<< that is true about the rainy season and how exporters only look for what
will
bring in money, but masobe was described in 1994 and may have been imported
before that.>>
There is a huge difference here. Lygodactylus and other small geckos are
probably encountered by the collectors, however, you cannot blame a poor,
jobless collector when he is offered .04 cents for a small gecko species
that moves at the speed of light, or collecting a large, highly sought
after, lumbering P. masobe for $10. I know how I would utilize my time if
I were a collector. These collectors care nothing about providing to a
specialized interest of Ebenavia fanciers. They are tiny animals and may
not fare well through transport, in Mad. holding facilities and so forth.
The rare circumstances when these type species (Lygodactylus,
Millotisaurus, Matoatoa, and others) land in the US should be more
appreciated. To appreciate this better consider the availability of
Lepidoblepharis, Gonatodes, Sphaerodactylus and other tiny American
species. Why are they not represented better in US collections when they
are much "closer to home"? There is essentially no market for them. They
probably would be considerably harder to find, or at least in terms of
financially worthwhile. There is no mystery here.
<< Okay here is the problem. Ebenavia inuguius is a rare gecko even in the
wild, so I am told by people that would know. Why is this? Do they hide
really well? Hiding under leafs, palm fronds and lose bark is certainly an
excellent place for a little gecko to hide. Do they breed infrequently?
Are people looking for them in the wrong places?>>
I do not think anyone on this list is fully qualified to answer these
questions. Perhaps email Olaf and ask him. You may also consider tagging
along with Bill Love to Madagascar and answering these questions yourself?
I do not think your topics have been studied or published adequately.
I very seriously doubt that any P. masobe have been imported prior to the
original ones last year. The collectors, Olaf Pronk, and others are quite
prompt to use the marketing edge of offering new undescribed, or recently
described species. A single P. masobe mixed in with pictus would stand out
like a Tokay in a cage full of baby leopard geckos.
Jon
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