Rhacodactylus
| Rhacodactylus | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Rhacodactylus ciliatus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Subfamily: | Diplodactylinae |
| Genus: | Rhacodactylus |
| Species | |
|
See text. |
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Rhacodactylus is a genus of medium to large geckos of the subfamily Diplodactylinae. All species in this genus are found on the islands that make up New Caledonia.
Genus characteristics include long limbs and toes with well-developed lamellae. Some webbing occurs on the hind limbs and toes. Rhacodactylus possess prehensile tails which also have lamellae to assist in climbing. These are for the most part arboreal geckos. Rhacodactylus are nocturnal geckos.
The species are egg layers with the exception of Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus which gives live birth. Rhacodactylus geckos are sexually dimorphic, with the males possessing larger preanal pores than the females as well as a distinct hemipenis pocket.
With the exception of Rhacodactylus auriculatus, Males tend to be stockier than females. (in R. auriculatus the males are much slimmer than the females.)
[edit] Classification
- Gargoyle Gecko, Rhacodactylus auriculatus
- Bavay's Giant Gecko, Rhacodactylus chahoua
- Crested Gecko, Rhacodactylus ciliatus
- New Caledonia Giant Gecko, Rhacodactylus leachianus
- Roux's Giant Gecko or Suras Gecko, Rhacodactylus sarasinorum
- Tough-snouted Giant Gecko, Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus
[edit] Literature
- Robert Seipp, Friedrich-Wilhelm Henkel: Rhacodactylus - Biologie, Haltung und Zucht; mit einem Anhang der Geckoarten Neukaledoniens; / von Robert Seipp, Friedrich Wilhelm Henkel. Frankfurt am Main: Edition Chimaira, 2000. ISBN 3-930612-23-2
- Phillippe de Vosjoli: Rhacodactylus - The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care; / von Philippe de Vosjoli, Frank Fast, Allen Repashy. Advanced Vision Inc, 2003. ISBN 0-9742971-0-0
