Phyllodactylus xanti is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae. It is endemic to northwestern Mexico.[3] It is also known as the leaf-toed gecko (among many other species) or Raza Island leaf-toed gecko when referring to the subspecies from the Isla Rasa; at present, there are altogether four recognized subspecies, while several more have been recognized previously.[3]
P. xanti is found in the Baja California Peninsula and associated islands in Mexico.[3] Records from southern California (USA) refer to Phyllodactylus nocticolus, first described as Phyllodactylus xanti nocticolus, now considered a distinct species.[4]
The preferred natural habitats of P. xanti are desert and shrubland.[1]
P. xanti has vertical pupils, immovable eyelids, and leaf-like toe pads. It has a brownish, grey, or pinkish dorsum, with a light venter. The granular dorsal scales are interspersed with tubercles.
It often squeaks when handled, and it has a very fragile tail which is readily lost.
This gecko is between 2.5 and 6.2 cm (1.5 and 2.5 inches) in snout-to-vent length (SVL).
Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[3]
The specific epithet, xanti, commemorate John Xantus,[5] a nineteenth century naturalist active in the United States of America.[6]
The subspecific names, sloani and zweifeli, are in honor of American herpetologists Allan John Sloan and Richard G. Zweifel, respectively.[6]
The accepted scientific name and original description were published in 1863 by Edward Drinker Cope.[3]
Phyllodactylus xanti is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae. It is endemic to northwestern Mexico. It is also known as the leaf-toed gecko (among many other species) or Raza Island leaf-toed gecko when referring to the subspecies from the Isla Rasa; at present, there are altogether four recognized subspecies, while several more have been recognized previously.
