[geckodan]

[chahoua]

Cyrtodactylus intermedius

[Afelinus]

I agree,Intermedius,that looks like what I used to see years ago.

[geckodan]

There is a story to this one.
For years, aussie texts have spoken about a rainforest form of louisiadensis that differs greatly from the more southern coastal and Chillagoe forms but noone has had pics until yesterday when I found this little gem in a 1972 Cogger labelled as photographed in Cape York. This conform what I have always considered possible. We have 2 species of Cyrto's in Australia. You bloody ripper. Thanks for the prompt id.

[chahoua]

Excellent! Now you have to go and find them.

[Afelinus]

I have seen 3 actual live C.Louisiadensis,from your homeland,they had more transverse bands,heavier bodied and larger than any Intermedius could ever get.I have been importing Cyrtos from Malaysia for close to a year now,and I am more convinced that I am bringing in Puchellus,but thats still up in the air.I wish we has some reliable data.Dan,I am curious,was there ever any mention of Cyrtos besides the two different forms suspected of Louisiadensis?

[geckodan]

This is the inland form, living in sandstone escarpment country in Chillagoe . This represents about 80% of Australian captive forms.



This is the "rainforest" form from the coastal lowland rainforests. It is moderately rare in captivity .
There has never really been any question that there are multiple species. I have always assume that the Iron Range form was probably remnant irianjayensis but had no photo to prove it. The distinguishing description that always led me to believe it was not louisiadensis other than the number of body bands was the authors insistence that all specimens held their white tipped tails in lateral (horizontal)coils, not vertical coils as in true louisiadenis regardless of colour.
We had the same issue with Varanus indicus. Everyone assumes that Cape York indicus are the same species as NT indicus until you catch one. Iron Range has breeding populations of PNG blue tailed indicus and we have the baby photoes to prove it but nobody cares because I don't work at the museum, therefore my perception is meaningless.

[Reptiluvr]

Is that not Cyrtodactylus louisiadensis? C. intermedius are supposed to have four dark transverse bands. The picture beginning the post only has three. I think it's C. lousiadensis...

[geckodan]

The plot thickens on this little story. The animal pictured in Cogger 1972 is the animal that the Wilson and Knowles description is based on. Steve Wilson has never actually seen one inn the flesh. He now thinks Cogger has made a mistake with his pic creating his own little urban myth.

C. intermedius are supposed to have four dark transverse bands.

Our louisiadensis all have 4 bands as well. It certainly matches other pics of intermedius that I have seen