The Diplodactylidae are a family in the suborder Gekkota (geckos), with over 150 species in 25 genera. These geckos occur in Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Diplodactylids are the most ecologically diverse and widespread family of geckos in both Australia and New Caledonia, and are the only family of geckos found in New Zealand. Three diplodactylid genera (Oedura, Rhacodactylus, and Hoplodactylus) have recently been split into multiple new genera. In previous classifications, the family Diplodactylidae is equivalent to the subfamily Diplodactylinae. Habitat Like other geckos, Diplodactylidae often live in warm areas that are around the temperature of . They mostly live in rain forests, up in the trees for protection. However, they are also found in cooler climates such as those found in southern New Zealand, where they have been found to be active in temperatures ranging from 1.4 to 31.9C. Reproduction Viviparity is notable as a trait unique to diplodactylids within Gekkota, with two species in New Caledonia from the genus Rhacodactylus and all species in New Zealand exhibiting this form of reproduction. Common traits Adhesion ability All species possess some form of toepad, except Lucasium damaeum which shows strong evidence of toepads being secondarily lost. With the help of their adhesion ability they have on their feet, they are able to grip on to surfaces, making it easier for them to travel from one place to another. Based on a study, geckos like to grip onto coarse sandpaper-like surfaces because this material is similar to the type of surfaces they grip on to in their natural habitats. It was concluded that Diplodactylidae like to grip on to rough surfaces. Classification While diplodactylid geckos have been relatively well-studied, the family's placement and composition has experienced several revisions, with the systematics continuing to evolve. Recent molecular work has helped to clarify phylogeny that was historically based primarily on morphological traits, justifying the monophyly of Diplodactylidae, revising intergeneric relationships between several genera, and uncovering significant cryptic diversity within the family. However, the current understanding of the systematics and evolution of diplodactylid geckos remains limited, with certain genera and taxa still largely unstudied and significant underestimates in diversity at the species level left to resolve. Placement within Gekkota Underwood completed the first comprehensive systematics analysis of geckos in 1954, using morphological features like pupil shape and inferences around biogeography to establish three major families within Gekkota (or Gekkonoidea as it was