Until recently both species in this genus were classified as Phyllodactylus species instead. See Cogger for full characteristics of the genus. C. marmoratus has a large range but C. guentheri is highly restricted in distribution and apparently became extinct on Norfolk Island before human settlement. The two are unlikely to be mistaken for one another as they are dissimilar in appearance and also inhabit completely different areas.
| C. guentheri, Lord Howe Island (Southern) Gecko | C. marmoratus, (Southern) Marbled Gecko |
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Distribution | Size | Notes |
| Christinus | ||||
| C. guentheri | Lord Howe Island (Southern) Gecko | Australia (Lord Howe Island, satelite islands off Norfolk Island) | 6"? | Endangered species inhabiting the terrestrial forests of a few islands a considerable distance off the Australian coast. Dorsally pale olive-grey to dark brown above, with six darker and somewhat obscure transverse bands from base of tail to neck. The picture in Cogger seems to indicate a yellowish-brown dorsal stripe running the same distance and dividing the bands into two halves. Dorsal scales are smooth, very small and homogeneous [Cogger]. Ventrally whitish or yellow brown. Body is somewhat stocky. Although extinct on Norfolk Island and very much reduced in numbers on Lord Howe Island, Cogger notes that it is still abundant on the smaller rocky offshore islands where there are large colonies of seabirds. It dwells both among rocks and on trees, especially the White Oak or Norfolk Island Hibiscus (Lagunaria patersonia) [Cogger]. |
| C. marmoratus | (Southern) Marbled Gecko | S Australia | 5-6"? | Dorsally grey or brown gecko with an intricate pattern of fine markings that give it its scientific and common name. It is slenderer in proportion than C. guentheri. In habitat it prefers the wetter areas of its range, where it inhabitats dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands. Cogger notes that it tends to replace Gehyra variegata in similar but colder and wetter habitats. It is arboreal. |
Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Harold Cogger, 6th edition.
Mark Sanders' Christinus page has a nice picture of C. marmoratus.
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