Tarentola Mauritanica Research Articles

New host and locality records of helminths' infection of seven lizards from Morocco.

Morocco has a great diversity of reptiles; more than 26% of the herpetofauna species are considered to be endemic. Nevertheless, there is little information available on helminth parasites of Moroccan lizards. The purpose of this article is to establish a helminth list using non-invasive methods for natural populations of seven lizard species: Acanthodactylus maculatus, Chalcides mionecton, Chalcides montanus, Chalcides polylepis, Quedenfeldtia moerens, Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus, and Tarentola mauritanica. For each species, prevalence and intensity of infection were given as well as their relationship to some determinant parameters (sex, age class, size, altitude, and seasons). Four species of nematodes, Parapharyngodon micipsae, Pharyngodon mamillatus, Spauligodon auziensis, Thelandros alatus, and unassigned Spauligodon were found. Mean helminth intensity for the seven lizard species was 7.3 ± 16.2 SD (range = 1-92 in infected lizards), with total infection prevalence of 5.6%. Mixed infections were observed in Chalcides montanus and Chalcides polylepis co-infected by Pharyngodon mamillatus and Spauligodon sp. Furthermore, the intensity of infection by nematodes were significantly different among the seven studied species. The nematode infection in Chalcides mionecton were related to sex, host size, and altitude; in Chalcides polylepis to the host age; in Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus to elevation, age, and host size; and in Tarentola Mauritanica to age, body size, seasons, and altitude. In conclusion, our study provides data about nine new host and locality records and the effect of some determinant factors on host parasitism.

Sex determination and optimal development in the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica

AbstractUnder temperature sex determination (TSD), sex is determined by temperature during embryonic development. Depending on ecological and physiological traits and plasticity, TSD species may face demographic collapse due to climate change. In this context, asymmetry in bilateral organisms can be used as a proxy for developmental instability and, therefore, deviations from optimal incubation conditions. Using Tarentola mauritanica gecko as a model, this study aimed first to confirm TSD, its pattern and pivotal temperature, and second to assess the local adaptation of TSD and variation of asymmetry patterns across four populations under different thermal regimes. Eggs were incubated at different temperatures, and hatchlings were sexed and measured. The number of lamellae was counted in adults and hatchlings. Results were compatible with a TSD pattern with males generated at low and females at high incubation temperatures. Estimated pivotal temperature coincided with the temperature producing lower embryonic mortality, evidencing selection towards balanced sex ratios. The temperature of oviposition was conservatively selected by gravid females. Asymmetry patterns found were likely related to nest temperature fluctuations. Overall, the rigidity of TSD may compromise reproductive success, and demographic stability in this species in case thermal nest choice becomes constrained by climate change.

Role of lizards as reservoirs of pathogenic yeasts of zoonotic concern

Reptiles have become popular exotic pets and in some parts of the world, they are used as important source of food, medicines, and materials. Synanthropic lizards are recognized as reservoirs of viruses, bacteria, and parasites but their role in dissemination of zoonotic pathogenic yeasts in the environment was never investigated. Therefore, fecal samples (n=177) from Podarcis siculus (Italian wall lizard), Chalcides ocellatus (Ocellated skink) and Tarentola mauritanica (Moorish gecko) were collected and yeasts were isolated and identified biochemically and molecularly by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS). The phylogenetical relationship of isolated yeast species and their antifungal susceptibility profiles to ten antifungal agents were also assessed. Sixty samples (n=60/177; 33.9%) scored positive for yeasts, with the highest occurrence in C. ocellatus (n=11/17; 64.7%) and the highest variety of species in P. siculus (n=11/12; 91.6%). A total of 364 isolates belonging to Candida, Trichosporon, Saccharomyces and Geotrichum genera were molecularly identified. In particular, Candida albicans (n=160; 44%) followed by Trichosporon coremiiforme (n=44; 12.1%), Pichia kudriavzevii (n=32; 8.8%) and Trichosporon asahii (n=28; 7.7%) were the most frequently isolated species. The phylogenetic tree grouped all representative sequence types within the clade including Candida spp. strains from different geographical areas and from animal species, including human. All tested strains showed high susceptibility to the assayed antifungal drugs.This study suggests the role of lizards as reservoirs and spreaders of zoonotic pathogenic yeasts in the environment. The absence of resistance phenomena in the isolated yeasts might reflect an environment free of azole antifungal pollution or chemicals, suggesting the usefulness of these animals as bio indicators of environment quality.

