Caspian bent-toed gecko

Naming

Common Names
English: Caspian Bent-Toed Gecko, Caspian Thin-Toed Gecko
German: Kaspischer Nacktfingergecko, Bogenfingergecko
French – Cyrtodactyle de la Caspienne

Subspecies
Tenuidactylus caspius caspius (EICHWALD 1831)
Tenuidactylus caspius insularis (AKHMEDOV & SZCZERBAK 1978)

Synonyms
Gymnodactylus caspius Eichwald, 1831
Tenuidactylus caspius Szczerbak & Golubev, 1984
Cyrtopodion caspius — BÖHME 1985

Distribution

This species is present in southern Russia (Kalmykia and Dagestan), Georgia (Tibilisi and Abkhazia, possibly introduced), Armenia and Azerbaijan (from Yerevan to Julfa, Central and Eastern Azerbaijan), Iran, northern Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, southern Tajikistan and southwestern Kazakhstan (Szczerbak and Golubev 1996, Anderson 1999). It is also present on islands in the Caspian Sea. It has possibly been recorded from Syria, however, the record from Heme, South Haleb, needs to be confirmed (Szczerbak and Golubev, 1996).

The species has almost certainly been transported into the European part of its range by human activity (Szczerbak and Golubev 1996). It has been recorded up to 1,653 m above sea level in Afghanistan and to a lower elevational limit of 45 m below sea level.

Type locality: Baku, Azerbaijan

Status

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, abundance, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, presumed large population, and because there are no threats impacting this species or its habitat.

Behavior

It has crepuscular and nocturnal activity, but it does appear during daylight hours in spring. This species hibernates from the end of October to the end of March - early April. The female lays two or three clutches of two eggs in a season (Szczerbak and Golubev 1996). Collective layings are known.

Habitat

This species is found in rocky areas, on cliff faces and outcrops, among ruins and in buildings (Anderson 1999). It has been recorded from open steppe habitat in Azerbaijan and it also occurs in takyr-type habitats (Szczerbak and Golubev 1996, Anderson 1999). Sometimes animals are found in the burrows of rodents.