Description
The Phelsuma antanosy gecko is small compared to its relative, the Phelsuma grandis or Giant Gecko, which can grow to be 10 inches long (Humphrey & Ward, 2018). As an adult, the Day Gecko weighs around 2.4 grams and 10 centimeters in length (Smithsonian, n.d.). They are mostly bright green with accents of blue on their tails and around their eyes. Phelsuma antanosy typically have thin, red lines down their back and red crossbars on the top of their heads between their eyes. They have light brown eyes with yellow on the edge of their eyelids. Similar to other geckos, the Day Gecko’s entire underbelly is white (Van Heygen, 2013).
Phelsuma antanosy | Phelsuma antanosy. (n.d.). EDGE of Existence. Retrieved January 18, 2022, from http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/phelsuma-antanosy/ (photo).
Development
Due to limited space, the Phelsuma antanosy have been cornered into having low genetic diversity. The Antanosy Day Geckos aren’t the only species relying on the unique and vibrant rainforest of Madagascar, an estimated 80% of Madagascar’s organisms are endemic to its rainforests (Zoological Society of London, 2017). The annual amount of precipitation reaches 800 to 2000 millimeters. The geckos live on Ravenala madagascariensis and Pandanus species where it finds protection between the leaves (Van Heygen, 2013). The Antanosy Day Geckos feed on similar things to other Madagascan geckos, insects and vegetation. They help to reduce the populations of small insects like flies and mosquitos while also being preyed on by larger reptiles and birds ( Fry, C., & Raycroft, C.). The Antanosy Day Geckos sexually reproduce and lay eggs on one species of plant, the Pandanus species. This Pandanus is native to only one part of Madagascar, the Antanosy Region (Zoological Society of London, 2017). Once the eggs are laid, their sex is determined by the temperature of the environment. When the temperature is between 77 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit, they are female. When it is between 81 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, they will be males. As the temperature increases globally, there will be more males will cause future reproduction problems ( Fry, C., & Raycroft, C.).