Crenadactylus ocellatus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Diplodactylidae |
Genus: |
Crenadactylus Dixon & Kluge, 1964 |
Species: | C. ocellatus |
Binomial name | |
Crenadactylus ocellatus (Gray) 1845 |
Crenadactylus ocellatus is the smallest species of nocturnal Gekkonidae (gecko) found in Australia. Their most obvious distinguishing feature is the lack of terminal claws on the digits. They are the only Australian members of Gekkonidae to lack these, and are known there as clawless geckos. They are currently the sole species of the genus Crenadactylus.
Emdemic to Australia, Crenadactylus ocellatus is distributed in a range from the northeast to the southwest of the country, and found on stony ground or in Triodia-dominated deserts. It occurs in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. They are recorded on various islands, including the Houtman Abrolhos in the west.C. ocellatus a ground-dwelling gecko; its habitat is leaf litter, rubbish piles, and beneath rocks. It is sometimes found in the lower parts of hummock grass.
The different forms of this monotypic genus are currently treated as subspecies, a revision is likely to elevate these to species and create new taxa.