Cabo Verde giant gecko: how many units for conservation?

What is it about?

The Tarentola gigas is the largest gecko species living in the Cabo Verde Archipelago. It has two subspecies that were described based on morphology only, one on Branco Islet, Tarentola gigas brancoensis, and another on Raso Islet, Tarentola gigas gigas. These islets were classified as Integral Natural Reserves and further studies on this species are needed to check is conservation actions are needed to protect it on both islets or not. Thus, this study aims to use, for the first time, both genetic and morphological data to test if there are significant differences between the subspecies or not. The results indicated that they are two closely related subspecies, with some visible differences in size and shape, possibly related to diet, habitat conditions or chance. Given the conservation status of the species, this should be further investigated, aiming at an adequate protection of the two unique islet populations.

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Photo by ahmet arslan on Unsplash

Photo by ahmet arslan on Unsplash