Phelsuma vanheygeni

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Phelsuma vanheygeni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
P. vanheygeni
Binomial name
Phelsuma vanheygeni
Lerner, 2004

Phelsuma vanheygeni is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific name, vanheygeni, is in honor of Belgian herpetologist Emmanuel Van Heygen,[3] who collected the holotype.[2]

Geographic range

P. vanheygeni is found on the Ampasindava peninsula in northern Madagascar.[1][2]

Habitat

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

P. vanheygeni measure 31–35 mm (1.2–1.4 in) in

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

P. vanheygeni is oviparous[2] and glues its eggs to the inside of bamboo stems.[1]

References

Further reading

  • 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).