The northern velvet gecko (''Oedura castelnaui'') 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
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 ...
in
Australia.
Etymology
The
specific name, ''castelnaui'', is in honor of French naturalist
Francis de Laporte de Castelnau
Francis may refer to:
People
*Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State and Bishop of Rome
* Francis (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters
*Francis (surname)
Places
* Rural ...
.
[ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. . (''Oedura castelnaui'', p. 49).]
Geographic range
''O. castelnaui'' is found on the
Cape York Peninsula
Cape York Peninsula is a large peninsula located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is the largest unspoiled wilderness in northern Australia.Mittermeier, R.E. et al. (2002). Wilderness: Earth’s last wild places. Mexico City: Agrupació ...
, Queensland, Australia.
[
]
Habitat
The preferred natural 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 of ''O. castelnaui'' are forest
A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...
and savanna
A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland- grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to ...
.[
]
Reproduction
''O. castelnaui'' is oviparous.[ Clutch size is two eggs, which have a parchment-like shell, and hatch in 60 days.][
]
References
Further reading
* Bustard, H. Robert (1970). "''Oedura marmorata'', a complex of Australian geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)". ''Senckenbergiana Biologica'' 51: 21–40. (''Oedura castelnaui'', new combination).
* Cogger HG (2014). ''Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition''. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. .
* Thominot, Alexandre (1889). "''Sur quelques reptiles et batraciens de la collection du Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Paris'' ". ''Bulletin de la Société Philomathique de Paris, Huitième Série'' ighth Series1 (1): 21–30. (''Phyllodactylus castelnaui'', new species, pp. 22–23). (in French).
* Wilson K, Swan G (2013). ''A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition''. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. .
Oedura
Reptiles described in 1889
Taxa named by Alexandre Thominot
Geckos of Australia
{{Diplodactylidae-stub