Uroplatus
Encyclopedia
Uroplatus is a genus
of gecko
s commonly referred to as Flat or Leaf-tailed Geckos. All the comprising species
are endemic to Madagascar or nearby island
s, such as Nosy Be
, where they are found in primary and secondary forest
s.
name, Uroplatus, is a Latin
ization of two Greek
words: "ourá" (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and "platys" (πλατύς) meaning "flat".
Larger species of Uroplatus are distinguished among geckos in having the largest number of marginal teeth and the highest among all living amniote
s. 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. These geckos bear a resemblance to the Phyllurus
and Saltuarius
geckos of Australia. This is a type of convergent evolution
.
The skull of Uroplatus is strongly ossified, with an extremely high tooth count and incipient secondary palate.
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.
(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..
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of gecko
Gecko
Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm....
s commonly referred to as Flat or Leaf-tailed Geckos. All the comprising species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
are endemic to Madagascar or nearby island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s, such as Nosy Be
Nosy Be
Nosy Be is an island located off the northwest coast of Madagascar. Nosy Be is Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort. It has an area of 312 km2 and its population was officially estimated at 36,636 in 2001....
, where they are found in primary and secondary forest
Secondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
s.
Etymology
The genericGenus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
name, Uroplatus, is a Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
ization of two Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean 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 amniote
Amniote
The amniotes are a group of tetrapods that have a terrestrially adapted egg. They include synapsids and sauropsids , as well as their fossil ancestors. Amniote embryos, whether laid as eggs or carried by the female, are protected and aided by several extensive membranes...
s. 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
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
, most being grayish brown to black or greenish brown with various markings meant to resemble tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
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. These geckos bear a resemblance to the Phyllurus
Phyllurus
Phyllurus is a small genus of Australian Leaf-tailed Geckos rarely seen outside their native habitat. They are notable for their highly effective camouflage which is in part aided by the spiny tubercles that cover every part of their body....
and Saltuarius
Saltuarius
Saltuarius is a genus of larger Australian geckos, known collectively as Leaf-tailed Geckos. The genus was created in 1993 to accommodate former members of the genus Phyllurus. These geckos are very similar to the Uroplatus geckos native to Madagascar...
geckos of Australia. This is a type of convergent evolution
Convergent evolution
Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight. The wings are...
.
The skull of Uroplatus is strongly ossified, with an extremely high tooth count and incipient secondary palate.
Captivity
Uroplatus are found in the herpetologyHerpetology
Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles...
and pet
Pet
A pet is a household animal kept for companionship and a person's enjoyment, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful...
trade, but rarely. Most are threatened due to deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
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
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
(WWF) lists all the Uroplatus species on their "Top ten most wanted species" list of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade
Wildlife trade
The international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,...
, 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 NatureWorld Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
(WWF) lists all of the Uroplatus species on their "Top ten most wanted species list" of animals threatened by illegal wildlife trade
Wildlife trade
The international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,...
, 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
- Northern Flat-tail Gecko, Uroplatus alluaudi - M. F. Mocquard, 1894
- Spearpoint Leaf-tail Gecko, Uroplatus ebenauiUroplatus ebenauiThe Spearpoint Leaf-tail Gecko is an arboreal and nocturnal gecko which is found on Nosy Bé island and in western and northern Madagascar. They live in tropical rain forests and dry deciduous forests. They are the smallest species of Uroplatus and can reach a total length of . Uroplatus ebenaui...
- Boettger, 1879 - Giant Leaf-tail Gecko, Uroplatus fimbriatusUroplatus fimbriatusUroplatus fimbriatus is a gecko which is found in eastern Madagascar and on the islands Nosy Bohara and Nosy Mangabe. These geckos live in tropical rain forests. They reach a total length of 330 mm....
- Schneider, 1797 - Uroplatus finiavana - Ratsoavina et al, 2011
- Uroplatus giganteus - Glaw et al, 2006
- Gunther's Leaf-tail Gecko, Uroplatus guentheriUroplatus guentheriUroplatus guentheri is a species of nocturnal gecko belonging to the genus Uroplatus, which is found in northwestern Madagascar in the area around Ankarafansika and near Morondava in western Madagascar. These geckos live on small trees and bushes. They reach a total length of 150 mm. They are...
- M. F. Mocquard, 1908 - Frilled Leaf-tail Gecko, Uroplatus henkeliUroplatus henkeliHenkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko , is a gecko that is found on the island Nosy Bé near Madagascar, as well as on the mainland Madagascar itself, in the region of Ankaranafantsika. These geckos live an arboreal lifestyle, often venturing down to the ground only to lay eggs in soft soil and leaflitter...
- Böhme & Ibisch, 1990 - Lined Leaf-Tail Gecko, Uroplatus lineatusUroplatus lineatusUroplatus lineatus is a gecko which is found in eastern Madagascar and on the island Nosy Bohara. These geckos live on trees in tropical rain forests and on bamboo plants. They reach a total length of 270 mm.-Taxonomy and etymology:...
- Duméril & Bibron, 1836 - Uroplatus malahelo - Nussbaum & Raxworthy, 1994
- Uroplatus malama - Nussbaum & Raxworthy, 1995
- Satanic Leaf-tail Gecko, Uroplatus phantasticus - Boulenger, 1888
- Cork-bark Gecko, Uroplatus pietschmanni - Böhle & Schönecker, 2004
- Uroplatus sameiti
- Mossy Leaftail Gecko, Uroplatus sikoraeUroplatus sikoraeUroplatus sikorae is a species of gecko commonly referred to as the Mossy leaf-tailed gecko. This species, endemic to Madagascar, is found in primary and secondary forests on the island...
- Boettger, 1913
External links
- Uroplatus Geckos photo pool at Flickr, including these two pictures of the animal resting on tree trunks: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelwalleyphotos/285915929/in/pool-61667515@N00 and http://www.flickr.com/photos/jollyfrog/137776981/in/pool-61667515@N00
- Watch more flat-tailed gecko (Uroplatus) video clips from the BBC archive on Wildlife Finder