Ptychozoon
Encyclopedia
Ptychozoon is a genus
of arboreal gecko
from Southeast Asia
, known as Flying Geckos or Parachute Geckos. They are characterized by cryptic coloration and elaborate webs surrounding the neck, limbs, trunk, and tail. These membrane
s help to conceal the gecko against trees. When the gecko leaps into the air, the flaps are used to generate lift and allow the gecko to control its fall. It can fly up to 200 feet (60 meters). Also it does a swoop at the end of its flight to land softly. A similar adaptation is found in the gecko Cosymbotus
. There are six described species in this genus. They are often kept as pets.
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 arboreal gecko
Gecko
Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm....
from Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, known as Flying Geckos or Parachute Geckos. They are characterized by cryptic coloration and elaborate webs surrounding the neck, limbs, trunk, and tail. These membrane
Biological membrane
A biological membrane or biomembrane is an enclosing or separatingmembrane that acts as a selective barrier, within or around a cell. It consists of a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that may constitute close to 50% of membrane content...
s help to conceal the gecko against trees. When the gecko leaps into the air, the flaps are used to generate lift and allow the gecko to control its fall. It can fly up to 200 feet (60 meters). Also it does a swoop at the end of its flight to land softly. A similar adaptation is found in the gecko Cosymbotus
Cosymbotus
Cosymbotus, the Asian house geckos, is a genus of Gekkonidae. It may contain a single species, Cosymbotus craspedotus ; another species included in the genus, Cosymbotus platyurus is now usually classified under the genus Hemidactylus....
. There are six described species in this genus. They are often kept as pets.
Classification of genus Ptychozoon
- Horsfield's Flying Gecko, Ptychozoon horsfieldii
- Intermediate Flying Gecko, Ptychozoon intermedium
- Kuhl's Flying Gecko, Ptychozoon kuhliPtychozoon kuhliKuhl's Flying Gecko is a species of gecko which has adaptations to its skin, including flaps on either side of its body, webbed feet, and a flattened tail to allow it to glide over short distances. These geckos have a remarkable camouflage. The flaps of skin along their sides help them blend...
- Stejneger, 1902 - Smooth-backed Gliding Gecko, Ptychozoon lionotumPtychozoon lionotumSmooth-backed Gliding Gecko or Burmese Flying Gecko Ptychozoon lionotum is a species of gecko found in Southeast Asia.-Distribution:...
- (Annandale, 1905) - Sabah Flying Gecko, Ptychozoon rhacophorus
- Ptychozoon trinotaterra