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Kimberley fat-tailed gecko

Kimberley fat-tailed gecko (Diplodactylus custos)
North Kimberley, Western Australia
Photo © Brendan Schembri
Diplodactylus custos - Couper, Oliver & Pepper, 2014
Pronunciation  DIP-low-DAK-till-us  
Etymology  Diplodactylus: 'double-toe'.1
custos: "From the latin for guard, with reference to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and their ambitious and effective conservation and research programs in the Kimberley (where this species is endemic) and elsewhere in Australia. Used as a noun in apposition."2
Other names  Diplodactylus conspicillatus 
 
Snout-to-vent length
Species avg: 6.1 cm
Reproduction
Oviparous
Clutch size
2
Description Distribution Natural history Conservation Further information More photos

Description

"A large member of the D. conspicillatus group (max SVL 61 mm) with a well-defined canthal stripe and a greatly enlarged first supralabial (first supralabial contacts ventral edge of nasal scale). Mid-dorsal scales on trunk plate-like and markedly larger than smaller dorsolaterals. Scales on nape granular and only slightly larger than granules on side of neck. Original tail with a short, acute attenuated extension at tip; scales on dorsal surface arranged in transverse rows generally of uniform size but if smaller scale rows are present, these rarely form a double row and the small scales are approximately half the size of the scales in the adjacent large rows. Dark pigment on crown and snout generally not contrasting sharply with pale canthal stripe and lower jaw colour. Body pattern often diffuse and generally without numerous pale spots; may incorporate wavy, dark transverse bands."2
Regenerated tail has "rounded distal end and more uniform scalation that is not arranged in clear transverse rows."2
"Tan to grey with darker overlay. Flanks and dorsum not strongly contrasting with ground colour and with or without pale spotting. Vertebral zone broken by dark, obscure to well-formed transverse bars. A pale canthal stripe present, extending from anterior edge of orbit to tip of snout and producing a distinctive 'v' shaped marking that does not contrast sharply with other facial markings. A dark zone on side of face extends posteriorly beyond eye to temporal region. Limbs mottled or spotted and inner digits of forelimb with reduced pig- mentation. Ventral surfaces off-white, immaculate."2

Similar species

Taxonomic notes

This species was described by Couper, Oliver & Pepper in 2014.2

Notes and disclaimer
This information may not be complete. While all care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this page, primary sources should always be consulted for definitive information. Animals have an endearing habit of disobeying the rules, so the information on this page should be interpreted with a degree of flexibility.
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This page may be cited as:
  Diplodactylus custos at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2017-10-26 15:07:15.
  Retrieved from http://arod.com.au/arod/?species=Diplodactylus+custos on the 29th of March, 2024.
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All photographs in The Australian Reptile Online Database are © the photographer and may not be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the photographer.
No part of The Australian Reptile Online Database may be reproduced without written permission from Stewart Macdonald.
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