Oedodera Bauer, Jackman, Sadlier & Whitaker, 2006

Bauer, Aaron M., Jackman, Todd R., Sadlier, Ross A. & Whitaker, Anthony H., 2012, Revision of the giant geckos of New Caledonia (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae: Rhacodactylus), Zootaxa 3404, pp. 1-52 : 13

Oedodera Bauer, Jackman, Sadlier & Whitaker, 2006

Content. Oedodera marmorata Bauer, Jackman, Sadlier & Whitaker, 2006 ( Fig. 3 A)

Type species: Oedodera marmorata Bauer, Jackman, Sadlier & Whitaker, 2006 by original designation.

Diagnosis. Oedodera may be distinguished from all other New Caledonian diplodactylid genera by the following combination of character states: body size small (to 61 mm SVL); head large, neck distinctly swollen, nearly as wide as the widest part of head; tail to 93% of SVL; dorsal scalation granular, homogeneous; body without extensive skin webs or flaps; expanded, undivided subdigital lamellae under all toes; reduced claw of digit I of manus and pes situated between an asymmetrical pair of apical scansors; digit I of pes only with a small rounded scale on medial side in gap between subdigital lamellae and apical scansors; medial apical scansor present on digit II of one or more feet (condition variable); precloacal pores in two or three short rows (fewer than 20 pores in total) not extending onto thighs, females with precloacal slits or pits without secretory material; dorsal pattern of marbled or reticulated brown; venter distinctly yellowish.

Distribution. Oedodera is limited to maquis habitat on ultramafic substrates in the far northwest of New Caledonia.

Remarks. Since the description of O. marmorata , from Paagoumène, additional populations of Oedodera have been discovered and their taxonomic status is currently under review.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Representatives of each of the eight genera of endemic New Caledonian diplodactylid geckos. A. Oedodera marmorata. B. Dierogekko nehoueensis. C. Bavayia pulchella. D. Paniegekko madjo. E. Eurydactylodes occidentalis. F. Rhacodactylus leachianus. G. Correlophus belepensis sp. nov. H. Mniarogekko jalu sp. nov. Photos A, E, G – H by A. H. Whitaker, photo B by A. M. Bauer, photos C – D by R. A. Sadlier. Photo F courtesy of Mark O’Shea.