Kawekaweau
The Kawekaweau Gecko ( Hoplodactylus delcourti ) is an extinct gecko species from New Zealand. With a total length of about 60 cm, it is the largest gecko species that has ever been discovered.
History
The Kawkaweau Gecko is only known from a single copy, the male holotype; he carries the copy number MMNH 1985-38 and has been preserved by drying. He was discovered by Garth Underwood, Anthony Russell and Alain Delcourt in the collection of the Musée d' Histoire Naturelle de Marseille, where the gecko was long kept without proper labeling. In fact, the copy was publicly exhibited for many years until its importance was recognized. The first description was in 1986 by then Bauer and Russell. The specific epithet honors delcourti Alain Delcourt.
Because of the lack of labels no statements about the Fund year or the exact origin of the species can be made; probably got the copy in the 19th century in the collection of the museum.
Origin
Accurate information about the distribution are not possible. However, the other, related Hoplodactylus species occur only in New Zealand, and in the stories of the Maori is a giant lizard named kaweaweau ago. This is probably inspired by Hoplodactylus delcourti. Thus, the distribution area can be narrowed down to New Zealand.
Features
The only known specimen has a head-body length of 37 cm. The head is rather short and broad, the muzzle is flat. The hull is strongly built, the gecko had short legs. The tail is 25.2 cm long and cylindrical in cross section. The scales are quite small and grainy.
The copy of Hoplodactylus delcourti is yellowish - brown and is marked with dark reddish- brown longitudinal stripes on the body top. Staining was in the little gentle method of preservation probably changed a lot - in the life of the gecko was probably light brown with dark red strips and a cream-colored underparts.
Extinction
( Extinct ), since in addition to the type specimen, no further specimens have been known The IUCN classifies the Kawekaweau Gecko in the category " extinct ". The likely falling in the middle of the 19th century, extinction is due in part to the loss of forests through logging, on the other hand, introduced by European settlers in New Zealand rats, as lay the offspring of Kawekaweau geckos.