Genus Altigecko

Angular-Toed Geckos of the Western Himalayas

Genus Altigekko Text and photos by

Muhammad Sharif Khan

I The Himalayas are the highest mountain system in the world, extending along the northern fron- tiers of Pakistan, India,

Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. They have been uplifted by the col- liding of the Indian subcontinental Plate with the Eurasian Plate, start- ing in the Paleogene Period and continuing today.

The Himalayas are about 2,400 kilometers in length and vary from 240 to 330 kilometers in width. They comprise three parallel ranges: the Outer or Southern Himalayas (Siwalik Hills), 900 to 1,200 meters in height, rising from the Indo-Gangetic Plain; the Lesser Himalayas, 1,500 to 5,000 meters in height; and the Greater Himalayas, approximately 6,000 meters in height, bordering the Plateau of Tibet to the north.

The northwestern extension of the Greater Himalayas, in northern Pakistan, is called the Karakorum. From this region, four species of highland angular-toed geckos of the genus Altigekko have been described (STEINDACHNER, 1869; ANDERSON, 1872; SZCZERBAK, 1991; KHAN and BAIG, 1992). Recent collections from the Karako- rum have added support for the validity of these taxa (KHAN, 1994, KHAN and ROSLER, 1999; AUFFENBERG et al., 2004).

In this article I provide notes on the morphology, breeding habits,

and ecology of these high-altitude geckos, since most of the papers containing this information are not available to Western readers.

Genus Altigekko KHAN, 2003 The new genus Altigekko was

erected to accommodate the highland geckos with the following char- acteristics. The body is moderately depressed. The tail is a little longer than the body, and either oval in cross-section with segmentation of

Altigekko boehmer (Szczerbak, 1991 )

the anterior half marked by deep lateral lobulations (A. stoliczkai. A. yarkandensis), or rounder with segmentation on the anterior half marked by slight lateral constrictions ( A . boehmei, A. baturensis). Three lateral rows of small, conical

tubercles arise from the middle of the caudal segments on each side. becoming indistinct on the posteri- or half of the tail. The regenerated tail is flat and very swollen. The subcaudal scales are small and arranged in several rows. Dorsal scales are granular, mostly juxta- posed , and on t h e f l anks a r e arranged in transverse rows, inter- spersed with thrice larger convex, smooth, oval tubercles, arranged more or less in longitudinal rows; these tubercles are rare on the head and limbs.

Dorsal coloration is light gray to light brown, with a pattern of darker M-shaped transverse mark- ings with heavier anterior and posterior margins, broader than interspaces: the tail is banded. The ventral surface is lighter in color.

Precloacal and femoral pores are not visible in either sex. Sex can be determined surgically. GRUBER (1981) sexed 14 specimens of A. stoliczkai and found only two males. The presence of only females in Altigekko collections appears to be more than a coincidence.

These high-altitude geckos are active from May to mid August, during which time they feed and breed. Primarily dwelling in crevices and holes among rocks, and in caves, the geckos are cre- puscular, venturing out at sun- down to hunt insects and their larvae among the grasses and shrubs. They always return to the same

crevice to hide during the day. They also readily invade inhabited houses where they enjoy the warmth, and feed on photophilic insects (attracted to light). They hide under wall hangings and other household objects during the day.

Mostly solitary during the summer. these geckos hibernate col- lectively during the long winter (from late August until May). As soon as they become active again in spring. they quickly become solitary again, and fighting begins in p r e p a r a t i o n f o r p a i r i n g . Females lay pairs of eggs in May. Juveniles are observed by the end of July.

Altigekko baturensis (Khan and Baig, 1992)

First described in the genus Ten uidact-v1 us.

Common name: Batura glacier gecko.

Type locality: Pasu and Khibar, Gilgit Agency, no r theas t e rn Pakistan.

Diagnosis: 16-20 interorbital scales: granular dorsal scales inter- spersed with flat. thin. weakly keeled tubercles in 1 1-12 longitudinal rows at mid body; 26-30 scales across mid abdomen.

Coloration: Dorsum light gray with faint wavy-margined transverse bars - one on the nape and five on the body (including one at the pelvis and one at the level of the vent). Tail with dark transverse bars.

Size: Snout-vent length 50-53 millimeters: tail length 51-54 millimeters.

