Carphodactylus

Carphodactylus is a monotypic genus of geckos in the family Carphodactylidae. The genus consists of the sole species Carphodactylus laevis, commonly known as the chameleon gecko. The species is endemic to the rainforests of northeastern Australia. It is rated as Least Concern, as it is common (albeit secretive) within its range and occurs within protected areas. It currently experiences no major threats, though long-term climate change may alter or reduce its geographic distribution under some scenarios.[1][3]

For the New Caledonianian genus called chameleon geckos, see Eurydactylodes.

Carphodactylus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Carphodactylidae
Genus: Carphodactylus
Günther, 1897[2]
Species:
C. laevis
Binomial name
Carphodactylus laevis
Günther, 1897

Description
Carphodactylus laevis, illustration from original description, 1897

C. laevis has an average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 13 cm (5.1 in). The head has large labial (lip) scales, relatively small postmental scales (behind the chin), and rounded rostral and mental shields (at the tip of the snout). The body and tail are slender and mediolaterally compressed (flattened from the side), with a thin vertebral ridge extending from the nape to the tapered tail. The limbs are long and thin, and the five-toed feet have thin and narrow digits with distinct claws and an angular profile from the side. The claws are surrounded by five enlarged scales at their base. The underside of each digit has a single row of small lamellae, each of which are slightly broadened sideways. The genus possesses preanal pores.[4]

Coloration includes a broad black streak from the snout to the eye, and a pair of narrower streaks (black above and pale below) towards the tympanum. Dorsally, the head and body are brown, speckled with small paler brown spots and black specks concentrated around the vertebral line. The original tail is dark brown or black with four to five complete whitish vertical crossbands.[4]

Distribution and ecology

C. laevis is found in cool rainforests of northeastern Queensland, at altitudes of 400–1,400 m (1,300–4,600 ft).[3][1] It is nocturnal, foraging on the leaf litter or low shrubs at night. C. laevis is oviparous.[5] Mitochondrial DNA has been used to argue that different C. laevis populations experienced significant genetic isolation during dry periods in the Pleistocene, but that this did not result in significant phenotypic change between populations.[6]

Etymology

The generic name, Carphodactylus, is Latin meaning "twig finger". The specific name, laevis, is Latin meaning "smooth".

  • With regenerated tail
    With regenerated tail

References
  1. Hoskin C, Couper P, Amey A (2018). "Carphodactylus laevis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T102662790A102662811. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T102662790A102662811.en. Downloaded on 8 April 2021.
  2. Günther A (1897). "Descriptions of New Species of Lizards and of a Tree-Frog from North-Eastern Queensland". Novitates Zoologicae, Zoological Museum, Tring 4: 403–406 + Plates XI–XII. (Carphodactylus, new genus, p. 403; C. laevis, new species, pp. 403–404 + Plate XI).
  3. Meynecke, Jan-Olaf (2004-06-01). "Effects of global climate change on geographic distributions of vertebrates in North Queensland". Ecological Modelling. 174 (4): 347–357. doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2003.07.012. ISSN 0304-3800.
  4. Cogger, H.G. (2018). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Updated Seventh Edition. Clayton South VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. 1060 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350 (Carphodactylus laevis, p. 262).
  5. Carphodactylus laevis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  6. Schneider, Chris; Moritz, Craig (1999-01-22). "Rainforest refugia and Australia's Wet Tropics". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences. 266 (1415): 191–196. doi:10.1098/rspb.1999.0621. PMC 1689665.

Further reading
  • Rösler H (1995). Geckos der Welt – Alle Gattungen. Leipzig: Urania. 256 pp. (Carphodactylus laevis, p. 95). (in German).
  • Torr GA (1998). "A low elevation record for the rainforest gecko Carphodactylus laevis and a further addition to the herpetofauna of the Mossman Gorge section of Daintree National Park, QLD". Herpetofauna, Sydney 28 (1): 53.
  • Wilson S, Swan G (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.
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