Phelsuma vanheygeni is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.[1][2]
| Phelsuma vanheygeni | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Phelsuma |
| Species: | P. vanheygeni
|
| Binomial name | |
| Phelsuma vanheygeni Lerner, 2004
| |
| |
Etymology edit
The specific name, vanheygeni, is in honor of Belgian herpetologist Emmanuel Van Heygen,[3] who collected the holotype.[2]
Geographic range edit
P. vanheygeni is found on the Ampasindava peninsula in northern Madagascar.[1][2]
Habitat edit
The natural habitat of P. vanheygeni is patches of bamboo in forest, at altitudes of 50–400 m (160–1,310 ft). It appears to be confined to medium-sized bamboo (about 5 cm (2 in) in diameter).[1]
Description edit
P. vanheygeni measure 31–35 mm (1.2–1.4 in) in snout–vent length and 75–80 mm (3.0–3.1 in) in total length. It is somewhat slender and rather flattened. The dorsal coloration of living specimens (including the head, neck, limbs and tail) is vivid green. There are some small red dots irregularly positioned on the lower back and upper tail; males have usually slightly bigger red dots. The green dorsal coloration is delimited by a yellowish stripe that begins at the rostral scale, continues backwards over the supralabial scales, under the ear opening, and widens at the axilla. The ventral coloration is dirty white; the subcaudal scales have a brown to black pigmentation at their tips. The Ventral and subcaudal scales are smooth (not keeled).[2]
Reproduction edit
P. vanheygeni is oviparous[2] and glues its eggs to the inside of bamboo stems.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Randrianantoandro, J.C.; Raxworthy, C.J.; Ratsoavina, F.; Glaw, F.; Rabibisoa, N. (2011). "Phelsuma vanheygeni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172776A6915653. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172776A6915653.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Phelsuma vanheygeni at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 30 December 2021.
- ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Phelsuma vanheygeni, p. 272).
Further reading edit
- Berghof H-P (2014). "Pflege und Vermehrung von Phelsuma pronki Seipp, 1994 und Phelsuma vanheygeni Lerner, 2004". Reptilia, Münster 19 (105): 38–43. (in German).
- Glaw F, Rösler H (2015). "Taxonomic checklist of the day geckos of the genera Phelsuma Gray, 1825 and Rhoptropella Hewitt, 1937 (Squamata: Gekkonidae)". Vertebrate Zoology 65 (2): 247–283.
- Lerner A (2004). "A new taxonomically isolated species of the genus Phelsuma Gray, 1825 from the Ampasindava peninsula, Madagascar". Phelsuma 12: 91–98. (Phelsuma vanheygeni, new species).