Skip to main content
19 August 2021 | dataset

The reptiles of Kapingamarangi atoll, Micronesia

Two species of sea turtles and eight lizards comprise the herpetofauna of Kapingamarangi Atoll; the giant Micronesian gecko (Perochirus scutellatus) is unknown elsewhere. The mourning gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris), oceanic gecko (Gehyra
oceanica), and azure-tailed copper-striped skink (Emoia impar) are the most common and widespread species, being recorded on 100%, 97%, and 87% of the 31 islands, respectively. The stump-toed gecko (Gehyra mutilata) and the Pacific blue-tailed skink
(Emoia caeruleocauda), both known from only a scattering of older records from the most densely inhabited and most frequently visited islands, may be extirpated or possibly still
exist locally in very small numbers. Sea turtles are rare and none was observed during the present study, but local residents indicate they were more numerous in the past.

Available online

Call Number: [EL]

Physical Description: 10 Pages

Field Value
Publisher National Museum of Natural History
Modified 27 August 2021
Release Date 19 August 2021
Source URL https://library.sprep.org/content/reptiles-kapingamarangi-atoll-micronesia
Identifier VL-34637
Spatial / Geographical Coverage Location SPREP LIBRARY
Relevant Countries
License Public
[Open Data]
Author Buden, Donald
Contact Name SPREP Records and Archives Officer
Contact Email [email protected]