The Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia, Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) a new species for the herpetofauna of Montenegro

Abstract

Of the 37 reptilian species of Montenegrin herpetofauna (the number not being definite), a large number inhabit southern Montenegro which has been recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. Regarding geckoes, the Turkish gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus, Linneaus 1758) is found in both the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean regions of Montenegro, while the presence of the Moorish gecko (Tarentola maritanica, Linneaus 1758) has now been documented for the first time. During a summer herpetological field survey carried out in 2021, we visited the western tip of the peninsula on the southern side of Bar, the cape of Rt Volujica, where an active population of Tarentola mauritanica was discovered. During several visits, specimens of the Moorish gecko were recorded in the morning, when the sun warms the rocky soil, and during a peak of activity at dusk and night, which corresponds to reported daily patterns. Geckos inhabited the degraded natural vegetation of the surroundings and man-made environs of the Jugopetrol installation. Feeding activity on invertebrates and vocalization were noted. A single specimen was collected and deposited in the vivarium of the Vertebrate collection of the Natural History Museum in Podgorica. The habitat and observational data conform to previous data from the region.