Presence of Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus across an urban gradient in Brisbane: influence of habitat and potential for impact on native gecko species

Abstract

The Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus is an internationally significant invasive reptile which has spread rapidly though the Pacific and elsewhere and has been implicated in the decline and extinction of a number of native gecko species. Although present in Darwin for some time, the species has only recently become widespread in the Brisbane region. We investigated the density and distribution of this and two native house-dwelling geckos in urban, suburban and bushland environments within Brisbane. The spatially clumped insect resources associated with external light sources were effectively utilised by both urban and suburban populations of Asian House Geckos, suggesting likely competitive interactions between the species on structures where the species co-existed. At this time, there is no evidence of the introduced species living away from buildings in the Brisbane region.