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).

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. All species are adapted to their dry conditions and can go for months without food or water.

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''.

Species

The type species for the genus is ''Oedura marmorata'', first described by John Edward Gray in 1842. 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). The following is a list of the 19 valid species:
*'' Oedura argentea''
*''Oedura bella''
*'' Oedura castelnaui'' – northern velvet gecko
*''Oedura cincta''
*'' Oedura coggeri'' – northern spotted velvet gecko
*''Oedura elegans'' – elegant velvet gecko
*'' Oedura filicipoda'' – fringe-toed velvet gecko
*''Oedura fimbria''
*'' Oedura gemmata'' – jewelled velvet gecko
*'' Oedura gracilis'' – gracile velvet gecko
*''Oedura jowalbinna''
*''Oedura lineata'' – Arcadia velvet gecko
*''Oedura luritja''
*'' Oedura marmorata'' – marbled velvet gecko
*''Oedura monilis'' – ocellated velvet gecko
*''Oedura murrumanu'' – limestone range velvet gecko
*''Oedura nesos''
*''Oedura picta'' – ornate velvet gecko
*''Oedura tryoni'' – 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''

Transferred to genus ''Amalosia'' :
*''Oedura jacovae'' – valid as '' Amalosia jacovae''
*''Oedura lesueurii'' – Lesueur's velvet gecko, valid as ''Amalosia lesueurii''
*''Oedura obscura'' – slim velvet gecko, valid as '' Amalosia obscura''
*''Oedura rhombifer'' – zigzag velvet gecko, valid as ''Amalosia rhombifer''
Transferred to genus ''Hesperoedura'' :
*''Oedura reticulata'' – reticulated velvet gecko, valid as ''Hesperoedura reticulata''
Transferred to genus ''Nebulifera'' :
*''Oedura robusta'' – robust velvet gecko, valid as ''Nebulifera robusta''

References

Further reading

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

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2575291

Geckos of Australia
Lizard genera
Taxa named by John Edward Gray