Rodrigues giant day gecko

Last updated

Rodrigues giant day gecko
Phelsuma gigas.jpg
Status iucn2.3 EX.svg
Extinct  (1841)  (IUCN 2.3) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
P. gigas
Binomial name
Phelsuma gigas
(Liénard, 1842)
Synonyms [2]
  • Gecko gigasLiénard, 1842
  • Gekko newtoni Günther, 1877
  • Phelsuma gigas— Kluge, 1993

The Rodrigues giant day gecko (Phelsuma gigas) 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.

Contents

Description

Bones Phelsuma gigas.jpg
Bones

Phelsuma gigas was one of the largest known geckos. [3] It reached a total length of about 40 centimetres (16 in). 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 of the body 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.

Behaviour

Leguat described the species:

There's another sort of nocturnal lizard of grayish colour, and (very) ugly; they are as big and as long as one's arm, their flesh is not bad, they love (being on) plantanes (latan palms). [4]

Distribution

This species inhabited Rodrigues and surrounding islands. P. gigas was last collected in 1842 on the offshore islet of Ile aux Fregates.

Habitat

P. gigas was an arboreal lizard living on trees within the forests of Rodrigues. P. gigas became extinct due to human-induced deforestation and predation by introduced cats and rats.

Diet

These day geckos fed on various insects and other invertebrates. As observed in other species of day geckos, it was assumed that P. gigas also liked to lick at soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbour's day gecko</span> Species of lizard

Barbour's day gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to central Madagascar. It is diurnal and typically dwells on rocks. Barbour's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-tailed day gecko</span> Species of lizard

The blue-tailed day gecko is a diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the island Mauritius. It typically inhabits warm and humid places and dwells on different trees and bushes.

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

Phelsuma comorensisBoettger, 1913 is a species of geckos that lives on the island Grande Comore and typically dwells on trees. It feeds on insects and nectar.

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

Phelsuma dubia, also known as dull day gecko, olive day gecko, Zanzibar day gecko or green day gecko, is a diurnal species of gecko. It is about 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length and lives on the western coast of Madagascar, in the Comoros, and the coast of East Africa. It typically inhabits trees and can also be found near human dwellings. The Dull day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

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

Phelsuma breviceps is a diurnal species of gecko that is native to south-west Madagascar and typically dwells on trees and bushes. Its diet in the wild consists mainly of insects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodrigues day gecko</span> Extinct species of lizard

The Rodrigues day gecko, also known commonly as the Rodrigues blue-dotted day gecko, is an extinct species of day gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species was endemic to the island of Rodrigues, where it typically inhabited forests and dwelt in trees. The Rodrigues day gecko fed on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-throated day gecko</span> 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. This endangered species feeds on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Round Island day gecko</span> Species of lizard

The Round Island day gecko, also known commonly as Günther's gecko, is an endangered species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the islet Round Island, Mauritius, and typically dwells on palm trees. The Round Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mauritius lowland forest day gecko</span> Species of lizard

The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko, also known commonly as Guimbeau's day gecko and the orange-spotted day gecko, is a 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speckled day gecko</span> Species of lizard

The speckled day gecko is a diurnal species of geckos. It lives in eastern Madagascar and typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. The speckled day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-headed day gecko</span> Species of lizard

The yellow-headed day gecko, also commonly called Klemmer's day gecko, the neon day gecko, or the cheerful day gecko, is a small diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. This endangered species is endemic to northwestern Madagascar and inhabits coastal forests, dwelling on bamboo. The yellow-headed day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold dust day gecko</span> Species of lizard

The gold dust day gecko is a diurnal species of gecko. It lives in northern Madagascar, Tanzania, and on the island of Comoros; it has also been introduced to Hawaii and other Pacific islands. It's typically seen in houses and various trees. The gold dust day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koch's giant day gecko</span> Subspecies of lizard

Koch's giant day gecko is a diurnal subspecies of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The subspecies is native to northwestern and western Madagascar and typically inhabits trees. It feeds on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Mertens's day gecko</span> Species of lizard

Robert Mertens's day gecko is diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Comoros.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standing's day gecko</span> Species of lizard

Standing's day gecko is an arboreal and diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to southwest Madagascar; it is threatened by illegal collection for the international pet trade and habitat loss. It is among the largest living species of day geckos. Standing's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seipp's day gecko</span> Species of lizard

Seipp's day gecko is an endangered diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to northern Madagascar, typically inhabits rainforests, dwells on trees, and feeds on insects and nectar.

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

Phelsuma pronki, also known as Pronk's day gecko, is a critically endangered diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to central Madagascar, and threatened by severe habitat loss and collection for the international pet trade. It typically inhabits rainforests, dwells on trees, and feeds on insects and nectar.

Phelsuma parkeri, commonly known as Parker's day gecko or the Pemba Island day gecko, is a diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Pemba Island, Tanzania, and typically inhabits banana trees and dwellings. The Pemba Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

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

Phelsuma kely is a species of diurnal gecko. It is endemic to Madagascar and is known from the central east coast of Madagascar, south of Tamatave. It typically inhabits dragon trees. The gecko feeds on insects and probably nectar.

References

  1. Cole, N. 2021. Phelsuma gigas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T16925A166929864. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T16925A166929864.en. Accessed on 17 April 2023.
  2. "Phelsuma gigas ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Gunther, A. (1879). "The Extinct Reptiles of Rodriguez". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. 168: 452–456. Bibcode:1879RSPT..168..452G. doi:10.1098/rstl.1879.0045. S2CID   109921782.
  4. Cheke, A. S.; Hume, J. P. (2008). Lost Land of the Dodo: an Ecological History of Mauritius, Réunion & Rodrigues. New Haven and London: T. & A. D. Poyser. ISBN   978-0-7136-6544-4.