Diplodactylus vittatus

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Diplodactylus vittatus
Eastern Stone Gecko (Diplodactylus vittatus) (9107575734).jpg
Distribution Map of Diplodactylus vittatus in Australia.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Diplodactylidae
Genus: Diplodactylus
Species:
D. vittatus
Binomial name
Diplodactylus vittatus
Gray, 1832

Diplodactylus vittatus, commonly known as the eastern stone gecko, stone gecko, and wood gecko, [2] [3] is a species of diplodactylid lizards that occurs in forest, shrubland and arid regions across Australia. It is widespread across the states of Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, commonly found in dry peripheral bushlands. [4] This gecko can be kept as a pet or seen within zoo enclosures.

Contents

Description

D. vittatus Eastern Stone Gecko (Diplodactylus vittatus) (9391192588).jpg
D. vittatus

Diplodactylus vittatus is a small nocturnal terrestrial lizard which is native to Australia. [3] [5] The eastern stone gecko has a dark brown body with pale notched zigzag strips from the back to the tip of its short plump tail. [4] The gecko has physical attributes of four limbs with four setae covered digits, large eyes with vertical pupils, fleshy tongue (which the species uses to clean their eyes), tiny granular scales, soft bodies and no eye lids. The tail is used for many purposes including balancing when climbing, fat storage, and camouflage. [6]

Diplodactylus vittatus can grow up to 6 cm long from snout to vent and 9 cm from snout to tail end. [4] The gecko has a relatively short live span of around 5 years.

Taxonomy

John Edward Gray was the scientific author who described the Diplodactylus vittatus in 1832. The family Diplodactylidae contains a diverse group of geckos that are from the suborder Gekkota. The genus was characterised by similar morphologies but genetically divergent lineages and taxa. [7]

Distribution

Diplodactylus vittatus are found throughout forest, shrublands and semi-arid environments of Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. [3] The species is commonly found in dry bushlands particularly lightly timbered but mostly absent from suburbs. [4]

Ecology and habitat

D. vittatus Diplodactylus vittatus.jpg
D. vittatus

Diplodactylus vittatus is a nocturnal (night-active) and terrestrial (ground-dwelling) native Australian reptile. This species within diurnal hours will shelter in burrows and depressions under rocks or fallen timbers (reason for the common name of stone or wood gecko). [8]

Diplodactylus vittatus, like majority of reptiles, are ectothermic, meaning the species requires their external environment to maintain and regulate their body temperature via physiological and behavioural means. [9] Diplodactylus vittatus would choose microhabitats to forage within which were between their preferred temperature range (17°C–26°C) and choose to shelter in warmer locations which would aid in their thermoregulation during the diurnal hours, which enhances physiological processes of digestion and egg development. The species would select their foraging microhabitats and burrowing location depending on temperature needs of the individual to either increase or decrease their body temperature. [9] Failure of maintaining thermoregulation can lead to loss of energy, predation, increased competition especially for resources and decrease access to their prey. [9]

Diplodactylus vittatus heavily relies on foliage, rocks and debris for surviving as the species have adapted to using camouflage, these environments providing their main food source, therefore the stone gecko can be commonly found in these locations. [6]

This species will communicate to each other by noises of clicking, chirping and barking, and also through body language (standing on hind legs). This communication can be used to attract a mate or when males are defending territories. [3] [6]

Reproduction

Diplodactylus vittatus is an oviparous (egg-laying) with breeding seasons being between September through to February depending on their environment and location. The female will have clutch sizes of two eggs, having multiple clutches in the breeding season with females laying their eggs in leaves, bark, burrows and debris. [3] [6] The males' actively defend their territories by chirping, clicking or barking but these noises can be used to attract a mate too. [6]

Diet

Diplodactylus vittatus are insectivores, meaning their primary diet consists of insects which the species actively hunt by either catching their prey with their tongue or closing their jaw. [3] [10] Diplodactylus vittatus foraging activity is temperature dependent having a narrow air and substrate temperature range of between 17°C and 26°C, therefore the species activity happens in falling temperatures, mainly at dusk. [5]

Predators

The predators of Diplodactylus vittatus include larger reptiles, birds, snakes, frogs and some mammals. When the animal feels threatened, it will intimidate its predator by opening its mouth and standing on its hind legs to appear larger in size. [3] The species has adapted to camouflage and sheds the tails in order to avoid and escape their predators. [6]

Threats

Diplodactylus vittatus foraging activities commence during dusk causing the gecko to struggle to maintain its body temperature due to needing to thermoregulate, therefore climate change can pose a threat to the Eastern Stone Geckos thermoregulation and foraging activities. [5] Habitat loss and degradation are other threats that could affect the species.

