Rhacodactylus

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Rhacodactylus
Rhacodactylus ciliatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Diplodactylinae
Genus: Rhacodactylus
Species

See text.

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.

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.)

Rhacodactylus are nocturnal geckos.

[edit] Classification

[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