The ProAves El Jaguar Reserve, located in Mapiripán (Meta), marks 13 years of continuous work in the conservation of biodiversity in Colombia’s Orinoquía region. For more than a decade, this protected area has established itself as a stronghold for the protection of strategic ecosystems, safeguarding forests and savannas that serve as a refuge for numerous species of fauna and flora, many of them threatened or little studied.
Thanks to these sustained efforts, the Reserve continues to generate valuable biodiversity records that demonstrate the good conservation status of its ecosystems. One of the most recent is that of Thecadactylus rapicauda, known as the “turnip-tailed gecko,” a species that stands out both for its characteristics and its ecological importance.
This small lizard belongs to the gecko family (Phyllodactylidae). It is characterized as an arboreal and scaly species, with toe pads that facilitate climbing. Its diet is mainly based on invertebrates, although it occasionally consumes fruits, small mammals, and reptiles.
Thecadactylus rapicauda is an oviparous species that inhabits tropical forests (both humid and dry) and savannas, with a wide distribution across the Americas; it is also one of the largest geckos on the continent.
Its common name comes from its most distinctive feature: a thick, cone-shaped tail that noticeably widens. This appendage is vital for its survival, as it can be detached to distract predators or vigorously waved as a warning signal. The record of Thecadactylus rapicauda in the ProAves El Jaguar Reserve not only expands knowledge about the species’ distribution, but also serves as an indicator of ecosystem health. Findings like this reaffirm the importance of strengthening conservation efforts in strategic territories, where each recorded species reflects the balance and natural richness that still persist.
