Radiation and convergence among desert geckos: Phyllodactylus species resembling both Ptyodactylus and Stenodactylus

Abstract

Using field observations and museum material, we compare environmental, morphological and biological aspects of some Peruvian and Israeli desert lizards (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). The rupicolous species Phyllodactylus reissi (Peru) resembles Ptyodactylus hasselquistii (Israel) whereas the psammophilous Phyllodactylus microphyllus (Peru) resembles Stenodactylus sthenodactylus (Israel). The similarities include habitat, activity timing, body size, body shape, scutellation, digit structure, eye size, sexual size difference and clutch size. Hence new world Phyllodactylus have radiated attaining a divergence paralleling that between very distinct old world genera.