Aldabra Fish-scale Gecko (Geckolepis sp.)

The fish-scale geckos inhabit Madagascar and the Comoro Islands; the former occurrence of the genus on the Aldabra Atoll is proven by the existence of fossil remains that were recovered from deposits on Grande Terre, the largest island of the atoll.

The Aldabran form was apparently larger than any of its living congeners, reaching lengths of about 20 cm (including the tail).

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The species seems to have disappeared sometimes during the Pleistocene/Holocene border.

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References:

[1] E. N. Arnold: Fossil reptiles from Aldabra atoll, Indian Ocean. bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Zoology 29(2): 83-116. 1976

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edited: 02.03.2024