Underwoodisaurus

Underwoodisaurus is a small genus of Australian lizards in the family Carphodactylidae. Member species are commonly known as thick-tailed geckos, along with the species Uvidicolus sphyrurus.

Etymology

The generic name, Underwoodisaurus, is in honour of British herpetologist Garth Leon Underwood.<ref>Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. Template:ISBN. (Underwoodisaurus, p. 270).</ref>

Taxonomy

The genus Underwoodisaurus has a complex taxonomic history, but the currently accepted taxonomic concept follows Template:Smallcaps & Template:Smallcaps (2011),<ref name = O&Bauer>Template:Cite journal</ref> with a second species subsequently recognised by Template:Smallcaps & Template:Smallcaps (2011).<ref name = D&O> Template:Citation</ref> Reptile systematists nowadays recognise a distinct family, Carphodactylidae, for this and some related genera.<ref name=RDB/>

Species

There are two species which are recognised as being valid:<ref name=RDB/>

• Underwoodisaurus milii (Template:Smallcaps, 1825) – thick-tailed gecko
• Underwoodisaurus seorsus Template:Smallcaps & Template:Smallcaps, 2011<ref name = D&O/>

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Underwoodisaurus. The species Uvidicolus sphyrurus is sometimes placed in the genus Underwoodisaurus.

Description

Adults of some species of Underwoodisaurus can reach a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of Template:Convert. Preanal pores are absent. The feet are generally "bird-like" with long slender digits, and the tail is carrot-shaped. The underside of the body is white, and the dorsal surface ranges from dark purplish-black through reddish-brown to pale fawn, with small white, yellow and black spots in patterns.<ref name = Cogger/>

A thick tail is generally a sign of good health, although lack of thickness may indicate recent egg-laying.

Geographic range and

The genus Underwoodisaurus is endemic to Australia. These geckoes are found in a range of habitats including wet coastal heathlands, wet sclerophyll forests, arid scrubland, rocky outcrops and stony hills in eucalypt woodland.<ref name = Cogger>Template:Cite book</ref>

Ecology

Thick-tailed geckos shelter under leaf litter, around the bases of trees in loose bark, and in crevices.<ref name=Cogger/>

They emerge in the evenings to hunt in open areas<ref name=Cogger/> for crickets, cockroaches and huntsman spiders. They eat once every 3–4 days. When they see prey they will stare at it and wag their tails, then pounce. When alarmed, the thick-tailed gecko will make a barking sound or hiss. They will also raise their backs. One main predator is snakes.

Reproduction

Thick-tailed geckos lay up to 2 eggs and up to 10 clutches per year. The first clutch of eggs is usually infertile. When the female is gravid the eggs are visible through the skin. The eggs take about 65 days to hatch. Their breeding season is roughly July to February.

Further reading

• Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. Template:ISBN. (Underwoodisaurus, pp. 283–284).
• Wermuth H (1965). "Liste der rezenten Amphibien und Reptilien, Gekkonidae, Pygopodidae, Xantusiidae ". Das Tierreich 80: 1-246. (Uderwoodisaurus, new genus). (in German).
• Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. Template:ISBN.