AMRE-1505_Supplementary material.pdf (319 kB)
Download fileCabo Verde giant gecko: how many units for conservation?
journal contribution
posted on 2021-06-22, 07:11 authored by Katelene Delgado, Evandro P. Lopes, Raquel VasconcelosTarentola gigas (Bocage, 1875) is
the largest gecko living in the Cabo Verde Archipelago. It is subdivided into
two subspecies, one confined to the Branco Islet, Tarentola gigas brancoensis (Schleich, 1984), and another to the
Raso Islet, Tarentola gigas gigas
(Bocage, 1875). These islets were classified as Integral Natural Reserves and
further studies on the species are needed to outline more assertive
conservation measures. Thus, this study aims to integrate for the first time genetic,
morphometric and meristic data to test if there are significant differences
between these two taxonomical groups that would support the subspecific
designation. The results indicated that they are two closely related
subspecies, with some visible differences in size and shape, possibly related
to diet, habitat conditions or drift. Given the conservation status of the
species, this should be further investigated, aiming an adequate management of
these two evolutionarily significant units.