Hemidactylus turcicus
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 Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus
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| Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
Mediterranean House Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus is a species of gecko. They are nocturnal and insectivorous, and rarely exceed six inches in length. They have large, lidless eyes and yellow, or tan colored skin with black spotting on the body, and often striping on the tail. Their bellies or undersides are somewhat translucent. Though technically an invasive species, its small size and habits do not typically make it a threat to populations of native animals. It is the only gecko in the United States with elliptical eye pupils. They are attracted to outside lights in search of insects. It is a voracious feeder of moths and small roaches. They have a distinct voice, somewhat like a bird chirping or a squeak,high pitched and thought to be a territorial message. These Geckos are currently multiplying strongly in Texas and other Southern USA states- except Florida where other non native Geckos have driven them out. There are few species in the Southern USA that feed on them since they are strictly nocturnal and hide in rafters and eaves during the day. Birds would eat them but since these Geckos only appear at night, birds are not a big threat. This species will spread and it appears very hardy to pesticides, unlike many reptiles and amphibians.
[edit] Geographic distribution
The "med gecko" is one of the most successful species of geckos in the world. Originally native to southern Europe, it has spread over much of the world and established stable populations far from its origins. Due to this it holds no threatened or endangered status. It can be found in: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy (including Lampedusa island, Elba), Albania, Greece, (incl. Kalymnos, Paros, Antiparos, Despotiko, Lesbos, Chios, Limnos, Samos, Samothraki[, Milos, Tinos), Malta, Yugoslavia: coastal Croatia (except western Istria), Adriatic islands, Turkey, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, northern Yemen (Socotra Archipelago), Somalia, Eritrea, Kenya, southern Iran, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, India, Balearic Islands (Island Addaya Grande), Canary Islands (introduced to Gran Canaria and Tenerife), Panama, Puerto Rico, Belize, Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Yucatan; introduced), Cuba (introduced). It has also been introduced to the southern USA (Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Arizona, Florida), Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Kansas)
[edit] External links
- EMBL reptile database
- Juvenile H. turcicus image
- Juvenile H. turcicus image
- H. turcicus image
- Juvenile H. turcicus image
- Institut für Biowissenschaften: H. turcicus image
[edit] References
- Franklin, Carl J. 1997 Geographic Distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus Herpetological Review 28 (2): 96
- Burke, Russell L. 1996 Geographic Distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus Herpetological Review 27 (1): 32
- Davis, W.K. 1974 The Mediterranean gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus in Texas J. of Herpet. 8(1): 77-80.
- Dowling, Richard G. 1996 The Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, in Prattville, Alabama Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 21 (11): 203
- Dundee, H. A. 1984 Hemidactylus turcicus (Mediterranean gecko) Herp Review 15 (1): 20
- Frick, Michael G. 1997 Geographic Distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus Herpetological Review 28 (1): 50
- Husak, Jerry F. 1996 Geographic Distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus Herpetological Review 27 (4): 211
- Jensen, Steve L.;George, Steven G. 1993 Hemidactylus turcicus (Mediterranean gecko). USA: Louisiana Herpetological Review 24 (4): 154
- Knight, C. Michael 1993 A northern range extension of Hemidactylus turcicus in the United States Dactylus 2 (2): 49-50
- Means, Ryan C. 1999 Geographic distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus Herpetological Review 30 (1): 52
- Proudfoot, Glenn;McCoid, Michael James 1996 Geographic Distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus Herpetological Review 27 (2): 87
- Ray, John;Cochran, Betsy 1997 Geographic Distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus Herpetological Review 28 (3): 157
- Williams, Avery A. 1997 Geographic Distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus Herpetological Review 28 (2): 96
