About Gehyra oceanica (Lesson, 1830)
Gehyra oceanica, commonly called the Oceania gecko or Pacific dtella, is a gecko species belonging to the genus Gehyra. The larger Gehyra vorax, or voracious gecko, found in Fiji, Vanuatu and New Guinea was occasionally grouped with this species in the past, but is currently recognized as a separate species. This species is native to New Guinea and multiple islands across Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. It has also been widely introduced to Pacific islands, reaching as far east as the Marquesas Islands in Polynesia, which is where the species was first collected for scientific study. However, there is ongoing debate over the full extent of human-assisted introduction of this species. Two distinct populations are recognized: a northern population located in Micronesia, and a southern population located in Melanesia and Polynesia. While there are recorded sightings of the species in New Zealand and Hawaii, it does not appear to have established persistent wild populations there. This species is typically arboreal and nocturnal. Its diet consists of insects and even smaller geckos. Fruit seeds have also been found in the stomach contents of some individuals. This species reproduces sexually. Unlike some other geckos in the genus Gehyra, its eggs are non-adhesive. Females lay only two eggs at a time, and individuals share communal nests that each hold no more than twelve eggs. The eggs of this species have a long incubation period, which can last up to 115 days. It can live in a wide variety of habitats, including plantations, gardens, and both disturbed and undisturbed forests. It will forage inside human buildings, but it is not classified as a commensal species.
