Afroedura rondavelica
| Blyde River flat gecko | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Gekkota |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Afroedura |
| Species: | A. rondavelica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Afroedura rondavelica | |
Afroedura rondavelica, also known as the Blyde River flat gecko or the rondavel rock gecko, is a species of African gecko in the family Gekkonidae. The species was first found in the Blyde River Canyon of South Africa.[2] Its specific name and one of its common names refer to the rondavel, a southern African hut-type structure.
Description
Medium-sized for its genus, Afroedura rondavelica may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5.5 cm (2.2 in). Males have 7–9 precloacal pores.[3]
Geographic distribution
The Blyde River flat gecko was first found in 1991 at a single site in the vicinity of the Three Rondavels in the Blyde River Canyon.[1][4]
In 2025, after 34 years, the Endangered Wildlife Trust said that it found the species again at the same site.[4][5]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Afroedura rondavelica is rocky areas in savanna, at elevations around 1,300 m (4,300 ft).[1]
Reproduction
Afroedura rondavelica is oviparous.[3]
References
- ^ a b c Tolley, K.A.; Bates, M.F. (2022). "Afroedura rondavelica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022 e.T110193608A197426999. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T110193608A197426999.en. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ Jacobsen, Niels H.G.; Kuhn, Arianna L.; Jackman, Todd R.; Bauer, Aaron M. (2014). "A phylogenetic analysis of the southern African gecko genus Afroedura Loveridge (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with the description of nine new species from Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa". Zootaxa. 3846 (4): 451–501. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3846.4.1. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 25112263. (Afroedura rondavelica, new species, p. 482).
- ^ a b Species Afroedura rondavelica at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ a b Imray, Gerald (2025-05-14). "This flat-bodied South African gecko was a 'lost' species. It's been found again after 34 years". AP News. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "'Lost' gecko species rediscovered after more than 33 years". Endangered Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 2025-05-16.
Further reading
- Perera, Sandun J.; Ratnayake-Perera, Dayani; Proches, Serban (2011). "Vertebrate distributions indicate a greater Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany region of endemism". South African Journal of Science. 107 (7–8): 52–66.