Originally described as a species new to science in 1992 by herpetologists Richard Thomas and Blair Hedges, it is named after Nicholas Plummer who was one of the collectors of the holotype.[2]
Morphology
S. plummeri is a relatively small species of Sphaerodactylus that has very large, flattened, keeleddorsal scales.[3] This character is diagnostic, and distinguishes this species from S. streptophorus, S. armstrongi and S. ariasae, all of which are closely related to S. plummeri, but have considerably smaller dorsal scales.[2]
Dosal ground color is pale brownish to grayish, distinctly speckled with darker brown to black scales. These markings can be aligned forming fragmented dorsolateral stripes which are more defined in the scapular and sacral region. This species is sexually dichromatic, as males usually develop orange heads as they mature.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Distribution of Sphaerodactylus plummeri (known range; red).Habitat of Sphaerodactylus plummeri in Parque Nacional Jaragua, Dominican Republic.
S. plummeri is endemic to the south-western portions of the Barahona peninsula. This species inhabits karstic, xeric scrublands at altitudes of 0–100 m (0–328 ft).[1][3]
Ecology
S. plummeri is a terrestrial species that has been found under piles of organic debris including the decaying rosettes of dead Agave, and under piles of dry palm fronds.[2]
Thomas R, Hedges SB (1998). "A new gecko from the Sierra de Neiba of Hispaniola (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Sphaerodactylus)". Herpetologica54 (3): 333–336. (Sphaerodactylus schuberti, new species).
Rösler H (2000). "Kommentierte Liste der rezent, subrezent und fossil bekannten Geckotaxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha)". Gekkota2: 28-153. (Sphaerodactylus plummeri, p. 113). (in German).
Various authors (2003). Atlas de la terrariophile. Vol. 3: Les lézards. Animalia Éditions. ISBN2-9517895-2-1. (in French).
