Strophurus ciliaris

Strophurus ciliaris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Sauria/Lacertilia
Infraorder: Gekkota
Family: Diplodactylidae
Genus: Strophurus
Species: S. ciliaris
Binomial name
Strophurus ciliaris
(Boulenger, 1885)

Strophurus ciliaris is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The common name of this species, which is endemic to Australia, is spiny-tailed gecko. Strophurus ciliaris was previously known as Diplodactylus ciliaris.

Etymology

The meaning of the scientific name or binomial, Strophurus ciliaris, comes from strophurus meaning "turning-tail" and ciliaris meaning "eyelashed", referring to the spines above the eyes.[1]

Description

Strophurus ciliaris is highly variable in colour.[2] This species can vary from a uniform grey colour, with few black or orange scales, to rich brown, with a mottled pattern of grey, white, and orange scales. Spines are present along the tail and long spines are generally present above the eyes, giving the impression of being eye-lashed.[3] The average length for a member of this species is 89 mm (3.5 in). Females are known to be significantly larger than males.[4]

Reproduction

They are an oviparous species that has a clutch size of two.[5]

Taxonomy

This species was previously known as Diplodactylus ciliaris.

Defence

Members of the genus Strophurus have the ability to squirt a harmless, smelly, fluid from their tails. This is used as a deterrent for birds and other predations whilst they are perching in shrubs. Another defence mechanism that Strophurus ciliaris has is bright palate colour.[6]

Behaviour & habitat

S. ciliaris is generally a nocturnal species but can be found basking during the day.[7] Strophurus ciliaris is an arboreal species which occurs in arid, semi-arid, and subtropical habitats in shrubland.[8][9] It can also be commonly found in clumps of Spinifex.[10]

Conservation status

Strophurus ciliaris is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This is due to its large distribution, unrestricted habitat preferences, and the limited number of threats facing this species.

Diet

Little is known about the diet of this species. However, similar to other members of the Gecko family, its diet includes arthropods. Strophurus ciliaris has been observed licking the exudes of wattle sap.[6]

Geographic range

Strophurus ciliaris occurs in the interior of Australia, and its range expands from the northwest region of New South Wales and western Queensland through to South Australia and the Northern Territory, and then stretches into Western Australia.[11]

Of the recorded occurrences of this species, 48 percent have been recorded in the Northern Territory, 31.2 percent in Western Australia, 10.9 percent in South Australia, and the remaining across New South Wales and Queensland. There have been no recorded occurrences of this species in Victoria.[12]

Subspecies

This species has one desert form and one tropical form.[11] There are two subspecies, Strophurus ciliaris ciliaris and Strophurus ciliaris aberrans.[3]

Threats

Habitat degradation is a threat to Strophurus ciliaris. A large amount of this species' habitat has been lost or heavily degraded by land clearing and feral invasive species including goats. Habitat degradation and loss should not be considered a major threat at this time due to the wide distribution of Strophurus ciliaris and large amount of suitable habitat that remains.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Ehmann, Harald. (1992). Encyclopedia of Australian Animals: Reptiles. Angus and Robertson. 495 pp.
  2. ↑ Cogger, H.G. (1996). Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. Port Melbourne: Reed.
  3. 1 2 Wilson, S., & Swan, G. (2008). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. Chatswood: New Holland Publishers.
  4. ↑ How, R.; Dell, J.; Wellington, B. (1986). Comparative Biology of Eight Species of Diplodactylus Gecko in Western Australia. Herpetologica 42 (4): 471-482.
  5. ↑ Strophurus ciliaris at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2013-07-15 11:25:50. Retrieved from http://www.arod.com.au/arod/?species=Strophurus+ciliaris on the 23rd of October, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Michael, D. (2013, October). Strophurus ciliaris. (S. Van Den Akker, Interviewer).
  7. ↑ Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush; Brad Maryan; David Robinson. (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. pp. 123, 124. ISBN 978-1-920694-74-6.
  8. ↑ Cogger, H.G. (2000). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Sydney: New Holland Publishers.
  9. 1 2 Swan, G.; Foster, R. (2005). The reptiles and amphibians of Mutawintji National Park, Western New South Wales. Australian Zoologist 33 (1): 39-48.
  10. ↑ Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. (2013). Australian Faunal Directory. Retrieved from Species Strophurus ciliaris (Boulenger, 1885): http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/Strophurus_ciliaris
  11. 1 2 Horner, P.; Hutchinson, M. (2010). Strophurus ciliaris. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 October 2013.
  12. ↑ The Atlas of Living Australia. (2013). Strophurus ciliaris (Boulenger, 1885). Retrieved from http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Strophurus+ciliaris#

Further reading

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