Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

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moloch
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Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by moloch »

(Part 1 is here: http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... =2&t=12393
Part 2 is here: http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... =2&t=12396)

Riverine Leaf-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus amnicola) -- These geckos are only found in rainforest habitat high up on Mt. Elliot near Townsville, Qld. Mt. Elliot is surrounded by dry eucalyptus woodland. It was a surprise to me to learn that the upper gullies on the mountain supported rainforest, the habitat preferred by this gecko.
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Gulbaru Leaf-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus gulbaru) -- This species has a tiny distribution and is known only for the upper ends of two gorges in mountains near Townsville, Qld. I was very pleased to see this gecko, especially after the big effort at night to climb to its habitat.
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Phyllurus isis habitat. So far, I have not seen these geckos but their entire distribution is visible in this photo. They only occur on the upper slopes of Mt. Juke and Mt. Blackwood.
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Phyllurus nepthys -- these geckos are fairly common in the rainforest on the Eungella Plateau. These are the spiniest of the four endemic Phyllurus geckos that live in the Mackay region of Qld.
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Mt. Ossa Broad-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus ossa) -- this gecko has a tiny range in a coastal range located to the north of Mackay. I will never forget the search for this species since I walked into a sapling stinging tree. The neurotoxins from this tree were extremely painful and I had a miserable 24 hours until burning finally subsided. The silica hairs continued to cause an odd tingling sensation in my skin for several months after the encounter. I learned to be very careful when walking in areas with this tree.
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Broad-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus platurus) -- a common species on sandstone outcrops around Sydney, NSW. All of the following were from the hills in the Wollongong area.
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Border Beaked Geckos (Rhynchoedura angusta) and Eyre Basin Beaked Geckos (R. eyrensis) are recent splits from R. ornata. -- To me, they appear very similar and I don't yet know how to separate them in the field. Both overlap broadly in western NSW. These photos are from Mutawintji area, NSW, and Windorah, QLD. I think that they are R. angusta but am not certain.
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... but what is this? I found it to the west of Winton, Qld, and a few hundred kms from other known populations of Beaked Geckos. I suppose that it would be an extension of R. angusta but don't know for certain.
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I photographed these geckos along the road between Broken Hill and Tibooburra, NSW. They could be either Border Beaked Geckos (Rhynchoedura angusta) or Eyre Beaked Geckos (Rhychoedura eyrensis) since both are possible in this part of the state.
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Eastern Beaked Gecko (Rhynchoedura ormsbyi) -- This is another recent split from ]i]R. ornata[/i]. These were photographed from the Gundabooka area, NSW.
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Western Beaked Gecko (Rhynchoedura ornata) -- I've only seen this one from Shark Bay, WA. This is another recent split from ]i]R. ornata[/i].
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Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko (Saltuaris coronutus) -- these amazing geckos are common in rainforests on the Atherton Tablelands of FNQ. I have found a number while on night. I usually see them high overhead on large branches of trees but sometimes they are low enough for photos. Once, I found one right on the road on a cool, misty night.
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Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko (Saltuarius swaini) -- This species is common in montane rainforests of southeastern QLD. I think that the juvenile was probably the most elegant of all the leaf-tails that I have ever encountered.
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Wyberba Leaf-tailed Gecko (Saltuaris wyberba) -- This species has a tiny distribution in the granite belt of southern QLD. I have seen them on the road at night but they are more easily seen on granite outcrops.
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Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris): this is a common and widespread species. I've not yet seen the colourful race from the Northern Territory.
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Strophurus krisalys and S. ciliaris are quite similar in appearance. These geckos overlap in range in some areas such as near Windorah, Qld. They can be difficult to identify unless they open their mouths. The mouth lining of S. krisalys is blue whereas that of S. ciliaris is orange .
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Jewelled Gecko (Strophurus elderi) -- These are lovely geckos that are widespread in the dry areas but are hard to find. They live in clumps of spinifex.
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Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus intermedius) -- I only saw this species for the first time last year near Bourke, NSW. I've looked for it in the same area before on several occasions but without success. On my successful trip, conditions must have been just right and I found at least 10 on the road within an hour of searching.
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Southern Phasmid Gecko (Strophurus jaenae) -- this tiny gecko was found on the road near Sandfire (Great Sandy Desert), WA. It is a spinifex specialist.
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Strophurus krisalys -- fairly common in portions of central western QLD. I've found them on red dunes as well as in rocky country with scattered shrubs.
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Smooth Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus spinigerus) -- this gecko is abundant in the southwestern portion of WA. I saw huge numbers on the road at night north of Perth.
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Western Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus strophurus) -- another common spiny-tailed gecko in WA. It was common to the north and east of the range of S. spinigerus.
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Golden-tailed Gecko (Strophurus taenicauda) -- this beautiful Strophurus is confined to brigalow habitats in southern Queensland. I have only seen this single animal.
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Eastern Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus williamsi) -- an abundant species in the mid-western highlands of NSW north into QLD.
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Thick-tailed Gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) -- This is a widespread gecko that is common in some areas.
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Granite belt Thick-tailed Gecko (Uvidicolus sphyrurus) -- This is the only individual of this species that I have seen despite multiple searches. It seems to be a difficult species to locate. Its colouration is a close match to the granite boulders where it lives. It is restricted the granite belt of southern QLD and northeastern NSW.
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Fraser's Delma (Delma fraseri) -- from Perth, WA. A friend in WA showed me this species.
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Side-barred Delma (Delma grayii) -- from Perth, WA. A friend in WA showed me this species.
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Patternless Delma (Delma inornata) -- one from the Warrumbungle area, NSW.
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Sharp-snouted Delma (Delma nasuata) -- one from the Exmouth area, WA.
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Leaden Delma (Delma plebia) -- one from the Warrumbungles area.
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Burton's Snake Lizard (Lialis burtonis) -- found over most of Australia. Highly variable in pattern, even in a single area.Image
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Keeled Legless Lizard (Pletholax gracilis) -- near Perth, WA. A friend in WA showed me this species.
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Common Scaly-foot (Pygopus lepidopodus) -- a widespread species.
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Western Hooded Scaly-foot (Pygopus nigreceps) -- a beautiful scaly foolt that is common from the Shark Bay area and north.
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Eastern Hooded Scaly-foot (Pygopus schraderi) -- seems to be much harder to find than Western Hooded Scaly-foots. So far, I've only seen two of this species.
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... that is all as of June 2012!
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jordo
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by jordo »

