Underwoodisaurus milii is a species of gecko, a lizard in the familyCarphodactylidae. The species is commonly known as the thick-tailed or barking gecko, referring to its distinctive plump tail and sharp, barking defensive call. The genus is also often called thick-tailed geckos as a group, along with the species Uvidicolus sphyrurus.
U. milii is reddish-brown with bands of white and yellow spots, and a paler underbelly. It usually grows to a total length (including tail) of 120–140 mm (4.7–5.5 in).[3] The original tail is black with several pale bands, however the regenerated tail has little pattern.
Distribution and habitat
U. milii is found in southern regions of Australia. Its distribution in Western Australia is throughout the southwest, the goldfields, wheatbelt, and Nullarbor regions to the east, and to Shark Bay in the north. It is also found at the Houtman Abrolhos and the Archipelago of the Recherche.[4]U. milii is found in rocky outcrops, and is slightly more cold-tolerant than many other Australian gecko species. It is nocturnal, and shelters underneath rocks or in burrows during the day.
Unusually for reptiles, U. milii forms aggregations in its retreat sites during the day. The reasons for this are unknown. However, it has been shown that this behavior results in a higher aggregate thermal inertia (they stay warmer) than would be found in solitary geckos of this and related kinds in similar circumstances.[5] In the same source, it was suggested that aggregating for physiological benefits may precede the development of other kinds of social behavior.
When threatened, U. milii will arch its back and "bark". It also does this in breeding season. This species, and some other species of geckos have the unusual habit of licking their eyes after eating, presumably to keep the eyeshield clean.[3]
Conservation status
The species U. milii has been assessed by the IUCN Red List and is listed as Least Concern. It has not been assessed by the Australian EPBC Act, and may be kept as a pet with the appropriate license in at least some states of Australia.
References
^Species Underwoodisaurus milii at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
^Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN978-1-4214-0135-5. (Underwoodisaurus milii, p. 178).
^ abGriffiths, Ken (1987). Reptiles of the Sydney Region. Three Sisters Publications Pty Ltd. p. 63. ISBN0-9590203-3-0.
^Lancaster J, Wilson P, Espinoza RE (2006). "Physiological benefits as precursors of sociality: Why banded geckos band". Animal Behavior72: 199-207.
Further reading
Bory de Saint-Vincent JB (1823). Dictionnaire Classique d'Histoire Naturelle, Volume 7. Paris: Rey & Gravier. 640 pp. (Phyllurus milii, new species, p. 185). (in French).
Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN978-0643100350. (Underwoodisaurus milii, p. 283).
Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN978-1921517280.
Wikispecies has information related to Underwoodisaurus milii.
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January 07, 2023
underwoodisaurus, milii, species, gecko, lizard, family, carphodactylidae, species, commonly, known, thick, tailed, barking, gecko, referring, distinctive, plump, tail, sharp, barking, defensive, call, genus, also, often, called, thick, tailed, geckos, group, . Underwoodisaurus milii is a species of gecko a lizard in the family Carphodactylidae The species is commonly known as the thick tailed or barking gecko referring to its distinctive plump tail and sharp barking defensive call The genus is also often called thick tailed geckos as a group along with the species Uvidicolus sphyrurus Underwoodisaurus miliiConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ReptiliaOrder SquamataFamily CarphodactylidaeGenus UnderwoodisaurusSpecies U miliiBinomial nameUnderwoodisaurus milii Bory de Saint Vincent 1823 Synonyms 1 Phyllurus milii Bory de Saint Vincent 1823 Cyrtodactylus Nilii sic Gray 1831 ex errore Gymnodactylus milii Loveridge 1934 Underwoodisaurus milii Bustard 1970 Nephrurus milii Bauer 1990 Underwoodisaurus milii Cogger 2014 Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Diet 5 Behaviour 6 Conservation status 7 References 8 Further readingTaxonomy EditThe specific name milii is in honor of French sailor and naturalist Pierre Bernard Milius 2 Description EditU milii is reddish brown with bands of white and yellow spots and a paler underbelly It usually grows to a total length including tail of 120 140 mm 4 7 5 5 in 3 The original tail is black with several pale bands however the regenerated tail has little pattern Distribution and habitat EditU milii is found in southern regions of Australia Its distribution in Western Australia is throughout the southwest the goldfields wheatbelt and Nullarbor regions to the east and to Shark Bay in the north It is also found at the Houtman Abrolhos and the Archipelago of the Recherche 4 U milii is found in rocky outcrops and is slightly more cold tolerant than many other Australian gecko species It is nocturnal and shelters underneath rocks or in burrows during the day Diet EditU milii feeds on insects and small vertebrates Behaviour EditUnusually for reptiles U milii forms aggregations in its retreat sites during the day The reasons for this are unknown However it has been shown that this behavior results in a higher aggregate thermal inertia they stay warmer than would be found in solitary geckos of this and related kinds in similar circumstances 5 In the same source it was suggested that aggregating for physiological benefits may precede the development of other kinds of social behavior When threatened U milii will arch its back and bark It also does this in breeding season This species and some other species of geckos have the unusual habit of licking their eyes after eating presumably to keep the eyeshield clean 3 Conservation status EditThe species U milii has been assessed by the IUCN Red List and is listed as Least Concern It has not been assessed by the Australian EPBC Act and may be kept as a pet with the appropriate license in at least some states of Australia References Edit Species Underwoodisaurus milii at The Reptile Database www reptile database org Beolens Bo Watkins Michael Grayson Michael 2011 The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press xiii 296 pp ISBN 978 1 4214 0135 5 Underwoodisaurus milii p 178 a b Griffiths Ken 1987 Reptiles of the Sydney Region Three Sisters Publications Pty Ltd p 63 ISBN 0 9590203 3 0 Browne Cooper Robert Bush Brian Maryan Brad Robinson David 2007 Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush Southwestern Australia University of Western Australia Press p 128 ISBN 978 1 920694 74 6 Lancaster J Wilson P Espinoza RE 2006 Physiological benefits as precursors of sociality Why banded geckos band Animal Behavior 72 199 207 Further reading EditBory de Saint Vincent JB 1823 Dictionnaire Classique d Histoire Naturelle Volume 7 Paris Rey amp Gravier 640 pp Phyllurus milii new species p 185 in French Cogger HG 2014 Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia Seventh Edition Clayton Victoria Australia CSIRO Publishing xxx 1 033 pp ISBN 978 0643100350 Underwoodisaurus milii p 283 Wilson Steve Swan Gerry 2013 A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia Fourth Edition Sydney New Holland Publishers 522 pp ISBN 978 1921517280 Wikispecies has information related to Underwoodisaurus milii Wikimedia Commons has media related to Underwoodisaurus milii Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Underwoodisaurus milii amp oldid 1127871284, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
