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.

Geographic range

P. xanti is found in the Baja California Peninsula and associated islands in Mexico. Records from southern California (USA) refer to Phyllodactylus nocticolus, first described as Phyllodactylus xanti nocticolus, now considered a distinct species.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of P. xanti are desert and shrubland.

Description

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 in snout-to-vent length (SVL).

Reproduction

P. xanti is oviparous.

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Etymology

The specific epithet, xanti, commemorate John Xantus, a nineteenth century naturalist active in the United States of America. The subspecific names, sloani and zweifeli, are in honor of American herpetologists Allan John Sloan and Richard G. Zweifel, respectively.

Taxonomy

The accepted scientific name and original description were published in 1863 by Edward Drinker Cope.