Ecological notes: This gecko was collected from crevices in the stone wall of a thatched hut, and in the open from under stones and other debris, where it apparently rests during the day. The area has sparse vegetation of grass and low bushes. The gecko forages in the grass for insects and their larvae. In build- ings it was seen feeding on photophilic insects. This gecko hiber- nates during winter (KHAN and BAIG, 1993).

Distribution: Known only from the type localities, Pasu (36'28' N, 7494' E) and Khibar (36"35' N, 74'43' E),

Gilgit Agency. northeastern Pakistan. 3,250 meters above sea level.

Altigekko boehmei (Szczerbak, 1991 )

First described in the genus Alsophylax ( Altiphylax).

Common name: Karakorum gecko. Type locality: Skardu. Ladakh,

northeastern Pakistan. 2.300 meters above sea level.

Diagnosis: 20 interorbital scales: - fingertips of adpressed Alt~gekko h t u r e m ~ s (Khan & Bag, 1999) specrrnem reach to snout tip. toes of hind limbs w~th normal tall (A\ and regenerated tad (6)

to mid neck: 22 subdigital lamellae under fourth toe.

Size: Snout-vent length 34-39 millimeters: tail length 35-50 millimeters.

Coloration: Body gray with 6-7 darker transverse bands: 1 1-1 2 sim- ilar bands on tail.

Ecological notes: This is a gecko of snowfields. It lives in holes and crevices in stone walls of huts and houses, and feeds on insects attracted to light. Breeding occurs from May to July.

Distribution: Known from Skardu (35'18' N, 75'37' E), Ladakh, northeastern Pakistan, at 2,300 meters above sea level.

Altigekko stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1869)

First described in the genus Gymnodactylus.

Common name: Baltastan gecko. Type locality: near Karoo, north

of Dras (34'28' N, 75'46' E), Kash- mir, India.

Diagnosis: 16-20 tubercular interorbital scales; 27-32 scales across mid abdomen.

Size: Snout vent length 48 millimeters; tail length 52 millimeters.

Coloration: Dorsum light blue or gray, with pink-edged transverse bands that have denser wavy posterior edges, and are broader than the interspaces - three on the nape, six on the body and 13 on the tail. Head, labials and tail scales with fine gray dots, limbs and digits barred, ventral surface light.

Ecological notes: Ladakh lies at about 3,000 meters above sea level,

Altigekko stol~czkai (Ste~ndachner, 1869)

above the timberline. It is a dry snow desert, with sparse vegetation of herbs, grasses, and shrubs. The area is extremely arid with a sub- tropical, continental highlands cold climate.

G R U B E R (1981) co l lec ted A1 tigekko stoliczkai from rocky habitat, where it preferred dry non- irrigated desert areas with or with- out very sparse vegetation, apparently avoiding the direct vicinity of human settlements.

Distribution: Widely distributed in Baltistan (34-36" N, 75-77" E), northern Pakistan, 3,200 meters above sea level (KHAN and ROSLER, 1999; KHAN, 2000; AFFENBERG et al., 2004).

THERMOSTAT - :

Very precise and reliable new thermostat for controlling the temperature of water in aquariums and air temperature in terrariums, it connects to heating cables or fixed heatina elements UD to a wattaae I

Altigekko yarkandensis (Anderson, 1872)

First described in t he genus Cyrtodactylus.

Common name: Yarkand gecko. Type Locality: Yarkand. eastern

Turkestan on the northern edge of the Takla Makan Desert. China (38'40' N, 77'50' E).

Diagnosis: 15-16 Heterogeneous interorbital scales; 29-30 scales across mid abdomen; 18 subdigital lamellae under fourth finger, 25 under fourth toe.

Size: This species is known by a single tail-less specimen with a snout- vent length of 47.15 millimeters.

Coloration: Dorsal pattern of seven very irregular cross bands.

Ecological notes: See general account.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : B L A N F O R D (1875) synonymized this species with A. stoliczkai and restricted type locality to Ladakh. northeastern Pakistan, however. the species has since been validated, and is known to have a wider distribution (KHAN. 1994).

