Gigarcanum

Gigarcanum
Model in Lille Natural History Museum

Extinct (19th century)  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Infraorder: Gekkota
Family: Diplodactylidae
Genus: Gigarcanum
Heinicke, et al, 2023
Species:
G. delcourti
Binomial name
Gigarcanum delcourti
(Bauer & Russell, 1986)
Synonyms

Gigarcanum delcourti, formerly Hoplodactylus delcourti, commonly known as Delcourt’s giant gecko, is an extinct species of gecko in the family Diplodactylidae. It is the largest known of all geckos, with a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 37 cm (14.6 in) and an overall length (including tail) of at least 60 cm (23.6 in). It is only known from a single taxidermied specimen collected in the 19th century that was rediscovered unlabelled in a museum in France. The origin of the specimen was undocumented. While originally suggested to have been from New Zealand and the kawekaweau of Māori oral tradition, DNA evidence from the specimen suggests that it originates from New Caledonia.