Oedura

Oedura is a genus of medium to large geckos, lizards in the family Diplodactylidae. The genus is endemic to Australia. Species in the genus are referred to by the common name velvet geckos.

Geographic range Most of the species of Oedura occur in northern and eastern Australia, with further isolates in the arid zone (Pilbara, Central Ranges and Flinders Ranges).

Behaviour and habitat Geckos of the genus Oedura are mostly arboreal and nocturnal, and have flattened bodies that are distinctly patterned. They are secretive tree or rock dwellers, usually concealing themselves beneath peeling bark or in cracks and crevices. A species found in the Kimberley region, Oedura filicipoda, is named for the plumose fringing on the toes that may assist in clinging to rocky overhangs. All species are adapted to their dry conditions and can go for months without food or water.

Taxonomy The content of the genus Oedura has been reduced by Oliver et al. in 2012, when they transferred four species to the genus Amalosia and erected two new monotypic genera, Hesperoedura for Oedura reticulata and Nebulifera for Oedura robusta.Oliver PM, Bauer AM, Greenbaum E, Jackman TR, Hobbie T (2012). "Molecular phylogenetics of the arboreal Australian gecko genus Oedura Gray 1842 (Gekkota: Diplodactylidae): Another plesiomorphic grade?" Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 63: 255-264.

Species

The type species for the genus is Oedura marmorata, first described by John Edward Gray in 1842.Gray JE (1842). "Description of some hitherto unrecorded species of Australian Reptiles and Batrachians". Zoological Miscellany (London: Treuttel, Würtz & Co.) 2: 51–57. (Œdura new genus, p. 52; Œdura marmorata, new species, p. 52). The following is a list of the 19 valid species: Oedura argentea – silver-eyed velvet gecko Oedura bella gulf marbled velvet gecko Oedura castelnaui – northern velvet gecko Oedura cincta inland marbled velvet gecko Oedura coggeri – northern spotted velvet gecko Oedura elegans – elegant velvet gecko Oedura filicipoda – fringe-toed velvet gecko Oedura fimbria western marbled velvet gecko Oedura gemmata – jewelled velvet gecko Oedura gracilis – gracile velvet gecko Oedura jowalbinna Quinkan velvet gecko Oedura lineata – Arcadia velvet gecko Oedura luritja – Mereenie velvet gecko Oedura marmorata – marbled velvet gecko Oedura monilis – ocellated velvet gecko Oedura murrumanu – limestone range velvet gecko Oedura nesos Oedura picta – ornate velvet gecko Oedura tryoni – southern spotted velvet gecko

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

Species formerly in Oedura

Transferred to genus Amalosia : Oedura jacovae – valid as Amalosia jacovae Oedura lesueurii – Lesueur's velvet gecko, valid as Amalosia lesueurii Oedura obscura – slim velvet gecko, valid as Amalosia obscura Oedura rhombifer – zigzag velvet gecko, valid as Amalosia rhombifer Transferred to genus Hesperoedura : Oedura reticulata – reticulated velvet gecko, valid as Hesperoedura reticulata Transferred to genus Nebulifera : Oedura robusta – robust velvet gecko, valid as Nebulifera robusta

References

Oedura

Bron en licentie