Ptychozoon
| Ptychozoon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ptychozoon kuhli | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Infraorder: | Gekkota |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Subfamily: | Gekkoninae |
| Genus: | Ptychozoon Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 |
Ptychozoon is a genus of arboreal geckos, endemic to Southeast Asia, known as flying geckos or parachute geckos.[1] They 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 fly up to 200 feet (60 meters). Also it does a swoop at the end of its flight to land softly. A similar adaptation is found in geckos of the genus Cosymbotus. There are eight described species in the genus Ptychozoon. They are often kept as pets.
Species
The following species are recognized as being valid.[2]
- Ptychozoon horsfieldii Gray, 1827 – Horsfield's flying gecko
- Ptychozoon intermedium Taylor, 1915 – intermediate flying gecko, Philippine parachute gecko
- Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense Sumontha, Pauwels, Kunya, Limlikhitaksorn, Ruksue, Taokratok, Ansermet, & Chanhome, 2012 – Kaeng Krachan parachute gecko
- Ptychozoon kuhli Stejneger, 1902 – Kuhl's flying gecko
- Ptychozoon lionotum (Annandale, 1905) – smooth-backed gliding gecko
- Ptychozoon nicobarensis Das & Vijayakumar, 2009
- Ptychozoon rhacophorus Boulenger, 1899 – Sabah flying gecko
- Ptychozoon trinotaterra R.M. Brown, 1999 – three-banded parachute gecko
References
External links
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