- published: 22 Jun 2010
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The gold dust day gecko (Phelsuma laticauda (Boettger, 1880) (syn. Pachydactylus laticauda Boettger, 1880)) is a diurnal species of gecko. It lives in northern Madagascar and on the Comoros, it has been also introduced to Hawaii and other Pacific islands. It typically inhabits various kinds of trees and houses. The gold dust day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
This lizard belongs to the smaller day geckos, and can reach a total length of about 15–22 cm (6–9 in). The body colour is a bright green or yellowish green or rarely even blue. Typical for this day gecko are the yellow speckles on the neck and the upper back. There are three rust-coloured transverse bars on the snout and head; the upper part of the skin around the eye is blue. On the lower back there are three tapering red bars. The tail is slightly flattened. The under side is off-white.
The gold dust day gecko inhabits the northern part of Madagascar. It can also be found on the island of Nosy Bé, the Comoros and Réunion island. The species has also been introduced to the Seychelles, and onto the Hawaiian Islands, where it is established on both sides of O'ahu, both sides of the Big Island, and on Maui (McKeown, 1993). It has also been spotted on Kauai.
Gold dust refers to fine particles of gold produced by machining or occurring naturally.
Gold dust may also refer to: