Hi Francis, I posted a spotting earlier today showing a Tender-skinned House Gecko (Butiki) and I am just about to post another one this evening featuring a Butiki that my wife photographed for me back in 2014. The reason for contacting you is that I would like to mention your spotting as another example. Is that OK with you ? John B.
Hi again Mark. your two comments on the Butiki just arrived while I was answering you about the spider. I like your splat idea. The "new tail" was my first reaction also, but I'm not so sure. I didn't mention it in my spotting to give myself a little more time to research. I have a feeling that this species always looks like that (the other Butiki, Hemidactylus frenatus only has the "join" showing when it really has just grown a new tail. I saw a Gehyra mutilata in Francis Floe's collection and it has the "join" and I am pretty sure I have one from 2014 that also has it. I intend to dig out the old one this evening and have a look at some more on the internet just to square it away. Thanks again. John B.
The moma is the species Parablennius pilicornis, a marine fish of the blenny family. Its scientific name comes from the Greek: para (next to) + blennios (mucosity) + pilicornis (horns of hairs). The body of Parablennius pilicornis is elongated and somewhat laterally compressed, especially as its body runs. They can reach sizes up to 13 cm in length. One of the characteristics that differentiate this species from others within the family is the presence of short supraorbital appendages that form bundles of filaments that resemble an eyebrow, hence the specific epithet pilicornis. From its head, its large eyes located in the upper lateral part stand out, these being very mobile. The mouth is located in a lower position and has thick lips. The skin of Parablennius pilicornis, as in other blennies, is bare, that is, it lacks scales. Instead they secrete a mucous substance that makes them very slippery to the touch, which has given them the common name of slugs. Certain males during the breeding season adopt a livery with the entire body dark blue almost black.
Wildlife
