The genus Nephrurus, collectively referred to as the knob-tailed geckos (or “knob-tails”), comprises several species of small, desert-dwelling, drought-tolerant Australian gecko. They are named for their stubby, knob-like tails, and are also easily identified by their rather large eyes. This adaptation of enlarged eyes is indicative of an animal’s lifestyle being predominantly crepuscular or nocturnal.
| Knob-tailed gecko | |
|---|---|
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| Nephrurus laevissimus | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Carphodactylidae |
| Genus: | Nephrurus Günther, 1876 |
| Species | |
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11 described species, see article. | |
Description edit
Lizards of this genus are easily distinguished by their short bodies, large heads, small legs, and short, carrot-shaped tails that often end in a small knob.
Species edit
The following 11 species are recognized as being valid.[1]
- Nephrurus amyae Couper in Couper & Gregson, 1994 – Centralian rough knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus asper Günther, 1876 – rough knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus cinctus Storr, 1963 – northern banded knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus deleani Harvey, 1983 – Pernatty knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus eromanga Oliver, Donnellan, & Gunn, 2022
- Nephrurus laevissimus Mertens, 1958 – smooth knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus levis De Vis, 1886 - smooth knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus levis levis De Vis, 1886
- Nephrurus levis occidentalis Storr, 1963
- Nephrurus levis pilbarensis Storr, 1963
- Nephrurus sheai Couper in Couper & Gregson, 1994 – Kimberley rough knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus stellatus Storr, 1968 – stellate knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus vertebralis Storr, 1963 – midline knob-tailed gecko
- Nephrurus wheeleri Loveridge, 1932 – banded knob-tailed gecko[2]
The former Nephrurus milii Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1823, is now Underwoodisaurus milii (Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1823) – barking gecko.
As pets edit
Some species are sold and captive bred as pets such as Nephrurus amyae, Nephrurus asper, Nephrurus cinctus, Nephrurus deleani, Nephrurus laevissimus, Nephrurus levis, Nephrurus vertebralis and Nephrurus wheeleri.
References edit
- ^ "Nephrurus ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ "JCVI.org". Archived from the original on 2010-05-16. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
Further reading edit
- Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. Geckonidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I-XXXII. (Genus Nephrurus, p. 9).
- Günther A (1876). "Descriptions of new species of Reptiles from Australia". Journal des Museum Godeffroy 5 (12): 45–47. (Nephrurus, new genus, p. 46).
External links edit
- AROD.com.au
- Gekkota.com Archived 2014-06-12 at the Wayback Machine