TAIL SQUIRTING IN EURYDACTYLODES - INDEPENDENT EVOLUTION OF CAUDAL DEFENSIVE GLANDS IN A DIPLODACTYLINE GECKO (REPTILIA, GEKKONIDAE)

Eight species of the Australian gekkonid genus Diplodactylus are known to possess serial caudal glands which can eject a sticky secretion to repell a predator. They constitute the subgenus Strophurus. We found similar defensive glands in the tail of the New Caledonian gecko Euryd actylodes vieillardi. Their morphology and histology is described and discussed in regard to functional and phylogenetic aspects. Difference s in the position of the exit openings (lateral vs. middorsal) and the ejecting mechanism (ejecting duct vs. skin rupture) suggest an indepe ndent origin of the caudal: glands in Eurydactylodes and in the subgen us Strophurus of Diplodactylus.