Reunion Island ornate day gecko (Phelsuma inexpectata Mertens, 1966) is a diurnal species of geckos. It only occurs on the island Réunion and typically inhabits different trees. The Reunion Island ornate day gecko feeds on insects and nectar. Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria Placozoa Subregnum Bilateria  Acoelomorpha  Orthonectida  Rhombozoa  Myxozoa  Superphylum Deuterostomia     Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascideiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders  Crocodilia - Crocodilians  Rhynchocephalia - Tuataras  Squamata   Suborder Sauria - Lizards   Suborder Serpentes - Snakes Testudines - Turtles Superorder Dinosauria  Saurischia  Ornithischia The reptiles are a group of vertebrate animals. ... Suborders Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards Sauria- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Squamata (scaled reptiles) is the largest recent order of reptiles, including lizards and snakes. ... Groups Lepidosauromorpha Archosauromorpha Sauria is a clade of the reptilian family tree, that includes all living diapsids, as well as their common ancestor and all its extinct descendents, which date back to Permian times. ... This article describes gecko lizards. ... Genera Many, see text Genera Genus Afroedura Genus Afrogecko Genus Agamura Genus Ailuronyx Genus Alsophylax Genus Aristelliger Genus Asaccus Genus Blaesodactylus Genus Bogertia Genus Briba Genus Bunopus Genus Calodactylodes Genus Carinatogecko Genus Chondrodactylus Genus Christinus Genus Cnemaspis Genus Coleodactylus Genus Colopus Genus Cosymbotus Genus Crossobamon Genus Cryptactites Genus Cyrtodactylus Genus... Phelsumas are small lizards which are also known as day geckos. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is a standard convention used for naming species. ... ... In biology, a species is, loosely speaking, a group of related organisms that share a more or less distinctive form and are capable of interbreeding. ... Genera Many, see text I love Geckos Geckos are small to moderately large lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae and found in warm climates throughout the world. ...

Scientific synonyms:

• Phelsuma ornata inexpectata Mertens, 1966
• Phelsuma inexpectata Bour, 1995

Description:

This lizard is one of the smallest day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 12 cm at most. The body colour is dark green. Three red stripes extend from the snout to the neck. From behind the eye, a thick brown stripe and a thin green-white extend to above the front leg. The snout is partly dark blue. The back is covered with redish coloured dots, which are greatly reduced in females. The ventral side is off-white.

Distribution:

This species is endemic to Réunion. It is found in the coastal areas in the region of Manapany-Les-Bains and St.-Joseph.

Habitat:

P. inexpectata typically lives on trees such as papaya, banana, pandanus and other pantropic vegetation. They also inhabit human dwellings and have been spotted on postboxes and fences. This biotope is relatively dry and hot.

Diet:

These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

Behaviour:

This Phelsuma species can be quite shy in captivity. These day geckos are also surprisingly speedy.

Reproduction:

At a temperature of 28°C, the young will hatch after approximately 50–52 days. The juveniles measure around 48 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity:

These animals should be housed in pairs in a well planted enclosure. The temperature should be between 29 and 32°C during the day and drop to around 22°C at night. The humidity should be maintained between 50 and 60% during the day and 80–90% at night. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moths, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.

References:

• Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, 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.