Related Research Articles

<i>Diplodactylus</i> Genus of lizards

Diplodactylus is a genus of geckos of the family Diplodactylidae from Australia. They are sometimes called stone geckos or fat-tailed geckos. Member species are morphologically similar but genetically distinct.

The western beaked gecko is a species of gecko found throughout the interior of Australia.

<i>Christinus marmoratus</i> Species of reptile endemic to Australia

Christinus marmoratus, also known as marbled gecko or southern marbled gecko, is a species of Gekkonidae (gecko) native to southern mainland of Australia, from Victoria to Western Australia. The species is well adapted to a variety of habitats, including city dwellings..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dubious dtella</span> Species of lizard

The dubious dtella, native Australian house gecko, or dubious four-clawed gecko is a species of gecko in the genus Gehyra, native to Northeastern Australia. The lizard is found in a variety of habitats, including acacia and eucalyptus woodlands, and in human-developed habitats, such as house walls in urban areas. Its urban presence makes it known as a common house gecko in Queensland. These geckos are often confused with the Asian common house gecko, which was introduced to Australia from Indonesia, but G. dubia has distinct rounded feet and quieter calls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad-tailed gecko</span> Species of lizard

The broad-tailed gecko, southern leaf-tailed gecko, or Sydney leaf-tailed gecko is a common gecko of the family Carphodactylidae found in the Sydney Basin. The species uses its mottled colour to camouflage against bark or rock, and if threatened can drop its large fleshy tail as a decoy. The tail is also useful for fat storage. This species of gecko is available in captivity as a pet, they are a nocturnal ambush hunter, relying on camouflage and patience to catch prey. Primary prey items include large nocturnal invertebrates such as spiders, cockroaches and beetles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central netted dragon</span> Species of lizard

The central netted dragon or central netted ground dragon is a species of agamid lizard occurring in a wide range of arid to semiarid regions of Australia. It is widespread across the continent, commonly found in open, sandy, desert habitats. It is a popular pet and can often be found in zoos.

<i>Lucasium steindachneri</i> Species of lizard

Lucasium steindachneri, commonly called the box-patterned gecko or Steindachner's gecko, is a species of nocturnal, medium-sized lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species has a pale strip with three patches of brown along its back. This gecko is terrestrial and only found in arid and semi-arid areas of continental Australia.

Lucasium byrnei, also known commonly as the gibber gecko, Byrne's gecko, and the pink-blotched gecko, is a species of small, nocturnal lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

<i>Lucasium stenodactylum</i> Species of lizard

Lucasium stenodactylum, also known as the crowned gecko or pale-snouted ground gecko, is a species of gecko from Australia.

<i>Diplodactylus tessellatus</i> Species of lizard

Diplodactylus tessellatus, commonly known as the tessellated gecko, is a small terrestrial lizard found distributed in inland New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and the north western corner of Victoria. The tessellated gecko is one of 26 species in the genus Diplodactylus all of which are confined to continental Australia. A small gecko varying in colour from grey to rich reddish-brown with a highly variable dorsal pattern.

<i>Strophurus intermedius</i> Species of lizard

Strophurus intermedius, also known commonly as the eastern spiny-tailed gecko or the southern spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to semi-arid regions of Australia in New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, in mallee shrubland and woodland habitats.

<i>Saltuarius salebrosus</i> Species of lizard

Saltuarius salebrosus, also known as the rough-throated leaf-tailed gecko or Central Queensland leaf-tailed gecko, is a gecko found in Australia. It is endemic to dry areas in mid-eastern and south-central Queensland.

