Namib chirping gecko

Namib chirping gecko
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Gekkota
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Ptenopus
Species:	P. carpi
Binomial name
	Ptenopus carpi; Brain, 1962

The Namib chirping gecko (Ptenopus carpi), also known commonly as Carp's barking gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Namibia.^[2]

Etymology

The specific name, carpi, is in honor of South African amateur naturalist Bernhard Carp (1901–1966), who was a financial supporter of museum expeditions.^[3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of P. carpi is desert, at altitudes from sea level to 300 m (980 ft).^[1]

Description

Adults of P. carpi usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5.0–5.5 centimetres (2.0–2.2 in). The maximum recorded SVL is 5.9 cm (2.3 in). Dorsally, it has 3–5 dark brown crossbars on the body, and 5-9 more on the tail. Ventrally, it is white. A yellow heart-shaped spot may be present on the throat.^[4]

Behavior

P. carpi is nocturnal and digs burrows. It shelters in these burrows during the day.^[1]

Vocalization

Males of P. carpi make barking or chirping sounds to attract females.^[1]

Reproduction

P. carpi is oviparous.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Bauer AM, Becker F (2020). "Ptenopus carpi ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T196952A110221143.en. Accessed on 15 January 2022.
^ ^a ^b Ptenopus carpi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 8 January 2019.
^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Ptenopus carpi, p. 48).
^ Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Ptenopus carpi, p. 265 + Plate 79).

Brain CK (1962). "A review of the gecko genus Ptenopus with the description of a new species". Cimbebasia (1): 1–18. (Ptenopus carpi, new species).
Gramentz D (2008). "Zum bioakustischen Verhalten von Ptenopus carpi Brain, 1961 ". Sauria 30 (1): 43–46. (in German).
Haacke WD (1976). "The Burrowing Geckos of Southern Africa: 5. Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Affinities". Annals of the Transvaal Museum 30 (6): 71–89.
Rösler H (2000). "Kommentierte Liste der rezent, subrezent und fossil bekannten Geckotaxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha)". Gekkota 2: 28–153. (Ptenopus carpi, p. 107). (in German).