| Western beaked gecko | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Diplodactylidae |
| Genus: | Rhynchoedura |
| Species: | R. ornata |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhynchoedura ornata | |
| Synonyms | |
Diplodactylus paraornatus | |
The western beaked gecko (Rhynchoedura ornata) is a species of gecko found throughout the interior of Australia.
The species was first described by Albert Günther in 1867. [1] It is placed in the Rhynchoedura genus, which are found throughout Australasia. This group shares characteristics with several species of Diplodactylus , the conspicillatus group, Glen Storr has suggested that these could be transferred to this genus. [2] Many of the characters of this species are found in Diplodactylus stenodactylus , their appearance, habitat and distribution, and Diplodactylus pulcher has a similar snout and vertebrae. [3] Synonyms for this species include Diplodactylus paraornatus [4] and Rhynchoedura ormsbyi [5] published by Wells & Wellington.
Research into the phylogenetic relationships of Diplodactylus has identified two clades, and the resurrection of Lucasium has been proposed. Rhynchoedura was found to be distinct from D. byrnei, D. steindachneri and the stenodactylus group, but may be considered as a sister group to these. [6]
It is a small nocturnal gecko up to 95 millimetres, snout vent length to 50 mm, with a long slender tail. The snout is narrow and beak-like, its characteristic pinched head readily distinguishes it from other gecko species. Occasionally the species is found beneath shrubs, but it most often shelters in the abandoned burrows of spiders and other lizards. It is reddish-brown to red above, with tiny yellow, brown, and white spots. A light brown or grey colour is found on the head. A creamy or white stripe extends from below the eyes, the lower surface of the body is stark white. Its favoured prey are termites. [7] [8] [3]
The small digits of the species are slender and clawed. The small beak structure is formed by the projections of the rostral and mental shields. Preanal pores are present. [7] This gecko regulates its temperature by moving to warmer or cooler positions. The female of the species is often larger and matures at an early age, less than 1 year, which allows greater development of its eggs for increased viability of its offspring. [3] They produce two leathery eggs. [8]
It is an endangered species, listed as a Schedule 4, requiring an "advanced" license to own and written notice of any transactions involving it, according to Victorian wildlife laws.[ citation needed ]
The western beaked gecko is widespread and common across Australia, primarily in its interior. It is found in arid to semi-arid regions of the country, in a wide variety of habitats and soil types. Its range covers New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. It does not occur on southern coastal regions or in the tropical north. [2]
The distribution in Western Australia is in northeastern parts of Southwest Australia, extending to the northern and northwest coasts. [8] Its type location is Nickol Bay. [2]
The habitat may be sand hills or plains, often associated with Triodia , and country such as mallee and mulga. The individuals maintain a small range, around 30 metres, during their lifetime. [3]
Christinus is a genus of Gekkonidae geckos found in southern regions of Australia. It contains species and subspecies that are regionally termed as marbled geckos. The contrasted patterns of these geckos, marbling, are found in a variety of reddish-brown, grey, silver, white, black and purplish hues. They are frequently found in old knotted trees and sometimes congregate in large numbers in established urban environments.
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 beaded gecko is a gecko endemic to Australia.
Rhynchoedura is a genus of lizards in the family Diplodactylidae. It includes six species, commonly known as beaked geckos, all of which are endemic to the arid zone of the Australian outback.
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..
Stenodactylus slevini, also known commonly as Slevin's sand gecko or Slevin's short-fingered gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to Western Asia.
Diplodactylus vittatus, commonly known as the eastern stone gecko, stone gecko, and wood gecko, 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. This gecko can be kept as a pet or seen within zoo enclosures.
The Carphodactylidae, informally known as the southern padless geckos, are a family of geckos, lizards in the infraorder Gekkota. The family consists of 32 described species in 7 genera, all of which are endemic to Australia. They belong to the superfamily Pygopodoidea, an ancient group of east Gondwanan geckos now only found in Australasia. Despite their well-developed limbs, molecular phylogenies have demonstrated that Carphodactylidae is the sister group to Pygopodidae, a highly specialized family of legless lizards.
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.
Lucasium stenodactylum, also known as the crowned gecko or pale-snouted ground gecko, is a species of gecko from 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.
Main's ground gecko is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
The Pilbara ground gecko also known commonly as Wombey's gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to Australia.
The eastern beaked gecko is a gecko endemic to arid zones of New South Wales and Queensland in 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.
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.
Pygopodoidea is a gecko superfamily and the only taxon in the gekkotan subclade Pygopodomorpha. The clade includes three Australasian families: Diplodactylidae, Carphodactylidae, and Pygopodidae. Traditional gekkotan systematics had considered Diplodactylidae and Carphodactylidae as subfamilies of the family Gekkonidae, but recent molecular work have placed Pygopodidae within Gekkonidae making it paraphyletic. These analyses have shown support of Pygopodidae and Carphodactylidae being sister taxa, with Diplodactylidae occupying a basal position in Pygopodoidea.
