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Carphodactylus Laevis Gunther, 1897 The Journal of the Global Gecko Association Volume Two, Issue Two Letter from the GGA Board The Global Gecko Association Dear Friends, The publication of this issue of Gekko brings to A not-for-profit membership based organization a close the second year of the existence of the dedicated to meeting the needs of the interna- Global Gecko Association. A massive vote of tional gecko community. thanks is due to our loyal and growing mem- The GGA promotes interest in geckos in a bership. It is only through the unstinting sup- whole variety of ways, from responsible captive port of our members in 23 countries across the care, to study in the wild, conservation, acade- globe that we have achieved so much in such mic research and beyond. a short space of time. Membership is open to all, whether hobby- Please renew your membership as speedily ist, professional herpetologist or institution. as possible in order that we can continue to Members will receive two issues of Gekko, the bring the very best information on geckos to Journal of the GGA, annually,together with four you. Preparation of Gekko Vol.3 No.1 is already issues of Chit-Chat, the regular members-only well underway and it looks like another superb newsletter. issue. Also in the pipeline is the next issue of our renowned newsletter Chit-Chat. Don’t for- Membership Rates get that Chit-Chat is only ever available to mem- Individual or Family bers of the GGA—it cannot be obtained else- USA . .$ 32 where for love nor money! Canada/Mexico . .$ 34 We are sure that year three of the GGA will be the best year yet—the best journals, the best Overseas . .$ 36 newsletters, the best for our website, the best Student (Receives Chit-Chat only) . .$ 15 for the Gecko Listserv,the best Gecko Night and Institutional . .$ 45 importantly,the best for membership growth. Contributing . .$ 50 We look forward to the active involvement or more of all our members, existing or new,young or Patron . .$ 250 old, professional or hobbyist in achieving these goals. Life . .$1000 Together we can forge the GGA into a real force for good within the herpetological com- Please address all membership inquiries to: munity and continue to put the study of geckos where it belongs—centre stage! GGA 4920 Chester Street Best wishes, The Executive Board of the GGA Spencer OK 73084-2560 U.S.A. e-mail: [email protected] www.gekkota.com Gekko Table of Contents The Husbandry and First Recorded Captive Breeding of the Chameleon Gecko, Carphodactylus laevis Gunther, 1897 . 2 by Robert Porter The Colonisation of the Andaman Islands by Phelsuma—The Big Adventure or the Safe Ark? . 9 by Alan Myers Captive Maintenance and Breeding of Some Ground Dwelling Australian Geckos Part II: Diplodactylus byrnei Lucas and Frost, 1896, D. tessellatus (Gunther, 1875) and D. steindachneri Boulenger, 1885 . 12 by Andreas Laube Natural History and Captive Husbandry of the Turkish Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus . 19 by Pavel Konecˇny´ Geckos of the Promised Land: A Magical Month in Madagascar . 21 by Michael Kearney and Nicole Kearney Notes on the Size of the Terrestrial South African Gecko, Pachydactylus austeni Hewitt, 1923 . 29 by Francis Girard GGA Book Review . .34 by John Rudge A Great Gecko to Keep—Uroplatus henkeli in Captivity . 36 by Neil Meister Cover Photo: Uroplatus phantasticus, Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar by Michael Kearney Global Gecko Association Board of Directors / Editorial Staff Editor: John Rudge All Rights Reserved Membership Secretary: Art Direction: Lyle Puente Reproduction of whole or part is Leann Christenson prohibited [email protected] Design & Production: Recording Secretary: Lyle Puente & Neil Meister BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Neil Tyreman Publisher: GGA President: Lyle Puente Global Gecko Association GGA Webmaster for Vice President: John Rudge 4920 Chester Street www.gekkota.com Spencer, OK 73084-2560 Treasurer: Chris Nelling Greg Christenson Issue #2.2 ©2002 by GGA Promotions Secretary: Neil Meister Gekko The Husbandry and First Recorded Captive Breeding of the Chameleon Gecko Carphodactylus laevis Gunther, 1897 Three month old Carphodactylus laevis. Robert Porter 39 Luxton Court poorly known species from the monotypic Tallebudgera Valley genus Carphodactylus.The Chameleon or Car- Queensland 4228 rot-tailed Gecko (C. laevis) is a member of the Australia Carphodactylini tribe of the gecko sub-family Diplodactylinae.The tribe was so named Introduction because it was thought that this species exhib- Australia is the home of unusual and wonderful ited the greatest number of primitive traits of gecko species, many of which are familiar all species in the group (Kluge, 1967). It was worldwide.The endearing knob-tailed geckos first described by Gunther in 1897 and the sci- (Nephrurus) and the striking leaf-tailed geckos entific name translates to ‘smooth stick-toe’, (Saltuarius and Phyllurus) are good examples referring to the smooth skin and the long, thin of these. One of the strangest, however,is a digits (Ehmann, 1992). 