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luzek

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A close friend and I have collated some of our favourite shots from some recent field trips. These trips were mainly focussed on targeting the most impressive forms of Nephrurus species. We also documented many other gecko species on our travels, many of which are endemic to Western Australia. These shots cover the rocky country of the central Pilbara, the coastal areas of the north west cape, Murchison region, Wheatbelt and south to The Nullarbor.

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Typical Triodia covered stony country in the Pilbara ranges. This habitat supports a rich reptile assemblage, of which many W.A endemic Gecko species coexist including the impressive Nephrurus wheeleri cinctus.

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Nephrurus wheeleri cinctus - This young male was an interesting specimen given its broken second band.

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Oedura marmorata - Male

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Lucasium stenodactylum - Male

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Strophurus jeanae - Male

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Coastal Triodia and Acacia habitat of the north west cape.

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Strophurus ciliaris aberrans - This species was prolific in some coastal areas, particularly in association with the more dense pockets of Acacia. There is considerable variation in body colour within this population, with some specimens exhibiting prominent dorsal yellow markings extending from the head through to the tail, making this a unique population of S. c. aberrans.

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Typical Acacia covered dune habitat of the Francois Peron peninsula, Shark Bay.

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Nephrurus levis occidentalis - Specimens from this locality are surely the most fantastic representative of N.l. occidentalis, often featuring a bright brick red body colour usually littered with clear white tubercles. Animals in this area appeared in good numbers despite the debilitating presence of feral cats in the area.

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Strophurus strophurus - This brightly coloured Strophurus also appeared in healthy numbers, this species was occasionally seen basking during the day on Acacia shrubsand seemingly exclusively arboreal during the daylight hours whereas the species was often observed foraging on open ground as soon as night fall.

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Acacia shrublands with dispersed Mallee Eucalypts and isolated breakaways. This area typically features heavy loamy soils, which are the favoured habitat type for two endemic Nephrurus species, Nephrurus wheeleri (only N.w. wheeleri) and N. vertebralis. These species not surprisingly seem to be quite opportunist when sheltering from the elements. N. w. wheeleri has been observed sheltering under plant material such as fallen bark as well as artificial debris, such as corrugated Iron. N. vertebralis is assumed to occupy existing burrows constructed by small mammals and other small animals as well as excavating their own.

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Nephrurus vertebralis

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Female

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Nephrurus wheeleri wheeleri - This subspecies seems to be far less habitat specific than N. w. cinctus in that as well as occupying habitat associated with rocky and stony areas this species will also occupy Acacia Woodlands with loamy soils.

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Male

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Diplodactylus granariensis rex - As the latin suggests this species really is the king; being the largest representative of the Diplodactylus genus. This adult female was a sight to behold. A beautiful Gecko.

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Gehyra punctata - Female

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Diplodactylus pulcher - This species is abundant in a number of different habitats. This species displays a vast array of pattern and colouration, even within the same population. Below is a representation of just a few.

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Female

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Strophurus strophurus - Northern Goldfields population.

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Female

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Coastal sandy heathland of the midwest.

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Strophurus spinigerus spinigerus - This northern population was noted to have a larger total length than specimens found further south.

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Triodia covered dune system of the Comit Vale area.

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Nephrurus laevissimus - This population is significant because it is an isolated population and the most western extent of its range.

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The classic burrow entrance of N. laevissimus. This species often chooses to make their burrows located at the base of Spinifex plants.

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Lucasium maini - This species is often observed sheltering in spider burrows.

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Coastal Shrublands of the Eyre Bird Observatory, located in The Nullarbor. The habitat is characterised by dense low lying Acacia shrubs situated within the inter-dunes.

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Diplodactylus calcicolus - This is another species that varies greatly in pattern and coloration within a single population.

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Male - This individual displays an autotomised tail, as exhibited by the lack of pattern in the regenerated tail.

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Male

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Underwoodisaurus milii - This specimen is example of the pale colouration of The Nullarbor region.
 
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That Marmorata has interesting and unusual coloring/patterning. Looks similar to Oedora tryoni haha Great shots, were the leavissimus in abundance? Wouldn't mind keeping those one day.... Doubt I would though apparently they don't do well in captivity.
 
There are a few colour forms of O. marmorata in WA, the one photographed is typical of the the Pilbara ranges. laevissimus in my experience seem to be the most prolific of all Nephrurus sp. often with many animals coexisting on one dune. As for keeping this species in captivity I would recommend this species for the experienced keeper ONLY for several reasons and are not to be compared to N. levis.
 
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