CLASSIFICATION OF GECKO : WALL LIZARD
PHYLUM :- CHORDATA (Notochord, dorsal tubular nerve cord present and gill slits present )
Group :- CRANIATA ( Definite head. Cranium with brain present )
Sub-phylum :- VERTEBRATA ( vertebral column present)
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA ( Jaws and paired appendages present )
Super class :- TETRAPODA ( Paired limbs, lungs, bony skeleton and cornified skin)
Class :- REPTILIA ( Scaly vertebrates with right and left aortic arches. Single condyle, pulmonary respiration. Embryo with amnion and allantois ).
Sub-class :- DIAPSIDA ( Skull with two temporal openings separated by postorbital and squamosal ).
Order :- SQUAMATA ( Lizards and snakes with horny epidermal scales or shields. Quadrate bone movable. Vertebrae procoelous. Anal opening transverse).
Sub-order :- SAURIA ( Lizards. Body slender, limbs 4. Pterygoid in contact with quadrate. Eyelids movable )
FAMILY :- GECKNOIDAE ( Toes provided with adhesive pads).
GENUS :- Gecko
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Gecko has cosmopolitan distribution but is specially found in Asian and European countries.
HABIT AND HABITAT
Gecko is a common house lizard found in every home. Nocturnal in habit. During winter they hibernate under wood, logs and crevices of the walls. They are adapted to walk on walls. They feed on insects and small invertebrates. It is a fast runner diapsid.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF GECKO : WALL LIZARD
- Gecko has similarity in appearance with Hemidactylus and is also commonly called as house Gecko or wall lizard.
- Body is divided into head, neck, trunk and tail.
- Head is small, trunk and tail are elongated. Head contains nostrils and eyes.
- Behind eyes is tympanum with opening for external ear.
- Forelimbs and hind limbs are adapted for walking on walls and smooth surfaces.
- Digits of fore and hind limbs are clawed and contain vertical lamellae functioning as adhesive pads.
- Tail regenerates if broken.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Geckos emit a peculiar little yapping bark when disturbed.
IDENTIFICATION
The animal contains small head, long tail and above features, hence it is Gecko.
REFERENCES
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gecko
- Book of Practical Zoology VERTEBRATE by S.S.LAL – Rastogi Publications.
- SOURCES OF IMAGES – Pixabay and pixels.
