Lucasium damaeum

Lucasium demaeum
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Diplodactylinae
Genus: Lucasium
Species: L. damaeum
Binomial name
Lucasium damaeum
Lucas & Frost, 1896

Description

With only a few species of the genus Lucasium it is endemic to Australia.[1] The 7 cm long beaded gecko is reddish brown on top, with what looks like chains of beads surrounding the cream pale ridged vertebral strip, alas the name Beaded Gecko;[2][3] Single lines of pale blotches running down the side of its body with scattered smaller spots covering its dark brown limbs and surrounding body.[4] This gecko has a rounded snout rather than beaked (with the rostral connection to the nostril[5]), reddish brown in colour with a white or cream upper eyelid that is not able to cover, protect or clean the eye rather the eye is covered in protective transparent scales.[6] To keep the eye clean they use their long flat tongue to wipe the eye. With relatively large eyes, the pupil is a thin vertical slit during the day and rounded and full in the dark.[7] The tail is a straight continuum of the body and the original tail has continuing patterns from the body down but will reproduce plain brown or spotted darker tails.[8] The toes of a beaded gecko are flat and unkinked without adhesive pads and usually whitish in colour. The feet the beaded gecko have are not suitable for climbing[9] The beaded gecko is nocturnal. Hiding through the day and coming out at night they travel large distances in search of food[10]

Distribution

Beaded geckos are found in drier arid to semi-arid climate parts of main land Australian in all states and the Northern Territory[11]

Ecology and habitat

Beaded gecko is a terrestrial (ground-dwelling) animal can be found in a variety of dry desert habitats within mainland Australia from the savannah woodlands to spinifex-covered sandhills.[12] During the day the gecko uses insects and spider holes for shelter before coming out at night to hunt in open areas. This Swift moving gecko covers large areas in search for food.[13]

Reproduction

The Beaded Gecko are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs rather than give birth. Females are known to lay 2 per clutch. Like most Australian reptiles geckos have a breeding season which is from late September to December. Males have paired sex organs, each independent.[14]

Diet

Beaded Geckos much like most other small lizards feed mainly on insects. The jaw is surrounded with short fine teeth however prey is crushed by the gecko rather than chewed.[15]

Threats

Can include loss of habitat, feral predators like dogs, cats and foxes.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Doughty, P & Hutchinson, M.N. (2008). Records of western Australian museam. A new species of Lucasium (Squamata: Diplodactylidae) from the southern deserts of Western Australia and South Australia, 1(1), 95-106. Retrieved 4 June 2016, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark_Hutchinson4/publication/242182301_A_new_species_of_Lucasium_%28Squamata_Diplodactylidae%29_from_the_southern_deserts_of_Western_Australia_and_South_Australia/links/02e7e52deebc892f86000000.pdf
  2. ↑ Edgar, R.W. (1993). The Reptiles and Amphibians os Sount Australia . Australia: Hale H.M
  3. ↑ Hoser, R.T. (1989). Australian Reptiles and Frogs. Australia: Pierson & Co.
  4. ↑ Cogger, HG 2014 Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 7th ed. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, 311-311
  5. ↑ Wilson, S, & Swan, G. A 2013 Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, 4th ed. Now Holland Publishers 88-89
  6. ↑ Cogger, H. (1967). Geckos. (Ed), Australian Reptiles in colour` (pp. 20-28). Australia: Tressure Press Australia
  7. ↑ Cogger, H. (1967). Geckos. (Ed), Australian Reptiles in colour` (pp. 20-28). Australia: Tressure Press Australia
  8. ↑ Cogger, HG 2014 Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 7th ed. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, 311-311
  9. ↑ http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/aussie-geckos-diplodactylus-strophurus-saltuaris-phyllurus-oedura/36664-lucasium-damaeum-others-gawler-ranges-sa.html
  10. ↑ Cogger, H. (1967). Geckos. (Ed), Australian Reptiles in colour` (pp. 20-28). Australia: Tressure Press Australia
  11. ↑ Cogger, HG 2014 Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 7th ed. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, 311-311
  12. ↑ Cogger, HG 2014 Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 7th ed. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, 311-311
  13. ↑ Wilson, S, & Swan, G. A 2013 Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, 4th ed. Now Holland Publishers 88-89
  14. ↑ Amazing amazon. (N.d). Beaded Gecko Care and Information Caring for Geckos. Retrieved 4 June 2016, from https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/beaded-gecko-care-housing-feeding-information
  15. ↑ Amazing amazon. (N.d). Beaded Gecko Care and Information Caring for Geckos. Retrieved 4 June 2016, from https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/beaded-gecko-care-housing-feeding-information
  16. ↑ Lucasium damaeum at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2016-03-29 11:18:15.Retrieved from http://www.arod.com.au/arod/?species=Lucasium+damaeum on the 4th of June, 2016.

Sources

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