Rodrigues Giant Day Gecko
| Rodrigues giant day gecko | |
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| Fossil bones | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Subfamily: | Gekkoninae |
| Genus: | Phelsuma |
| Species: | P. gigas |
| Binomial name | |
| Phelsuma gigas (Liénard, 1842) |
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Rodrigues giant day gecko (Phelsuma gigas) is an extinct species of diurnal gecko. It lived on the island of Rodrigues and surrounding islands and typically dwelt on trees. The Rodrigues giant day gecko fed on insects and nectar.
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[edit] Description
This Phelsuma was the largest known day gecko. It reached a total length of about 40 cm. The body colour was grayish or grayish brown. On the back there were irregular black spottings. The tail had some striping and was charcoal- or dark grey-coloured. The tongue had a pink colour and the ventral side was light yellow. The original collected specimens that were used to describe this species, have been lost. Today, only a few portions of some skeletons remain.
[edit] Distribution
This species inhabited Rodrigues and surrounding islands. P. gigas was last collected in 1842 on the offshore islet of Ile aux Fregates.
[edit] Habitat
P. gigas lived in forests on trees. Their original habitat was largely destroyed by humans and as a result of introduction of rats and cats.
[edit] Diet
These day geckos fed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also liked to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.
[edit] References
- Günther (1877) Journal of the Linnean Society, Zoology, 13:322-327
- Liénard (1842) Rapport de la Société d'Histoire Naturelle de Maurice, (13):55-57
- McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.
- World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1996). Phelsuma gigas. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 9 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is listed as extinct
