Added as a separate page 8 March 2026.

A look at the

Family DIPLODACTYLIDAE - Diplodactylid Geckos



Genus LUCASIUM - Beaded Geckos

This genus was for a while considered invalid and assigned to Diplodactylus but has now been revalidated: see Reptile Database entry for details. In addition, over recent years the number of species recognised within the genus has jumped from one to 14.

Kinghorn characterised the genus as follows: digits cylindrical, covered above with imbricate scales and on the sides and under surfaces with small spine-like tubercles. The claw is retractile beneath a nail-like scale, and surrounded below and at the sides by a rosette of small spine like tubercles. Body covered with imbricate scales; tail with squarish imbricate scales.

Scientific name

Common name

Place of origin

Size (max)

Notes

Lucasium

L. alboguttatum

White-Spotted Ground Gecko

Australia (Western Australia)


Formerly assigned to Diplodactylus.

L. bungabinna


Australia


Described in 2008: see Reptile Database entry.

L. byrnei

Gibber Gecko, Byrne’s Gecko

Australia (inland regions of Northern Territory, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland)


Formerly assigned to Diplodactylus.

L. damaeum

Beaded Gecko

Australia (interior regions of Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland)

?

Little data available: apparently prefers drier interior.

L. immaculatum

Pale-Striped Ground Gecko




L. iris





L. maini





L. microplax





L. occultum





L. squarrosum





L. steindachneri





L. stenodactylus





L. wombeyi





L. woodwardi







Bibliography

Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Harold Cogger, 6th edition. Best all-in-one guide to Australian herpetology available.

Lizards of the World, Mattison

Breeding and Keeping Geckos, Coborn, TFH 1995 - a useful book for lesser known geckos, especially the Diplodactylines, although some of the taxonomic information may now be slightly out of date.

Keeping and Breeding Lizards, Mattison

Links