Raillietiella hemidactyli (Pentastomida: Raillietiellidae) in Tarentola mauritanica geckoes: A new zoonotic parasite for Europe

Pentastomida is a subclass of parasitic arthropods, related to crustaceans, which develop in the respiratory tract of vertebrates (i.e., fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). Within this group of parasites, Raillietiella spp. adults develop in the lungs of lizards, snakes and toads, whereas larval stages in insects (e.g., cockroaches), which are intermediate hosts. Lizards were captured under the frame of a study on reptile zoonotic parasites. Feces of the collected animals were examined and pentastomids were diagnosed in Tarentola mauritanica geckoes (1.2%; 3/259) from Linosa island. Adult forms of Railietiella hemidactyli pentastomids were morphologically characterized and molecularly identified through 18S rDNA amplification and sequencing. Positive animals had adult forms of R. hemidactyli pentastomids in the lungs as well as embryonated eggs in feces. Raillietiella was herein identified for the first time in synanthropic geckoes in a confined population of one of the southernmost islands of Italy, representing the first report of this zoonotic pentastomid in synanthropic and invasive reptiles in Europe. Further studies should focus on the prevalence of pentastomids on synanthropic reptiles in other Italian regions to assess the zoonotic risk of infection and to warn veterinarians and physicians about the risk they may represent for several species of hosts, including dogs, cats and humans.

Oxidative Stress and Behavioral Responses of Moorish Geckos (Tarentola Mauritanica) Submitted to the Presence of an Introduced Potential Predator (Hemorrhois Hippocrepis)

Oxidative Stress and Behavioral Responses of Moorish Geckos (Tarentola Mauritanica) Submitted to the Presence of an Introduced Potential Predator (Hemorrhois Hippocrepis)

Detection of Leishmania tarentolae in lizards, sand flies and dogs in southern Italy, where Leishmania infantum is endemic: hindrances and opportunities

BackgroundLeishmania tarentolae is a protozoan isolated from geckoes (Tarentola annularis, Tarentola mauritanica), which is considered non-pathogenic and is transmitted by herpetophilic Sergentomyia spp. sand flies. This species occurs in sympatry with Leishmania infantum in areas where canine leishmaniasis is endemic. In the present study, we investigated the circulation of L. tarentolae and L. infantum in sand flies, dogs and lizards in a dog shelter in southern Italy, where canine leishmaniasis by L. infantum is endemic.MethodsSheltered dogs (n = 100) negative for Leishmania spp. (March 2020) were screened by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) using promastigotes of both species at two time points (June 2020 and March 2021). Whole blood from dogs, tissues of Podarcis siculus lizards (n = 28) and sand flies (n = 2306) were also sampled and tested by a duplex real-time PCR (dqPCR). Host blood meal was assessed in sand flies by PCR.ResultsOverall, 16 dogs became positive for L. infantum and/or L. tarentolae by IFAT at one or both sampling periods. One canine blood sample was positive for L. infantum, whilst two for L. tarentolae by dqPCR. At the cytology of lizard blood, Leishmania spp. amastigote-like forms were detected in erythrocytes. Twenty-two tissue samples, mostly lung (21.4%), scored molecularly positive for L. tarentolae, corresponding to 10 lizards (i.e., 35.7%). Of the female Sergentomyia minuta sampled (n = 1252), 158 scored positive for L. tarentolae, four for L. infantum, and one co-infected. Two Phlebotomus perniciosus (out of 29 females) were positive for L. tarentolae. Engorged S. minuta (n = 10) fed on humans, and one P. perniciosus, positive for L. tarentolae, on lagomorphs.ConclusionsDogs and lacertid lizards (Podarcis siculus) were herein found for the first time infected by L. tarentolae. The detection of both L. tarentolae and L. infantum in S. minuta and P. perniciosus suggests their sympatric circulation, with a potential overlap in vertebrate hosts. The interactions between L. tarentolae and L. infantum should be further investigated in both vectors and vertebrate hosts to understand the potential implications for the diagnosis and control of canine leishmaniasis in endemic areas.Graphical abstract

The Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae), in Albania

We summarised the records of Tarentola mauritanica in Albania. The first record for the country was published in 1989 from Sazan Island; however, it was never confirmed again. Another population was found recently in an urban habitat of Vlorë City near the main city port, probably of human-mediated origin.

Evidence from Tarentola mauritanica (Gekkota: Phyllodactylidae) helps validate thermography as a tool to infer internal body temperatures of lizards.

Infrared (IR) thermal imaging has become an increasingly popular tool to measure body temperature of animals. The high-resolution data it provides with short lag and minimum disturbance makes it an appealing tool when studying reptile thermal ecology. However, due to the common phenomenon of regional heterothermy and surface-to-core temperature gradients, it is essential to select the appropriate body part to measure and provide calibrations to accurately infer internal body temperatures. This work follows from a previous study on lacertid lizards to assess the reliability of thermography-measured body temperatures, from several body locations, as a proxy for internal body temperature in lizards. This study focuses on the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, due to its distant phylogenetic relationship and its different ecology and morphology from the previously tested species. A total of 60 adult geckos of both sexes and of a range of sizes were tested in thermal gradients and subjected to a sequence of randomly assorted treatments of heating and cooling. The temperatures of the animals were periodically measured with a thermal camera at six different body parts and, immediately after, the cloacal temperature was then measured with a thermocouple probe. Body parts' temperatures, obtained thermographically, were regressed against cloacal temperature using OLS regression and the pairwise correlations were tested using Spearman coefficients. Relationships among all body parts and between all body parts and the cloaca were strong in all cases (R2>0.87, Spearman Correlation>0.95). The observed pattern was very similar to those previously obtained from lacertid lizards. Ultimately, the eye proved to provide the best overall proxy for internal temperature, when accounting for both the slope and intercept of the regression. Hence, this study provides further support for the establishment of the eye as the standard location to infer internal body temperatures of lizards through thermography.

<i>Tarentola mauritanica</i> (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) Conquering the Greek Mainland: Three New Populations from Aetoloakarnania, Western Greece

Tarentola mauritanica, also known as Moorish Gecko, is a trans-Mediterranean gecko with a large distribution, ranging from Israel and North Africa, to southern Europe, as well as on many large Mediterranean islands. In Greece, the Moorish Gecko is distributed across several islands, and the only mainland occurrences reported are from the Peloponnese (in the west and north) and very recently, from Athens. Here we present three new records of the Moorish Gecko from localities in the Aetoloakarnania prefecture (Western Greece), and briefly discuss potential scenarios of introduction and expansion of this species on the Greek mainland.

Ontogeny of the Moorish gecko Tarentola mauritanica with emphasis on morphogenesis of the skin and its derivatives.

Studying reptilian embryonic development provides answers to many questions related to the development of tetrapods. Reptilian skin has been recently considered in studies at the evo-devo level. The lizard epidermis has to be shed periodically. At the embryonic level, contention exists regarding the first layers to appear, whether the oberhautchen or the clear layer, and whether the shedding complex develops before hatching. Geckos exhibit diverse morphologies independently evolved multiple times within the clade, such as subdigital pad lamellae. Here we investigate the embryonic development of Tarentola mauritanica and establishing its embryonic table. Primarily we follow the development of the integument. This is a closely related species to Tarentola annularis and it is crucial to investigate whether it has the same derived digital condition of claw regression. Eleven embryonic stages are described according to the external morphological characteristics of the embryos. Interestingly, the oviposition stage appears earlier than its close relative T. annularis, and the total incubation time is less. We also describe skin development, adding clear evidence to the debate on the development of the shedding complex, which we found is developed before hatching. We describe one layer of periderm and the clear layer as the first embryonic epidermal layers. Generally, our results show the genus Tarentola to have the advantage of being a unique taxon, easily breed at the laboratory, with multiple clutches per year, and with an earlier stage at oviposition. That could be a model animal for embryonic development and experimental embryology studies.

