Status and geographical expansion of the Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, in Louisiana: Implications for the Southeastern United States

.—We used literature records, unpublished museum records, and unvouchered reports to evaluate the status of theMediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) in Louisiana since its last comprehensive treatment in 1989. During the last 17years, the known geographic range of this species has expanded from four to 30 parishes following a pattern that iscommensurate with extensive human-mediated dispersal. Its strong association with, and use patterns of, buildings in Louisianaare similar to those of the species elsewhere. Potentially limiting competitors and predators have not been identified in urbansettings. Potential for competition with hylid treefrogs in ruderal settings remains unresolved, and in many urban settings thepotential for syntopy is low. Louisiana and the southeastern United States in general are amenable to colonization by H. turcicuswith the northern edge of its geographic range being dictated by climate. However, the future status of this species within thesoutheastern United States will be strongly influenced by the thermal tolerances of a suite of recent and competitively superiorgecko species that displace this species in Texas and Florida.