Knob-tailed gecko
| Knob-tailed gecko | |
|---|---|
_(8656883171).jpg)
| |
| Nephrurus laevissimus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Gekkota |
| Family: | Carphodactylidae |
| Genus: | Nephrurus Günther, 1876 |
| Species | |
|
11 described species, see article. | |
The genus Nephrurus, collectively referred to as the knob-tailed geckos (or “knob-tails”), comprises several species of small, desert-dwelling, drought-tolerant Australian gecko. They are named for their stubby, knob-like tails, and are also easily identified by their rather large eyes. This adaptation of enlarged eyes is indicative of an animal’s lifestyle being predominantly crepuscular or nocturnal.
Description
[edit | edit source]Lizards of this genus are easily distinguished by their short bodies, large heads, small legs, and short, carrot-shaped tails that often end in a small knob.
Species
[edit | edit source]The following 11 species are recognized as being valid.[1]
- Nephrurus amyae Couper in Couper & Gregson, 1994 – Centralian rough knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus asper Günther, 1876 – rough knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus cinctus Storr, 1963 – northern banded knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus deleani Harvey, 1983 – Pernatty knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus eromanga Oliver, Donnellan & Gunn, 2022
- Nephrurus laevissimus Mertens, 1958 – smooth knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus levis De Vis, 1886 – smooth knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus levis levis De Vis, 1886
- Nephrurus levis occidentalis Storr, 1963
- Nephrurus levis pilbarensis Storr, 1963
- Nephrurus sheai Couper in Couper & Gregson, 1994 – Kimberley rough knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus stellatus Storr, 1968 – stellate knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus vertebralis Storr, 1963 – midline knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus wheeleri Loveridge, 1932 – banded knob-tailed gecko[2]
The former Nephrurus milii Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1823, is now Underwoodisaurus milii (Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1823) – barking gecko.
As pets
[edit | edit source]Some species are sold and captive bred as pets such as Nephrurus amyae, Nephrurus asper, Nephrurus cinctus, Nephrurus deleani, Nephrurus laevissimus, Nephrurus levis, Nephrurus vertebralis and Nephrurus wheeleri.
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Genus Nephrurus at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
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Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. Geckonidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I–XXXII. (Genus Nephrurus, p. 9).
- Günther A (1876). "Descriptions of new species of Reptiles from Australia". Journal des Museum Godeffroy 5 (12): 45–47. (Nephrurus, new genus, p. 46).
External links
[edit | edit source]
- AROD.com.au
- Gekkota.com Archived 2014-06-12 at the Wayback Machine
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