Nuevas citas de Squamata (Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae y Dipsadidae) para la provincia de Tucumán, Argentina

Two non native, and invasive, lizards and two snakes are cited from Tucuman province. One of the lizards ( Tarentola mauritanica , Phyllodactylidae) was previously known in the province, while the other ( Hemidactylus mabouia , Gekkonidae) is mentioned for the first time, based on the collecting data, probably both are resident and breed in the province. We also cite a snake ( Tomodon orestes , Dipsadidae) for the first time and confirm the presence of another ( Phalotris punctatus , Dipsadidae) previously considered doubtful.

Lizards and the city: A community study of Lacertidae and Gekkonidae from an archaeological park in Rome

The study of animal communities is mainly concerned with how the groupings of species are distributed in nature and the ways in which the members of these communities assemble and interact with each other. Pianka suggested that animals partition environmental resources in three basic ways: temporally, spatially, and trophically. Such differences in activities separate the niches, reduce competition, and presumably allow the coexistence of a variety of species in the communities. The present work compares the spatial, trophic and temporal niches of four reptile species, two geckos (Tarentola mauritanica and Hemidactylus turcicus) and two lizards (Podarcis muralis and Podarcis siculus) living in a same roman-age archeological park situated area inside Rome metropolitan area (central Italy), and sharing the same two-dimensional habitat (the roman aqueduct walls). The results showed an overall overlap among species higher than expected by chance for all considered ecological dimensions except for the spatial resource related to the vertical position on the wall. Surprisingly, despite living in a two-dimension habitat would expect an increase of interspecific interaction rate, no partition was observed between species with the most convergent ecological requirements. Although our hypotheses about lizard communities structuring and interactions in the urban habitat require further investigation, we think that our lizard community is based more on the ecological needs of each species rather than on species’ interactions. The observed spatial segregation between diurnal geckos and lizards would not support alone the interaction hypothesis. We speculated that the coexistence of ecologically overlapping species at the study area is allowed by a non-limiting availability of resources (above all food) that would result in the reduction of heterospecific competitive interactions and an overall wide overlap of resource use.

Gastrointestinal helminths of lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) from Egypt

Background: Despite the fact that Egypt contains a large number of lizard species, yet there is little knowledge recorded regarding the helminth fauna infecting this group of hosts. A parasitological study on gastrointestinal helminths of lizards was carried out during Summer (August) and Autumn (September and October), 2014 and 2015, respectively. Objective: This study aims to update information on helminth parasites that infect lizards in Egypt. Material and Methods: Seven species of lizards, Pseudotrapelus sinaitus Heyden, 1827; Trapelus mutabilis Merrem, 1820 (Agamidae); Tarentola mauritanica mauritanica Linnaeus, 1758 (Phyllodactylidae); Tropiocolotes tripolitanus Peters, 1880 (Gekkonidae); Acanthodactylus boskianus Daudin, 1802 (Lacertidae); Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 (Chamaeleonidae); and Varanus niloticus Linnaeus, 1766 (Varanidae), were collected from several parts of Egypt. These hosts were dissected and examined for gastrointestinal helminth. The collected helminths were fixed in 70% ethanol, stained with carmine and examined by using an Olympus CX31 microscope and a Zeiss Stemi 2000-C microscope. Results: The total prevalence of infection with helminths was 35.9%. The study recorded 16 species of helminths recognised as: six species of digenea [Prosthodendrium obtusum (Looss, 1896) Bhalerao, 1936, Pleurogenoides tener (Olsson, 1876) Travassos, 1921, Anchitrema sanguineum (Sonsino, 1894) Looss, 1899, Cyclorchis varani Price, 1936, Mesostephanus milvi Yamaguti, 1939 and Haplorchis pumilio (Looss, 1896) Looss, 1899], four species of cestodes [three adults, Oochostrica mutabili Morsyet al., 2013, Duthiersia fimbriata Diesing, 1854 and one unidentified cestode and one tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides spp.] and six species of nematodes [Parapharyngodon micipsae Seurat, 1917, Pharyngodon inermicauda Baylis, 1923, Abbreviata leptosome Gervais, 1848, Thubunaea pudica Seurat, 1914, Tanqua tiara (von Linstow, 1879) Blanchard, 1904 and Spinicauda sonsinoi (Linstow, 1894) Travassos, 1920]. Conclusion: This study documents 10 new host and 10 new locality records in Egypt and distinguishes between studied material and reported descriptions. These findings add significantly to the present information on helminths infecting lizards in Egypt.

