Editing Standing's day gecko

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Standing's day gecko
| image = Gekkonidae - Phelsuma standingi.JPG
| image_caption =Female of ''Phelsuma standingi'', with prominent endolymphatic chalk sacs
| status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Raxworthy, C.J. |author2=Vences, M. |date=2010 |title=''Phelsuma standingi'' |volume=2010 |page=e.T16947A6635765 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T16947A6635765.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Phelsuma
| species = standingi
| authority = [[Paul A. Methuen|Methuen]] & [[John Hewitt (herpetologist)|Hewitt]], 1913<ref>[[Paul A. Methuen|Methuen, P. A.]] & [[John Hewitt (herpetologist)|Hewitt, J.]] (1913). [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/203783#page/233/mode/1up "On a collection of reptiles from Madagascar made during the year 1911"]. ''Annals of the Transvaal Museum''. '''3''' (4): 183-193.</ref>
| range_map = Phelsuma standingi distribution.png
}}
'''Standing's day gecko''' ('''''Phelsuma standingi''''') is an [[arboreal]] and [[diurnal animal|diurnal]] [[species]] of [[lizard]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Gekkonidae]]. The species is [[Endemism|endemic]] to southwest [[Madagascar]]; it is threatened by illegal collection for the international pet trade and habitat loss. It is among the largest living species of [[day gecko]]s. Standing's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

==Etymology==
The [[genus|generic]] name, ''Phelsuma'', is a [[Latin]]ized version of the last name of [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[physician]] [[Murk van Phelsum]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Beolens|first1=Bo|last2=Watkins|first2=Michael|last3=Grayson|first3=Michael|title=The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|year=2011| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0F758vNQ0UUC&dq=Murk+van+Phelsum&pg=PT650|isbn=978-1-4214-0135-5|page=206}}</ref> The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''standingi'', is in honor of another physician, Doctor [[Herbert F. Standing]] of [[Antananarivo]], Madagascar.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Beolens|first1=B.|last2=Watkins|first2=M.|last3=Grayson|first3=M.|title=The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles|publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press|year=2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0F758vNQ0UUC&dq=Charles+Lamberton&pg=PT480|isbn=978-1-4214-0135-5|page=251}}</ref>

==Description==
''P. standingi'' is among the largest [[Extant taxon|extant]] species of [[day gecko]]s. It can reach a maximum total length (including tail) of 8-10″ (20-25.4cm), although larger is possible. The body colour can be quite variable, depending on light intensity. It can be brownish grey or bright green or turquoise with grey to blue reticulated markings on its body and head. The head and tail are often turquoise. Hatchlings have a yellowish green head and typical light bands and bars on their backs.<ref name=bartlett>{{cite journal|journal=Tropical Fish Hobbyist|year=1993|publisher=T.F.H. Publications|pages=146–150|title=Notes on Standing's Day Gecko (''Phelsuma standingi'' )|first=R.D.|last=Bartlett}}</ref>

It is a [[Sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]] species. In the males the cloacal area has very pronounced preanal pores and a bulge in the area of [[hemipenis]]. In many females two endolymphatic chalk sacs, located on each side of the neck, are well-developed, while in males usually they are just barely visible. These sacs store calcium, which is needed for the formation of egg shells.<ref name=bartlett/>

{{Multiple image
| image1            = Phelsuma standingi 50296046 (cropped).jpg
| align             = center
| image2            = Phelsuma standingi 3776581 (cropped).jpg
| direction         = horizontal
| footer            = 
| total_width       = 600
| caption1          = Adult
| caption2          = Juvenile
}}

==Distribution and habitat==
''P. standingi'' is restricted to the arid southwest of [[Madagascar]], specifically the region around [[Andranolaho]], [[Sakaraha]] and in the [[Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park]]. This area has a unique thorn forest vegetation. The daytime temperature never drops under {{convert|20|°C|°F}} and between January and December, the temperature can be as high as {{convert|40|°C|°F}} in the shade. In July and August, the night temperature can drop to {{convert|13|°C|°F}}.<ref name="Austin2014">{{cite book|last=Austin|first=Daniel|title=Madagascar Wildlife|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nypFBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA118|date=10 November 2014|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-557-7|page=118}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| image1            = Standings day gecko 2.JPG
| image2            = Standings day gecko 1.JPG
| footer            = Standing's day gecko at [[Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park]]
| total_width       = 500
| align             = center
}}

==Diet==
Standing's day gecko feeds on various insects, invertebrates, and even smaller lizards.  It is [[omnivore|omnivorous]], however, supplementing its prey with soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.<ref name="Coborn1998">{{cite book|last=Coborn|first=John|title=Keeping & Breeding Lizards|url=https://archive.org/details/lizardskeepingbr0000cobo|url-access=registration|year=1998|publisher=T.F.H. Publications|isbn=978-0-7938-0222-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/lizardskeepingbr0000cobo/page/50 50]}}</ref>

==Behaviour==
Strictly an arboreal and diurnal species, ''P. standingi'' lives in pairs on trees, spending a lot of time basking in the sun on the highest and well exposed branches. The males are very territorial and will fight when in the presence of other males; females have this character towards other females, a behavior which is rather rare in geckos.<ref name=bartlett/>

==Reproduction==
''P. standingi'' is [[Oviparity|oviparous]]. At a temperature of {{convert|28|°C|°F}}, the young will hatch after approximately 60–70 days. The juveniles measure 80&nbsp;mm and reach sexual maturity after one year.<ref name=bartlett/>

In captivity, Standing's day geckos can be expected to live up to 15-20 years when appropriately cared-for.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Henkel, Friedrch-Wilhelm; Schmidt, Wolfgang (1995). ''Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren''. Stuttgart: Ulmer. {{ISBN|3-8001-7323-9}}. (in German).
*[[Sean McKeown|McKeown, Sean]] (1993). ''The general care and maintenance of day geckos''. Lakeside, California: Advanced Vivarium Systems.

==External links==
{{Wikispecies}}
{{Commons}}
*[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Phelsuma&species=standingi The Reptile Database]
*[http://www.phelsumaweb.nl/eng/standingi_care.html Phelsumaweb]
*[http://www.italiangekko.net/ig/it/schede/schedeapprofondite?task=view&id=2025 Italian Gekko]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q572781}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Standing'S Day Gecko}}
[[Category:Phelsuma]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Madagascar]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Madagascar]]
[[Category:Species that are or were threatened by the pet trade]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1913]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Paul Ayshford Methuen]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Hewitt (herpetologist)]]
[[Category:Reptiles as pets]]