Factors affecting range expansion in the introduced Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus

摘要

Exotic species colonize new areas through the processes of jump dispersal, population establishment, and diffusion dispersal. From 1962 to 1997, Mediterranean Geckos, Hemidactylus turcicus, were intentionally introduced multiple times into a science building on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma. In 2005, we recorded 365 captures of 305 individuals. The population size was estimated to be 1005 individuals with a density of 478 geckos/ha. The population has dispersed a maximum distance of 200 m from the point of introduction which translates to a maximum rate of diffusion dispersal of 20 m/yr. These results support the hypothesis that range expansion of introduced Mediterranean Geckos has occurred because of multiple jump dispersal events, despite slow diffusion dispersal.