Observations on eggs of eublepharid lizards, with comments on the evolution of the Gekkonoidea

Captive specimens of Coleonyx v. variegatus, C. v. bogerti, Eublepharis macularius and Hemitheconyx caudicinctus laid parchment-shelled, moisture dependent eggs, resembling those of diplodactyline geckos and most lepidosaurians. Eublepharid eggs, including those of Aeluroscalabotes measured in radiographs, are twice as long as broad. Supporting and complementary evidence in the literature is considered. It is concluded that the Eublepharidae are a monophyletic group of the Gekkonoidea, retaining the primitive egg type. Functional and evolutionary aspects of various characteristics of different gekkonoid eggs are discussed, and conclusions drawn.