2 Gekko Description (Saltuarius and Phyllurus) (Bauer,1990).This Carphodactylus is a truly unique gecko in its relationship is reflected in the behavioral and appearance. It reaches a maximum snout-vent ecological characteristics of the genera. All length of around 13cm and a tail length of 8- three are primarily inhabitants of rainforests or 10cm.The general body color is invariably light wet sclerophyll forests and require relatively brown, its common name of Chameleon Gecko high humidity levels.Their thermal needs are probably referring to its ungainly walking style low,certainly compared to other Australian rather than an ability to alter its color.The eyes gekkonids.They exhibit similar foraging tech- are large and black and appear even bigger due niques and general life styles and reproductive to the presence of a large black patch directly cycles, at least in captivity. in front of the eye socket.The body is some- Carphodactylus is an endemic inhabitant of what compressed laterally,a feature which is the tropical rainforests of northeastern Queens- emphasised by the presence of a mid-dorsal land, from Tully in the south to Cooktown in ridge running from the neck to the base of the the north (Bauer,1990). Most records originate tail. As suggested by its alternative common from upland rainforest areas, although a recent name, the tail bears a resemblance in shape to report showed that they are not restricted to a carrot, wide at the base and tapering rapidly this habitat (Torr,1998).The life history of the to its tip.The original tail is strikingly colored species is virtually unknown as little field in velvet black with several thin white bands research has been carried out and the relevant and is rarely observed in wild specimens, literature mostly comprises anecdotal observa- which usually display the mottled fawn and tions.Their nocturnal foraging is restricted to dark brown regenerated version.The species locating a favorable vantage point and remain- readily sheds its tail so it is unclear if the pre- ing motionless for hours awaiting a passing dominance of regrown appendages is a true prey item.The trunks of young saplings in par- reflection of extremely high predation pres- ticular are preferred by these lizards, although sure or the result of its nervous disposition. larger trunks and fallen logs may also be Like many of its close relatives, the tail has only utilised.Their orientation is usually vertical, a single cleavage point at its base. Interestingly, with the head pointing directly at the ground, a the tip of the original tail terminates in a tiny position also observed in many leaf-tailed knob that is difficult to see with the naked eye gecko species, for example, Saltuarius and (Bauer,1990).This may be a relic of the ances- Uroplatus (Porter,1997).This foraging position try of the Carphodactylini, which also includes may indicate that much of the food is terres- the Australian knob-tailed geckos (Nephrurus). trial in origin, the gecko moving down the One further unusual feature of the tail is that it trunk as ground-dwelling invertebrates squeaks! When discarded in the face of a preda- approach the base. Diurnal resting areas are tor it writhes like any good lizard tail but at the beneath leaf-litter,in hollow limbs or decaying same time it produces a noise to further dis- trunks or amongst epiphytic plants (Wilson & tract any would-be hunter.To date this has only Knowles, 1988). Captive behavior tends to sug- been recorded in regrown tails (Wilson & gest terrestrial retreats are commonly used, Knowles, 1988). which is divergent from the leaf-tail group that prefer to remain secreted off the ground, at Natural History least in captivity. Phylogenetic analysis of the Carphodactylini Specimens can be located in their natural indicates that Carphodactylus is most closely habitat at night by spotlighting for reflected eye related to the Australian leaf-tailed geckos shine.With the appropriate head torch the large 3 Gekko Juvenile Carphodactylus laevis in a threat pose standing high off the ground with the tail waving from side to side. sensitive eyes of this species produce a strong turbance is kept to an absolute minimum and reflection of a very pale blue from distances of that the lizards are maintained separately.Even twenty meters or more.They are almost invari- the presence of another Carphodactylus may ably resting in the head down posture, usually invoke panic and subsequent stress in new within a meter of the ground, and will remain captives. Both sexes
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