Phelsuma astriata

Phelsuma astriata, the Seychelles (small) day gecko or stripeless day gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae endemic to the Seychelles.

Phelsuma astriata

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
P. astriata
Binomial name
Phelsuma astriata
Tornier, 1901

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas. It is threatened by habitat loss. It lives in tropical areas. it eats vegetables of almost any kind.

Phelsuma astriata. Photo taken in Praslin, Seychelles by Stewart Allen.

These geckos possess the significant ability to dramatically change in colour intensity based on the presence or absence of light on or around them. The gecko appears bright green in light, but if kept in a dark place, even for a short period of time, its appearance darkens to an extremely dark green that could easily be mistaken for black when viewed in light. If a light is then shone on the gecko, a visual change seems to occur separately in each scale-like protuberance and gradually the entire gecko changes to a bright green in the light over a period of less than 3 minutes. The tail however changes slightly slower. During the change the gecko appears as a mottled bright and dark green simultaneously. See included images taken in Praslin, Seychelles.

Phelsuma astriata showing extremely dark green colouration after being left in the dark for a short period of time. Praslin, Seychelles. Photo taken by Cheryl Allen.
Phelsuma astriata showing change in colouration after exposure to light. Praslin, Seychelles. Photo taken by Cheryl Allen.
Phelsuma astriata showing bright green colouration as is normally visible in daylight. Praslin, Seychelles. Photo taken by Cheryl Allen.

Subspecies

There are 3 subspecies of Phelsuma astriata.[2]

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References
  1. Gerlach, J. & Ineich, I. 2006. Phelsuma astriata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 28 July 2007.
  2. Species Phelsuma astriata at The Reptile Database
  3. (in French)[Mozzi, Déso & Probst, 2005. Un nouveau gecko vert introduit à la Réunion: Le Phelsuma astriata semicarinata (Cheke, 1982). - Bulletin Phaethon 21: 1-4 http://reptilvar.free.fr/Gecko_introduit_Reunion.pdf]

4. Observations made by Cheryl Allen on Praslin Island, Seychelles.


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