Robert Mertens's day gecko

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

Robert Mertens's day gecko
A juvenile Phelsuma robertmertensi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
P. robertmertensi
Binomial name
Phelsuma robertmertensi
Meier, 1980

Etymology

The specific name, robertmertensi, is in honour of German herpetologist Robert Mertens.[2][3]

Description

One of the smallest of its genus, P. robertmertensi can reach a total length (including tail) of about 11 centimetres (4.3 in).[3] The body colour can be dark green or bluish green. An orange mid dorsal stripe extends from the head to the tail. The sides of the neck as well as the flanks are greyish brown.

Geographic range

P. robertmertensi inhabits only a small area on the island of Mayotte in the Comoro Islands.[3]

Habitat

P. robertmertensi is often found on banana trees and in abandoned vanilla orchid plantations.

Diet

P. robertmertensi feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also licks soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

Reproduction

P. robertmertensi is oviparous.[3] At a temperature of 28 °C (82 °F), the young will hatch after approximately 49–53 days. The juveniles measure 19–22 millimetres (0.75–0.87 in).

Care and maintenance in captivity

P. robertmertensi should be housed in pairs and needs a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be between 25–28 °C (77–82 °F). The humidity should be between 75 and 100%. In captivity, it can can be fed crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.

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References
  1. Glaw F, Hawlitschek O (2011). "Phelsuma robertmertensi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T199763A9126925. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199763A9126925.en.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  2. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Phelsuma robertmertensi, p. 176).
  3. Species Phelsuma robertmertensi at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading
  • Henkel F-W, Schmidt W (1995). Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Stuttgart: Ulmer. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9. (in German).
  • McKeown S (1993). The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Lakeside, California: Advanced Vivarium Systems.
  • Meier H (1980). "Zur Taxonomie und Ökologie der Gattung Phelsuma (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) auf den Komoren, mit Beschreibung einer neuen Art ". Bonner Zoologische Beiträge 31 (3/4): 323-332. (Phelsuma robertmertensi, new species, pp. 327-330, Figure 1). (in German).
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