Phelsuma quadriocellata
{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Peacock day gecko (Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata) Ranomafana.jpg
|image_caption = P. q. quadriocellata
Ranomafana National Park
|range_map = Phelsuma quadriocellata distribution.png
|status= LC
|status_system=IUCN3.1
|genus=Phelsuma
|species=quadriocellata
|authority= Peters, 1883
}}
Phelsuma quadriocellata is a species of gecko known by the common name "Peacock Day Gecko". It is endemic to the coastal regions of eastern Madagascar, where it is an abundant and widespread reptile.{{Cite book|last=McKeown|first=Sean|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/693781035|title=Day geckos|date=1993|publisher=Advanced Vivarium Systems|isbn=1-882770-22-6|location=Lakeside, Calif.|oclc=693781035}}{{Cite web|title=Peacock Day Gecko (Phelsuma quadriocellata)|url=https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/34023-Phelsuma-quadriocellata|access-date=2022-01-18|website=iNaturalist|language=en}} This gecko lives in many types of low and mid elevation habitats in Madagascar, including forests. The Peacock Day Gecko has also been known to live in areas with human activity and habitation, including regions being used for land cultivation. It is sometimes associated with Pandanus species.
Description
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}
P. quadriocellata measures 4.7-4.8″ (12 cm) long,{{Cite web |date=April 2010 |title=Phylogenetic Systematics Of Day Geckos, Genus Phelsuma, Based On Molecular And Morphological Data (Squamata: Gekkonidae) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228487357 |access-date=Mar 7, 2024 |website=Research Gate}} including the tail. Like other arboreal geckos, the Peacocks Day Gecko have lidless eyes and sticky toe pads{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}. This gecko is bright green, with small red markings and a pale underside. The tail may also be blue in certain individuals{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}. An identifying characteristic of this species is large dark spots on either side of the abdomen. Some localities of this species also have two such spots{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}, while some others can also have four{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}.
Species Status and Current Subspecies
Phelsuma quadriocellata is currently understood to be a species complex. At present, it is divided into three subspecies:
- P. q. quadriocellata
- P. q. lepida
- P. q. bimaculata
A fourth subspecies was recently elevated to species status and is now named Phelsuma parva.{{NRDB species|genus=Phelsuma|species=parva|access-date=3 January 2024}}
==Captivity==
This gecko species is occasionally kept as a pet. However, collection, as it stands at present, does not constitute a threat to this species.
References
{{Commons category|Phelsuma quadriocellata}}
{{Reflist|refs=
{{NRDB species |genus=Phelsuma |species=quadriocellata |access-date=3 January 2024}}
}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1970700}}
Category:Reptiles of Madagascar
Category:Endemic fauna of Madagascar