[Gecko] (no subject)

[Racodactylus]

The genus Uroplatus contains ten species. �These are: U. alluaudi, U.
ebenaui, U. frimbriatus, U. guentheri, U. henkeli, U. lineatus, U. malahelo,
U. malama, U. phantasticus, and U. sikorae of which there is one subspecies,
Uroplatus sikorae sameti. �These animals are nocturnal and arboreal in habits
and are restricted to Madagascar and offshore islets. �Obtaining a length of
one foot or more, U. frimbriatus is the largest member of the genus and
certainly one of the largest of all geckoes. �These geckoes belong to the
family Gekkonidae and to the subfamily Gekkoninae. �By definition, the
members of this subfamily lack eyelids and reproduce with hard shelled eggs.
�Hard, well-calcified eggs are more resistant to the weather than the soft,
parchment like eggs of most Diplodactylinae, Eublepharinae, and
Aeluroscalabotinae. �This ability to withstand the elements is why Gekkoninae
geckoes are able to colonize the world. �Most notably are the geckoes in the
genus Hemidactylus. �Hemidactylus tursicus is a species that has spread to
every continent. �They have even become established in Atlanta, Georgia where
freezing nights frequent the winter months.

� � Uroplatus species inhabit 2 main types of forest strata. �These are the
trunks of trees and bushy shrubs. �The smaller species (malama, phantasticus,
ebenaui, guentheri, and maybe malahelo) spend the day concealed in busy
shrubs. �U. malahelo was recently described and unfortunately, its type
locality was being cleared in the process and so this species biology remains
largely unknown. �U. alluaudi seems to also occur on bushy shrubs, but I have
chosen not to include it on this list for reasons to be presented in time.
�The larger members (frimbriatus, henkeli, sikorae, and lineatus) occur on
the trunks of trees. �These animals will hide in the open using their
exacting patterns to match lichens, moss, and tree bark. �It can be nearly
impossible to see these animals even when looking directly at them. �These
species also posses lateral fringes which can be pushed against the bark
perfectly eliminating shadows and the contours of their body. �To say the
least, any predator will have more than a tough time finding them. �Only a
well-trained eye can find them. �The species U. lineatus prefers bamboo and
reed groves and their pinstriped pattern reflects this. �They also spend the
day high in the crowns of palm trees between the fronds.

� � The species U. guentheri, U. malama, and U. malahelo occur in southern
Madagascar and so they are less known. �Most knowledge of this genus comes
from collectors for the pet trade. �Southern Madagascar has few of the "hot
species" or animals sought after so few waste their time to collect southern
animals. �What is known of U. guentheri proves it to be very unique. �This
species has diurnal habits in addition to the typical nocturnal ones. �Also,
they utilize hollow trees, dryer habitats, will bask, and can run. �All other
species can only hop and prefer dimly lit humid areas. �I have proposed the
southern species are following their own evolutionary path.

� � Uroplatus alluaudi is a very rare and largely unknown species. �It is
known from a handful of specimens collected in the last 100 years. �All
literature suggests they occur on busy shrubs. �I believe they occur high in
trees or on the ground under fallen debris. �The latter seems unlikely.
�Uroplatus typically live in rather high densities. �On the island of Nosey
Mangabe, U. frimbriatus is found at nearly every thick tree. �U. alluaudi is
perhaps the same, just an excellent hider.