Phyllurus is a small genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of Australian Leaf-tailed Geckos rarely seen outside their native habitat

Habitat

* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...

. They are notable for their highly effective camouflage

Camouflage

Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...

 which is in part aided by the spiny tubercle

Tubercle

A tubercle is generally a wart-like projection, but it has slightly different meaning depending on which family of plants or animals it is used to refer to....

s that cover every part of their body.

All member species except for P. caudiannulatus, P. gulbaru and P. kabikabi have very flattened, leaf

Leaf

A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....

-shaped tail

Tail

The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...

s. Some of these species have recently reassigned to the Saltuarius

Saltuarius

Saltuarius is a genus of larger Australian geckos, known collectively as Leaf-tailed Geckos. The genus was created in 1993 to accommodate former members of the genus Phyllurus. These geckos are very similar to the Uroplatus geckos native to Madagascar...

genus. The Phyllurus geckos resembles the Uroplatus

Uroplatus

Uroplatus is a genus of geckos commonly referred to as Flat or Leaf-tailed Geckos. All the comprising species are endemic to Madagascar or nearby islands, such as Nosy Be, where they are found in primary and secondary forests.-Etymology:...

 geckos of Madagascar. This is a convergent evolution

Convergent evolution

Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight. The wings are...

 because they are not the same kinds of geckos.

Species of genus Phyllurus

• Phyllurus amnicola
• Barred Leaf-tailed Gecko, Phyllurus caudiannulatus
• Champion's Leaf-tailed Gecko, Phyllurus championae
• Phyllurus gulbaru
• Phyllurus isis
• Phyllurus kabikabi
• Phyllurus nepthys
• Phyllurus ossa
• Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko, Phyllurus platurus

• Northern Leaf Tailed Gecko, Phyllurus conutus (is now placed in Saltuarius)