Presence of Hemidactylus frenatus and Hemidactylus mabouia (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Leticia, Colombian Amazon

Abstract

The Common House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus is recorded for the first time in the city of Leticia, in Colombian Amazonia. The species probably reached this region through air and/or fluvial ways. Hemidactylus frenatus and Hemidactylus mabouia are recorded coexisting in downtown Leticia, where it seems to be displacing H. mabouia. H. frenatus will probably continue its dispersal to other populated centers in the Amazon, and will eventually reach Brazil. It could disperse into natural habitats, as it has happened elsewhere, causing an adverse impact on populations of native geckos and small lizards. Monitoring should be carried out in Leticia in order to understand and track the dispersal patterns of this species in the Amazon basin.

Keywords

• Colombia
• Desplazamiento ecológico
• Especies introducidas
• Lagartos
• Leticia