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The Unique world of the Manapany Day Gecko

The Unique world of the Manapany Day Gecko

Author
Emmanuel Van Heygen
Exo Terra Brand Manager

Amidst the lush landscapes and dramatic coastal cliffs of Réunion Island, a small, vibrant gecko clings to survival in a world reshaped by human influence. The Manapany Day Gecko or Phelsuma inexpectata is endemic to Réunion and cloaked in mystery, its original natural distribution obscured by centuries of human activity and a presumed shrinkage from much of its original territory. Today, this elusive creature’s presence remains a patchwork of fragmented habitats, primarily clinging to the southern coastline within a mere 100 meters of the sea. 

Phelsuma inexpectata

Phelsuma inexpectata

live on the edge

“Le Sud Sauvage,” or the Wild South, stretches along the island’s southeastern coast and is renowned for its rugged natural beauty, where dramatic landscapes meet the turbulent waters of the ocean. It is characterized by its lush vegetation, steep cliffs, and the powerful waves of the Indian Ocean that crash against its shores. The coast is lined with basalt rocks formed by the cooling of volcanic lava, which adds to the dramatic and raw aesthetic of the region. The lush greenery is punctuated by cascading waterfalls and meandering rivers that make their way through deep ravines and lush forests.
 
The climate in “Le Sud Sauvage” is notably more humid and rainy compared to other parts of the island, fostering tropical flora, including vast fields of sugarcane, fruit trees, and the iconic ‘Vacoas’  or screw pines, which are critical to the survival of endemic species like the Manapany Day Gecko.
 
This gecko finds sanctuary in the vegetation thriving on coastal cliffs, a landscape that mirrors the presumed habitat of its Mauritian cousin, the Phelsuma ornata. Experts suggest that this gecko might have once roamed extensively across the island’s west coast, dwelling amid semi-xerophilic vegetation that once blanketed the region. Fossil evidence—bones and eggs found scattered across Réunion’s west coast—may hint at this broader historical range, though direct links to this particular species remain unconfirmed.
 
The puzzle of the current population dynamics adds layers of complexity to the conservation narrative. Determining which subpopulations are genuinely native and which resulted from introductions is challenging. The species has demonstrated an ability to adapt, sometimes thriving in private gardens, with at least one group clearly identified as introduced. In towns like Petite Ile and Saint Joseph, the geckos observed might represent either surviving remnants of ancient populations or unintended reintroductions within their historical range.
 
Despite these resilient pockets of life, the overall trajectory for this species is concerning, with signs pointing to a contracting distribution. Observations between 2008 and 2010 indicated several subpopulations teetering on the brink of extinction, and many are likely gone today. This gecko reaches elevations as high as 200 meters above sea level within its presumed natural habitat, showcasing its ability to adapt to varying environmental conditions.
Pandanus utilis forest bord de falaise, Southern Réunion

Pandanus utilis forest bord de falaise, Southern Réunion

The Critical Struggle of the Manapany Day Gecko

Classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, the survival of this species hangs by a thread, with its very existence teetering on the edge of oblivion. A stark figure quantifies the gecko’s plight: its extent of occurrence spans a mere 15 square kilometers—a sliver of habitat that underscores the gravity of its situation. This gecko does not roam freely across this limited range, but it exists in pockets of suitable habitat, scattered and isolated, epitomizing a severely fragmented population. Such fragmentation hampers genetic diversity and complicates mating and reproduction, pushing the species further towards the brink.
As Réunion develops and human footprints expand, the natural landscapes that once supported diverse wildlife diminish. Forests are cleared, and coastlines are altered, leading to a degradation of the environments that host these geckos, reducing their living spaces and the quality of life they can maintain within these confines. As habitats shrink and degrade, the geckos are squeezed into ever-smaller areas, increasing competition for resources and heightening their vulnerability to stochastic events such as disease or extreme weather.
Mating pair of Phelsuma inexpectata near Petit-île, Southern Réunion

Mating pair of Phelsuma inexpectata near Petit-île, Southern Réunion

The decline in the number of mature individuals further compounds the gecko’s dire situation. Each loss within this already limited population magnifies the impact, reducing the likelihood of species recovery. The number of subpopulations is also dwindling, and with each group that vanishes, a piece of potential genetic salvation disappears.  
Author
Emmanuel Van Heygen
Exo Terra Brand Manager
Réunion's Southern Coast, The habitat of Phelsuma inexpectata

Réunion's Southern Coast, The habitat of Phelsuma inexpectata

Phelsuma inexpectata on Pandanus utilis

Phelsuma inexpectata on Pandanus utilis

Phelsuma inexpectata on the leaves of Pandanus utilis

Phelsuma inexpectata on the leaves of Pandanus utilis

Réunion Island Journals

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