Phyllurus

Phyllurus is a genus of geckos in the family Gekkonidae, commonly known as leaf-tailed geckos. Endemic to eastern Australia, Phyllurus species inhabit forested areas, including rainforest margins, eucalypt forests, and rocky outcrops from Queensland to New South Wales, with some populations extending toward Victoria. They are distinguished by a flattened body and a broad, leaf-like tail that provides effective camouflage against tree bark and lichens. The tail often features a crenulated edge and may bear small tubercles; dorsal coloration is typically brown, grey, or olive with mottling that helps them blend into the surroundings.

Most Phyllurus species are nocturnal and arboreal, sheltering by day in crevices, under bark, or among dense foliage, and emerging at night to forage for insects. They are adept climbers, using their toes and flexible bodies to grip bark and rock surfaces. Like other geckos, they can shed their tails as a defense mechanism, and regenerated tails are usually shorter and differently shaped.

Reproduction in Phyllurus is oviparous, with females laying one or two eggs in sheltered sites such as crevices, beneath bark, or in leaf litter. Incubation periods vary with temperature and humidity. Conservation considerations for the genus center on habitat loss, wildfires, and the pressures of introduced predators, as many species have restricted distributions. Protective measures and habitat management are important for maintaining populations across their Australian range.