An exciting new paper discussing the evolutionary history of Eublepharis. I was happy to help by donating many sheds from my geckos for DNA analysis.
The evolutionary history of an accidental model organism, the leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius (Squamata: Eublepharidae)
The evolutionary history of an accidental model organism, the leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius (Squamata: Eublepharidae)
Eublepharis angramainyu
Anderson & Leviton, 1966
Endemic to Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria these are by far the largest Eublepharid species we know of. Most adults would put any "super giant" macularius morph to shame. Babies typically hatch out at 10-12 grams and don't reach full adult maturity until 3-4 years. Even when pushed with food they will not breed before the 2 year mark. These are probably my favorite gecko species that I work with. From their interesting behavior to their long spidery legs that evolved to climb and trample over their rugged mountainous habitat, they are a truly unique form among their South Asian cousins. From pictures, some may not see their distinction from macularius right away, but once seen in person the differences are quickly noted. They tend to prefer roaches and larger invertebrates as a food source. Larger adults easily take down mature female dubia with ease. Their natural diet consists of mainly Scorpians, Solpugids, and other large invertebrates that are unfortunate enough to cross paths with one of these large geckos. Their range is quite vast, with many natural borders, which causes the variances of these geckos to be quite distinct. Preliminary genetic studies have shown great genetic variation from the different localities. They have been known to occur at elevations from 180-5900 ft. For these reasons I find great importance to preserve their natural localities in captivity. I currently keep one of the largest collections of pure locality angramainyu in the world, which consists of 4 very different localities. I have researched all captive bloodlines of these animals vigorously so I can say with confidence that my animals are pure.
12 gram E. angramainyu (kermanshah) hatchling next to average macularius (common morph leopard geckos). All hatched the same day.
Kermanshah Province
I work with a few different bloodlines from this province that were all found within 30 km of each other near Qasr-e Shirim city near the Iran/Iraq border. On average they don't tend to get quite as large as some of the other provinces, but still can reach an impressive size as adults. In my opinion they are the most beautiful locality of this species
Kermanshah in habitat
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E. angramainyu habitat, Kermanshah Province
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Ilam Province
Locality: Near Dehloran City
Ilam angramainyu are one of my personal favorites, reaching incredible adult sizes. They have a very unique lighter pigmentation that can be close to patternless in some animals. I work with multiple unrelated animals to ensure strong bloodlines to come within this locality. This locality seems to be the longest and most prolific. The larger males reach 12in+.
Masjed Soleyman - Khuzestan Province
Type Locality of the species, Masjeds have proven to be the most genetically divergent from all the other captive E. angramainyu locales. EAM51 referenced in this paper is one of our original males used in our breeding projects: Eublepharis Paper
E. angramainyu - Photographed near the city of Masjed Soleyman
Chogha Zanbil - Khuzestan Province
This is the lowest elevation form in captivity. They have a very unique dark brown coloration with a slightly more robust (macularius looking) build. One of my favorite localities of this species by far. A very interesting paper was published on the crossing of this locality with E. maculairus. See it here: Paper on crossing angramainyu to macilarius
Eublepharis fuscus
Börner, 1981
The West Indian Leopard gecko is an amazing species that I have dreamt of working with for many years. I now currently work with one of the largest groups in the world, consisting of many unrelated animals. These are an average sized Eublepharis species with a very smooth velvety feel to their skin. They seem to be temperature sex dependent but males have proved very difficult to produce with any consistency.
E. fuscus habitat, Pune India
Eublepharis hardwickii
Gray, 1827
Another very unique--medium sized--Eublepharis species that has only been bred in captivity for a few years now. Endemic to Eastern India their complete range is not exactly known. The lines seen in captivity are all from the area near Odisha.
Hardwickii tend to be more timid than some of the other species in the genus. They also seem to prefer more humid conditions with slightly lower temperatures than other Eublepharis. Males have been much harder to obtain in the hobby since incubation temperatures for sexed determination haven't been thoroughly established.
Hardwickii tend to be more timid than some of the other species in the genus. They also seem to prefer more humid conditions with slightly lower temperatures than other Eublepharis. Males have been much harder to obtain in the hobby since incubation temperatures for sexed determination haven't been thoroughly established.
E. hardwickii habitat, Tikarpada, Odisha India
Eublepharis turcmenicus
Darevsky, 1977
Known from the western and central Kopet Dagh Mountains in southern Turkmenistan, and possibly adjacent Iran, this species is one that is more closely related within the genus to E. macularius.
I believe future studies will reveal that these animals are not their own species, but rather a close sub species to macularius. They cross into macularius and have proven to produce stronger bloodlines. They also tend to be slightly smaller compared to the other species within the genus.
There is controversy about whether geckos in captivity are true turcmenicus. Without specific locality data and/or genetic studies we may never know for sure. Through the years of work and comparing many turcmenicus to macularius, I believe most turcmenicus are true (as described), though there is great potential that some of the lines are being crossed with macularius.
I believe future studies will reveal that these animals are not their own species, but rather a close sub species to macularius. They cross into macularius and have proven to produce stronger bloodlines. They also tend to be slightly smaller compared to the other species within the genus.
There is controversy about whether geckos in captivity are true turcmenicus. Without specific locality data and/or genetic studies we may never know for sure. Through the years of work and comparing many turcmenicus to macularius, I believe most turcmenicus are true (as described), though there is great potential that some of the lines are being crossed with macularius.
Habitat of E. turcmenicus
Eublepharis macularius
Blyth, 1854
This species is known as the common leopard geckos that we see in captivity today. Most in captivity are mixes of many localities within the species range. This is mostly due to the large groups of random WCs imported during the 80s and 90s. They are endemic to a large range throughout Pakistan, parts of Afghanistan, Northern India, and possibly parts of Eastern Iran. The different sub species that were described by Börner and the others--seen in captivity today-- deserve much scrutiny. None of the sub species seen today have any real locality info, therefore, are we are unable to confirm their true identity.
Although I believe they are of pure descent, to what extent, is not exactly known. For that reason I typically call them by their nicknames rather than their binomial scientific name (i.e., Fascio instead of E. m. fasciolatus). Although their history may be somewhat hazy, the captive bred lines of these animals have been known for striking characteristics and great outcrossing potential. They can help create desired looks and blood strength within our common morph leopard geckos. For that reason I maintain pure bloodlines of all of the known sub species in the hobby. More work must be done in these countries to sort out the taxonomy and phylogeny of this group. Hopefully, in the future, scientists will be allowed back into these war torn countries to do more studies.
Although I believe they are of pure descent, to what extent, is not exactly known. For that reason I typically call them by their nicknames rather than their binomial scientific name (i.e., Fascio instead of E. m. fasciolatus). Although their history may be somewhat hazy, the captive bred lines of these animals have been known for striking characteristics and great outcrossing potential. They can help create desired looks and blood strength within our common morph leopard geckos. For that reason I maintain pure bloodlines of all of the known sub species in the hobby. More work must be done in these countries to sort out the taxonomy and phylogeny of this group. Hopefully, in the future, scientists will be allowed back into these war torn countries to do more studies.
Afghans (E. m. afghanicus)
Fascios (E. m. fasciolatus)
Like other "fascios" these are the original BC Reptiles line.
E. macularius montanus (Gabor Kosa line)
We only work with the pure Gabor Kosa line which tend to be very snow like in appearance. They are very distinguishable from other macularius and other "so-called" montanus lines. We believe this line originated with Andrej Funk back in the early 2000s as they have a near identical look.
