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Phelsuma

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Day geckos' are small lizards in the genus Phelsuma in the Gecko family. Most members of the genus have attractive vivid colours which make them popular terrarium pets.

Description

In contrast to most other gecko species, day geckos are active mainly during the day. Other diurnal geckos are members of the genus Lygodactylus and the genus Gonatodes. Day geckos have rounded pupils and a clear, fixed plate covering their eyes which they clean with their tongue. Day geckos do not have eyelids. Many species have bright green, red and blue colours which make them popular terrarium or vivarium pets. These brilliant colours play a role in intraspecies recognition and also serve as camouflage.

The length of the different Phelsuma species varies between about 6.5 to 30 cm (2.5-12 in.). Day geckos have toe pads consisting of tiny lamellae which allow them to walk on plain surfaces like bamboo or glass. The inner toe and thumb are vestigial. Males have well developed femoral pores on the undersurface of the rear limbs. These pores are less developed or absent in females. Females often have well developed endolymphatic chalk sacs on the sides of their neck. In these sacks, calcium is stored which is needed for egg production. Those eggs can often been seen shining through the ventral surface of the body shortly before they are laid. The hatchlings reach sexual maturity between 6-12 months. Smaller species may live up to ten years whereas the larger species have been reported to live more than 20 years in captivity.

Distribution and habitat

Day geckos inhabit the islands of the south-east part of the Indian Ocean. The one exception is Phelsuma andamanense, which is endemic to the Andaman islands in the Bay of Bengal. The main distribution of day geckos is Madagascar which may also be the origin of the genus. Some species are found on neighbouring island groups (Mascarenes, Seychelles, Comoros) and the coast of East Africa. The different Phelsuma species can be found from sea level up to 2,300 meters. Most day geckos are arboreal. They inhabit, amongst others, (coconut) palms and banana trees, but can also be found near human settlements, in gardens, on fences, houses and huts. Other species can also be found on rocks

Diet

Day geckos feed on various kinds of insects and other invertebrates. They also like to eat nectar, pollen and probably soft, ripe and sweet fruits such as bananas. In captivity, these geckos should be provided with a similar diet. Some insects which can be fed are: (wingless) fruit flies, different flies, wax moths, crickets, small super worms, small butter worms and mealworms. Day geckos should be provided with sliced fruit, such as papaya, or a small amount of banana a few times a week. Also fruit baby food or some commercial gecko nectar may be suitable.

Classification

The genus Phelsuma was first described by the British zoologist John Edward Gray in 1825 and named after the Dutch physician Murk van Phelsum. The genus consists of about 70 known species and subspecies.

Two Phelsuma species (Phelsuma gigas and Phelsuma edwardnewtoni) are now considered to be extinct, probably because of destruction of their environment by human settlers and their domestic animals. Many day gecko species are endangered today because more and more of their habitat, such as (rain) forest, is being destroyed on Madagascar and other islands.

Explanation of the species epithets

  • abbotti: after W. L. Abbott.
  • agalagae: from Agalega.
  • andamanensis: from the Andaman Islands.
  • angularis: angular (refers to the tail).
  • anjouanensis: from Anjouan (island).
  • astovei: from Astove (island).
  • astriata: without stripes (in comparison to Phelsuma lineata lineata).
  • barbouri: after Barbour.
  • befotankensis: from Befotaka.
  • bimaculata: with two blotches, spots.
  • boehmei: after Wolfgang Böhme.
  • bombetokensis: from Bombetoka (bay).
  • borbonica: from Bourbon (now called Réunion).
  • breviceps: short headed.
  • cepediana: after Bernard Germain Étienne de la Ville, Comte de Lacépède.
  • checkei: after Anthony. S. Checke.
  • chloroscelis: with (leaf) green thighs.
  • comoraegrandensis: from Grande Comoros.
  • comorensis: from the Comoros (island group).
  • dorsivittata: back wrapped in ribbons.
  • dubia: doubtful.
  • edwardnewtonii: after Edward Newton.
  • flavigularis: with a yellow throat.
  • grandis: big.
  • guentheri: after Albert Günther.
  • guimbeaui: after B. Guimbeau.
  • guttata: with teardrop formed spots.
  • hallmannii: after G. Hallmann.
  • inexpectata: unexpected.
  • kely: small (in the Malagasy language).
  • kochi: after K.L. Koch.
  • ladiguensis: from la Digue (island).
  • laticauda: with a broad, flattened tail.
  • leiogaster: smooth scales (belly).
  • leiura: smooth tail scales.
  • lineata: striped.
  • longinsulae: from Long Island.
  • madagascariensis: from Madagascar.
  • martensi: after Karl Martens.
  • menaiensis: from Menai.
  • minuthi: after W. Minuth.
  • modesta: modest.
  • mutabilis: variable, changeable.
  • nigristriata: with black stripes.
  • notissima: most well known.
  • ornata: ornated.
  • parkeri: after Park.
  • parva: small.
  • pasteuri: after Georges Pasteur.
  • Phelsuma: after Murk van Phelsum.
  • pulchra: beautiful.
  • punctulata: with small spots.
  • pusilla: tiny.
  • quadriocellata: with four eyes.
  • robertmertensi: after Robert Mertens.
  • rosagularis: with a rose-coloured throat.
  • rubra: red(-hot).
  • seippi: after Robert Seipp.
  • semicarinata: semi-keeled (scales).
  • serraticauda: with a serrated tail.
  • standingi: after Standing.
  • sumptio:.
    1. from Assumption Island.
    2. from sumptuous (posture, build).
  • sundbergi: after H. Sundberg.
  • trilineata: with three stripes.
  • umbrae: shaded.
  • v-nigra: with a black V (marking).
  • venusta: sweet.
  • vinsoni: after Jean Vinson and Jean-Michel Vinson.

References

See Phelsuma references.

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