Added 8 July 2010.

A look at the

Subfamily GEKKONINAE - "True" Geckos

Family GEKKONIDAE



Genus CARINATOGECKO - Keel-Scaled Geckos

A genus of two small species found in the mountains of Iran, with very restricted ranges. As far as I am aware neither has been seen in the pet trade.

Szczerbak and Golubev give the characteristics of the genus as follows: all body scales except large head scales strongly keeled; 3 nasal scales contact nostril, of which 1st slightly convex, 1½-2 times larger than second, which in turn is slightly larger than 3rd; no supranasals or postsupranasals; 8-10 supralabials, of which 3½-4 reach front edge of orbit; pupil vertical with serrated edges; dorsum covered by flat scales and tubercles; females lack preanal pores; digits slightly angularly bent, clawed, not widened, covered underneath by 1 longitudinal row of transversely enlarged lamellae; no lateral fringes (see ibid for further characterics).

The details in the account below are taken from Sczerbakov and Golubev. At the time of writing very few specimens were known to science, so details are based on a very small number of specimens. We hope eventually to augment this information with later accounts.

QUICK INDEX
C. aspratilis, Iranian Keel-Scaled Gecko C. heteropholis, Iraqi Keel-Scaled Gecko  

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Carinatogecko
C. aspratilis Iranian Keel-Scaled Gecko Iran 2½-3cm SVL Scalation details: 9-10 supralabials; 6-8 infralabials; 2-4 enlarged supraciliaries. Dorsal scalation: middorsal scales distinctly larger than abdominal scales. Ventral scalation: 28 rows across midbody. Other: caudal tubercles pointed, high, with enlarged posterior edge; tubercles present on forearm; 17-18 subdigital lamillae on 4th toes. Coloration: overall greyish blue; poorly defined head pattern of thin dark lines; 5 M-shaped dark stripes from neck to lumbar area, which may blend in places to form longitudinal pattern; 13 transverse caudal bands of same colour; indistinct transverse dark bands on limbs; ventral surfaces light with darker spots. Breeding: no information available.
C. heteropholis Iraqi Keel-Scaled Gecko  Iraq 6-8cm SVL Scalation details: 8 supralabials; 6 infralabials; no enlarged supraciliaries. Dorsal scalation:middorsal scales almost equal to abdominal scales. Ventral scalation: 28-30 rows across midbody. Other: caudal tubercles not pointed, flattened, with no high edge; no tubercles present on forearm; 15 subdigital lamillae on 4th toes. Coloration: no information available (see Sczerbakov & Golubev for explanation). Breeding: no information available.


Bibliography

Links

Photograph of C. aspratilis (please respect copyright).

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