Editing Blue-tailed day gecko

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Phelsuma cepediana Mauritius 040128.jpg
| image_caption = Male,  Senneville, Mauritius
| image2 = Blue-tailed day gecko (Phelsuma cepediana).jpg
| image2_caption = Female, Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel, Mauritius
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref>{{cite iucn |author=Glaw, F. |author2=Cole, N. |year=2011 |title=''Phelsuma cepediana'' |volume=2011 |page=e.T172918A6941597 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172918A6941597.en |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>
| genus = Phelsuma
| species = cepediana
| authority = ([[Jacques-Gérard Milbert|Milbert]], 1812)<ref name=RDB>{{EMBL species|genus=Phelsuma|species=cepediana}} www.reptile-database.org.</ref>
| range_map = Phelsuma cepediana distribution.png
| synonyms =
{{Species list
| Gecko cepedianus | Milbert, 1812
| Phelsuma crepidianus | [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1825
| Phelsuma ornatum | Gray, 1825
| Anoplopus cepedeanus | [[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1830
| Platydactylus cepedianus | [[André Marie Constant Duméril|A.M.C. Duméril]] & [[Gabriel Bibron|Bibron]], 1836
| Phelsuma trilineatum | Gray, 1842
| Phelsuma cepedianum | [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1885
| Phelsuma cepediana | [[Robert Mertens|Mertens]], 1962
}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=RDB/>
}}
[[File:Blue-tailed day gecko (Phelsuma cepediana) 2.jpg|thumb|Female]] 

The '''blue-tailed day gecko''' ('''''Phelsuma cepediana'''''), also known [[Common name|commonly]] as '''Lacépède's gecko''',  is a [[diurnal animal|diurnal]] [[species]] of [[gecko]], a [[lizard]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Gekkonidae]]. The species is [[Endemism|endemic]] to the island [[Mauritius]]. It typically inhabits warm and humid places and dwells on different trees and bushes.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that the blue-tailed day gecko can change colors and patterns ontogenetically. Depending on the activity, coloration can differ.

==Etymology==
The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''cepediana'', is in honor of French [[Natural history|naturalist]] [[Bernard Germain de Lacépède]].<ref>[[species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]], [[species:Michael Watkins|Michael Watkins]] and [[species:Michael Grayson|Michael Grayson]] (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Phelsuma cepediana'', p. 149).</ref>

==Description==
''P. cepediana'' is a mid-sized day gecko. It can reach a total length (including tail) of 3.75–5.5 in (9.5–14 cm). The female blue-tailed gecko is usually smaller in size than the male.

The male blue-tailed geckos is typically more vivid than the female. The male body colour is light green or bluish green. The back of the male has a bright blue colour and is covered with dark red spots and dashes. The male has a deep blue tail; this blue color may also be found on the face. The female lacks the brilliant blue colour of the male. The female has a bright green back and rust-coloured spots. There is always a dorso-lateral stripe present, which may be broken. A red stripe extends from the nostril to the shoulder.<ref name=farm>{{Cite web|title=''Phelsuma cepediana'': Mauritian Blue-Tailed Day Gecko – FEMALES {{!}} Phelsuma Farm|url=https://www.daygeckos.co.uk/product/phelsuma-cepediana-mauritian-blue-tailed-day-gecko/|access-date=2021-10-26|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Habitat and distribution==
The blue-tailed gecko and other reptiles are sensitive to artificial light at night and will change their behaviors as a result of being exposed to this light. The blue-tailed gecko is primarily [[Diurnality|diurnal]], as are most of the geckos in its genus ([[Phelsuma]]). It has been found that the blue-tailed gecko will change its foraging behavior from diurnal to [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] in situations in which it has artificial light sources at its disposal. Nocturnal activity includes agonistic or aggressive behaviors, courtship, and foraging. When artificial lights are used in nocturnal situations, it alters the amount of time and effort that visual predators will spend foraging.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Baxter-Gilbert|first1=James|last2=Baider|first2=Claudia|author2-link=species:Claudia Bader|last3=Florens|first3=Francois|author3-link=species:Francois Benjamin Vincent Florens|last4=Hawlitschek|first4=Oliver|author4-link=species:Oliver Hawlitschek|last5=Mohan|first5=Ashwini|last6=Mohanty|first6=Nitya|last7=Wagener|first7=Carla|last8=Webster|first8=Kathleen|last9=Riley|first9=Julia|date=2021-02-19|title=Nocturnal foraging and activity by diurnal lizards: Six species of day geckos (''Phelsuma'' spp.) using the night-light niche|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349439655|journal=Austral Ecology|volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=501–506 |doi=10.1111/aec.13012}}</ref>

