Uroplatus (Leaf-tailed Gecko)
Perinet Reserve, Madagascar.
From Wikipedia -
Uroplatus is a genus of geckos commonly referred to as Flat or
Leaf-tailed Geckos. All of the species of this genus are found in
primary and secondary forests on the island of Madagascar, and some on
islands off Madagascar, such as Nosy Be. They are endemic to
Madagascar, and found nowhere else on earth.
Etymology
The generic name, Uroplatus, is a Latinization of two Greek words:
"ourá" (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and
"platys" (πλατύς) meaning "flat".
Description
The Uroplatus are nocturnal and arboreal. They range in size from
about 12 inches (U. giganteus) to 4 inches (U. ebenaui). The larger
leaf-tailed geckos spend most of the daylight hours hanging vertically
on tree trunks, head down, resting,while the smaller leaf tailed
geckos (U. phantasticus and U. ebenaui) spend more time in Ficus
bushes imitating twigs and leaves. During the night, they will venture
from their daylight resting spots, and go off in search of prey. They
are all insectivores.
Larger species of Uroplatus are distinguished among geckos in having the largest number of marginal teeth and the highest among all living amniotes. Other rare apomorphic character states include multiple inscriptional ribs, restriction of autotomy planes, and finger-like diverticula of the lungs.
They all have coloration developed as camouflage, most being grayish brown to black or greenish brown with various markings meant to resemble tree bark. There are two variations of this camouflage: leaf form, and bark form. The leaf form is present on only two species, U. phantasticus and U. ebenaui, which are also the two smallest species. All other forms blend in well with tree bark upon which they rest during the day. Some of these treebark forms have developed a flap of skin, running the length of their bodies, known as a dermal flap, which they lay against the tree during the day, scattering shadows, and making their outline practically invisible.
Captivity
Uroplatus are found in the herpetology and pet trade, but rarely. Most
are threatened due to deforestation and habitat loss, therefore more
are taken out of the wild in areas that are being preped for being cut
down. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lists all the Uroplatus
species on their "Top ten most wanted species" list of
animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade, because of it
"being captured and sold at alarming rates for the international
pet trade". Uroplatus spp. are on Appendix II of the CITES list.
During their breeding season, female Uroplatus lay from 2-4 eggs depending on species and conditions.
Threats
Habitat destruction and deforestation in Madagascar is the primary
threat to the future of Uroplatus geckos as well as collection for the
pet trade. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) lists all of the
Uroplatus species on their "Top ten most wanted species
list" of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade, because of
it "being captured and sold at alarming rates for the
international pet trade". It is a CITES Appendix 2 protected
animal.
Classification of genus Uroplatus
Uroplatus fimbriatus
Northern Flat-tail Gecko - Uroplatus alluaudi
Spearpoint Leaf-tail Gecko - Uroplatus ebenaui
Giant Leaf-tail Gecko - Uroplatus fimbriatus
Uroplatus giganteus
Gunther's Leaf-tail Gecko - Uroplatus guentheri
Frilled Leaf-tail Gecko - Uroplatus henkeli
Lined Leaf-Tail Gecko - Uroplatus lineatus
Uroplatus malahelo
Uroplatus malama
Satanic Leaf-tail Gecko - Uroplatus phantasticus
Cork-bark Gecko - Uroplatus pietschmanni
Southern Leaf-tail Gecko - Uroplatus sikorae
Mossy Leaf-tail Gecko - Uroplatus sikorae sameiti
Uroplatus sikorae sikorae
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