On the occurrence of Lichtenstein’s Short-fingered Gecko, Stenodactylus sthenodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Stenodactylus sthenodactylus (Lichtenstein, 1823) is a widely distributed naked-toed gecko found from Western Sahara throughout North Africa to Jordan. While its occurrence in Saudi Arabia was tentatively assumed but not yet confirmed, we report its presence by documenting several individuals from the north-westernmost margin of Tabuk Province in 2021 and 2023. These new records are discussed in light of relevant literature and previous records originating from Tiran and Sanafir islands in the late 20th century, before they were transferred to Saudi Arabia in 2016. These records predate the mainland records reported here.