| Gehyra versicolor | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Gehyra |
| Species: | G. versicolor |
| Binomial name | |
| Gehyra versicolor Hutchinson, Sistrom, Donnellan, & Hutchinson, 2014 | |
Gehyra versicolor, commonly known as the eastern tree dtella. is a native Australian gecko occurring in temperate forests of eastern Australia. [1]
It was formerly considered as conspecific with Gehyra variegata until classified as a separate species in 2014. [1]
G. versicolor is a medium grey to brown gecko with complex dark and white markings. [1] It can have faint to prominent white spots or short lines adjoining on the posterior margins of dark markings. [1] The G. Versicolor has a flattened body and pads at the end of each toe. [2] They contain 8-11 pairs of supralabial scales. [1] The max body length is 57mm. [1] The adult snout length is between 37-54mm. [1] The length of full-grown tail is between 40-58mm. [1] The G. versicolor and G. variegate are extremely difficult to extinguish based on external morphology as they share the characteristics. [1] The species are distinguished due to their difference in karyotype and distribution. [1]
Historically, the genus Gehyra has been difficult to delimit due to their continent-wide distribution, similar morphological characteristics and high genetic diversity among the group. [3] In the 1970s and the 1980s, chromosomal studies found that there was substantial heterogeneity and independent patterns of karyotypic diversity within some of the species of Gehyra [1] . In 1982, the three species found were the G. variegate , G. monitum, and G. nana. In 2014, molecular genetic studies found that there were five separate species within the Gehyra genus. [1] G. monitum was split into two new species known as G. moritzi and G. pulingka [1] . The G. variegate Eastern Australian populations are now known as the G. versicolor [1] .
The most recent ancestor of the genus Gehyr migrated from Asia to Australia during the late-Eocene to mid- Miocene (13-33 million years ago). [4] [5] It was highly adapted to tropical environments and the division of the genus occurred when they migrated to the arid Kimberly region. [5]
G. versicolor is widespread over the Eastern part of Australia. [1] Its range stretches from northern Victoria through the Great Dividing Range of New South Wales and up to North Queensland. [1] It stretches west into most of South Australia and into central Northern Territory. [1] It is not found in Western Australia or Tasmania.
G. versicolor is reliant on native, mature, woody vegetation for habitat. [6] These semi-arid macrohabitats are widespread usually fall under the categories of dry woodland, desert or savannah woodland. [6] Vegetation is often composed of Red Gum, Pine- Buloke, Mallee and Black Box Woodland. [6]
The microhabitat of G. versicolor is characterised of thick peeling bark, fallen logs, fallen timber, leaf litter and rocks. [7] The species is both arboreal and saxicoline, relying on both the group and mid-canopy habitats. [7]
Male and female G. versicolor reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age but do not begin breeding until 3 years old. [8] Females lay a single egg twice per year. [2] The first egg is laid in late spring and the second egg is laid in mid-summer. [2] Eggs are dispersed away from parent habitat and are usually laid under protective logs, bark or rock formations. [2] Eggs hatch approximately 60–80 days after they are laid. [2]
G. versicolor is primarily nocturnal but is known to be active during the day to thermoregulate. [2] Like all reptilian species, G. Versicolor is cold-blooded and must thermoregulate through behavioural actions, such as sunning themselves. [8] Breeding and growth are limited to the warmer months within a year and the species undergo a state of torpor during the colder winter months. [8]
Males are territorial and only one can occur per tree. Males often share a habitat with one or two females. [8] Like most geckos, they are tolerating of young and will share their microhabitat with them for long periods of time. [8]
G. versicolor have limited dispersal movements. [8] The largest movements occur when the female deposit their eggs within a different microhabitat. [8] Young also disperse when finding vacant and suitable microhabitats. [8]
G. versicolor, like all species of the genus Gehyra, can detach their tail as defensive mechanism and regrow it back. [9] When a G. versicolor is stressed, they drop their tail in an attempt to distract and escape from predators. [9]
G. versicolor is an omnivore that preys on a variety of arthropods including beetles, spiders and crickets [4]. They also rely on sap from gum bleeds due to its high nutrient intake [5]. G. Versicolor will continuously lick sap and are more commonly found on vegetation with significant gum bleeds such as the A. Victoriae [5].
G. versicolor have limited competition with native species. [8] The geckos, Oedura ocellata Boulenger and the Heteronotia binoei (Gray) compete for the same macrohabitat but have different microhabitat and food resources. [8] Termites are a competing native species with the G. versicolor as they degrade microhabitats used by the gecko. [8]
G. versicolor are known to be a common food resource for many native and invasive predators. [8] They are predated by red foxes and feral cats (invasive), marsupial mice, kookaburras, ravens, butcher-birds and larger lizards and skinks (native). [8]
G. versicolor play a vital role within their ecosystem. They are an abundant food resources for many predators, including a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals. [8] They are also responsible for pollination and seed dispersal for many native vegetative species. [10] Whilst looking for food, the gecko often rubs against plant stigmas and allows for cross-pollination between other species and populations. [10]
G. versicolor is categorised at least concern on the ranking of conservation status. [11] It has a stable and highly abundant population. [11] However, the G. versicolor is especially vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation. [6] They are an interior species that rely on continuous, mature, native habitat. [6] They are not effective dispersers, so are unable to migrate if their habitat is targeted by land-clearing. [6] It was found that G. versicolor completely avoid agricultural landscapes and edge habitat due to the high rates of predation. [6]
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