Rhacodactylus

Taxobox
name =" Rhacodactylus"

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Rhacodactylus ciliatus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Gekkonidae
subfamilia = Diplodactylinae
genus = "Rhacodactylus"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text.

"Rhacodactylus" is a genus of medium to large geckos of the subfamily Diplodactylinae. All species in this genus are found on the islands that make up New Caledonia.

Genus characteristics include long limbs and toes with well developed lamellae. Some webbing occurs on the hind limbs and toes. "Rhacodactylus" possess prehensile tails which also have lamellae to assist in climbing. These are for the most part arboreal geckos.

The species are egg layers with the exception of "Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus" which gives live birth. "Rhacodactylus" geckos are sexually dimorphic, with the males possessing larger preanal pores than the females as well as a distinct hemipenis pocket.

With the exception of "Rhacodactylus auriculatus", Males tend to be stockier than females. (in "R. auriculatus" the males are much slimmer than the females.)

"Rhacodactylus" are nocturnal geckos.

Classification

*Gargoyle Gecko, "Rhacodactylus auriculatus"
*Bavay's Giant Gecko, "Rhacodactylus chahoua"
*Crested Gecko, "Rhacodactylus ciliatus"
*New Caledonia Giant Gecko, "Rhacodactylus leachianus"
**"Rhacodactylus leachianus aubrianus"
**"Rhacodactylus leachianus henkeli"
**"Rhacodactylus leachianus leachianus"
*Roux's Giant Gecko, "Rhacodactylus sarasinorum"
*Tough-snouted Giant Gecko, "Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus"
**"Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus trachycephalus"
**"Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus trachyrhynchus"

Literature

* Robert Seipp, Friedrich-Wilhelm Henkel: "Rhacodactylus - Biologie, Haltung und Zucht; mit einem Anhang der Geckoarten Neukaledoniens; / von Robert Seipp, Friedrich Wilhelm Henkel". Frankfurt am Main: Edition Chimaira, 2000. ISBN 3-930612-23-2
* Phillippe de Vosjoli: "Rhacodactylus - The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care; / von Philippe de Vosjoli, Frank Fast, Allen Repashy". Advanced Vision Inc, 2003. ISBN 0-9742971-0-0