Distribution and Habitat Use by 'Hemidactylus frenatus' Dumeril and Bibron (Gekkonidae) in the Northern Territory

Abstract

Hemidactylus frenatus is an invasive gecko with an expanding distribution in Australia.We collated all available locality records and investigated the habitats associated with the species in the Northern Territory.H. frenatus is more widespread in the Top End, Gulf of Carpentaria and Victoria River regions than previously documented.The species remains primarily associated with artificial anthropogenic structures and surrounding vegetation (particularly denser tropical forests), but there are also a small number of records of it living in natural vegetation further than 1 km from such structures.We speculate that H. frenatus will continue to spread through suitable habitats in northern Australia.