Nocturnal geckos are active with body temperatures (Tb) that are low and variable relative to those of diurnal lizards. Ifthe physiology ofgeckos is evolutionarily adapted to these low and variable Tb 's, then thephysiology ofgeckos shouldfunction best at relatively low and variable temperatures. We tested a specific prediction of this hypothesis by comparing the thermal dependence ofsprint spe...

Field studies of nocturnal geckos have revealed that many species actively thermoregulate during both the day and the night. Data from laboratory studies indicate that geckos prefer body temperatures greater than those experienced during activity in the field, but data on diel patterns of temperature preference are inconsistent. We measured preferred body temperature (Tp) of five species of gec...

A recent molecular phylogeny of the Arid clade of the genus Hemidactylus revealed that the recently described H. saba and two unnamed Hemidactylus species from Sinai, Saudi Arabia and Yemen form a well-supported monophyletic group within the Arabian radiation of the genus. The name 'Hemidactylus saba species group' is suggested for this clade. According to the results of morphological compariso...

Margollus turcicus sp. n., is described and illustrated from vineyard soil in Turkey. The new species is characterized by having a medium sized body (L=1.0-1.2 mm); cuticle with distinct striations; radial refractive elements abundant; lip region distinctly narrower than the adjoining body and slightly offset from the body contour by a depression; cephalic and labial papillae not discernible; s...

The Poecilimon bosphoricus species group, representing the most diverse lineage of the bushcricket genus Poecilimon, has been studied in the Basin of Marmara Sea. Two new species, P. warchalowskae sp. n. and P. canakkale sp. n., are described morphologically and acoustically in comparison to their related taxa of the P. bosphoricus species group. Song type and morphology of the new species sugg...