New occurrence records of Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril & Bibron, 1836) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) for the amazon and atlantic forest in Brazil

Abstract

The gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris is native to southwest Pacific but is widely introduced into the neotropics. In Brazil, its known distribution was limited to the city of Belém in the Amazon. This work presents three new records of the species for the states of Pará and Bahia. Records from Pará were made in Capitão Poço and in Marajó island, while the third one was in Salvador, Bahia. We believe these records represent independent colonizations, with specimens arriving in Capitão Poço in auto-vehicles coming from Belém, while colonizations of Salvador and Breves may have occurred by ships. Introductions of L. lugubris were described as accidental or due to pet trade, so the latter alternative cannot be discarded. It seems likely that L. lugubris has already spread to other states and biomes across the north and northeast of Brazil, but its occurrence is yet to be documented in these regions.