''Bavayia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

lizard Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic since it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia alt ...

s in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Diplodactylidae The Diplodactylidae are a family in the suborder Gekkota (geckos), with over 150 species in 25 genera. These geckos occur in Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Diplodactylids are the most ecologically diverse and widespread family of geck ...

Species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

in the genus ''Bavayia'' are also known commonly as New Caledonian geckos or bavayias. The genus is native to the remote

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

and

Loyalty Islands The Loyalty Islands Province (French ''Province des îles Loyauté'') is one of three administrative subdivisions of New Caledonia encompassing the Loyalty Island (french: Îles Loyauté) archipelago in the Pacific, which are located northeast of ...

. The 41 species are moderately small to medium-sized geckos, and are distinguished from other

genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...

by their tail length and the shape of their digits.

Etymology

The generic name, ''Bavayia'', is in honor of Arthur Bavay, a French

pharmacist A pharmacist, also known as a chemist (Commonwealth English) or a druggist (North American and, archaically, Commonwealth English), is a healthcare professional who prepares, controls and distributes medicines and provides advice and instructi ...

and

herpetologist Herpetology (from Greek ἑρπετόν ''herpetón'', meaning "reptile" or "creeping animal") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians ( gymnophiona)) and rep ...

Description

All species of ''Bavayia'' have elongated digits, with each

claw A claw is a curved, pointed appendage found at the end of a toe or finger in most amniotes (mammals, reptiles, birds). Some invertebrates such as beetles and spiders have somewhat similar fine, hooked structures at the end of the leg or tarsus ...

on the edge of each

seta In biology, setae (singular seta ; from the Latin word for " bristle") are any of a number of different bristle- or hair-like structures on living organisms. Animal setae Protostomes Annelid setae are stiff bristles present on the body. ...

. They are fairly drab in coloration.

Behavior

''Bavayia'' species are

nocturnal Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...

, and spend the daylight hours hiding under bark or rocks, or in tree holes.

Species

These 41 described species are recognized as being valid: *'' Bavayia ashleyi'' *'' Bavayia astrongatti'' *'' Bavayia borealis'' *'' Bavayia boulinda'' *'' Bavayia caillou'' *'' Bavayia campestris'' *'' Bavayia centralis'' *'' Bavayia cocoensis'' *'' Bavayia crassicollis'' – strand bavayia *'' Bavayia cyclura'' – Günther's New Caledonian gecko *'' Bavayia endemia'' *'' Bavayia exsuccida'' – Sclerophyll bavayia *'' Bavayia geitaina'' – gracile bavayia *'' Bavayia goroensis'' *'' Bavayia insularis'' *'' Bavayia jourdani'' *'' Bavayia kanaky'' *'' Bavayia koniambo'' *'' Bavayia kopeto'' *'' Bavayia kunyie'' *'' Bavayia lepredourensis'' *'' Bavayia loyaltiensis'' *'' Bavayia mandjeliensis'' *'' Bavayia menazi'' *'' Bavayia montana'' – mountain New Caledonian gecko *'' Bavayia nehoueensis'' *'' Bavayia nubila'' *'' Bavayia occidentalis'' *'' Bavayia ornata'' – ornate bavayia *'' Bavayia periclitata'' *'' Bavayia pulchella'' – pretty bavayia *'' Bavayia renevierorum'' *'' Bavayia rhizophora'' *'' Bavayia robusta'' – robust forest bavayia *''

Bavayia sauvagii ''Bavayia sauvagii'', also known commonly as Sauvage's bavayia and Sauvage's New Caledonian gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to New Caledonia. Etymology The specific name, ''sauvagii'', is i ...

'' – Sauvage's New Caledonian gecko *'' Bavayia septuiclavis'' – Sadlier's New Caledonian gecko *'' Bavayia stephenparki'' *'' Bavayia tanleensis'' *'' Bavayia tchingou'' *'' Bavayia ultramaficola'' *'' Bavayia whitakeri'' ''

Nota bene (, or ; plural form ) is a Latin phrase meaning "note well". It is often abbreviated as NB, n.b., or with the ligature and first appeared in English writing . In Modern English, it is used, particularly in legal papers, to draw the atten ...

'': A

binomial authority In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...

in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Bavayia''.

Taxonomy

The species formerly known as ''Bavayia madjo'' is now known as '' Paniegekko madjo''. The species formerly known as ''Bavayia validiclavis'' is now known as '' Dierogekko validiclavis''.Bauer AM, Jackman T, Sadlier RA, Whitaker AH (2006). "A revision of the ''Bavayia validiclavis'' group (Squamata: Gekkota: Diplodactylidae), a clade of New Caledonian geckos exhibiting microendemism". ''Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Fourth Series'' 57 (18): 503-547
PDF

References

External links

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2712228 Geckos of New Caledonia Lizard genera Taxa named by Jean Roux