Distribution of herpetofauna in caves of Portuguese karst massifs

Amphibians are frequently found exploring subterranean environments. Even though in Europe there are already some reports of amphibians present in subterranean habitats, in Portugal there is a major lack of knowledge of these ecosystems, namely in the karst region. Considering the relevance of amphibians and their current conservational status, it is important to assess their presence in every potential habitat. In order to provide further knowledge over this subject a preliminary survey was carried out in two Portuguese karst massifs, Estremenho and Sicó. A total of 24 caves were surveyed and as result three species (Tarentola mauritanica; Salamandra salamandra and Pleorodeles waltl) were found in Estremenho karst massif, and two species (Triturus marmoratus and Bufo bufo) were observed in Sicó karst massif. Furthermore, evidences were found that P. waltl uses caves for reproduction, which had only been reported once in Spain. This allowed perceiving that herpetofauna species occupy caves of Portuguese karst massifs and are also using them as reproduction sites.

Variation in morphology and functional performance across distinct evolutionary lineages of the Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) from the Iberian Peninsula

Variation in morphology and functional performance across distinct evolutionary lineages of the Moorish gecko (<i>Tarentola mauritanica</i>) from the Iberian Peninsula

Morphological and functional implications of sexual size dimorphism in the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica

Morphological and functional implications of sexual size dimorphism in the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica

Left in the dust: differential effectiveness of the two alternative adhesive pad configurations in geckos (Reptilia: Gekkota)

AbstractTwo distinctive patterns of adhesive toepad are found in the Gekkota – terminal leaf‐like pads situated at the distal ends of the digits, and basal pads that encroach more proximally along the digits, are proportionally larger and are associated with more than just the ungual and distal portion of the penultimate phalanges. Although these two configurations have long been recognized, there has been no explanation of whether or not they are functionally different. A small offshore island provided a potential arena for testing the possibility of differential functionality of these two patterns. Euleptes europaea, a leaf‐padded taxon, is widespread on Giraglia Island (Corsica), whereas Tarentola mauritanica, a basally padded recent colonizer, has remained restricted to its one concrete building. Challenges to adhesion occur on dusty surfaces, and the self‐cleaning mechanism of gecko setal fields can be rendered ineffective if the dust is ubiquitous. Giraglia is composed of prasinite, an inherently friable and dusty schist. The leaf‐like terminal pads of E. europaea can be withdrawn from close contact with dusty surfaces, leaving the claws alone to provide traction. The digits of T. mauritanica more fully integrate the claws and adhesive pad, with full‐digit hyperextension rendering the claws alone incapable of gripping the surface. Colonization of Giraglia by T. mauritanica has failed because its adhesive system is incompatible with the island's rocky terrain. This has permitted the relictual E. europaea to persist in the face of potentially intense competition. Our findings shed light on the previously noted association of leaf‐like pads with rupicolous habits, and indicate that an enhanced understanding of particular surfaces that leaf‐padded geckos exploit may further clarify how definitive these associations are.

