Lined day gecko  (Phelsuma lineata)

Listed on Appendix II of CITES (1).

The lined day gecko is one of just three species of Phelsuma, the day geckos, all of which occur on the island of Madagascar (2). It has soft, green skin on the back and a distinct black band running down the side of the body, bordered on the lower edge by a white stripe (2) (3). Five subspecies of the lined day gecko are recognised, each differing slightly in their patterning (2). Phelsuma lineata lineata has small red spots on its back, while P. l. dorsivittata has larger red spots and a red stripe running down the centre of the back. P. l. bombetokensis has both large and small red spots, on the head and on the back, and also has black spots where the limbs meet the body. The band that runs along the side of the body is greyish in this species, and some individuals may have yellow rings around the eyes. P. l. bifasciata has a large red blotch on the lower back, the tail is bluish, and the black band is bordered by a yellow stripe, while P. l. punctulata lacks any red markings but has a back dotted with many black spots (2). All of these subspecies have, like other geckos, unique toe pads that are capable of impressive adhesion. They also lack eyelids, and instead have a transparent covering over the eye (the spectacle) which dust or debris is licked off by their long, mobile tongue (3).

The lined day gecko occurs in the humid regions of eastern Madagascar (2).

This small lizard can be found in palms, bushes and banana plants, in the rainforest and near villages (2).

As its name suggests, the lined day gecko is primarily active during the daylight hours, although it sometimes can be active during the night in areas lit up with the lamps of nearby houses (2). In captivity, a female lined day gecko produced up to six clutches each year, each containing two eggs. At a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, the eggs hatched after 40 to 45 days, while at a slightly cooler temperature (25 degrees Celsius) the eggs took 60 days to hatch. The hatchlings measure just 40 to 43 millimetres but their colouration is similar to adults. Lined day geckos reach sexual maturity after seven to nine months (2).

The tail of day geckos has multiple functions. It can be used as an extra ‘hand’ when walking along narrow twigs, it can store fat, and may also be detached when attacked by a predator (3) (4).

The lined day gecko was one of the top ten reptile species imported into the European Union between 1990 and 1999, with 71 percent of the 45,630 individuals coming from the wild (5). While information appears to be lacking, this would suggest that the lined day gecko may be threatened by over-harvesting from the wild. Like many of Madagascar’s reptiles, the lined day gecko may also be vulnerable to the destruction of the island’s native habitat.

The lined day gecko is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning that any international trade in this species should be carefully monitored (1).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

For further information on conservation in Madagascar see:

• Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots:
  www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/madagascar