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Asian Flattail House Gecko Cosymbotus platyurus

Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.

First year: 1983

Extirpated year:

Established status: Species are present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.

Estimated Florida range: 2 counties At least 10 years, 2 counties Less than 10 years

Statewide trend: Unknown status

Threats to natives: None known.

Species Account: This arboreal gecko from Asia is about 9 cm (2.5 in) total length. It is apparently restricted to a strip mall in Pinellas County (Meshaka and Lewis 1994), 2 warehouse complexes in Lee County (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999), and a warehouse in Alachua County (Hauge and Butterfield 2000). It primarily lives on the walls of buildings that house reptile dealerships or pet stores. Although it successfully breeds at these sites, it has not expanded its population to adjacent buildings, so its distribution in Florida will probably remain limited to its introduction sites (Meshaka and Lewis 1994, Bartlett and Bartlett 1999, Hauge and Butterfield 2000). The body is flattened, and skin flanges are present on the sides and hind legs. The tail is broad with serrate edges, and the toes are partially webbed with large terminal pads. At night, this gecko often appears a uniform, pasty cream color, but during the daytime, it is darker colored with numerous darker bands. Male geckos make clicking sounds, and distressed geckos make high-pitched squeaking sounds (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).

Habitats: Central or core urban area, Recently disturbed, early successional community

County	First Year	Extirpated Year	Breeding status	Notes
ALACHUA	1995		Less than 10 years	Warehouse complex in northeastern Gainesville where a reptile dealership used to be located (Hauge and Butterfield 2000)
LEE	1980s		At least 10 years	Two warehouse complexes in Fort Myers (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999); one of these colonies may no longer exist (Meshaka et al. 2004)
PINELLAS	1983		At least 10 years	On the walls of a strip mall in downtown Clearwater containing a pet shop (Meshaka and Lewis 1994)
DADE	1996		Less than 10 years	Homestead (Meshaka et al. 2004)

References

Bartlett, R. D., and P. P. Bartlett. 1999. A field guide to Florida reptiles and amphibians. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas. 278pp.

Hauge, J. B., and B. P. Butterfield. 2000. Cosymbotus platyurus (Asian house gecko). Herpetological Review 31:52.

Meshaka, W. E., Jr., and J. Lewis. 1994. Cosymbotus platyurus in Florida: ten years of stasis. Herpetological Review 25:127.

Meshaka, W. E., Jr., B. P. Butterfield, and J. B. Hauge. 2004. The exotic amphibians and reptiles of Florida. Krieger, Melbourne, Florida. 166pp.

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