23 May
2008

Scientists at the University of Minnesotas Bell Museum of Natural History and Pennsylvanias Villanova University have discovered a new family of gecko, the charismatic large-eyed lizard popularized by car insurance commercials. Researchers have long been interested in geckos and their evolution because they are key biodiversity indicators and are found on nearly every continent. Scientists are also interested in the gecko because of the animals sticky toe pads, which allow them to scale rough and smooth surfaces -- a characteristic that may have human application in medicine, emergency rescue service and military industries........