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	File:Lucasium-byrnei-thumb.jpgGibber gecko
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Diplodactylus
Species:	D. byrnei
Binomial name
	Diplodactylus byrnei;

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The Gibber gecko (Lucasium byrnei), also known as 'Byrne's gecko' (Diplodactylus byrnei), is a species of small, nocturnal gecko endemic to Australia.

Appearance

Up to 80 mm in length, the gibber gecko is a pale, creamy-fawn to reddish-brown or dark brown colour above, with scattered darker flecks and spots and some tiny pale dots, and usually with a distinct series of four or five conspicuous, irregular, W-shaped dark brown transverse bars or blotches between nape and hindlimbs. ^[1]

It has a short, convex head with a rounded snout; the ear-opening is very small and rounded. Its rostral is very low and is about four times as broad as high, without a median cleft. Scales on the throat are minute and granular, whereas abdominal scales are flat, roundish, juxtaposed, and a little smaller than the dorsal tubercles. The Gibber gecko's tail is cylindrical and tapering, with rings of scales that are convex above and flat abd subquadrangular beneath. The male of the species has three or four blunt spines on each side of the base of the tail. ^[2]

Habitat

Gibber geckos are terrestrial, hiding in ground litter, holes and ground crevices during the day, and emerging at night to forage in open areas. They are found in a wide range of habitats from mallee and open woodland to saltbush and sandy desert. ^[1] Due to the delicate surface architecture of its apical plates, it is considered unlikely that the Gibber gecko would actively burrow, and instead it would be expected to be restricted to occupying previously excavated burrows or other retreats.

Geographic Range

Diet

Lifespan and reproduction

Behaviour

Taxonomy

The family Gekkonidae comprises 111 species in Australia which are normally no larger than 150mm long with five digits that bear circular toe pads.^[3] The family is separated into two subfamilies: Gekkoninae and Diplodactylinae. These sub families are further broken down into the following genera: Diplodactylus, Gehyra, Hemidactylus, Heteronotia, Lepidodactylus, Nactus, Nephrurus, Oedura, Phyllurus, Pseudothecadactylus, Rhynchoedura, Saltuarius, Strophurus and Underwoodisaurus.^[4] The Gibber gecko is found in the subfamily Diplodactylinae and further in the genus Dipldactylus which can be identified by the lack of caudal glands, presence of small, retractable claws and digits that lie flat on the ground.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Cogger, Harold (2014). Retiles and Amphibians of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 309–310. ISBN 9780643100350.
^ Cite error: The named reference Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria Volume VIII was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference A complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Reptiles_and_Amphibians_of_Australia-1] Cogger, Harold (2014). Retiles and Amphibians of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 309–310. ISBN 9780643100350.

[Proceedings_of_the_Royal_Society_of_Victoria_Volume_VIII-2] Cite error: The named reference Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria Volume VIII was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[A_Field_Guide_to_Reptiles_of_New_South_Wales-3] Cite error: The named reference A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[A_complete_Guide_to_Reptiles_of_Australia-4] Cite error: The named reference A complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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