Hemidactylus

Hemidactylus is a genus of the common gecko family, Gekkonidae. It has 191 described species, newfound ones being described every few years. These geckos are found in all the tropical regions of the world, extending into the subtropical parts of Africa and Europe. They excel in colonizing oceanic islands by rafting on flotsam, and are for example found across most of Polynesia.

The species are typically known as house geckos, due to their readiness to adapt to and coexist with humans, and can be easily encountered in human habitations.

DESCRIPTION

• Foot upperside (left) and underside of the Oriental leaf-toed gecko (H. bowringii).

• The dorsal lepidosis is either uniform or heterogeneous.

• The pupil of the eye is vertical.

• Males have pre-anal or femoral pores.

•  Each finger or toe has a slender, distally clawed joint, angularly bent and rising from within the extremity of the dilated portion.

• The fingers and toes are free, or more or less webbed, and dilated; underneath, they bear two rows of lamellae in a pattern resembling a paripinnate compound leaf. This leads to their other and more ambiguous common name, "leaf-toed geckos," used mainly for species from South Asia and its surroundings to prevent confusion with the many "leaf-toed" Gekkota not in Hemidactylus.

• Some members of the genus, such as H. platyurus, are able to run quadrupedally across water by a partially surface tension-dependent mechanism distinct from the bipedal gait of basilisks.

REPRODUCTION

• Many species of Hemidactylus are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. They typically lay their eggs in concealed locations, such as crevices in rocks, under bark, or in burrows in the ground.

• The number of eggs laid can vary, but it's usually a small clutch of two to four eggs.

• After laying their eggs, Hemidactylus geckos do not provide parental care. Instead, they rely on environmental conditions for incubation.

• The eggs are buried or hidden in a location with suitable temperature and humidity for incubation.

• Incubation periods can vary by species but generally last several weeks to a few months, with environmental factors such as temperature influencing the duration.

• Some species within the genus Hemidactylus are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live offspring instead of laying eggs.

• In viviparous species, embryos develop internally within the mother's body, and she gives birth to fully formed gecko hatchlings.

• Viviparity is particularly common in species that inhabit regions with relatively stable environmental conditions.

• In a few instances, certain Hemidactylus gecko species are known to reproduce through parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where females can produce offspring without mating with males.

• Parthenogenetic reproduction can result in genetically identical offspring.

• Mating behaviors among Hemidactylus geckos can include vocalizations, courtship displays, and physical interactions between males and females.

• Males may engage in territorial behaviors to establish mating rights.

• In some species, there may be sexual dimorphism, with males and females differing in size, coloration, or other physical traits.

HABITAT

• Hemidactylus species can be found in both terrestrial and arboreal (tree-dwelling) habitats, depending on the species and its adaptations.

• Many Hemidactylus species are highly adaptable to urban and human-altered environments. They are commonly found in and around human settlements, including houses, buildings, gardens, and other man-made structures.

• They are often attracted to artificial lighting at night, where they feed on insects attracted to the light.

• Hemidactylus geckos are most diverse and abundant in tropical and subtropical regions. They are well-suited to warm and humid climates.

• Some Hemidactylus species are primarily terrestrial, which means they are ground-dwelling and seek shelter in cracks, crevices, and burrows during the day. These geckos may inhabit rocky areas, deserts, grasslands, and savannas.

• Other species within the genus are arboreal, which means they are adapted for life in trees and shrubs. Arboreal Hemidactylus geckos have specialized toe pads that allow them to cling to vertical surfaces and move easily among branches.