New findings of Kotschy’s gecko, Mediodactylus kotschyi (Steindachner, 1870) in Serbia, with a particular focus on recently detected populations in Niš and Sremska Mitrovica

Abstract

Kotschy's gecko (Mediodactylus kotschyi) is native to the eastern Mediterranean basin but well known as a successful colonizer. The most probable way of its spreading is cargo and passenger traffic. In Serbia, M. kotschyi is assumed native only in Prizren. Anthropogenic introductions were confirmed in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Pančevo and Smederevo. This study aimed to summarize data of M. kotschyi findings with reference to recently confirmed population in Niš and newly recorded population in Sremska Mitrovica. These two populations are well-established with multiple pieces of evidence of reproduction. Pholidosis data were collected for several individuals to confirm their specific status. New and previously recorded introduced populations of Kotchy's gecko in Serbia belong to M. kotschyi bibroni based on morphology. The introduction was most likely related to railways and further spread in urban zones is expected. It seems that introduced populations do not threaten native ecosystems as these populations are appeared to be highly localized in urban habitats. Apstrakt: Novi nalazi Kočijevog gekona, Mediodactylus kotschyi (Steindachner, 1870) u Srbiji, sa posebnim fokusom na nedavno zabeležene populacije u Nišu i Sremskoj Mitrovici Kočijev gekon (Mediodactylus kotschyi) se autohtono javlja u basenu istočnog Sredozemlja ali je dobro poznat i kao uspešan kolonizator. Najverovatniji načini njegovog širenja su teretni i putnički saobraćaj. U Srbiji, Kočijev gekon se smatra autohtonim samo na području Prizrena. Antropogene introdukcije potvrđene su u Beogradu, Novom Sadu, Pančevu i Smederevu. Cilj ove studije je da sumira podatke o nalazima M. kotschyi sa posebnom pažnjom na nedavno potvrđeno prisustvo populacije u Nišu i