Activity of the moorish Gecko,Tarentola mauritanica, transitioning from winter to spring within Malta

Abstract

The Moorish Gecko, also known scientifically as Tarentola mauritanica, is a protected species within Malta for which the Environmental and Resources Authority (ERA) commissioned the first-ever surveys on their distribution and abundance. This study was carried out in 2020 during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, but no surveys were carried out in the winter, thus leaving a gap in knowledge about the activity patterns of T. mauritanica. The present study used various quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to study the species’ activity patterns as they emerged from winter dormancy. The results showed that the gecko’s activity, abundance, and spatial distribution depend on the preferred temperature and the type of habitat. The gecko's locations were also observed and tracked throughout this study to be able to understand how the geckos are distributed within the study area. The purpose of this research study is to aid the ERA in the conservation management of the species and contributing activity information about the species during the winter to springtime transition through transect surveys during the late winter to early spring seasons. The goal is to gain a better understanding of their abundance and spatial distribution in northeast Malta.