Crenadactylus ocellatus

Crenadactylus ocellatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Diplodactylinae
Genus: Crenadactylus
Dixon & Kluge, 1964[1]
Species: C. ocellatus
(Gray) 1845[2]
Binomial name
Crenadactylus ocellatus
Gray, 1845

Crenadactylus ocellatus is the smallest species of nocturnal Gekkonidae (gecko) found in Australia. Their most obvious distinguishing feature is the lack of terminal claws on the digits. They are the only Australian members of Gekkonidae to lack these, and are known there as clawless geckos. They are currently the sole species of the genus Crenadactylus.[3][4]

Emdemic to Australia, Crenadactylus ocellatus is distributed in a range from the northeast to the southwest of the country, and found on stony ground or in Triodia-dominated deserts.[5] It occurs in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.[6] They are recorded on various islands, including the Houtman Abrolhos in the west.[3][4] C. ocellatus a ground-dwelling gecko; its habitat is leaf litter, rubbish piles, and beneath rocks. It is sometimes found in the lower parts of hummock grass.[3]

Diversity

The different forms of this monotypic genus are currently treated as subspecies,[4] a revision is likely to elevate these to species and create new taxa.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Dixon, J.R. & Kluge, A.G. 1964. A new gekkonid lizard genus from Australia. Copeia 1964: 174–180 [174].
  2. ↑ Gray, J. E. 1845. Catalogue of the specimens of lizards in the collection of the British Museum. Trustees of the British Museum/Edward Newman, London
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush; Brad Maryan; David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-920694-74-6.
  4. 1 2 3 "Crenadactylus ocellatus GRAY, 1845". The Reptile Database. J. Craig Venter Institute. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  5. 1 2 3 Cogger, Harold G. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia.
  6. ↑ "Genus: Crenadactylus Dixon & Kluge, 1964". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Government. 9 October 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-27.

External links

Data related to Crenadactylus ocellatus at Wikispecies

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