Phasmid Geckos are small climbing Geckos of the genus Strophurus found across much of northern
Australia, where they inhabit stands of Spinifex Grass (clump-forming grasses
of the genus Triodia). They get their
name from their resemblance to Stick Insects (Phasmids), being elongate, slow
moving Lizards with camouflaging colouration, though the term is colloquial and
is not applied to all members of the genus, which is defined by the presence of
defensive glands that secrete a viscous fluid distasteful to predators.
In a paper published in the journal Zootaxa on 22 October 2014, PaulOliver of the Department of Zoology at the University of Melbourne, MuseumVictoria and the Research School of Biology at the Australian NationalUniversity and Tom Parkin of the Museum & Art Gallery of the NorthernTerritory describe a new species of Phasmid Gecko from the Arnhem Plateau in
the Top End of the Northern Territory.
The new species is named Strophurus horneri,
in honour of Paul Horner of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern
Territory, one of the scientists who helped collect the first specimens of the
species. These are small slender Geckos, reaching less than 40 mm in total
length. They are very pale in colour, being yellowish with distinct
longitudinal stripes (stripes running along the body).
Strophurus horneriin life, at Yirrkakak on the northern edge of the Arnhem Plateau. RichGlor in Oliver & Parkin (2014).
Strophurus horneri was found to be living on the northern and western fringes of the
Arnhem Plateau, a 32 000 km2 sandstone block rising 100-400 m above
sea-level with a distinct climate and flora and fauna compared to the
surrounding landscape.
Habitat of Strophurus horneri
at Namarragon Gorge, Kakadu National Park. Stuart Young in Oliver & Parkin
(2014).
See also…
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breeding with them. In 2013 Mark Sistrom of the...
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