Mauritius lowland forest day gecko

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Mauritius lowland forest day gecko
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
P. guimbeaui
Binomial name
Phelsuma guimbeaui
Mertens, 1963

The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko (Phelsuma guimbeaui), also known

diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to the western coast of Mauritius
and typically inhabits large trees. The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Etymology

The specific name, guimbeaui, is in honor of the collector of the holotype, "Mr. B[ernard] Guimbeau".[2]

Description

P. guimbeaui belongs to the mid-sized genus Phelsuma. Males can reach a total length (including tail) of about 15.5 cm (6.1 in). Females are only 9–13 cm (3.5–5.1 in). The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko has a short, compact body form. The

dorsal
body colour is a brilliant green with a diffuse blue area on the neck region. There are irregular shaped orange-red bars and spots on the back and tail, the tip of which may be blue. The ventral side is whitish-yellow. One or two brown v-shaped bars are present on the chin. Juveniles are greyish-brown with little white spots, and start changing colour after six months. After 12–15 months, they have the adult appearance.

Geographic range

P. guimbeaui inhabits the western side of Mauritius. It occurs at low and mid elevation. Populations can be found at the villages of Chamarel, Yemen, Tamarin and Grande Rivière Noire. P. guimbeaui is also established on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Habitat

The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko prefers large trees such as palms and

P. ornata
.

Diet

The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also likes to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

Behaviour

The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko is rather shy because it is heavily predated by different bird species.

Reproduction

In P. guimbeaui the pairing season is between March and the first weeks of September. During this period, the females lay up to 6 pairs of eggs. The young will hatch after approximately 60–90 days. The juveniles measure 36–40 mm (1.4–1.6 in). The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko is an egg gluer and often a colony nester. It often lays its eggs in tree holes. Juveniles reach pubescence after 18–20 months.

Threats

P. guimbeaui has been evaluated by the

CITES Appendix II listed.[4][5]

Care and maintenance in captivity

P. guimbeaui should be housed in pairs in a large, well planted terrarium. The daytime temperature should be between 29 and 32 °C (84 and 90 °F). During the night, the temperature should drop to approximately 20 °C (68 °F). The humidity should be maintained between 60 and 70%. In captivity, P. guimbeaui can be fed with crickets, commercial fructivorous gecko diets, wax moths, fruits flies, mealworms, and houseflies.

Sources

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T13484151A13484162.en
    . Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  2. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5
    . (Phelsuma guimbeaui, p. 111).
  3. S2CID 16971744
    .
  4. ^ Glaw, F.; Rösler, H. (2015). "Taxonomic checklist of the day geckos of the genera Phelsuma Gray, 1825 and Rhoptropella Hewitt, 1937 (Squamata: Gekkonidae)" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 65 (2): 247–283. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-20.
  5. ^ "Appendices I, II and III valid from 22 June 2021". CITES.

Further reading

  • Mertens R (1963). "The geckos of the genus Phelsuma on Mauritius and adjacent islands". Mauritius Institute Bulletin 5: 299-305. (Phelsuma guimbeaui, new species).


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