Editing Andaman day gecko

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Phelsuma andamanense 002.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{Cite journal | author = Richman, N. | author2 = Böhm, M. | name-list-style=amp| title = ''Phelsuma andamanense'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2010 | page = e.T177829A7465896 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | date = 2010 | url = http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/177829/0 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T177829A7465896.en | access-date = 10 January 2018| doi-access = free }}</ref>
| genus = Phelsuma
| species = andamanensis
| authority = [[Edward Blyth|Blyth]], 1861
| range_map = Phelsuma andamanense distribution.png
| synonyms = *''Gecko chameleon'' <small>Tytler, 1864</small>
*''Phelsuma madagascariensis andamanense '' <small>[[Arthur Loveridge|Loveridge]], 1942</small>
}}

The '''Andaman day gecko''' ('''''Phelsuma andamanensis'''''), also known as the '''Andaman Islands day gecko''', is a [[species]] of [[gecko]] in the genus ''[[Phelsuma]]''. It is [[Endemism|endemic]] to the [[Andaman Islands]] of [[India]], and has recently been [[Introduced species|introduced]] to the [[Nicobar islands]].<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Phelsuma|species=andamanensis|accessdate=11 January 2020}}</ref> It is a small, slender lizard, has a bright green colour and feeds on [[insects]]. Its [[range (biology)|range]] is nearly 5000&nbsp;km away from the centre of the distribution area of the genus ''Phelsuma'', in [[Mauritius]] and [[Madagascar]].<ref name="www.phelsuma.org">[http://www.phelsuma.org/main/taxonomy/andamanensis/andamanensis.html Phelsuma.org]</ref>

[[File:Andaman Island Day geko IMG 0521 by Ayotrik Biswas.jpg|thumb|Andaman Islands day gecko]]

== Taxonomy ==
Phylogenetic evidence indicates that ''P. andamanensis'' is the most [[Basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] extant member of the genus ''[[Phelsuma]]'', having diverged from the clade containing all the Western [[Indian Ocean]] ''Phelsuma'' species during the late [[Oligocene]], about 27 million years ago. In its home range, an immense genetic diversity of [[Mitochondrial DNA|mitochondrial]] [[Haplotype|haplotypes]] is seen among individuals, indicating that it had colonized the Andamans entirely naturally and not due to humans somehow transporting it from the Western Indian Ocean islands.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Mohan|first1=Ashwini V.|last2=Orozco-terWengel|first2=Pablo|last3=Shanker|first3=Kartik|last4=Vences|first4=Miguel|date=2020-07-16|title=The Andaman day gecko paradox: an ancient endemic without pronounced phylogeographic structure|journal=Scientific Reports|language=en|volume=10|issue=1|pages=11745|doi=10.1038/s41598-020-68402-7|issn=2045-2322|doi-access=free|pmc=7367275}}</ref>

Unlike with the Western Indian Ocean species, there has been no major [[speciation]] throughout the Andamans despite ''P. andamanensis'' having existed and diversified on the Andamans for millions of years. The species can however be divided into two major [[Clade|clades]] or population clusters: a 'North' cluster and a 'South' cluster; both clusters are thought to have diverged before the onset of the [[Last Glacial Maximum]], although what exactly caused their divergence is unknown.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-30|title=Confined without boundaries: The tale of the Andaman day geckos|url=https://researchmatters.in/news/confined-without-boundaries-tale-andaman-day-geckos|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Research Matters|language=en}}</ref>

== Distribution ==
The Andaman day gecko is found throughout the Andaman Islands of India, with the 'North' clade being found on [[North Andaman Island|North Andaman]], [[Middle Andaman Island|Middle Andaman]], [[Interview Island|Interview]], [[Baratang Island|Baratang]], [[Shaheed Dweep]], and [[Long Island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)|Long]] Islands, while the 'South' clade is found on [[Havelock Island|Swaraj Dweep]], [[South Andaman Island|South Andaman]], and [[Little Andaman]] Islands. While the species reached the Andaman Islands through natural means, parts of its range within the islands may be a consequence of human-mediated dispersal due to its generalist lifestyle. It has also recently been sighted on the [[Nicobar Islands]] for the first time, which is likely also a consequence of human introduction.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== Description ==
The body of this day gecko is bright green with red dots and stripes on the back. Males have a bluish or [[turquoise (color)|turquoise]] coloured tail. On both sides of the snout, a reddish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the ear. The undersurface of the body is bright yellow or off-white.

== Habitat ==
''Phelsuma andamanensis'' inhabits lowlands where is typically found in domestic gardens on [[coconut palm]]s, [[screw pine]]s, [[banana tree]]s and on [[sisal|sisal plants]].<ref name="www.phelsuma.org"/> It also sometimes lives on local huts. This generalist lifestyle has allowed it to have a major population expansion with the growth of cash crops on the Andamans, making it a rare example of an island-[[Endemism|endemic]] [[reptile]] that has actually massively benefited from anthropogenic disturbance. However, this new, dense population may make them more susceptible to stressors such as parasites and diseases.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== Behaviour ==
These shy day geckos are extremely aggressive toward other members of its species.

== Reproduction ==
''Phelsuma andamanensis'' normally lays two [[egg (biology)|egg]]s in a protected and elevated location. The females can be extraordinarily fertile. It has been observed that during a period of 18 months, 14 pairs of eggs were laid.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
* Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) ''Amphibien und Reptilien Madagascars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren''. Ulmer Stuttgart. {{ISBN|3-8001-7323-9}}
* McKeown, Sean (1993) ''The general care and maintenance of day geckos''. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2708932}}

[[Category:Phelsuma]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1861]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Edward Blyth]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of India]]
[[Category:Reptiles of India]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of the Andaman Islands]]