Great posts David. I always love seeing the variation between individuals of certain species.
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MHollanders
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by MHollanders »

I hope this gets published to a book as well. I love the way you set it up, good job on photographing all this stuff!
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moloch
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by moloch »

Thanks, jordo and MHollanders. I do hope to produce a book in a few years after more trips/photos/species.

Regards,
David
WildJed
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by WildJed »

:thumb: :D :D Absolutely incredible work David!!!! I haven't posted in ages, but after seeing your inspirational photography and dedication in finding such exquisite specimens I had to write something. I could go on and on how jealous I am that you are able to see such fantastic wildlife in Australia, but it suffices to say it is obvious you love your herps and the art of documenting your passion. Hope to see it made into a book someday! It deserves it!!

Jed aka WildJed

(written at the MGM hotel while on a work trip to Las Vegas NV from So Cal. It's hotter than he!! here :evil: )
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Kelly Mc
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by Kelly Mc »

Its a Masterpiece. I love it and will return to it over and over and I thank you
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Cole Grover
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by Cole Grover »

Truly awesome series of posts, David! I mean, magnificent!

What's the story with Uvidicolus sphyrurus? Is it closely related to Nephrurus like Underwoodisaurus is?

Thanks,
-Cole
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umop apisdn
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by umop apisdn »

Thanks for sharing. Australia is a lizard-lover's dream. I can't imagine the thrill that comes with any time spent in the field.

I was curious, can you comment at all on the fluid deterrent that Strophurus release from their tail? Is it a musky smell? Foul or just weird? I'm just curious.
Matt Cage
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by Matt Cage »

David

All I can say is WOW. I know there are lots of Aussie herp books, but I hope you put these together sometime somehow. I want an autographed copy. I'm hoping to sometime get back out there.

Am I going to see you in January?

All the best,

Matt
fishguy
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by fishguy »

Thankyou for putting such time into such an amazing post.
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moloch
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Re: Photoguide to Australian Geckos -- Part 3

Post by moloch »

Thanks very much WildJed, Kelly, Cole, and fishguy. I am glad that the post was enjoyed. I had lots of fun putting it together. I will periodically add to it in the future as I find more species or obtain better shots of those already included. I have lots of photos but that is still less that half of what is possible here in Australia. We have lots of geckos here!
What's the story with Uvidicolus sphyrurus? Is it closely related to Nephrurus like Underwoodisaurus is?
They formerly were considered to be Underwoodisaurus but Uvidicolus is a recent change. I always use Stewart's site to keep up with the latest since he is avid and his site is always up to date. I actually thought that both this and Thick-tailed were going to be moved back to Nephrurus so it was a surprise to me as well.

Thanks, umop. The lizard diversity here is incredible. There are so many species of skinks in particular. Yes, I have been sprayed by Strophurus especially S. ciliaris a few times. The scent is strong and bitter. It reminds me of the smell of some weeds when I am working in the garden. Some of the others like S. elderi seem to just exude the sticky substance from the tail rather than spray it.

Thanks, Matt. I hope that I see visit again sometime. I would love to show you some of these animals. At this stage, I cannot commit to Peru. I am working on a project that should have a fair bit of travel and I cannot book anything for awhile due to potential conflicts with work. It would have been great fun to see you, Dick, Lorrie, Mike and others in Peru.

Regards,
David
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