Phyllodactylus tuberculosus
—
Yellow-bellied Gecko
Subspecies I've seen:
P. t. saxatilis
Yellow-bellied Gecko
Phyllodactylus tuberculosus saxatilis
—
Yellow-bellied Gecko
Two species of Phyllodactylus are known from this area, P. tuberculosus and P. homolepidurus. The area field guide isn't particularly reassuring about distinguishing them; it lists some typical differences but then says "Distinguishing between the Sonoran Leaf-toed Gecko and the Yellow-bellied Gecko is often difficult, and some specimens defy characterization to one species or the other". I studied my photos for a while and tentatively concluded that they were all P. tuberculosus, but don't sue me if you think I'm wrong.
This well-fed specimen patrolled the outside of our sleeping quarters at Rancho Acosta.
Online references:
- Phyllodactylus tuberculosus account on The Reptile Database
Printed references:
- Rorabaugh, J.C., Lemos-Espinal, J.A. 2016. A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Sonora, Mexico