The Manapany day gecko Phelsuma inexpectata is a Critically Endangered species endemic to Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Studying its geographical distribution and its evolution is important for developing effective biodiversity conservation strategies. We evaluated past and current distributions of P. inexpectata using records from 2008–2020 and through recent, intensive field surveys (230 person-days, 2020–2022). We found that its past distribution has declined by more than 28% (5.12 ha), from 19.44 ha to 14.32 ha. In natural habitats, the distribution of P. inexpectata has been strongly affected, declining by c. 45%, but we identified new areas of occurrence (10.72 ha) through field surveys. Most of these new areas (79%) were found in anthropogenic habitats where the species had not been documented before. The current distribution of P. inexpectata covers c. 24 ha, of which 75% is located in urban areas such as gardens and green urban spaces. Moreover, our field survey showed that at least 10% of its range is now colonized by the invasive gold-dust day gecko Phelsuma laticauda. This survey provides an essential baseline for tracking the future distribution of this threatened species and its potential invasive competitor, and for monitoring how changes to its habitat affect the distribution of P. inexpectata.

Interspecific kleptoparasitism (the stealing of already-procured items from other species) has received little attention in tropical reptiles. We report here the second case of kleptoparasitism in tropical lizards, and the first known case of pollen theft by a vertebrate species. Phelsuma inexpectata, a gekkonid lizard endemic to Réunion, was observed robbing pollen pellets from honeybees (Apis mellifera) foraging on Latania lontaroides flowers. Video-records were used to obtain reliable information on gecko-honeybee interactions occurring on L. lontaroides inflorescences. During the 19 observation periods (total duration 140 min) a total of 78 attempts were recorded, at least 40% were successful. Both males and females displayed kleptoparasitic behaviour. A high level of gecko kleptoparasitism occurred, with an average one-robbery attempt every 2 min. Behaviour of both the kleptoparasitic P. inexpectata and its host A. mellifera are described.

The pollination ecology and breeding system of Trochetia granulata (Malvaceae), an endemic tree species from Réunion were studied. In 2010–2011, compatibility studies were conducted on a total of 154 flowers from 35 different individuals using three different hand pollination treatments: (a) autofertility, (b) self-pollination and (c) cross-pollination. During the period, we also studied the pollination ecology of T. granulata. During 48 h of video recordings, we tracked flower visits to T. granulata in six different sites and studied the behaviour of the visitors. The results from the hand-cross experiments show that T. granulata is self-compatible (60.8% fruit set) but cannot produce fruit (5.4% fruit set) without the visit of a pollen vector. During surveys, four different visitors were reported: the introduced honey bee (Apis mellifera), two endemic species of white-eye (Zosterops borbonicus borbonicus and Z. olivaceus) and the endemic Réunion day gecko (Phelsuma borbonica). This study documented a new case of vertebrate-pollination by lizard and birds in an insular context. These interactions might be linked to several uncommon floral traits of Trochetia species.