Habitat The high-altitude geckos of the

genus Altigekko are widely distributed in the Karakoram range of the Greater Himalayas in extreme northeastern Pakistan and northern India (34-37" N, 67-77OE) - from Chitral through Gilgit and Hunza to Baltistan. Baltistan (Gilgit Agency and Ladakh). northeastern Pakistan. is a high-altitude (2.300 meters above sea level) cold desert in northern Jammu and Kashmir. Several Karakoram glaciers (Baltoro, Con- cordia. Kaberi. Kandus, Siachen, etc.) lie to the northeast along the area bordering China, while the des- olate Deosai Plateau forms the western border of the region. Torrents drain the glaciers into the Shyok Riv- er, which ultimately joins the Indus River in the northwest (ADAMSON and SHAW. 1981). Several valleys of varying breadth and depth occur in the area, isolating groups of local fauna and flora from each other. Recent collections from these valleys have yielded several closely allied

Table 1. Key to the species of genus Altigekko of the western Greater Himalayas

1. a. Tail depressed with anterior half deeply lobulated ......... 2 b. Tail rounder, anterior half segmented with slight constrictions 3

2. a. Mid ventrals 1 17-1 50 ......................................... Altigekko stoliczkai b. Mid ventrals 138-1 40 ................................................ Altigekko yaikandensis

3. a. Mid ventrals 109-190 ........................... .. ................ Altigekko hhmei b. Mid ventrals 158-1 71 ................... .. ........................ Altigekko bturensis

species of toads (MERTENS. 197 1: KHAN. 1997: STOCK et al.. 2001) and geckos (KHAN. 1992. 1993. 1994: KHAN and BAIG, 1992: GOLUBEV and SZCZERBAK. 1981).

The habitat consists of a vast, cold. dry. alpine desert of ice fields. high peaks. and deep valleys. The mountains are permanently capped

-wi€kb.-with+€=iew&frmr-- dred meters above the snowline. The area is extremely arid with a sub-tropical continental highlands cold climate. with heavy snowfall in winter. and some rain in spring and the short summer (June-August).

Summer (July) temperatures fluctuate between a maximum of 24°C (75°F) and a minimum of 10°C (50°F). Winter (January) temperatures fluctuate between a maximum of -1°C (30°F) and a minimum of -13°C (9°F). Rainfall varies from a maximum of 100 millimeters in August, to a minimum of 2 millimeters in November (AHMAD, 1951).

As summer sets in, conditions in the valley floors (below 2,000 meters) become habitable, rising rapidly from lower to higher eleva- tions. The lower edges of alpine slopes and stream beds are bared, forming a special cold arid habitat that is soon covered with vegeta-

l i e f f 4 f e v e r a h -* species: sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides: willow, Salix; the bor- age Mertensia tibetica; the cinque- foil Potentilla desertorurn; punc- turevine, Tribulus terrestris; the rue Peganum harmala; capers, Capparis spinosa; the legume Sophora alopecuroides; the nightshade Lycium ruthenicum; and the grasses Festuca altaica and Poa attenuata. The uneven stony terrain and plants provide retreats for amphibians and

reptiles. Pools in ravines are used as breeding sites by the amphibians. Human activity becomes visible along valley slopes where lush green terraced fields dot the landscape. The crops consist mostly of food grains (e.g., rice) and fruits, which are carefully preserved and stored for use through long winter. Orchids are also grown.

S u m m e r i s r k e ~ o T m T m i i tor local animals. Swarms of winged insects are characteristic of summer evenings. Winged and wingless insects converge under lamp posts, attracting toads, geckos, and even diurnal lizards. Four highland species of toads have been recorded from different areas: Bufo himalayanus, Bufo latastii, Bufo pseudoraddei ba turae, and Bufo siacheninsis (KHAN. 2004).

Bibliography ADAMSON. H.. and I. SHAW. 1981. A

traveller's guide to Pakistan. The Asian Study Group. Islamabad.

AHMAD. K. S. 1951. Climate regions of West Pakistan. Pakistan Geographical Review 6: 1-35.

ANDERSON. J. 1872. On some Persian, Himalayan and other reptiles. Proceedings Zoolgical Society of London 1872: 417498.

AUFFENBERG. K., K. KRYSKO. L. KENNETH, and W. AUFFENBERG. 2004. Studies on Pakistan Lizards: Cyrtopodion stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1867) (Gekkonidae:

- G e k k € u l ~ S , ~ ~ ~ @ Research 10: 151-160.

