''Phelsuma lineata'', the lined day gecko, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

of diurnal

gecko Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from . Geckos ar ...

native to

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...

. It has also been introduced to

Réunion Réunion (; french: La Réunion, ; previously ''Île Bourbon''; rcf, label= Reunionese Creole, La Rényon) is an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas department and region of France. It is located approximately east of the island ...

. This species as described appears to be a conglomeration of many distinct forms; three of these are currently recognized subspecies (ssp. ''lineata'', ssp. ''bombetokensis'', and ssp. ''punctulata''), but others could be separate taxa that should be elevated to species status as was ''

Phelsuma dorsivittata ''Phelsuma dorsivittata'' is a species of gecko Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates ...

''. ''Phelsuma lineata'' is not threatened, but some unknown subspecies might be.

Description

The lined day gecko commonly measures between 4-6″ (10-15 cm) in length. Males are more colorful than females, having a medium-green base color, red splotches on the lower back and head, and a brown to black lateral band on each side. The tail may be blue. The underside is pale.

Distribution and Habitat

The lined day gecko prefers to reside in humid subtropical climatic zones along northern and eastern parts of Madagascar. The lined day gecko and its subspecies can be found in both mid- and low- elevated sites along the east coast of the island.

References

Phelsuma Endemic fauna of Madagascar Reptiles of Madagascar Taxa named by John Edward Gray Reptiles described in 1842 {{Gecko-stub