Variances in Thermal Ecology
of Hemidactylus turcicus and Hemidactylus frenatus
on the Florida Southern College Campus
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We initially tried to observe the impact of a new invasive gecko species, Hemidactylus frenatus, on another invasive gecko species, Hemidactylus turcicus, to see if the former held advantage over the settled species based on its ability to withstand colder temperatures on Florida Southern College’s campus in Lakeland, Fl. We soon found out that Hemidactylus frenatus were rarely observed. We looked at the preferential locations and temperature ranges for Hemidactylus turcicus on the college campus.
Native to parts of the Mediterranean, Hemidactylus turcicus is a gecko species that is well-adapted to several regions around the world where it has now become invasive. Since it was introduced to Florida, it has become widespread. The data collected was used to show the prevalence of H. turcisus on several buildings on the Florida Southern College campus. Gecko density in each of these areas was mapped out and wall temperatures where the geckos were found were recorded to determine if there could be a correlation between temperature readings and species abundance. We found that there was a correlation between population densities in warmer parts of each building as the temperature dropped over a period of two months, and even a lack of observable geckos in buildings without as many lights to provide heat. |