Phelsuma antanosy

Last updated

Phelsuma antanosy
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
P. antanosy
Binomial name
Phelsuma antanosy
Raxworthy  [ fr ] & Nussbaum, 1993
Phelsuma antanosy distribution.png

Phelsuma antanosy is a species of day gecko, endemic to the coastal Anosy Region in Madagascar. The species was first discovered in by scientist Raxworthy & Nussbaum in the year 1993. [2] Phelsuma antanosy more commonly known as Antanosy day gecko is one of 45 different species represented in the Phelsuma genus. [3] This specific species of gecko has been placed on the critically endangered list by the IUCN red list since January 28, 2011. [1] Little is known about the Antanosy day gecko because of its recent discovery and the small amount of research done on the species. Although, information about the geographical fragmentation and population location lead to the decision to put the gecko on the critically endangered list. [1]

Contents

Physical Description

The Antanosy day gecko is considered one of the smaller species in the Phelsuma genus as it only reaches about 10 cm in length. The body of the gecko is bright green with distinct color patterns on their back and head. Three red lines run the dorsal side of the body starting at the rear end of the back. The line in the middle is the most distinct and intense in color. The head of the gecko has two red crossbar-like colorations and a reddish-brown lip line running from the nostrils to the eye. Between the crossbar-like colorations and at the edge of the eyes are blue patches. The ventral side of the gecko is completely white including the throat, belly, tail. [4]

Geographical Location

Over the years land development and deforestation in Madagascar has increased up to 50% since 1950. [5] Much of this land is being used for mining purposes and other development. [1] Due to such loss, the habitat of Antanosy day gecko has become fragmented and isolated into two specific areas in the Anosy Region where three subpopulations exist.

These two areas are better known as Ambatotsirongorongo and Saint Luce, Madagascar. [1] [6] The total amount of land that the Antanosy day gecko is expected to live in is about 16 square kilometers (6.2 square miles). [1] These isolated patches are approximately located 0.1 to 4 kilometers (0.062 to 2.485 miles) from the coast. [3]

Habitat and Ecology

Littoral and transitional forests along with degraded forest with dense overhead canopy serve as sufficient habitat for the Antanosy day gecko. The Antanosy day gecko is highly reliant of the screw palm plant species Pandanus . [1] [6] Female geckos use these plants specifically for egg laying. [6]

The Antanosy day gecko forages for food during day and night hours. Plants such as Dypsis palms like Saint Luce Dypsis (D. sainteluccei) and Ravenala madagascariensis serve a sufficient food source. [1]

Population

As of now the three subpopulations exist in Ambatotsirongorongo and Saint Luce, Madagascar. About 40% of the total population is located within Saint Luce while the remaining 60% is located within Ambatotsirongorongo. [1] [6] Due to the isolation and fragmentation between the two areas, the population of the gecko is considered to be severely fragmented. Estimates say there is only 5,000-10,000 individuals left resulting in a population density of about 10 individuals per hectare in suitable habitat. Deforestation and habitat destruction has resulted in an overall decreasing population trend. [1]

Threats

Due to deforestation and habitat destruction, the Antanosy day gecko is losing more and more land they can potentially inhabit, especially the plants they rely on so heavily. [6] The screw palm plant species Pandanus is slow to grow and regenerate, leaving the gecko without its habitat. Although, some of the areas the Antanosy day gecko reside in are considered protected areas, there is still plenty of illegal deforestation happening. Much of the land is put under pressure on by the government and local people as forest resources are being destroyed for personal use and a possible mining plan. Potentially resulting in the loss of individuals ranking as high as 20% of the population. [1]

Conservation Acts

The SEED Conservation Research Program (SCRP) and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation fund has set out a team of researchers and volunteers to start collecting data on the Antanosy day gecko. [7] SCRP is hoping that with the data collected from studying the gecko's behavior and surrounding environment a captive breeding effort or even transporting the population can result in their survival. [7] [8] A captive breeding population can be used to increase the overall population as the offspring will be protected from outside interactions which can lead to successful restoration. [8] Transportation of the gecko population could place the species in an area that has the same relative habitat landscape that is registered as a designated protected area ensuring the survival of the future population. [7] [8]

SCRP is also conducting educational sessions in Saint Luce schools and a conservation club to share information about the Antanosy day gecko. Staff and volunteers talk about the various threats that impede the survival of the gecko and the consequences there is due to endemism. Also, locals guides are being trained to correctly pass on information to the community so they will be able to monitor the survival of the Antanosy day gecko. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Phelsuma</i> Genus of lizards

Phelsuma is a large genus of geckos in the family Gekkonidae. Species in the genus Phelsuma are commonly referred to as day geckos.

Andaman day gecko Species of lizard

The Andaman day gecko, also known as the Andaman Islands day gecko, is a species of gecko in the genus Phelsuma. It is endemic to the Andaman Islands of India, and has recently been introduced to the Nicobar islands. It is a small, slender lizard, has a bright green colour and feeds on insects. Its range is nearly 5000 km away from the centre of the distribution area of the genus Phelsuma, in Mauritius and Madagascar.