Feeding ecology of the scops owl, Otus scops (Aves: Strigiformes), in the island of Pianosa (Tuscan Archipelago, Central Italy) outside the breeding period

ABSTRACTAll of the published studies but one about the diet of the Eurasian scops owl Otus scops, a nocturnal raptor of conservation concern, were carried out during the breeding period, just before or immediately after the chicks fledged. The species is a trans-Saharian migrant with few resident populations in Europe. Orthoptera make up the staple of its diet in summer. In this study, we investigated the diet of scops owls on the island of Pianosa after the breeding period through the analysis of pellets. A total of 327 fragments belonging to at least 14 taxa were identified from 56 pellets collected after the breeding period, between late August and March. By frequency, invertebrates constituted 80.00% of the diet, with Coleoptera being the most represented order (62.35% of the total diet) and Orthoptera poorly represented (8.24%). Vertebrates included two bird species, three small mammals and the Moorish gecko. Although the meal-to-pellet interval for scops owls is unknown, we suggest that the bank vole, which is not recorded on any Italian island, and possibly the wild mice, may have been preyed upon in nearby areas, before a migratory movement towards a warm area (e.g. Pianosa) occurred.

Contrasts in short- and long-term responses of Mediterranean reptile species to fire and habitat structure.

Changes in habitat structure constitute a major factor explaining responses of reptiles to fire. However, few studies have examined habitat factors that covary with fire-history variables to explain reptile responses. We hypothesise that more complex habitats should support richer reptile communities, and that species-specific relative abundance should be related to particular habitat features. From spring 2012-2014, twenty-five transects were surveyed in the Albera Region (north-east Iberia). The vegetation structure was measured and the extent of habitat types in a 1000-m buffer around each transect calculated. Reptile-community metrics (species richness and reptile abundance) were related to fire history, vegetation structure, and habitat types, using generalized additive models. These metrics correlated with habitat-structure variables but not with fire history. The number of species increased with more complex habitats but decreased with pine-plantation abundance in the 1000-m buffer. We found contrasting responses among reptiles in terms of time since fire and those responses differed according to vegetation variables and habitat types. An unplanned fire in August 2012 provided the opportunity to compare reptile abundance values between pre-fire and the short term (1-2 years) after the fire. Most species exhibited a negative short-term response to the 2012 fire except Tarentola mauritanica, a gecko that inhabits large rocks, as opposed to other ground-dwelling species. In the reptiles studied, contrasting responses to time since fire are consistent with the habitat-accommodation model of succession. These differences are linked to specific microhabitat preferences and suggest that functional traits can be used to predict species-specific responses to fire.

The taxonomy of the Tarentola mauritanica species complex (Gekkota: Phyllodactylidae): Bayesian species delimitation supports six candidate species.

The lack of morphological diagnosable characters typical of cryptic species, poses a particular problem to taxonomists. This is especially true when taxa are closely related, sharing considerable amounts of ancestral polymorphism. Phylogenetic studies on the Moorish gecko species-complex, Tarentola mauritanica, uncovered extremely high levels of mtDNA diversity with six identified clades, including one from the Canary Islands identified as T. angustimentalis. Because of the conserved morphology of this species and its paraphyletic status with respect to T. angustimentalis, it was suggested that T. mauritanica is a cryptic species complex. Nevertheless, none of the nuclear loci used were reciprocally monophyletic regarding the mitochondrial lineages due to retention of ancestral polymorphism. In this study, we added three new intron markers to the already available dataset and used additional tools, namely phylogenetic gene trees, species tree and species limits within a Bayesian coalescent framework to confirm the support of the main lineages. Bayesian clustering analysis supports all six mtDNA lineages as independent groups, despite showing signs of ancestral polymorphism or possibly gene flow between the Maghreb/South Iberia and Central Morocco clades. The species tree recovered two major groups; one clustering taxa from Europe and Northern Maghreb and another one encompassing the lineages from Central/Southern Morocco, Central Morocco and Canary Islands, indicating that the ancestor of T. angustimentalis came from the Central/Southern Morocco region. Finally, Bayesian coalescent species delimitation analysis supports all six mitochondrial clades as "unconfirmed candidate species", pending morphological data to define them.