''Thecadactylus oskrobapreinorum'' is a species of

gecko Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from . Geckos ar ...

. It was first described in 2011 from Sint Maarten in the Lesser Antilles. Previous to this it was thought that the only species of turnip-tailed gecko present in the Lesser Antilles was ''

Thecadactylus rapicauda The turnip-tailed gecko (''Thecadactylus rapicauda'') is a species of gecko widely distributed from Mexico southward through Central America and into South America as far south as Brazil, and on many islands in the Lesser Antilles. It was long t ...

'', but the new species is readily distinguishable by its boldly spotted appearance. The

specific name Specific name may refer to: * in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules: * Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...

honours the two German

herpetologists 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 rept ...

Maciej Oskroba and Stephan Prein who first studied this gecko.

Description

''Thecadactylus oskrobapreinorum'' has a maximum snout-to-vent length of . It is distinguished from other members of the genus by the distinct pattern of numerous irregular but sharply delineated black markings on its dorsal surface which is otherwise a pale greyish-yellow or greyish-olive. It has adhesive toe-pads on its feet.

Distribution and habitat

''Thecadactylus oskrobapreinorum'' is known only from the Caribbean island of

Saint Martin Saint Martin may refer to: People * Saint Martin of Tours (c. 316–397), Bishop of Tours, France * Saint Martin of Braga (c. 520–580), archbishop of Bracara Augusta in Gallaecia (now Braga in Portugal) * Pope Martin I (598–655) * Saint Mart ...

. The holotype came from Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but the gecko is also known from the French overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin. The gecko is found on the lower parts of the trunks of trees in forests and near forest edges. It is active at night.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3523491 Geckos Lizards of the Caribbean Reptiles of Saint Martin (island) Reptiles described in 2011