<i>Diplodactylus conspicillatus</i> Species of lizard

Diplodactylus conspicillatus, the variable fat-tailed gecko or burrow-plug gecko, is a diplodactylid gecko endemic to central and arid inland areas of Australia. Widespread across the continent, the variable fat-tailed is most commonly found in sandy desert habitats dominated by spinifex grasses. They have also been bred in captivity by zoos and as pets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border beaked gecko</span> Species of lizard

The border beaked gecko is a gecko endemic to Australia in the family Gekkonidae. It is known for its distinctive beak-like snout and ability to camouflage itself in its surroundings.

<i>Strophurus elderi</i> Species of lizard

Strophurus elderi, also known commonly as the jewelled gecko, is a terrestrial, nocturnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. Previously classified within the genus Diplodactylus, S. elderi is one of 22 geckos belonging to the genus Strophurus. The species is endemic to the arid regions of central and north-western Australia.

<i>Strophurus taenicauda</i> Species of lizard

Strophurus taenicauda, also known commonly as the golden spiny-tailed gecko or the golden-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to eastern Australia. Three subspecies are recognized.

<i>Strophurus williamsi</i> Species of lizard

Strophurus williamsi, also known commonly as the eastern spiny-tailed gecko, the soft-spined gecko, and Williams' spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to semi-arid regions of eastern Australia including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It has become a popular species as a pet for its distinctive tail features. S. williamsi has been grouped within a clade of seven other species that are believed to have diverged from their ancestors around 20 million years ago. S. williamsi can be distinguished from closer relatives by arboreality and diurnal (day-active) activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canterbury gecko</span> Species of lizard

The Canterbury gecko is a gecko found in the South Island of New Zealand. It is also known by the Māori names Waitaha gecko and Moko-pāpā, and as the brown gecko. It had previously been placed in a different genus and called Hoplodactylus brunneus, but further study split the genus Hoplodactylus into six genera, with some groups close to the former Hoplodactylus maculatus "Canterbury" being assigned to the new genus Woodworthia.

<i>Teratoscincus roborowskii</i> Species of lizard

Teratoscincus roborowskii, commonly known as the Tibetan wonder gecko or Turpan wonder gecko, is a species of gecko in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the Turpan Depression in Xinjiang, northwestern China, where it occurs in arid shrubland and desert habitats. It reaches a snout-vent length of 75.5–93.6 mm (3.0–3.7 in), and adult males tend to have wider heads than adult females.

The eastern deserts fat-tailed gecko is a small terrestrial species of gecko endemic to Australia, and is a part of the Diplodactylus genus.

References

  1. ↑ Greenlees, M.; Venz, M. (2018). "Diplodactylus vittatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T102674138A102674165. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T102674138A102674165.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Diplodactylus vittatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 9 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Eastern Stone Gecko | Grasslands". grasslands.ecolinc.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Museum, c=AU; co=Queensland Government; ou=Queensland. "Stone Gecko". www.qm.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-10-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. 1 2 3 Bustard, H. Robert (1968-08-31). "Temperature dependent activity in the Australian gecko Diplodactylus vittatus". Copeia. 1968 (3): 606–612. doi:10.2307/1442032. JSTOR   1442032.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Gecko". Kids. 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  7. ↑ Doughty, Paul & Oliver, Paul M. (2013). "Systematics of Diplodactylus (Squamata: Diplodactylidae) from the south-western Australian biodiversity hotspot: redefinition of D. polyophthalmus and the description of two new species" (PDF). Records of the Western Australian Museum. 28: 44–65. doi: 10.18195/issn.0312-3162.28(1).2013.044-065 .
  8. ↑ Museum, c=AU; co=Queensland Government; ou=Queensland. "Geckos". www.qm.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-10-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. 1 2 3 Tan, W. C. & Schwanz, L. E. (2015). "Thermoregulation across thermal environments in a nocturnal gecko". Journal of Zoology. 296 (3): 208–216. doi:10.1111/jzo.12235.
  10. ↑ "Diplodactylus vittatus Gray, 1832, Wood Gecko". Museums Victoria Collections. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
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