Lygodactylus williamsi [SEP] IUCN conservation status
Lygodactylus williamsi
Lygodactylus williamsi is a critically endangered species of lizards, endemic to a small area of Tanzania. Common names include turquoise dwarf gecko, William's dwarf gecko, or, in the pet trade, electric blue gecko.
Illegal wild-caught specimens are widely sold in the pet trade, often misdescribed as captive-bred. Although "L. williamsi" breeds in captivity, the young require a lot of care, making large-scale breeding difficult. A captive breeding project and studbook was initiated by EAZA zoos
in 1964. It is currently recognized as an IUCN Category IV — Habitat/Species Management Area. The area is home to at least 226 vertebrate species, including 52 amphibians and 174 mammals. Several endangered species are recorded from the area including lion and black rhino as well as lesser-known species. The reserve is adjacent to Mikumi National Park about 180 miles west of Dar es Salaam.
The forest holds special significance for conservation of the turquoise gecko ("Lygodactylus williamsi"), being only one of two localities