BLANFORD. W. T. 1875. List of Reptil- ia and Amphibia collected by the late Dr. Stoliczka in Kashmir, Ladak. Eastern Turkestan. and Wakhan, with description of new species. J. Asiatic Soc. Bengal. Calcutta. New ser. 44(pt2.no.3): 191-196.

GOLUBEV, M.. and N. SZCZERBAK. 1981. A new species of the genus Gymnodactylus Spix 1823 (Reptilia, Sauria, Gekkonidae) from Pakistan. Vestnik Zool. 1981(3): 40-45.

GRUBER, U. 1981. Notes on the her- petofauna of Kashmir and Ladakh. British J. Herpetol. 6: 145-150.

KHAN, M. S. 1980. A new species of gecko from northern Pakistan. Paklsran Journal of Zoology 12: 1 1-16.

KHAN. M. S. 1992. Validlty of the mountain gecko Gymnodactylus walli Ingoldby. 1922 Herpetological Journal 2: 106-109.

KHAN. M. S. 1993. A new angular-toed gecko from Pakistan. with remarks on the taxonomy and a key to the species belonging to genus Cyrrodactylus (Reptllia: Saurla: Gekkonldae). Pakistan Journal of Zoology 25(1): 67-73.

KHAN. M. S. 1994. Valldity and re- descrtption of Tenuidactylus yarkandens~s (J . ANDERSON). Pakistan Journal of Zoology 26: 139- 143

KHAN. M. S. 1997. Validity. generic des- ignat~on. and taxonomy of western rock gecko Gymnodactylus ingoldbyi PROC- TOR. 1923. Russian Journal of Herpetology 4: 83-88.

KHAN. M. S. 2001. Taxonomic notes on angular-toed gekkota of Pakistan. with description of a new species of g e n u s - Cyrtopodion. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 33(1): 13-24.

KHAN. M. S. 2000. Redescription and generic redesignation of Gymnodactylus stoliczkai Steindachner. 1869. Paklstan Jour- nal of Zoology 32(2): 157-163.

KHAN. M. S. 2002. Key and checklist to the lizards of Pakistan (Reptilia: Squamata: Sauria). Herpetozoa 15 (314): 99-1 19.

KHAN. M. S. 2003. Questions of generic designation of angular-toed geckos of Pakistan with descriptions of three new genera (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). Journal of Natural History and Wildlife (Karachi) 2(2): 1-9.

KHAN, M. S. 2004. Annotated Checklist of amphibians and reptiles of Pakistan. Asi- atic Herpetological Research 10: 191-201.

KHAN, M. S., and K. J. BAIG. 1992. A new Tenuidact-~lus gecko from northeastern Gilgit Agency, North Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 24: 273-277.

KHAN, M. S., and H. ROSLER. 1999. Generic redesignation and redescription of Gymnodactylus stoliczkai STEINDACHN- ER, 1869. Journal Asiatic Research 8: 60-68.

MERTENS. R. 1971. Die Amphibien und Rept~lien West-Pakistans. 2. Nachtrag. Senckenberg Biology 52(1-2): 7-15.

STEINDACHNER, F. 1869. Reptilia. In: Reise der osterreichischen Fregatte Novara. Zoologischer Theil. Vienna I: 1-98.

STOCK, M., M. SCHMID. C. STEIN- LEIN, and W.-R. GROSSE. 1999. Mosalcism in somatic triploid specimens of the Bufo viridis complex in the Karakoram with examination of calls, morphology and taxonomic conclusions. Italian Journal of Zoology 66: 215-232.

SZCZERBAK, N. N. 1991. Eine neue Gecko-Art aus Pakistan: Alsophylax (Altiphylax) boehmei sp.nov. Salarnandra 27: 53-57.

SZCZERBAK, N. N.. and M. L. GOLUBEV. 1986. Geckos of USSR fauna and adjoining countries. Sci. Acad. Ukrain. SSR Zoologi- cal Institut 1986: 1-232.

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Asian Giant The Stag Beetle Dorcus titanus By A. Mangoni

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54 SPECIES Keeping and Breeding the Dwarf Shield-Tailed Agama, Xenagama taylorr By P. Maria Miiller

60 REPORT Angular-Toed Geckos of the Western Himalayas - Genus Altigekko By M. S. Khan

65 REPORT African Jewels - Tanzania on Foot By E. Cimatti

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Genus Altigecko

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