Ptyodactylus Explained

Ptyodactylus is a genus of geckos, which are commonly known as fan-fingered geckos.The genus has 12 described species.

Geographic range and habitat

The genus Ptyodactylus is distributed across dry areas of Africa and the Middle East.

Description

The common name, fan-fingered geckos, is derived from the pattern of the straight toes which are splayed out like the pattern of a snowflake. The pads on the ventral surface of the toes are adhesive, and each toe has a retractable claw.

Species & subspecies

The following species and subspecies are recognized as being valid.^[1]

• Ptyodactylus ananjevae
• Ptyodactylus dhofarensis
• Ptyodactylus guttatus – Sinai fan-fingered gecko
• Ptyodactylus hasselquistii – yellow fan-fingered gecko
  • Ptyodactylus hasselquistii hasselquistii
  • Ptyodactylus hasselquistii krameri – Kramer's yellow fan-fingered gecko
• Ptyodactylus homolepis – Pakistan fan-fingered gecko
• Ptyodactylus orlovi
• Ptyodactylus oudrii – Algerian fan-fingered gecko
• Ptyodactylus puiseuxi – Israeli fan-fingered gecko
• Ptyodactylus ragazzii – Ragazzi's fan-footed gecko
• Ptyodactylus rivapadiali – Riva and Padial's fan-footed gecko
• Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus – Ruus al Jibal fan-footed gecko
• Ptyodactylus togoensis – Togo fan-footed gecko

Further reading

• Oken L (1817). Isis oder Encyclopadische Zeitung von Oken. Erster Band [Volume One]. Jena: Expedition der Isis. 1,576 pp. + 12 plates. (Ptyodactylus, new genus, p. 1183). (in German).

Notes and References

1. www.reptile-database.org.