Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Reptilia
Subclassis: Diapsida
Infraclassis: Lepidosauromorpha
Superordo: Lepidosauria
Ordo: Squamata
Subordo: Sauria
Infraordo: Gekkota
Familia: Gekkonidae
Subfamilia: Diplodactylinae
Genus: Crenadactylus
Species: Crenadactylus ocellatusCrenadactylus
Vernacular names
Crenadactylus ocellatus is the smallest species of nocturnal Gekkonidae (gecko) found in Australia. Their most obvious distinguishing feature is the lack of terminal claws on the digits. They are the only Australian members of Gekkonidae to lack these, and are known there as Clawless Geckos. They are currently the sole species of the genus Crenadactylus.[3][4]
Emdemic to Australia, Crenadactylus ocellatus are distributed in a range from the northeast to the southwest of the country, and found on stony ground or in Triodia dominated deserts.[5] It occurs in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.[6] They are recorded at various islands, including the Houtman Abrolhos in the west.[3][4] C. ocellatus a ground dwelling gecko, its habitat is leaf litter, rubbish piles, and beneath rocks. It is sometimes found in the lower parts of hummock grass.[3]
Diversity
The different forms of this monotypic genus are currently treated as subspecies,[4] a revision is likely to elevate these to species and create new taxa.[3]
* Crenadactylus ocellatus
o Crenadactylus ocellatus bilineatus
o Crenadactylus ocellatus horni arid central west[3][5]
o Crenadactylus ocellatus naso
o Crenadactylus ocellatus ocellatus - southwest[3][5]
o Crenadactylus ocellatus rostralis
References
1. ^ Dixon, J.R. & Kluge, A.G. 1964. A new gekkonid lizard genus from Australia. Copeia 1964: 174–180 [174].
2. ^ Gray, J. E. 1845. Catalogue of the specimens of lizards in the collection of the British Museum. Trustees of the British Museum/Edward Newman, London
3. ^ a b c d e f Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. p. 110. ISBN 9778 1 920694 74 6.
4. ^ a b c "Crenadactylus ocellatus GRAY, 1845". The Reptile Database. J. Craig Venter Institute. http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Crenadactylus&species=ocellatus. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
5. ^ a b c Cogger, Harold G.. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia.
6. ^ "Genus: Crenadactylus Dixon & Kluge, 1964". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Government. October 9, 2008. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/Crenadactylus. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
