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The harlequin gecko (Tukutuku rakiurae),[4] formerly Hoplodactylus rakiurae,[5] is a species of gecko, a lizard in the familyDiplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Stewart Island / Rakiura in the far south of New Zealand, where it was discovered in 1969.[6] In terms of distribution it is one of the southernmost gecko species in the world.[7][8]
The generic name, Tukutuku, refers to the Māori ornamental lattice work called tukutuku, which the dorsal pattern of this species resembles.[3] The specific name, rakiurae, refers to Rakiura, the Māori name for Stewart Island.[3]
The preferred habitats of T. rakiurae are shrubland and wetlands.[1]
T. rakiurae is viviparous.[3]
The harlequin gecko has been assessed as Endangered by the IUCN since 2018, owing to its rarity, small range and declining population. Stewart Island is overrun with invasive predators such as cats (Felis domesticus) and rats (Rattus rattus, R. exulans, and R. norvegicus), which have also contributed to declines among native bird species. Like other New Zealand geckos, harlequin geckos breed and develop very slowly, with a female giving birth to only one offspring every two or three years. Each generation, which takes about 20 years to mature, appears to have about 30% fewer individuals than the previous generation. Poaching for the international pet trade is another potential threat: although the species has yet to be introduced into the pet trade, it is a known target of poachers acting within Rakiura National Park.[1]
2012年現在、ニュージーランド自然保護局（DOC）は、ハーレクインヤモリをニュージーランド脅威分類システムに基づき、国内絶滅危惧種に分類している。[ 9 ]この種は絶滅のおそれのある野生動植物の種の国際取引に関する条約（CITES）の附属書IIIで保護されており、国際的な輸出入はCITESの許可制度によって規制されている。[ 10 ]