''Amalosia rhombifer'', also known commonly as the zigzag velvet gecko and the zig-zag gecko, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of lizard in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Diplodactylidae The Diplodactylidae are a family in the suborder Gekkota (geckos), with over 150 species in 25 genera. These geckos occur in Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Diplodactylids are the most ecologically diverse and widespread family of geck ...

. The species is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to Australia.

Description

The zigzag velvet gecko can reach a total length (including tail) of . It is light brown on the back, darker brown on the sides, and white or off-white below. The limbs can be speckled, pale brown, or dark brown. The coloring makes it appear to have a zigzag edge on the sides, and tail.

Geographic distribution

''A. rhombifer'' is found in northern Australia, in the Kimberley region, in

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

, and up to northern

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

. Some species have been reported in the Alice Springs region.

Habitat

The zigzag gecko prefers wooded

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

s, and has been found under the bark of deteriorating trees, but has also been recorded in areas with rubbish or buildings.

Behavior

''A. rhombifer'' is usually

arboreal Arboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some animals may scale trees only occasionally, but others are exclusively arboreal. The habitats pose nu ...

, but sometimes seeks shelter beneath ground litter.

Reproduction

''A. rhombifer'' is oviparous. www.reptile-database.org.

Threats

The zigzag velvet gecko is a rare species. Until 2002, no recent records existed. In 2002, one specimen was found near

Warialda, New South Wales Warialda is a town in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia, in Gwydir Shire. Situated on the banks of Warialda Creek, the town's name means "Place of Wild Honey" in local aboriginal language. At the , Warialda had a popula ...

, another in Bebo State Forest, and third specimen discovered in Arakoola Nature Reserve, south of Bebo. The species is severely endangered, due to habitat loss from logging, and bush fires, predators such as foxes, and feral cats, and the nature of the isolation of the gecko's population, resulting in a lack of genetic variability. The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service report that the species is likely to become extinct, without intervention.

References

* Cogger HG (2014). ''Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition''. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. . * Gray JE (1845). ''Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the British Museum''. London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Edward Newman, printer). xxviii + 289 pp. ("''Œdura rhombifer'' ", new species, p. 147). * Rösler H (1995). ''Geckos der Welt: Alle Gattungen''. Leipzig: Urania Verlag. 256 pp. (''Oedura rhombifer'', p. 82). (in German). *

Wilson S Wilson may refer to: People * Wilson (name) ** List of people with given name Wilson ** List of people with surname Wilson * Wilson (footballer, 1927–1998), Brazilian manager and defender *Wilson (footballer, born 1984), full name Wilson Rod ...

, Swan G (2013). ''A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition''. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. . {{Taxonbar, from=Q2840978 Reptiles of Western Australia Amalosia Reptiles described in 1845 Taxa named by John Edward Gray Geckos of Australia