The Genus Underwoodisaurus |
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| The taxonomic status of the genus Underwoodisaurus has always been disputed. In 1823, Bory de Saint-Vincent assigned the species milii to the genus Phyllurus. Afterwards, repeated attempts were made to establish this genus as an independent taxonomix unit. | |||
| The name Underwoodisaurus was first mentioned in DAS TIERREICH in 1965, referring to a subgenus of Gymnodactylus (milii). It was only in 1970 that Bustard adopted it as a true generic name for Underwoodisaurus milii. Subsequently, the status of this genus was subjected to varous changes until Bauer assignated it to the genus Nephrurus in 1990. | |||
| I do not believe that this species really belongs to the genus Nephrurus; conseqeuntly i keep using the generic name Underwoodisaurus. Meanwhile, diverse forms of varying size and appearance have been discovered within the species U. milii , and it is very likely that they will beb recognized as independent species (or subspecies) in near future. | |||
| Whereas U. sphyrurus is limited to a small region on Australia's eastern coast, theh above-mentioned forms of U. milii inhabit the southern part of the continent (execpt the extreme South). U. sphyrurus lives in a rather humid region whereas U. milii prefers arid and partially rock habitats. Either species is known to bury its soft-shelled eggs in moist substrates. | |||
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| [ U. milii (1) ] | [ U. milii (2) ] | [ U. milii (Paarung) ] | [ U. sphyrurus ] |
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