With the rise in popularity for many Uroplatus species, I felt it was important to begin discussing how the experts attempt to sex their hatchling/juvenile Uroplatus. As a rule of thumb for most species, we can never be 100% until we see hemipenes, or lack thereof, but a few species are sexually dimorphic, even at birth. If you work with enough specimens, patterns begin emerging, but but in most cases, sexing by pattern alone is not quite enough.
*Note: The following is a working list that will be edited as time and data permits.
Uroplatus ebenaui
Much like U.phantasticus, the tail on a male U.ebenaui will appear to have been eaten or chewed by insects, leaving small indentations along the edge of the tail itself while females usually possess a noticeably smoother edge around the tail. Males are also adorned with a random placement of dermal spines easily distinguishing them from their female counterparts.
Male Uroplatus ebenaui. Note the "chewed" appearance of the tail and the dermal "spines"
Female Uroplatus ebenaui. Note the lack of dermal "spines" and the clean edges on the tail.
Uroplatus lineatus
Uroplatus lineatus are among the easiest to identify, as they are sexually dimorphic from birth based on their dorsal markings. Female U.lineatus are born with two rows of either solid or dotted white lines running alongside the spine. Males are born with the opposite effect, scattered white blotches running down the spine rather than the straight lines of the female.
Uroplatus lineatus - Female
Female U.lineatus. Note the dotted white lines along side the spine.
Uroplatus lineatus - Male
Male Uroplatus lineatus. Notice the scattered patterning down the spine.
Uroplatus phantasticus
Similar U.ebenaui, U.phantasticus are easily distinguishable by the tail shape. Again, males will possess the "chewed" or "eaten" edges to exhibit a more authentic "leaf", while females lack lack these indentations all together.
Male Uroplatus phantasticus. Note the indentations on the tail not found in the female pictures below.
Female Uroplatus phantasticus
Female Uroplatus phantasticus. Note the smooth edges lacking the "chewed" or "eaten" effect of the male pictured above.
Conclusion
Sexing Uroplatus isn't an exact science. I've listed a few of the more obvious distinguishing characteristics that can aid in sexing the above mentioned species, however, when working with a number of animals from a single species, it becomes clear they share certain pattern and morphological difference not easily noticed or articulated in text. I hope the above can provide a little bit of insight into how we approach the topic in hopes others can become involved and continue the effort.
