We studied the reproductive cycle of the introduced gecko, Phelsuma laticauda from a histological analysis of museum specimens from Hawaii. All adult males >40 mm SVL exhibited spermiogenesis in samples collected in January to April and in August. Females invariably produced clutches that contained two eggs. The presence of oviductal eggs and concomitant yolk deposition in some of the same females as well as the presence in the population of juveniles during both summer and winter months, indicate P. laticauda produces multiple clutches in Hawaii. The smallest reproductively active female (early yolk deposition) measured 46 mm SVL. Considering the potential negative effects on endemic Pacific island lizards, colonization by P. laticauda should be discouraged.
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1 June 2011
Notes on Reproduction of the Gold Dust Day Gecko, Phelsuma laticauda (Gekkonidae) from Hawaii
Stephen R. Goldberg,
Fred Kraus
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Current Herpetology
Vol. 30 • No. 1
June 2011
Vol. 30 • No. 1
June 2011
colonization
Hawaii
Phelsuma laticauda
reproduction