Phelsuma borbonica identification

daggekko · #1 07-10-2011, 04:57 PM

I went to a reptile expo this weekend and could not believe that someone had Phelsuma borbonica. I got a proven trio! Anyhow. They were listed as P borbonica borbonica and I believe that it is probably correct. Unfortunately I found a few threads where the i.d. of this subspecies is confusing, and now I feel like what a lot of people after trying to figure out the proper methods.

Since I was not expecting to get any new geckos I threw together a quick setup that will work awesome. Problem is now I am having the hardest time getting any good pictures. I am attaching 3 photos. If anyone feels like declaring which subspecies they think please please do!

The male colored way up this afternoon, but the females are still very stressed and are very dull.

jack29 · #2 07-11-2011, 02:03 PM

From the first pic i'll say Ph. b. borbonica too

Sgvreptiles · #3 07-11-2011, 03:28 PM

P.borbonica borbonica. Were these the ones from the people who had hatchlings for $75?

daggekko · #4 07-11-2011, 06:22 PM

Yes they are the adults from which the $75 hatchlings came from! Did you buy all of them up? Did you have a table at the show?

mkschaefer · #5 07-11-2011, 10:54 PM

Very nice looking male!

daggekko · #6 07-11-2011, 11:16 PM

Did anyone ever decide what the determining factors are between the subspecies? I have Leann's book and it gives some visual differences. Problem is my group seems to match each subspecies to some degree. The male is huge compared to the females, and he has a yellowish head. But all in all he does look so much like all the P b borbonica photos I've seen. And the females have yet to really color up any so they just look reddish in general. To me it seems Pbb has a rusty red coloration down the sides of the body.

colinmelsom · #7 07-12-2011, 02:25 PM

This is a subject close to my heart and one that I have pondered over many a time.I have both b.borbonica and b.mater.I cannot comment on algacae.
There does not seem to be too much difference between the subspecies from what I can see.This coupled with the fact that they are very variable and their colouration changes throughout their life makes them difficult to distinguish between each other.Another thing to bear in mind is the fact that captive bred specimens may have been interbred.
From my specimens my borbonica have whitish bellies and the mater have grey speckled bellies..My mater have clear blue rings around the eyelids whilst the borbonica are duller.Lastly the mater seem to be going yellowish or rusty coloured around the head and shoulders with age and the borbonica seem blue/green.
I wouldn`t like to say these are defining characteristics between the subspecies but they are what I have noticed.this is assuming mine are true bred.

Sgvreptiles · #8 07-12-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daggekko

Yes they are the adults from which the $75 hatchlings came from! Did you buy all of them up? Did you have a table at the show?

I was not there, I live in Ca. though a friend of mine picked up the 5 babys I guess they had. Im content with just a pair of borbonica