Yellow-throated day gecko Species of lizard

The yellow-throated day gecko is an endangered diurnal species of gecko from eastern Madagascar. It typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. The yellow-throated day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Rodrigues giant day gecko Extinct species of lizard

The Rodrigues giant day gecko is an extinct species of day 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, and, unlike most other day geckos, was apparently nocturnal in habit.

Round Island day gecko Species of lizard

The Round Island day gecko, Phelsuma guentheri, also known as Günther's gecko, is an endangered species of gecko. It lives on the islet Round Island (Mauritius), and typically dwells on different palm trees. The Round Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

<i>Trochetia</i> Genus of flowering plants

Trochetia is a genus of flowering plants from the family Malvaceae. They are endemic to the Mascarene Islands.

Andohahela National Park, in south-east Madagascar, is remarkable for the extremes of habitats that are represented within it. The park covers 760 km2 (293 sq mi) of the Anosy mountain range, the southernmost spur of the Malagasy Highlands and contains the last humid rainforests in the southern part of Madagascar.

<i>Dypsis decaryi</i> Species of plant in the family Arecaceae

Dypsis decaryi is a species of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family. It is commonly known as the triangle palm. It is indigenous to the Madagascan rainforest. Some specimens grow to a height of some 15 metres (49 ft) in the wild. It is relatively new to cultivation however, so outside its native habitat it rarely achieves anything like that height. The leaves are about 2.5 metres in length, growing almost upright from the trunk and arching gracefully outward about a metre from their tips. The leaf bases are arranged in three vertical columns set about 120 degrees apart on the main stem, forming a triangular shape in cross section. This shape has given rise to the palm's common name.

The wildlife of Mauritius consists of its flora and fauna. Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar. Due to its isolation, it has a relatively low diversity of wildlife; however, a high proportion of these are endemic species occurring nowhere else in the world. Many of these are now threatened with extinction because of human activities including habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native species. Some have already become extinct, most famously the dodo which disappeared in the 17th century.

<i>Phelsuma abbotti</i> Species of lizard

Phelsuma abbotti, commonly known as Abbott's day gecko, Aldabra day gecko, or Assumption day gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae.

<i>Lygodactylus williamsi</i> Species of lizard

Lygodactylus williamsi is a critically endangered species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to a small area of Tanzania. Common names include turquoise dwarf gecko, William's dwarf gecko, and, in the pet trade, electric blue gecko.

Antanosy people Malagasy ethnic group

The Antanosy is a Malagasy ethnic group who primarily live in the Anosy region of southeastern Madagascar, though there are also Antanosy living near Bezaha, where some of the Antanosy moved after the Merina people conquered Anosy. An estimated 360,000 people identify as Antanosy as of 2013.

<i>Blommersia angolafa</i> Species of amphibian

Blommersia angolafa is a species of frogs in the family Mantellidae. This recently described species is endemic to eastern Madagascar. The specific epithet is derived from the term “angolafa” or “angolafo”, which is the Malagasy vernacular name used by the Betsimisaraka people for the Dypsis palm species, whose leaves and prophylls are the habitat for this frog.

Dypsis humilis is a rare species of stemless palm that was discovered in Madagascar in 2007 by a collaboration between botanists from Madagascar and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Fewer than ten plants were observed in an area that is threatened by logging and other human activity.

<i>Phelsuma quadriocellata</i> Species of lizard

Phelsuma quadriocellata is a species of gecko known by the common name peacock day gecko. It is endemic to coastal eastern Madagascar, where it is a common to abundant, widespread reptile. This gecko lives in many types of low- to mid-elevation habitat types in Madagascar, including forests and areas with human activity such as cultivated land and human habitation. It is sometimes associated with Pandanus species.

Schizolaena exinvolucrata is a tree in the family Sarcolaenaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar.

Sainte Luce Reserve is a nature reserve in south-east Madagascar and part of one of the last remaining intact coastal rainforests in the country. It forms part of the greater Sainte Luce rainforest, which is approximately 15 km long and varies from 100m to 700m wide. The reserve itself is approximately 1 km long and averages 300m across.

Pandanus aridus is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Pandanaceae. It is native and endemic to Madagascar, found in fragmented locations in the southern third of the country. Pandanus aridus H. St. John is the accepted name, with a synonym of Pandanus toliarensis Huynh.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Jenkins, R.; Randrianantoandro, C.; Ramanamanjato, J.B. (2011). "Phelsuma antanosy". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T63658A12704038. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T63658A12704038.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. Phelsuma antanosy at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 1 January 2019.
  3. 1 2 "History". phelsuma.org. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  4. "Phelsuma antanosy". phelsuma.org. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  5. "Deforestation in Madagascar", Wikipedia, 2020-03-01, retrieved 2020-03-02
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Phelsuma antanosy". EDGE of Existence. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Project Phelsuma". SEED Madagascar. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  8. 1 2 3 "Phelsuma antanosy Conservation Case Study The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund". www.speciesconservation.org. Retrieved 2020-05-01.