| Strophurus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Strophurus taenicauda | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Diplodactylidae |
| Genus: | Strophurus Fitzinger, 1843 |
| Species | |
20 recognized species, see article. | |
Strophurus is a genus of lizards in the family Diplodactylidae. All species of Strophurus are endemic to Australia, and are sometimes given the common names phasmid geckos, spiny-tailed geckos, and striped geckos.
The species of the genus Strophurus attain total lengths (including tail) of 80 to 130 mm (3.1 to 5.1 in). The scales of the body are generally small and round, sometimes interspersed with enlarged scales and soft spines.
All members of this genus have a unique defense mechanism: the ability to squirt a harmless, foul-smelling fluid from their tails, which can create a highly flammable substance when mixed with ammonia. This fluid is used to deter birds while they are perching in shrubbery, being unusual in the family by exposing themselves during the day. As with many other geckos, they are also nocturnal. Some members lack spines and enlarged scales, while another subgroup features spines on the tail and other parts of the body. [1]
Their habitat is amongst shrubs and hummock grass, but they occasionally move to the ground for warmth or to mate. This behavior is especially prominent in pregnant females, which use the additional warmth of rocks and roads to assist the development of the two eggs they carry. [1]
There are 21 known species of Strophurus, [2] [3] and a number of subspecies. [1]
| Image | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strophurus assimilis (Storr, 1988) | Goldfields spiny-tailed gecko | Australia | |
 | Strophurus ciliaris (Boulenger, 1885) | Northern spiny-tailed gecko | Australia |
| Strophurus congoo Vanderduys, 2016 | Congoo gecko | Australia: North QLD | |
 | Strophurus elderi (Stirling & Zietz, 1893) | Jewelled gecko | Australia |
| Strophurus horneri (P. Oliver & Parkin, 2014) | Arnhem phasmid gecko | Australia | |
 | Strophurus intermedius (Ogilby, 1892) | Eastern spiny-tailed gecko, Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko | Australia: NSW, NT, SA, Vic and WA |
| Strophurus jeanae (Storr, 1988) | Southern phasmid gecko | Australia | |
 | Strophurus krisalys (Sadlier, O'Meally, & Shea, 2005) | Australia | |
| Strophurus mcmillani (Storr, 1978) | McMillan's spiny-tailed gecko, short-tailed striped gecko | Australia | |
| Strophurus michaelseni (Werner, 1910) | Robust striped gecko | Australia | |
 | Strophurus rankini (Storr, 1979) | Exmouth spiny-tailed gecko | Australia |
| Strophurus robinsoni (L.A. Smith, 1995) | Australia | ||
 | Strophurus spinigerus (Gray, 1842) | Soft spiny-tailed gecko, south-western spiny-tailed gecko | Australia |
| Strophurus spinula Sadlier, Beatson, Brennan & Bauer, 2023 | Lesser thorn-tailed gecko | Australia: WA | |
| Strophurus strophurus (A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1836) | Western spiny-tailed gecko | Australia | |
| Strophurus taeniatus (Lönnberg & Andersson, 1913) | Phasmid striped gecko, white-striped gecko | Australia | |
 | Strophurus taenicauda (De Vis, 1886) | Golden spiny-tailed gecko, golden-tailed gecko | Australia |
| Strophurus trux Vanderduys, 2017 | Golden-eyed gecko | Australia | |
 | Strophurus wellingtonae (Storr, 1988) | Western Shield spiny-tailed gecko, Wellington's spiny-tailed gecko | Australia |
 | Strophurus williamsi (Kluge, 1963) | Eastern spiny-tailed gecko, soft-spined gecko | Australia |
| Strophurus wilsoni (Storr, 1983) | Mount Augustus spiny-tailed gecko, Mount Augustus striped gecko | Australia | |
Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Strophurus.
Eurydactylodes is a small genus of geckos commonly referred to as chameleon geckos from the subfamily Diplodactylidae, endemic to New Caledonia and few adjacent islands. Within the Diplodactylidae, Eurydactylodes resides in the Carphodactylini tribe, and consists of four species. All species share similar morphology as well as lifestyle and habits. The first of the Eurydactylodes species to be classified, E. vieillardi, was discovered in 1869.
The south-western spiny-tailed gecko, also known commonly as the soft spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia. Two subspecies are recognized.
The northern spiny-tailed gecko is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to 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.
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.
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.
The Goldfields spiny-tailed gecko is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
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.
Strophurus horneri, also known commonly as the Arnhem phasmid gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
Strophurus krisalys is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
The short-tailed striped gecko, also known commonly as McMillan's spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
The robust striped gecko, also known commonly as Michaelsen's spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
The Exmouth spiny-tailed gecko, also known commonly as Rankin's spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Western Australia.
The western spiny-tailed gecko is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
Strophurus taeniatus, also known commonly as the phasmid striped gecko or the white-striped gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
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.
The Western Shield spiny-tailed gecko, also known commonly as Wellington's spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
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.
The Mount Augustus spiny-tailed gecko, also known commonly as the Mount Augustus striped gecko and Wilson's spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
Strophurus spinula, commonly known as the lesser thorn-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. It is endemic to Australia.
Data related to Strophurus at Wikispecies