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Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Is the Asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, really a threat to Australia’s biodiversity?

E. P. Vanderduys A C and A. S. Kutt B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, ATSIP PMB PO, Aitkenvale, Qld 4814, Australia.

B School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: Eric.Vanderduys@csiro.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 60(6) 361-367 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO12077
Submitted: 14 August 2012  Accepted: 4 March 2013   Published: 26 March 2013

Abstract

Invasive animals can have a wide range of impacts in natural systems. The introduced Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus has invaded widely in Australia, but is largely restricted to human-altered landscapes. Hoskin (2011) has argued that H. frenatus has the potential to negatively impact Australian ecosystems by invading natural habitats. We examine this contention by reviewing an extensive standardised fauna survey dataset collected in northern and central Queensland during the key period of H. frenatus expansion from the 1990s to 2012. In light of these data we also re-examine data from other areas that suggest H. frenatus is a benign threat and is unlikely to become an environmental pest within Australia. On current evidence, we conclude that H. frenatus is unlikely to spread much beyond areas of human influence.


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