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Gulbaru Gecko

Phyllurus gulbaru

About

This species is part of the genus Phyllurus or Australian leaf-tailed geckos. These geckos are notable for their highly effective camouflage which is boosted by tubercles that cover their bodies.

This family of Australian geckos is ancient. They diverged from all other living reptiles more than 60 million years ago.

The total area in which the gulbaru gecko species lives is only 23 km2. Their habitat is severely fragmented meaning there is little migration between populations. There are two disjunct and isolated populations, one around Palm Tree Creek and another by a tributary of the Black River.

They are rainforest dependent and are threatened by unmanaged burning and grazing of the remaining rainforests. Patterson George is just south of the UNESCO Wet Tropical World Heritage site boundary, and only a small fraction of the suitable habitat for this species is protected. The establishment of more protected areas within this species range is needed.

  • Order: Squamata
  • Family: Carphodactylidae
  • Population: Unknown
  • Trend: unknown

EDGE Score

EDGE Score: 5.77 (?)
ED Score: 18.953 (?)
GE / IUCN Red List (?)
Not Evaluated Data Deficient Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct

Distribution

The species is found in Patterson Gorge, Queensland.

Habitat and Ecology

Very little is known about this species. It lives in steep rocky habitats inside the Patterson Gorge rainforest area. It can be found in gullies near running water. This species is completely forest dependent.

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