Ptychozoon

Last updated

Ptychozoon
Ptychozoon kuhli.jpg
Ptychozoon kuhli
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Gekkoninae
Genus: Ptychozoon
Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822

Ptychozoon was a genus of arboreal geckos, endemic to Southeast Asia, known commonly as flying geckos, gliding geckos, or parachute geckos. [1] They all are now placed in the genus Gekko in the family Gekkonidae. The biogeographic history of the genus Ptychozoon was deeply nested within that of the genus Gekko , the center of diversity of which is within Southeast Asia. Since dispersing into Southeast Asian rainforests, Pytochozoon, like other forest-dwelling vertebrates, adapted to facilitate gliding. [2] All species in the genus Ptychozoon are characterized by cryptic coloration and elaborate webs surrounding the neck, limbs, trunk, and tail. [1] These membranes help to conceal the gecko against trees. When the gecko leaps into the air, the flaps are used to generate lift and allow the gecko to control its fall. It can glide up to 200 feet (61 meters). Also it does a swoop at the end of its glide to land softly. A similar adaptation is found in geckos of the genus Cosymbotus . There were thirteen described species in the genus Ptychozoon.

Contents

Species

The following species were recognized as being valid. [3]

Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Ptychozoon.

Related Research Articles

<i>Gekko</i> Genus of lizards

Gekko is a genus of Southeast Asian geckos, commonly known as true geckos or calling geckos, in the family Gekkonidae. Although species such as Gekko gecko are very widespread and common, some species in the same genus have a very small range and are considered rare or endangered.

<i>Hemiphyllodactylus</i> Genus of lizards

Hemiphyllodactylus is a genus of geckos ranging from India and China southward to Southeast Asia and Oceania. Species of Hemiphyllodactylus are commonly known as half leaf-fingered geckos. Many species are known as dwarf geckos or slender geckos.

<i>Cnemaspis</i> Genus of lizards

Cnemaspis is a genus of diurnal (day) geckos found in Asia. With over 100 species, it is one of the most diverse genera of geckos. Molecular phylogenies suggest that the two regional groupings may form distinct clades which are not each other's closest relatives.

<i>Cyrtodactylus</i> Genus of lizards

Cyrtodactylus is a diverse genus of Asian geckos, commonly known as bent-toed geckos, bow-fingered geckos, and forest geckos. The genus has 354 described species as of 2023, which makes it the largest of all gecko genera.

<i>Draco</i> (lizard) Genus of lizards

Draco is a genus of agamid lizards that are also known as flying lizards, flying dragons or gliding lizards. These lizards are capable of gliding flight via membranes that may be extended to create wings (patagia), formed by an enlarged set of ribs. They are arboreal insectivores.

<i>Lygosoma</i> Genus of lizards

Lygosoma is a genus of lizards, commonly known as supple skinks or writhing skinks, which are members of the family Scincidae. Lygosoma is the type genus of the subfamily Lygosominae. The common name, writhing skinks, refers to the way these stubby-legged animals move, snake-like but more slowly and more awkwardly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heinrich Kuhl</span> German naturalist and zoologist (1797–1821)

Heinrich Kuhl was a German naturalist and zoologist.

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

The tokay gecko is a nocturnal arboreal gecko in the genus Gekko, the true geckos. It is native to Asia and some Pacific Islands.

<i>Draco volans</i> Species of reptile

Draco volans, also commonly known as the common flying dragon, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia. Like other members of genus Draco, this species has the ability to glide using winglike lateral extensions of skin called patagia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern spadefoot toad</span> Genus of amphibians

Eastern spadefoot toads comprise a genus of the family Megophryidae in the order Anura, and are found in southern China, northeast India, southeast Asia, and islands of the Sunda Shelf as well as the Philippines. They are characterized by a stocky body with slender, short hindlimbs. In identifying species, iris colour is a valuable diagnostic morphological characteristic ; the iris has uniform colour in some species, whereas in other species the upper half is coloured and the lower half is dark.

<i>Gekko kuhli</i> Species of lizard

Gekko kuhli, commonly known as Kuhl's flying gecko, Kuhl's parachute gecko, or the gliding gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is found in Southeast Asia.

<i>Gekko lionotum</i> Species of lizard

Gekko lionotum, commonly known as smooth-backed gliding gecko or Burmese flying gecko, is a species of gecko found in Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying and gliding animals</span> Animals that have evolved aerial locomotion

A number of animals are capable of aerial locomotion, either by powered flight or by gliding. This trait has appeared by evolution many times, without any single common ancestor. Flight has evolved at least four times in separate animals: insects, pterosaurs, birds, and bats. Gliding has evolved on many more occasions. Usually the development is to aid canopy animals in getting from tree to tree, although there are other possibilities. Gliding, in particular, has evolved among rainforest animals, especially in the rainforests in Asia where the trees are tall and widely spaced. Several species of aquatic animals, and a few amphibians and reptiles have also evolved this gliding flight ability, typically as a means of evading predators.

<i>Liopeltis</i> Genus of snakes

Liopeltis is a genus of colubrid snakes. With species known from India and Southeast Asia.

<i>Hypsiscopus</i> Genus of snakes

Hypsiscopus is a genus of snakes of the family Homalopsidae. The name comes from the Greek words Hypsi, meaning high or lofty, and scopus, meaning view, and refers to the location of the eyes, which are set high on the heads of these snakes.

Brooks's wolf gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Sumatra.

<i>Luperosaurus macgregori</i> Species of lizard

Luperosaurus macgregori, known commonly as MacGregor's wolf gecko or McGregor's flapped-legged gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Philippines.

<i>Gekko horsfieldii</i> Species of lizard

Gekko horsfieldii, also known commonly as Horsfield's flying gecko, Horsfield's gliding gecko, and Horsfield's parachute gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Asia.

Niane Sivongxay is a zoologist and herpetologist from Laos, who is Director of the South East Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Community Education Development and is Assistant Professor of Biology at the National University of Laos. She specialises in the study of zooplankton, amphibians and reptiles.

References

  1. 1 2 Malkmus R, Manthey U (2002). Amphibians & Reptiles of Mount Kinabalu (North Borneo). Germany: A.R.G. 424 pp. ISBN   978-3904144834. (Ptychozoon, pp. 32, 267-268).
  2. Heinicke MP, Greenbaum E, Jackman TR, Bauer AM (December 2012). "Evolution of gliding in Southeast Asian geckos and other vertebrates is temporally congruent with dipterocarp forest development". Biology Letters. 8 (6): 994–7. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2012.0648. PMC   3497132 . PMID   22977067.
  3. "Ptychozoon ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading