Flat-tailed house gecko

Last updated

Flat-tailed house gecko
Asian house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Hemidactylus
Species:
H. platyurus
Binomial name
Hemidactylus platyurus
(Schneider, 1797)
Synonyms
  • Cosymbotes platyurus
  • Cosymbotus platyurus
  • Crossurus platyurus
  • Gehyra platyurus
  • Gekko platyurus
  • Platyurus platyurus
  • Hoplopodion platyurus
  • Lacerta schneideriana
  • Lacerta tjitja
  • Lomatodactylus platyurus
  • Nycteridium himalayanum
  • Nycteridium platyurus
  • Nycteridium schneideri
  • Hemidactylus marginatus
  • Hemidactylus nepalensis
  • Platyurus marginatus
  • Platyurus platyurus
  • Platyurus schneiderianus
  • Stellio platyurus

The flat-tailed house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus), also known as the frilled house gecko or Asian house gecko, is a species of Gekkonidae native to southeastern and southern Asia. The species is sometimes classified under the genus Cosymbotus . [2] [3]

Contents

Description

Underside of the gecko showing webbed-toes and fringes Underside of Hemidctylus platyurus.jpg
Underside of the gecko showing webbed-toes and fringes

Snout longer than the distance between the eye and the ear opening, one time and a half the diameter of the orbit; forehead concave; ear-opening small, oval, oblique. Rostral four-sided, not twice as broad as high, with median cleft above; nostril bordered by the rostral, the first labial and three nasals. Nine to eleven upper and seven or eight lower labials; mental large. triangular or pentagonal; two pair of chin-shields, the median pair large, in contact with each other, the posterior pair small, sometimes separated from the labials. Body depressed, covered above with uniform small granules, largest on the snout; a dermal expansion from axilla to groin and another along the posterior side of the hind limb. Ventral scales cycloid, imbricate. Male with an uninterrupted series of 34—36 femoral pores. Tail depressed, flat inferiorly, with sharp denticulated lateral edge, covered above with uniform small granules, below with a median series of transversely dilated plates. Limbs moderate, depressed; digits strongly dilated, about half-webbed, inner well developed; 3 to 6 lamellae under the inner, 7 to 9 under the median digits. Grey above, marbled with darker grey; generally a dark streak from eye to shoulder. Lower parts white. Length of head and body 61 mm (2.4 in); tail 66 mm (2.6 in). [4]

Distribution

Bangladesh, N India (Darjeeling, Sikkim), Nicobar Islands, Nepal, Bhutan, China (Guangdong, SE Xizang = Tibet),Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia (កម្ពុជា), Malaysia (incl. Pulau Tioman), Burma (= Myanmar), Vietnam, New Guinea (?), Philippine Islands (Palawan, Calamian Islands, Panay, Luzon), Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores).

They are also introduced in Florida (Pinellas, Alachua, Lee, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties) in the USA. [5]

As a pet

These geckos are frequently found in the pet trade, including corporate chain stores, usually identified only as "house gecko". While there are other species of gecko available under the same common name, the Cosymbotus platyurus is easily identified by the flaps of skin along its sides, making them resemble a miniature flying gecko (genus Ptychozoon ). They are easily maintained in a terrarium with frequent misting and insect prey, but they are not easy to handle. Also, herpetoculturists often use this species in addition to anoles as a feeder lizard for some species of snakes, especially Asian green vine snakes ( Ahaetulla prasina ).

Notes

  1. Wogan, G.; Lwin, K.; Cai, B.; Shi, L.; Rao, D.-Q.; Wang, Y.; Iskandar, D. (2021). "Hemidactylus platyurus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . IUCN. 2021: e.T195303A2377824. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T195303A2377824.en . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  2. Cosymbotus craspedotus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  3. "Cosymbotus craspedotus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  4. Rooij, Nelly de. 1915. The reptiles of the Indo-Australian archipelago. Volume 1. Leiden.
  5. Krysko, Kenneth L.; Enge, Kevin M.; Moler, Paul E. (2019). Amphibians and Reptiles of Florida. University of Florida Press. pp. 332–333. ISBN   9781683400448.