''P. cepediana'' is one of only seven species of the [[Mascarene Islands|Mascarene]] species that is still extant. This species is the sole pollinator and seed disperser of a climbing shrub, ''[[Roussea simplex]]'', which is endemic to the mountains of [[Mauritius]]. <ref>{{Citation|last1=Thébaud|first1=Christophe|title=Mascarene Islands, Biology|date=2009-01-01|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230745822|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of islands|access-date=2021-10-26|last2=Warren|first2=Ben|last3=Cheke|first3=Anthony|author3-link=species:Anthony S. Cheke|last4=Strasberg|first4=Dominique}}</ref> ''P. cepediana'' can typically be found on trees and bushes that produce fruits, such as coconut palms, banana trees, and papayas. These locations are warm and moist climates, which are preferred by this gecko.{{cn|date=October 2021}}

The blue-tailed day gecko inhabits the island [[Mauritius]] where it is widely distributed. ''P. cepediana'' may also have been introduced to [[Madagascar]] where it has been reported a few times, amongst others in the region of Iviloina. These observations have not been confirmed, however. Although ''P. cepediana'' seems to be unable to colonize agricultural areas,<ref>{{Cite book|last=McKeown|first=Sean|title=The General Care and Maintenance of Day Geckos|publisher=Advanced Vivarium Systems|year=1993|isbn=1882770226}}</ref> it can survive in suburban gardens that are heavily watered and planted as long as these gardens are near trees that produce fruit or flowers throughout the year. <ref name=farm/>

==Diet==
The blue-tailed day gecko feeds on various insects and other [[invertebrate]]s. It also licks soft, sweet fruit, pollen, and nectar. The flowers of the now critically endangered liana ''[[Roussea simplex]]'' produce copious amounts of nectar and are pollinated only by the blue-tailed day gecko. The blue-tailed day gecko plays a role by licking up a gelatinous substance secreted by the fruit which contains the minute seeds. It disperses the seeds in its droppings. 

==Behavior==
''P. cepediana'' can be quite aggressive toward both its own and to other ''Phelsuma'' species. In captivity, where the female cannot escape, the male sometimes seriously wounds the female. In this case, the male and female must be separated.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

=== Protective coloration and behavior ===
Lizards can change in color and pattern ontogenetically. Conspicuous tail colors appear only in juveniles and can fade by adulthood. Research has been conducted in order to determine if these tail colors compensate for "an increased activity, level, deflecting imminent attacks to the tail." Research has suggested that alteration of activities can affect the ontogenetic color and pattern changes. Lizards that are active and forage in habitats that are open tend to increase the probability that they will be attacked by ambush predators. Deflection displays and conspicuous colors can shift attacks to the expendable tail. By doing this, the prey's overall likelihood of surviving the attack is increased.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Hawlena|first1=Dror|last2=Boochnik|first2=Rami|last3=Abramsky|first3=Zvika|last4=Bouskila|first4=Amos|date=2006-11-01|title=Blue tail and striped body: why do lizards change their infant costume when growing up?|journal=Behavioral Ecology|volume=17|issue=6|pages=889–896|doi=10.1093/beheco/arl023|issn=1045-2249|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Reproduction==
The adult female blue-tailed gecko lays eggs every 3–4 weeks. It typically lays two eggs in a [[Clutch (eggs)|clutch]]. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Blue-tailed day gecko ''Phelsuma cepediana'' captive breed|url=https://www.joshsfrogs.com/blue-tailed-day-gecko-phelsuma-cepediana-captive-bred.html)}}</ref>

