Interactions between the endemic gecko Phelsuma inexpectata and the introduced Phelsuma laticauda: understanding the drivers of invasion on Reunion Island

Abstract

T introduction of non-native species of reptiles raise many concerns regarding the potential impact they may exert on indigenous species. The day geckos (Phelsuma spp) are territorial lizards. Several species have been repeatedly introduced to many areas outside their natural range (Fieldsend et al., 2021). One species, the gold dust day gecko Phelsuma laticauda is frequently reported as an invasive species (Dubos et al., 2014) and considered an aggressive competitor (Lund, 2015). It was first reported on Reunion Island in 1975 (Moutou, 1995) and is today present in habitats alongside the endemic Phelsuma inexpectata, a species listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (Sanchez, 2021). Here we report observations on interspecific interactions between the two species, including filmed material (BHS video, 2023), from a botanical garden where the native species P. inexpectata was first observed in 2012 and the non-native P. laticauda was first observed in 2015 (Personal obs., J.M. Luspot).