Eurydactylodes is a small genus of geckos commonly referred to as chameleon geckos[2] from the subfamily Diplodactylidae, endemic to New Caledonia and few adjacent islands.[3] Within the Diplodactylidae, Eurydactylodes resides in the Carphodactylini tribe,[3] and consists of four species. All species share similar morphology as well as lifestyle and habits.[2] The first of the Eurydactylodes species to be classified, E. vieillardi, was discovered in 1869.[3]
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Eurydactylodes.
Eurydactylodes geckos are approximately 55mm in length[4] with a laterally compressed and narrow body shape,[2] whom are covered in enlarged scales which are smooth and flattened along the dorsal body. These geckos are pale green in colouration yet lack peritoneal pigmentation.[5] They also feature high, prominent spines as well as an increased amount of inscriptional ribs[2] which are infrequent amongst other gekkota. On the back of the hindlimb there are loose folds of skin.[5] Species of Eurydactylodes are closely related in appearance to the Rhacodactylus genus.[3]
Their head has large and flattened anterior headshields as well as an indentation of unscaled skin between the jaw and ear opening which may be complete or partial[4] – and is the primary diagnostic character used to distinguish Eurydactylodes species.[6] Enlarged endolymphatic sacs are located extracranially, and the tongue and mouth lining is yellow or orange.[2] Premaxilla are completely paired, and the maxilla is in close contact with the frontal.[3] The jugal bone is large and in contact with the gecko's infraorbital processes[3] while ornamentation upon the dorsal surface of the skull is present.[3] Eurydactylodes have 27 scleral ossicles present in one eyeball and nasal process which is wide, short and large.[3] These geckos also have approximately 30 premaxillary and 30 dental teeth which are conical and blunt.[5] Such teeth are also homodont and pleurodont and increase in size anteriorly.[5]
Eurydactylodes geckos have a long and slender tail[3] – being approximately the same length as their body[4] and possessing a snout-vent length of 100%[7] - and are round in cross section.[3] The tail is muscular[7] and prehensile,[3] aided by a subcaudal scansorial pad and adhesive subcaudal tissue with soft, long hairs.[2] Covered in numerous small scales,[4] the tail also has pores which are located near the anal opening and are concentrated in a large singular patch.[3] A caudal glandular ability enables the serial openings in the tail to squirt a defensive secretion.[8] Regenerated tails appear similar to the gecko's previous tail.[7]
The digits of the species within the Eurydactylodes genus are short and slender as well as dilated and strongly depressed.[3] Distal phalangeal elements are neither compressed nor raised and follow gekkonid formula of 2-3-4-5-3 in hands and 2-3-4-5-4 in feet.[3] All digits possess claws[3] which are high at the base, compressed, robust and decurved[5] and feature large, singular expanded pads underneath.[4] Webbing between digits is lacking or absent completely.[3]