Mitochondrial data unravels the human-mediated introduction of Mediodactylus kotschyi (Squamata: Gekkonidae) to the Central Balkan Peninsula

What is it about?

Nowadays, global change and globalization accelerate and facilitate the intentional and accidental introductions of alien species across the world. When invasive, these species can spread and have negative ecological impacts on native species, and generate economic problems, such as public health issues. Alien reptiles are not well-documented, and the more we know about the patterns and pathways of introduction of these species, the more we will be able to manage and prevent invasions._x000D_ _x000D_ Our study focuses on a reptile species, the Kotschy’s gecko. This gecko is native to the Eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin. Since the 1990's, multiple first records of this species showed that it is successfully colonizing parts of the Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Hungary, Serbia). Our study aimed at unveiling the origins of these recently introduced populations in Serbia. Thanks to genetic data, we found that these populations originated from North Macedonia and northern Greece. Surprisingly, some of these populations originated from two different introduction events, proving that it is recent. Also, this species was already thought to disperse outside its native region through railways, as a consequence of the transport of goods like wood or building materials, and our findings corroborate that hypothesis._x000D_ _x000D_ Now that the alien status of Kotschy’s gecko in Serbia is confirmed, this species deserves further investigation and monitoring regarding its possible harmful effects on native species.

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