The female will lay its eggs in a location that it feels is safe and protected. It will glue its eggs in order to increase safety. When they are kept at a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, the eggs take between 40 and 45 days to hatch. When the newborns are measured, they are normally around 40 mm (1.6 inches).{{cn|date=October 2021}}

==Predators==
[[File:Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus).jpg|thumb|The Mauritius kestrel preys on the blue tailed gecko]]
The blue-tailed gecko frequently will hide amongst dense patches of palm-like [[Pandanus tectorius|Pandanus plants]] in order to protect itself from its enemies. ''P. cepediana'' is preyed upon by the critically endangered [[Mauritius kestrel]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-08-20|title=The Day-geckos of Mauritius|url=https://frogblogmanchester.com/2015/08/20/the-day-geckos-of-mauritius/|access-date=2021-10-26|website=FROG BLOG MANCHESTER|language=en}}</ref> This bird feeds almost exclusively on ''Phelsuma'' geckos, making ''P. cepediana'' one of its main prey items. Other birds that are endemic to Mauritius also feed on ''Phelsuma'' geckos. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Gecko key to preventing Mauritian plant extinction|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2007/04/neon-green-gecko-key-to-preventing-mauritian-plant-extinction/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026163543/https://news.mongabay.com/2007/04/neon-green-gecko-key-to-preventing-mauritian-plant-extinction/ |archive-date=2021-10-26 }}</ref>

The 2mm-long ant ''[[Technomyrmex albipes]]'' that was introduced to Mauritius from the Indo-Pacific area seals the flowers of ''Roussea'' with clay to protect mealy bugs. The mealy bugs drink the sap and excrete a sugary urine that is collected by the ants. The ants attack animals that visit the plant, preventing the blue-tailed day gecko from pollinating the flowers and eating from the fruit, and in this way seriously hampering ''Roussea's'' reproduction.<ref name="Kew">{{cite web|title=''Roussea simplex ''|url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:793128-1|access-date=2016-03-17|website=Kew Royal Botanic Gardens}}</ref>

==Captivity==
Male ''P. cepediana'' are extremely high in demand as pets due to their vibrant coloration, and can cost $100 to $200 each.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Blue-Tailed Day Gecko – ''Phelsuma cepediana'' (Captive Bred) {{!}} Josh's Frogs|url=https://www.joshsfrogs.com/blue-tailed-day-gecko-phelsuma-cepediana-captive-bred.html|access-date=2021-11-18|website=Blue-Tailed Day Gecko - Phelsuma cepediana (Captive Bred) {{!}} Josh's Frogs|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=''PHELSUMA CEPEDIANA'': MAURITIAN BLUE-TAILED DAY GECKO – FEMALES|url=https://www.daygeckos.co.uk/product/phelsuma-cepediana-mauritian-blue-tailed-day-gecko/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425104921/http://www.daygeckos.co.uk:80/product/phelsuma-cepediana-mauritian-blue-tailed-day-gecko/ |archive-date=2017-04-25 }}</ref> With good care, blue-tailed day geckos may live up to 15 years.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]] (1885). ''Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. Geckonidæ'' ...'''.''' London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I–XXXII. (''Phelsuma cepedianum'', p. 211).
*{{cite book|title=Day Geckos In Captivity|last=Christenson|first=Leann, and Greg Christenson|year=2003|publisher=Living Art Publishing|location=Ada, Oklahoma|isbn=0-9638130-2-1|pages=123–124}}
*[[species:Friedrich Wilhelm Henkel|Henkel, F.-W.]], and [[species:Wolfgang Schmidt|W. Schmidt]] (1995). ''Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren''. Stuttgart: Ulmer. {{ISBN|3-8001-7323-9}}
*McKeown, Sean (1993). ''The general care and maintenance of day geckos''. Lakeside, California: Advanced Vivarium Systems.
*[[Jacques-Gérard Milbert|Milbert J-G]] (1812). ''Voyage pittoresque à l'île-de-France, au cap de Bonne-Espérance et à l'île de Ténériffe, ave un atlas, Tomes I et II''. Paris: Nepveu. (''Gecko cepedianus'', new species, p. 261). (in French).


{{Taxonbar|from=Q2897612}}

[[Category:Phelsuma]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1812]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Mauritius]]