Sitting at the airport

[danscantle]

And decided to post a photo.

A million times cooler than any Rhacodactylus - a big bag of colorful velvet - Aristelliger lar. Posted in the "Day Gecko" forum in protest of the taxonomically absurd forum categories on this site. This genus is in the family Sphaerodactylidae, it's closest relative is the Moroccan day gecko genus Quedenfeldtia.

 

[Geitje]

Posted in the "Day Gecko" forum in protest of the taxonomically absurd forum categories on this site. This genus is in the family Sphaerodactylidae, it's closest relative is the Moroccan day gecko genus Quedenfeldtia.

Tragically true indeed. It would seem that the moderators/owners of this site should either be receptive to changes (taxonomic and others) that would help the information integrity of this site (since “information” seems to be one of their boasting points), or at least seeking advice from some among us who are capable of helping. The forum arrangement here is about as tidy as a dumpster. How many geckos can truly be called “other day geckos”? Hmm – Pristurus, Agamura, Ptyodactylus, Cnemaspis, Quedenfeldtia, Rhoptropus, Rhoptropella and many others – all of which are capable of landing in at least 2 of the sub-forums. We use scientific names to identify species, but the taxonomic buck stops there with these forums. Someone should help them better organize their sub-forums – so that everything jives. Hell, I’d be happy just to see them in alphabetical order;-) …. Wait!?? Alphabetize the common names or genera or ??? I think a more cohesive approach to sub-forum titles and organization would help this site immensely and eliminate some of the correcting “you posted this in the wrong forum” posts. Sadly, this site promotes a misunderstanding or carelessness of how to categorize the simplistic relations of geckos we profess to have great passion, knowledge and interest in.

Jon

 

[BlakeDeffenbaugh]

I've never seen these before. A truly amazing animal. Whats the size on these?

And "second" to what Jon said.

 

[danscantle]

To elaborate on what I said and Jon built from - the purpose of this forum is to disseminate information relating to the natural history, evolution, and captive husbandry of geckos. The obvious framework for ordering species-specific posts is one that reflects major taxonomic distinctions. There are 7 Gekkotan families, there should be 7 (at least) forms.

Pygopodidae
Carphodactylidae
Diplodactylidae
Eublepharidae
Sphaerodactylidae
Gekkonidae
Phyllodactylidae

Throw in a "Help ID" a "Field Forum" and a "Assorted Geckos" forum (for posts containing multiple groups), and there's a clean cut method to get everyone on the same page taxonomically - using the same lingo, and improving the flow of information across the community.

 

[danscantle]

I've never seen these before. A truly amazing animal. Whats the size on these?

That male is about 10" total length, but I have some others that are close to 14" and would give any leachianus a run.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Dan ~

What's the approximate gram weight of your 10" "big bag of colorful velvet"? Looks like a hefty critter.

Has anybody offered assistance to improve the forum classifications?

 

[PassPort]

they're not small geckos by any means. beautiful Caribbean geckos that are almost completely absent in the hobby. just as well though, I don't think they'd get the proper respect that they deserve. that's the problem with this hobby, species either get trendy and EVERYBODY has one and "gushes" about how cool it is (Rhacodactylus) or gets completely disregarded and pushed to the wayside (Ptyodactylus sp just to name one of the many that get ignored).

either way, back to the Aristelligar, awesome animals that I'll hopefully be lucky enough to own one day. in that photo the overall build seems almost like a smooth Ailuronyx, just my opinion.

 

[Tariq Stark]

Truly beautiful Dan. Alas, we (at least I) don't see much of this species at this side of the puddle. Would love to have some though.

As for the current forum arrangement. I'd go with Dan's suggestion.

Tariq

 

[Sgvreptiles]

Awsome geckos Dan. Dont see to many photos of these guys. I likie!!

 

[DDReptiles]

I too haven't seen this species before, very nice.

Kinda looks like more colorfull Ailuronyx seychellensis.

 

[ptenopus]

Aristelliger are certainly not diurnal. Possibly crepuscular.....they do bask, but are only truly active at dusk and once the sun sets.

 

[clint545]

Count me in as another that hasn't seen/heard of these guys, but would love to see some more pics and info about them. Very nice look to them!

 

[danscantle]

Aristelliger are certainly not diurnal. Possibly crepuscular.....they do bask, but are only truly active at dusk and once the sun sets.

Yep, but it's phylogenetic affinities that matters to me.