Rodrigues giant day gecko

Taxobox
name = Rodrigues giant day gecko
status = EX | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Gekkonidae
subfamilia = Gekkoninae
genus = "Phelsuma"
species = "P. gigas"
binomial = "Phelsuma gigas"
binomial_authority = (Liénard, 1842)
synonyms =
* "Gecko gigas"
Taxobox_authority | author = Liénard | date = 1842
* "Gecko newtoni"
Taxobox_authority | author = Hoffstetter | date = 1946

Rodrigues giant day gecko ("Phelsuma gigas" (Liénard, 1842)) is an extinct diurnal species of geckos. It lived on the island of Rodrigues and surrounding islands and typically dwelled on trees. The Rodrigues giant day gecko fed on insects and nectar.

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 gray-coloured. The tongue had a pink colour and the ventral side was light yellow. The original collected specimens which were used to describe this species, have been lost. Today, only a few portions of some skeletons remain.

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" lived in forests on trees. Their original habitat was largely destroyed by humans and as a result of introduction of rats and cats.

Diet:

These day geckos fed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also liked to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

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.

References

* Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is listed as extinct