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Phelsuma pusilla hallmanni

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Phelsuma pusilla hallmanni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
Subspecies:
P. p. hallmanni
Trinomial name
Phelsuma pusilla hallmanni
Meier, 1989

Phelsuma pusilla hallmanni is a diurnal subspecies of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The subspecies is endemic to eastern Madagascar and typically inhabits different trees. This day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Etymology

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The subspecific name, hallmanni, is in honor of German herpetologist Gerhard Hallmann.[1]

Description

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Ph. p. hallmanni belongs to the smallest day geckos. It can reach a total length (including tail) of about 10 cm (3.9 in).[2]

The body colour is dark green. On the back there are red dots present. On the snout, a blue triangle is present, which is bordered from behind by a red bar. On the neck and back of the head bluish speckles are present. The tail is turquoise. The flanks are brown or black. The ventral side is white.[citation needed]

Geographic range

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The subspecies Ph. p. hallmanni inhabits the east coast of Madagascar. It is only known from the region around Andasibe.[2]

Habitat

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Ph. p. hallmanni lives in a moist and warm climate. It inhabits different trees and can often be found on trees on the edge of forest along the road.[citation needed]

Diet

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Ph. p. hallmanni feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also likes to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.[citation needed]

Behaviour

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Ph. p. hallmanni is quite quarrelsome and does not accept other males. In captivity, where the female cannot escape, the male can also sometimes seriously wound a female. In this case the male and female must be separated.[citation needed]

Reproduction

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Ph. p. hallmanni is oviparous.[2] The pairing season is between October and the first weeks of May.[citation needed]

Care and maintenance in captivity

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Ph. p. hallmanni should be housed in pairs and needs a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be about 28 °C (82 °F), locally around 30 °C (86 °F), during the day, and drop to around 20 °C (68 °F) at night. The humidity should be maintained between 75 and 80% during the day. It is also important to include two colder months with a daytime temperature of 24 °C (75 °F) and 16 °C (61 °F) at night. In captivity, it can be fed crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Phelsuma pusilla hallmanni, p. 114).
  2. ^ a b c Species Phelsuma pusilla at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading

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  • Henkel F-W, Schmidt W (1995). Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Stuttgart: Ulmer. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9.
  • McKeown, Sean (1993). The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Lakeside, California: Advanced Vivarium Systems.
  • Meier H (1989). "Eine neue Form aus der lineata-gruppe der Gattung Phelsuma auf Madagaskar ". Salamandra 25 (3/4): 230-236. (Phelsuma pusilla hallmani, new subspecies). (in German).