The Moorish Gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, is a large species of gecko native to the Mediterranean Region of Europe and northern Africa. As with many other species of geckos, T. mauritanica has been introduced outside of its native range, often through jump dispersal and hitchhiking through the trade of commercial goods. Here, we summarize the occurrence of this species in the United States and present new data on an established population in Bexar County, Texas. Surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023 resulted in 59 vouchered specimens collected from 11 separate, distinct sites across the San Antonio metropolitan area. Photographic observations of this species in the area exist from 2018, and further support the widespread occurrence of this species in the region. Currently, T. mauritanica is known from three states in the USA (California, Florida, Texas), though it may soon spread into new areas. Future studies are needed to examine the ecological consequences of this non-native species.

Davis DR, Genter BW, LaDuc TJ. 2024. Invasion history of the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae), in the USA, with new records of an established population in Texas. Reptiles & Amphibians 31:e21502. [PDF]