species had previously been in the Hoplodactylus genus, and were known as the Hoplodactylus aff. granulatus complex. The name Mokopirirakau is from the Māori words moko, piri, rākau, and thus means "lizards that cling to trees".There are five described and named species, and at least as many probable species waiting to be described.Mokopirirakau cryptozoicus – Tākitimu geckoMokopirirakau galaxias Knox et al., 2021 – hura te ao geckoMokopirirakau granulatus – forest geckoMokopirirakau kahutarae – black-eyed geckoMokopirirakau nebulosus – cloudy geckoMokopirirakau "Cascades" – Cascades geckoMokopirirakau "Ōkārito" – broad-cheeked geckoMokopirirakau "Open Bay Islands" – Open Bay Islands geckoMokopirirakau "Roys Peak" – orange-spotted geckoMokopirirakau "southern forest" – Tautuku geckoMokopirirakau "southern North Island" – ngahere gecko
Description
The Mokopirirakau, Naultinus and Tukutuku genera are distinguished from other New Zealand geckos by their narrow toes, straight or only slightly curved thin toe pads, and mouth colour, which is yellow and/or dark blue to black. These geckos are cryptically coloured, that is, they have complex colourations. Some, like Mokopirirakau galaxias, have unique colourations that could be used for signalling, although there has been little to no research into this hypothesis. Especially unique yellow mouth colouration gives Mokopirirakau galaxias its Māori name, "Hura Te Ao", or "reveal the world", because of how it looks like the break of dawn. Different colourations in geckos may also be attributed to thermoregulation, but this has not been explored with Mokopirirakau geckos yet. These geckos do not have specific specialised snout lengths or bite strengths as would be seen in herbivorous lizards, because they have an omnivorous diet. Mokopirirakau geckos have very different maxillae to Woodworthia and Hoplodactylus geckos, and are more similar to those of Naultinus and Dactylocnemis.Mokopirirakau "Southern North Island" may be sexually dimorphic in size, with the biggest female measuring 8 millimetres longer than the biggest male in a study. Sexual size dimorphism occurs in other New Zealand geckos also.
Habitat
Mokopirirakau geckos live in forests and alpine areas throughout most of the country. Their habitat varies a lot, even within species. Some of the species are well adapted to the extremely cold temperatures and harsh conditions of mountainous environments, possibly including reproductive adaptations.Outside factors such as the impact of humans can have a large effect on their home ranges. Mokopirirakau "Southern Forest" have coped with substantial forest clearance by surviving in small, isolated fragments of undisturbed forest, making conservation efforts important. Most New Zealand geckos have strong site fidelity.
Behaviour
Geckos are generally assumed to be omnivorous, as are the other lizards in New Zealand. However, more research is needed to definitively conclude what Mokopirirakau geckos eat. Some eat fruit and/or nectar, but others are not known to.Geckos in New Zealand have been generally assumed to be mostly nocturnal. However, Mokopirirakau "Southern North Island" have been observed to emerge as much in the day as in the night, and to travel further in the day, so more research is needed to reevaluate assumptions about Mokopirirakau activity phases. Surveying methods for lizards have been improved through the use of trail cameras, rather than relying on in-person sampling, which shows promise for future research.
Mokopirirakau geckos may be arboreal, terrestrial or live in both habitats. Some species are found on the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs. This may make them vulnerable to introduced arboreal predators – ship rats and stoats specifically. Mokopirirakau geckos often use retreats only during bad weather, relying on camouflage otherwise.