Taxonomic checklist of the day geckos of the genera Phelsuma GRAY, 1825 and Rhoptropella HEWITT, 1937 (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

Abstract

The day geckos of the genus Phelsuma have their center of diversity in Madagascar and the adjacent archipelagos in the western Indian Ocean, especially the Mascarenes, Comoros and Seychelles. Their brilliant colours, diurnal activity, and interesting behaviours have resulted in a long lasting high demand for the pet trade. Accordingly, the international trade of all Phelsuma species is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Floras (CITES) where all species are included in CITES appendix II. In order to facilitate operating and control of these regulations by national and international nature conservation authorities we provide an updated taxonomic checklist for all species and subspecies of the genus Phelsuma and for Rhoptropella ocellata (a taxon resurrected from the synonymy of Phelsuma). Since a few species (especially P. dubia, P. grandis and P. laticauda) have become invasive across different countries and political territories, updated distributional data is also provided. Although a substantial number of the currently accepted taxa is well defined, the taxonomy of several species and subspecies is in need of revision and taxonomic changes are expected in future. We designate Phelsuma ornatum Gray, 1825 as type species of the genus Colobopus Fitzinger, 1843 in order to allow an unambiguous interpretation of this genus name.