Calling All Viper Gecko Owners!

I was wondering if you could help me figure something out. If anyone has a viper gecko, could you get a photo of the underside of its feet? Or at least tell me if they look anything like this:

http://images.nbii.gov/findingspecie..._fs_p01102.jpg

What I want to know specifically is whether or not they have two rows of lamellae under their toes, instead of just one as seen in most geckos, or none if your gecko doesn't have toe pads (such as leopard geckos).

Yes looks like that. hang on a few and ill get you a link

viper geckos - Page 3 - Geckos Unlimited

Has alot of info in that post why they went from Teratolepis to Hemidactylus

Thanks, Nate! That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. However, I'm still wondering if the move from Teratolepis to Hemidactylus is official, or just something a lot of people think should be done. Do you know how widely accepted this change is among the scientific community and whether or not it's published?

It brings to mind the Elaphe vs Pantherophis debate among New World rat snakes. I'm still unsure if the change from Elaphe to Pantherophis was ever made completely official, or if it changed back or what. I know that change was not widely accepted by hobbyists, but to put it bluntly...who cares what they think. Just because they don't like/understand the change doesn't mean it's not scientifically justified. That said though, IS it scientifically justified? I don't know. Last I read scientists were still arguing about it. My question is whether or not the Teratolepis/ Hemidactylus switch has been similarly controversial or not.

I still think Hemidactylus is a mess, and wouldn't be surprised if it was split eventually. If Teratolepis is indeed now a part of Hemidactylus, it wouldn't surprise me if it was split back when the genus is revised. I could see them being in the same subfamily at least.

Also, if Teratolepis was indeed officially moved to Hemidactylus, then what's become of Hemidactylus fasciatus? An already existing Hemidactylus species as far as I know. Fasciatus is essentially the "correct" spelling of fasciata. Many other species with "a" endings often get changed later to "us". If Teratolepis was moved, there would be two species in the same genus that basically share the same scientific name....and that's obviously not possible. One would have to change.

I can't call Teratolepis fasciata a Hemidactylus until I know for sure that it was officially moved to that genus, and until I know what the status of Hemidactylus fasciatus is. If the move is official, maybe the genus now has a fasciata and a fasciatus, but that doesn't sound likely or maybe not even possible to me.

I have noooo idea that all is way over my head lol. I think it is just called that among keepers and people in the hobby. So you are asking the wrong person on that Matt. I just remember reading that post about it and knew that was sorta what you were asking lol

Ah, ok. Hmm, I may have to get in touch with some of those guys and get more info on this. If it's indeed just something the keepers think should be done, I'll have to inform them that the name is already taken But if it's really their new genus, then I'd like to read more up on this.

Feel welcome to invite some of them over to HC and we can discuss this further here too

Taxonomy makes my head hurt!

Mine too!

Oh come on guys, this is good stuff!