Oedura

Oedura is a genus of medium to large geckos, lizards in the family Diplodactylidae. The genus is endemic to Australia. Species in the genus are referred to by the common name velvet geckos.

Geographic range

Most of the species of Oedura occur in northern and eastern Australia, with further isolates in the arid zone (Pilbara, Central Ranges and Flinders Ranges).

Behaviour and habitat

Geckos of the genus Oedura are mostly arboreal and nocturnal, and have flattened bodies that are distinctly patterned. They are secretive tree or rock dwellers, usually concealing themselves beneath peeling bark or in cracks and crevices. A species found in the Kimberley region, Oedura filicipoda, is named for the plumose fringing on the toes that may assist in clinging to rocky overhangs.<ref name="Bush">Template:Cite book</ref> All species are adapted to their dry conditions and can go for months without food or water.Template:Citation needed

Taxonomy

The content of the genus Oedura has been reduced by Oliver et al. in 2012, when they transferred four species to the genus Amalosia and erected two new monotypic genera, Hesperoedura for Oedura reticulata and Nebulifera for Oedura robusta.<ref>Oliver PM, Bauer AM, Greenbaum E, Jackman TR, Hobbie T (2012). "Molecular phylogenetics of the arboreal Australian gecko genus Oedura Gray 1842 (Gekkota: Diplodactylidae): Another plesiomorphic grade?" Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 63: 255-264.</ref>

Species

The type species for the genus is Oedura marmorata, first described by John Edward Gray in 1842.<ref>Gray JE (1842). "Description of some hitherto unrecorded species of Australian Reptiles and Batrachians". Zoological Miscellany (London: Treuttel, Würtz & Co.) 2: 51–57. (Œdura new genus, p. 52; Œdura marmorata, new species, p. 52).</ref> The following is a list of the 19 valid species:<ref name="NRDb">Template:NRDB genus</ref>

• Oedura argentea Template:Small
• Oedura bella Template:Small
• Oedura castelnaui Template:Small – northern velvet gecko
• Oedura cincta Template:Small
• Oedura coggeri Template:Small – northern spotted velvet gecko
• Oedura elegans Template:Small – elegant velvet gecko
• Oedura filicipoda Template:Small – fringe-toed velvet gecko
• Oedura fimbria Template:Small
• Oedura gemmata Template:Small – jewelled velvet gecko
• Oedura gracilis Template:Small – gracile velvet gecko
• Oedura jowalbinna Template:Small
• Oedura lineata Template:Small – Arcadia velvet gecko
• Oedura luritja Template:Small
• Oedura marmorata Template:Small – marbled velvet gecko
• Oedura monilis Template:Small – ocellated velvet gecko
• Oedura murrumanu Template:Small – limestone range velvet gecko
• Oedura nesos Template:Small
• Oedura picta Template:Small – ornate velvet gecko
• Oedura tryoni Template:Small – southern spotted velvet gecko

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Oedura.

Species formerly in Oedura

Oedura lesueurii now belongs to the genus Amalosia

Transferred to genus Amalosia Template:Small:

• Oedura jacovae – valid as Amalosia jacovae Template:Small
• Oedura lesueurii – Lesueur's velvet gecko, valid as Amalosia lesueurii Template:Small
• Oedura obscura – slim velvet gecko, valid as Amalosia obscura Template:Small
• Oedura rhombifer – zigzag velvet gecko, valid as Amalosia rhombifer Template:Small

Transferred to genus Hesperoedura Template:Small:

• Oedura reticulata – reticulated velvet gecko, valid as Hesperoedura reticulata Template:Small

Transferred to genus Nebulifera Template:Small:

• Oedura robusta – robust velvet gecko, valid as Nebulifera robusta Template:Small

Further reading

• Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. Template:ISBN.
• Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. Template:ISBN.