Related Research Articles

<i>Gehyra mutilata</i> Species of lizard

Gehyra mutilata, also known commonly as the common four-clawed gecko, Pacific gecko, stump-toed gecko, sugar gecko in Indonesia, tender-skinned house gecko, and butiki in Filipino, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia. It has made its way to several areas of the world including Sri Lanka, Indochina, and many of the Pacific Islands. Compared to the common house gecko, the appearance of G. mutilata is somewhat plump, with delicate skin. The skin is usually colored a soft purplish/pinkish gray, with golden spots on younger specimens; these spots eventually fade with age.

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

The Oriental leaf-toed gecko, also known commonly as the Asian smooth gecko, Bowring's gecko, Bowring's smooth gecko, and the Sikkimese dark-spotted gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to East Asia.

<i>Hemidactylus brookii</i> Species of lizard

Hemidactylus brookii, also known commonly as Brooke's house gecko and the spotted house gecko, is a widespread species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indo-Pacific gecko</span> Species of reptile

The Indo-Pacific gecko, also known commonly as Garnot's house gecko, the fox gecko, and the Assam greyish brown gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is found in India, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Australia, and throughout Polynesia. Adults are about 4 to 5 in in total length. They are seen as dark gray or brown with light markings in daylight and a pale, translucent colour at night. The belly is orange or yellow. The head has a long, narrow snout, hence the name fox gecko. The flattened tail has a row of spiny scales on the lateral edges. The species is parthenogenic – all individuals are female and lay eggs that hatch without requiring male fertilisation.

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

The Indian golden gecko or Beddome's golden gecko is a species of gecko known only from the Eastern Ghats of India. It was rediscovered from the hills near present-day Tirupati. The rediscovery was after over 100 years since its description.

<i>Hemidactylus maculatus</i> Species of lizard

Hemidactylus maculatus, also known as the spotted leaf-toed gecko or giant spotted gecko, is a species of large gecko found in the Western Ghats of India and in parts of Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leschenault's leaf-toed gecko</span> Species of lizard

Leschenault's leaf-toed gecko is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to South Asia and parts of West Asia. It is often found inside homes. Its scientific name commemorates French botanist Jean Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour.

Jerdon's day gecko is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to India and Sri Lanka.

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

The Kandyan day gecko or Kandyan rock gecko is a species of diurnal gecko found in Sri Lanka.

<i>Cyrtodactylus deccanensis</i> Species of lizard

Cyrtodactylus deccanensis, also commonly known as Deccan ground gecko, Günther's Indian gecko, or the banded ground gecko, is a species of gecko found in the northern Western Ghats of India. It has been found from northern Maharashtra, with a habitat range possibly extending to southern Gujarat. Cyrtodactylus albofasciatus was previously considered conspecific with Cyrtodactylus deccanensis but is now accepted as a valid species.

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

The Malayan forest gecko or banded bent-toed gecko is a species of gecko found in Southeast Asia.

<i>Hemidactylus giganteus</i> Species of lizard

Hemidactylus giganteus, also known as the giant leaf-toed gecko, the giant southern tree gecko, or the giant gecko, is a species of gecko endemic to India.

Hemidactylus karenorum, commonly known as the Burmese leaf gecko, the Burmese leaf-toed gecko, or the Burmese spotted gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.

<i>Hemidactylus persicus</i> Species of lizard

Hemidactylus persicus, also known as the Persian leaf-toed gecko or Persian gecko, is a species of gecko found in West Asia.

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

The reticulate leaf-toed gecko is a species of terrestrial, nocturnal, insectivorous gecko found in rocky areas of South India. It takes refuge under stones on ground during day time and emerges out at night for its activities.

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

The scaly gecko is a species of nocturnal, terrestrial, insectivorous gecko found in South India and northern Sri Lanka. This species was first discovered in the coastal sand dunes of Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, it was incorrectly identified and only recently, elaborate descriptions and molecular data are available, enabling a proper identification.

Hemidactylus subtriedrus, also known as Jerdon's gecko or Madras blotched gecko, is a species of gecko found in India and Sri Lanka.

<i>Hemidactylus triedrus</i> Species of lizard

Hemidactylus triedrus, also known as the termite hill gecko, Dakota's leaf-toed gecko, or blotched house gecko, is a species of gecko found in South Asia. The race lankae of Sri Lanka, is now given species status and known as Hemidactylus lankae

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mediterranean house gecko</span> Species of reptile

The Mediterranean house gecko is a species of house gecko common to the Mediterranean area, from which it has spread to many parts of the world. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name and also as the moon lizard because it emerges in the evening.

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

The marbled bow-fingered gecko is a species of gecko found in Southeast Asia.

References