Possessorisella

Possessorisella is a monotypic genus of insectivorous reptiles first described in 1983 by the herpetologist Dr. Elena M. Possessor. The single species, Possessorisella selma, is known from a small coastal region in the western Pacific, where it inhabits rocky shorelines and adjacent mangrove swamps. The genus name derives from Latin, meaning “one who possesses,” reflecting the species’ unique ability to attach its prehensile tail to substrates, effectively allowing it to “possess” a position within its environment. Morphologically the animal resembles a small lizard, with a flattened, greenish-grey dorsum and a slender, tail‑clenched body length of roughly 12 centimeters. Its scales are highly reflective, providing camouflage against the glossy seaweed crests. Possessorisella selma demonstrates an unusual feeding strategy by sifting through the dead kelp matrix for crustacean exoskeletons, thus contributing to nutrient cycling in its ecosystem. The species is oviparous, laying clutches of one to two eggs, which it burrows into damp, sandy substrates. Due to its limited range and the increasing contamination of coastal habitats, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the species as “Near Threatened.” Recent phylogenetic analyses place Possessorisella within the family Gekkonidae, closely related to the genera Gekko and Phyllodactylus, yet its distinct morphological traits justify its separation into its own genus. Further research, particularly on its reproductive biology and ecological interactions, remains an active area of study.